available for any additional tasks he might need accomplished.'
'Aye, captain. I'll see him now, sir!' Since that episode Bart and the rest of Anthony's staff were treated with respect.
A loud THUD!
'Zur, the flag lieutenant, zur.' The unexpected shout and stamping on the floor made Anthony jump, spilling what was left of his coffee on the flag captain.
'Damme man, I'm not deef.'
'Silas!' Lord Anthony exclaimed, then turning to the flag captain he apologized, 'I'm sorry Dutch.'
'Yes, my Lord.'
'See to Captain Moffett's uniform if you will.'
'Aye, my Lord. I'll tend to it now.' Turning back Anthony again apologized, 'I'm really sorry Dutch. I told Dunlap to instruct the sentries to simply knock.'
Standing behind Anthony, Bart looked sheepishly at Markham. He and Markham had discussed this situation in the past. Bart couldn't help but believe that the sentry stamped his musket butt on the deck just a little harder than necessary just to see the admiral jump. It was a dangerous game if he and Markham 's suspicions were true.
Maybe he'd pay the lout a special visit and give a word of warning 'Bart style'.
'Iffen yews like sir, I's could see the surgeon and get a bit of cotton wadding to stuff in yew's ears so's the sentry wouldn't startle yew so.'
'Shut up Bart.'
'Aye, sir. Course we could always flog the bloody bullock so as to make ’em a's zample to the utter sentries.'
'Bart!'
'Aye, sir. Shut me trap I will and head topside me thinks. It's a little to warm for me liken down here.'
As Bart closed the door behind him, Markham exploded with laughter then saw the stare he got from Captain Moffett and Lord Anthony.
However, their stare only lasted a moment before they too joined in, causing Markham to start up again.
As always Bart had got the last word in before leaving.
'It's a wonder you haven't set that one adrift,' Dutch said when he could catch his breath.
'Aye,' Anthony replied, 'but Bart grows on you, Dutch. It'd be hard for me to imagine life in the Navy without him.'
Markham felt humbled and touched at his Lordship's words.
Sitting in the pantry, Silas shook his head as he was deep in thought. Bart was full of more shit than a holiday turkey. He'd better be glad he was the cox'n. Otherwise, he'd been in a prison hulk somewhere. Some wondered at the relationship between Bart and Lord Anthony. Yes, some wondered but Silas knew.
When his Lordship was a lieutenant and Bart was a seaman on board the brig, Southwind, Anthony had caught Flagge, the first lieutenant, sodomizing one of the servants. The captain was not on board and Anthony was unsure of what actions to take.
He knew the lout should stand a court martial for
'buggery'. He went ashore that evening and Flagge had Anthony ambushed in an alleyway.
Bart had been ashore and happened on the event.
While some would have run away, Bart didn't.
He'd liked the young lieutenant who was in charge of his division and he hated Flagge. He'd had his own suspicions about the first lieutenant's ways.
Bart pulled his knife and picked up a broken barrel stave, and charged into the melee. Bart's intervention saved young Lieutenant Anthony's life.
Two of Flagge's men were killed, and two ran off.
Bart was shot in the shoulder and Flagge was killed from a knife wound…Bart's knife! After hearing of Flagge's death, the servant fled, never to be heard from again. With both parties gone it would have been difficult to prove Flagge had A n t h o n y attacked.
Although Bart was wounded, it was his glib tongue that made up the story as to how he, Lieutenant Anthony and the first lieutenant were set upon by thieves. The story was never questioned and Bart had been with Anthony ever since.
'Damme, my Lord, but that's a tall order,' Dutch had just read the orders that were to employ Lord Anthony's squadron until…
'Ye are directed to immediately proceed on a!cruize to provide protection of trade for his Majesty's loyal merchants.'
'Ye are directed to range the coast of Provence of Main…and from thence proceed farr southward as latitude thirty-four north and not further west than the shoals of Nantuckett nor further east than the Island [of] Sable, on the coast of Nova Scotia.'
'Ye are to remain on station until weather and halidays cease the merchant trade.'
After Captain Moffett read Lord Anthony's orders they were returned to Lieutenant Markham to be put away. Markham had read the orders and
couldn't help but wonder who had written them.
He was not at the top of his class in composition and spelling but he was sure he could have done a better job. This had probably been done by some flag lieutenant who held his commission out of favoritism.
Markham had accepted his present
appointment as Lord Anthony's flag lieutenant out of respect. He had the education which some apparently lacked, if those orders were an indication. He had the background and certainly he had the family and Navy name recognition. He had been a midshipman under then Captain Anthony on HMS Drakkar. He had made lieutenant at the same time as Gabe, Lord Anthony's brother.
He was honored to be the flag lieutenant and didn't want to appear ungrateful, but what he really wanted was a ship.
Damn Gabe, the lucky sod. SeaWolf. Now that was as fine a vessel as anyone could hope for as a first command. He didn't begrudge Gabe his ship; he just wished he could be as lucky. However, he was in the best spot, right here in front of the Admiral should a vacancy arise, or a prize become available.
Damn Gabe, though. Then Markham felt a bit of guilt at his feeling. He sure missed Gabe, but damn him anyway. He'd buy the first round next time, just because he was such a lucky sod.
Chapter Three
As Gabe strode forward, the wind picked up.
He could feel his loose clothing pressed tight against his body and his hair was blowing with the wind.
He held onto a shroud as SeaWolf’s sharp bow cut through the water. He was exhilarated. Fourteen knots, my God what speed, muttered Gabe. He was sure he could coax another knot out of her.
When he was away from the squadron Gabe would put on every inch of SeaWolf’s canvas and let her fly as he was doing now. Not unlike a thoroughbred at the downs he thought. But Lord Sandwich was right. She was a predator too, and he wondered how long it would be before she fired her guns in anger.
Delivering dispatches was not the type of work Gabe would have chosen but it did allow a certain degree of freedom. One appealing aspect was that it got him away from the squadron and the Admiral. An admiral was always an admiral even if he was your brother. He did miss Gil. They had shared some good times and bad ones over the last few years. Gabe had joined his brother's ship as a midshipman but had matured into a man amidst the
