hands on the missy, dem good-fur-nuthin' men
of ours, and if some left over keep me in mind too Lawd. Amen.'
Gabe had met with his officers and caught up on what had happen during his absence.
'The ship is in good repair, we need a few things but are ready for sea now if need be,' Hazard had assured Gabe.
Nathan Lavery brought up the subject of Mr. Davy.
'Is Mr. Davy gone for good, sir?' the lieutenant asked.
'If so, we have an opening for another mid.' Gabe made a note to check on this when he dined with his brother that evening. He didn't go into specifics but before dismissing his officers, Gabe said, 'I have every belief we will be putting to sea very soon to engage a fair size force. When I told the men, tomorrow we work, I meant it. Starting tomorrow I want the crew put through al the drill s. They know sailing and gunnery but I want them to be put through fire drill.
Drill them on what to do if the tiller cable parts and we lose steerage. I want to see who steps forward if al the officers are kill ed.'
Looking at the captain, Blake spoke what the others were thinking, 'You think we're in for a substantial battle with a sizable force, don't you sir?' Gabe would not lie to his officers, 'I have no way of knowing exactly what we're to face, Mr. Blake, but I do
expect the worse. If we prepare for it and there's less…well we can al be thankful.'
The officers had gone back topside and Gabe could hear the men padding around on the deck overhead going through their daily activities. Gabe had just finished writing in his journal, crew employed A.T.S.R, the abbreviation for ’as the service requires' when he heard the challenge, 'boat ahoy?' Le Frelon!
That could only be Earl, Gabe thought as he grabbed his hat and headed topside. It appeared Lord Anthony had given the corvette to Earl. 'It was past time he had his own ship,' Gabe thought, 'In reality he should have had a command before me.' Before he left the cabin, Gabe cal ed out, 'Dawkins?'
'Aye, cap'n.'
'I'm thinking we're about to have a small celebration. Some glasses and a bit of something tasty if you will.'
'Aye, cap'n, right away.'
'Lum?'
'Yes suh…aye, sir.'
'Get your lotz, I want to show it to my friend.' Looking at Dawkins, Lum replied, 'Aye, aye sir.' Then Lum looked pleased as Dawkins grinned and nodded his head.
'We'll make a sailor outta you yet, Lum, and that's no error.'
'The two seemed to be getting along well, ' Gabe thought.
Then it occurred to him Dagan had made himself scarce of late and come to think of it so had Caleb, undoubtedly to give him time to clear his thoughts on the ordeal that he had been through…then thinking of Caleb, Gabe thought of Mr. Jewels.
'Damme,' Gabe said to himself, 'How my mind wonders,' as he climbed the companionway he couldn't help but wonder what if any mischief the ape had been up to.
Dagan made his way into SeaWolf’s captain's cabin without the usual announcement by the marine sentry.
He caught Gabe's eye then holding up his watch he alerted him to the time then disappeared into the pantry.
After seeing Dagan, Gabe patted his friend on the shoulder and said, 'Stephen, old salt, I hate to be a bad host but its time I sup with the Admiral.' Earl then looked at his own watch, 'Damme, Gabe where has the time gone? You'd best make headway to the flagship. You can't keep the Admiral waiting even if he is your brother.'
'Aye,' Gabe answered, 'Sometimes it's hard keeping the two separated.'
The two had shared more than enough wine, biscuit, fresh preserves and cheese in celebration of Earl's promotion to Master and Commander and being given command of Le Frelon. Now Gabe wondered if he'd be able to do justice to his meal at the flagship.
Earl had enjoyed Lum's lotz and commented on how like a flute it was but still different in tone. 'It has a melancholy sound does it not?'
'Aye,' Gabe replied, 'But Lum can make it dance a jig as well.' The three had passed it around and made attempts at mastering the instrument with instructions from Lum. Earl seemed to grasp it more readily than Gabe whose talents seemed to be more with stringed instruments.
Surprisingly Lum did well with Gabe's lute and said he'd played a violin as well. 'We have a master musician in our mist,' declared Earl, which seemed to please the old black gentleman.
Even with the distinct separation of officers and crew, Lum seemed to be treated better than he'd ever been treated as a slave. Dagan had told him, 'You're a slave no more; you're a free man and will be paid for your labors. The Royal Navy don't pay well but it pays and being the cap'n's servant you'll have more freedom than most.'
As Earl waited for his gig he shook Gabe's hand.
'Thank you again. Lord Anthony told me you'd thought of me when the corvette was taken.' Gabe was touched by the sincereness in his friend's voice.
'Nonsense, Stephen, you were the only real candidate his Lordship had.'
'Well, I hope I meet his expectations,' Earl replied.
'I'd hate to fail his Lordship in anyway.'
'I had the same concerns,' Gabe admitted. 'There were some whose whispers were not so silent as not to be overheard. It was said that had I not been the son of one admiral and brother of another I'd never been given command at such an early age. A crib captain was one description I heard. Therefore, it was very important for me to succeed and my appointment not be viewed as that of special interest but be viewed as an accomplishment.'
Hazard, the first lieutenant, approached the two captains in conversation and stood waiting until he was acknowledged.
'Yes, Mr. Hazard?' Gabe stated.
'My compliments, sir, and Captain Earl's gig is waiting, sir.'
'Thank you, Mr. Hazard.' As Gabe walked to the entry port with his friend, Earl grasped his arm. He stopped suddenly and faced Gabe.
'The captain's cal tomorrow Gabe…is it something big, something important?' Unsure of what to say but not wanting to make Earl wonder for another several hours he replied, 'I'm not sure of what the Admiral's order will be but were it I with a new command and an unproven crew I'd spend time in gunnery drill.'
Earl gave Gabe a knowing look, 'Gunnery drill it will be then sir. Gunnery drill it'll be.'
As Gabe boarded the flagship to dine with his brother he saw Bart smoking his pipe while sitting on one of the huge twelve-pounder cannons.
'Tell me, Bart,' Gabe said, 'how has Silas and Mr. Jewell s been doing during my absence.' Bart's face broke out in a grin, 'Ah…Gabe, it's been exciting at times, it has. Silas made a platter full of pastries for ’is Lordship's breakfast and put ’em on the table. Then ’e went to fetch some coffee. When ’e returned ’is Lordship was sitting at the table and al the pastries were gone. Silas thinks ’is Lordship must've been hungry, but he pour's ’is coffee as be
