'You ruin more good men than you know,' he'd always say when he gathered his officers just prior to a commission. Why so many use it as intimidation was more than he could fathom.
Bart had used the admiral's barge again to row Gabe over to SeaWolf. That Hazard had been forewarned was obvious, probably by Earl, who had been summoned to the flagship. The entire crew had turned out in their best.
'Boat ahoy! SeaWolf!' The challenge and the reply, a bosun's pipe shrilled loudly filling the air as did cheers, then a firm 'silence on deck.' Gabe recognized the voice of Nathan Lavery.
As Gabe grabbed hold of the manropes and stepped out of the barge onto the batten a small swell leapt up between the two hull s and soaked his boat. Damme, thought Gabe, what a way to board my own ship, leaving a wet footprint across the deck.
As Gabe climbed through the entry port the cheers started again. Huzza, Huzza…Huzza for the cap'n.
Hazard, the first lieutenant, Blake, the master; the second lieutenant, Lavery, the bosun, Carpenter; gunner and even the purser were al turned out.
Marine Lieutenant Baugean had the marines turned
out as bright and shiny as if they were on parade. A grinning Sergeant Schniedermirer looked like he had two mouths. His grinning smile was upturned but age old chew'bacy stains left a permanent downward appearance. Taking a step forward, Gabe took off his hat and gave a slight bow to the crew which set the men to howling al over again.
'Flattery men, flattery, do you scallywags think such a welcome will get you any favors? Well, I'm sure none of you deserve it, but today…up spirits…for tomorrow there's work to be done.'
The cheers broke out again and was almost deafening. Gabe had to almost shout to make himself heard, 'Give me a few minutes, Mr. Hazard, then I'd be pleased if you, the master, and Mr. Lavery would report to my cabin.'
'Aye, captain.'
'Damme,' thought Gabe, 'That sounded good, to once again be addressed as captain.'
Gabe entered his cabin and felt a peace within him.
Compared to his brother's great cabin it would be insignificant to many, but it was his private space. He recall ed the first day he'd entered it. The deck above had been raised to give head-room. A hatch with a sliding cover had been fixed to give extra daylight when the weather was permissive. His cabin was divided into three sections. To larboard, a section was set aside by a
mahogany divider; his bed was a chest of four drawers not unlike a square box with a rim around the top to hold a feather mattress in place. His bed was suspended from the overhead by four one-inch ropes. This allowed the cot to swing as the ship rolled when in a heavy sea.
To the starboard side was his desk and chair. The starboard side was also divided off but the dividers were not near as elaborate as those on the flagship. Above the desk, sideboards had been built. Without realizing it, Gabe ran his hands over the desk feeling the smooth well -oiled wood. The dark metal fasteners look aged and worn. There on the desk were the captain's standing orders. He'd spent hours preparing it only to throw half of it away after a conversation with his brother, who not only advised, but gave him two copies of his orders book. His first and a second much smaller one.
'The first was from my first command. The second was for Drakkar, ' Lord Anthony had explained. 'Some captains make the mistake of putting too much in the orders and are forever being summoned. Others don't put enough and the consequence is the same because the men aren't sure what to do. Read these and adjust the orders to fit your ship and your needs. A half dozen absolute do's and don'ts are a good starting point.'
'No doubt father had given Gil the same advice,' Gabe thought.
'A glass for you sir.'
Gabe turned and Dawkins was standing by the divider. 'Aye,' Gabe replied, 'And get yourself a glass.
We have some things to talk over, you and I.'
'I thought we might,' the old seaman replied. He'd already seen the black man under Dagan's tow.
Dawkins got his glass and set in the armchair beside Gabe's desk. He listened as Gabe explained his commitment to Lum.
'What I thought we'd do,' Gabe said, 'is this. Lum was at one time a house servant. He's still in good health but like someone else I know probably not fit for daily shipboard work.'
'Aye, sir,' Dawkins replied, 'He's like me in that respect and I ain't ’shamed to say it. ’E's done seen the day he could splice and reef in al manner of seas.'
'Right,' Gabe answered, 'Now what I envisioned is this. You will teach Lum your job, and then since you're an educated man, you will become my secretary.'
'Aye, sir, I reckon it's time I used me learning so's it won't go to waste.'
'Good,' Gabe said, 'It's settled.' He had been concerned that Dawkins being a territorial old salt might not be as agreeable as he had. However, captain's secretary was somewhat more of a status symbol than captain's servant so to Dawkins' way of thinking, he'd just got a promotion.
Thinking of the arrangement made Gabe think of Faith. Where was she? Did she go to Savannah as she said she would? Was she safe? Did she love him as he loved her? Did she real y think of him as the enemy?
He clutched the empty bag. Did she have the ruby?
Was it next to her heart as she said it would be? The heart that had beat against his heart. The feel of her breast on his chest as they embraced. The feel of her breath against his face. The smell of her fresh washed body. Her hair in his hand as his arms went around her. That kiss, those burning lips that caused flames of desire to rage through his body. 'My God,' Gabe thought, 'she has seized my very soul.' Little did Gabe know some seventeen hundred miles south, a blonde-haired girl sat in the porch swing of a three-story mansion looking out at the giant oak trees fill ed with low hanging moss. A gentle breeze blew and a slight chill was in the air. Inside, with al the candles lit it was to warm, outside it was a bit cool but the cool air cut down on swarming mosquitoes.
However, the girl was oblivious to al of this. Her mind was on a tall, dark, British naval officer. 'Oh Gabe,' Faith thought, 'In a moment of impudent pride I've ruined it. I never meant to hurt you,' Faith thought recalling the look of disbelief and shock on Gabe's face as she cal ed him ’the enemy'. Had he made his escape she wondered.
She had made her way to Savannah as she had told Gabe she'd do. She was given sanctuary in the home of her father's friend and business partner. Gavin Lacy and his wife, Caroline, had been very kind to her. Faith
had told them about her suspicions of Uncle Adam's activities which had been rumored for some time. It was not much later that word had made its way to Faith that Colonel Francis Marion and General Gates had gone south to Port Royal and confiscated al the supplies her uncle had stored in his warehouse. Some of Montique's men had gotten wind of the impending arrest and warned him that a warrant had been issued for treason and white slavery. Upon hearing the news from his men, Montigue loaded al he could aboard one of his ships and fled just prior to General Gates men's arrival.
One of the slaves got word to Nanny that Montique had vowed to do worse than murder to Faith and the British bastard she'd taken up with. Even with the ever constant protection offered by Mr. Lacy and his men Faith had woken several times from a nightmare where she was being raped repeatedly while her uncle looked on laughing. Nanny had slept in her room for weeks until Faith refused for her to do so another night.
'Just look at you,' Faith scolded Nanny, 'Sleeping in that chair has got your lumbago so flared up you're worthless to anyone. I'll not be the cause of al your ailments flaring up. From now on you sleep in your bed.'
Seeing the truth in Faith's words Nanny agreed,
'You's right child, I's gona sleep in my bed from now on ’wid dis heah hatchet under my pillow, and if a bad man messes ’wid you chile, I's gona chop off his head.' still before Nanny went to sleep she prayed, 'Lawd, keep yo
