Still somewhat numb and temporarily in thought of Lavery's words he was caught unaware when Gabe gave the order to fire. Smoke engulfed the ship momentarily till the wind carried it forward.
Thank God Druett has got his wits about him, Hazard thought, cause I'm making a poor showing.
'Fire! That's it, lads, fire! Let them Jonathans feel ole SeaWolfy's fangs. That's it, now put your backs into it. Swab out. Swab out you buggers.' BOOM!…BOOM!…BOOM!…
SeaWolf’s six pounders roared again-gun drill had paid off. The gun crews were like a well oiled machine.
'Once more now lads, on the up roll fire!'
'Cease fire, cease firing,' Gabe bellowed, countermanding his orders from just a breath before. 'Cease firing, they've surrendered.' The schooner had struck. A white flag, a shirt tied by the sleeves to a gaff hook was being waved.
'She never recovered from your ruse, cap'n,' Lavery addressed Gabe. 'She was ready starboard, but never got a gun in action to larboard. She never fired a shot.'
Gabe looked at Dagan. He knew, Gabe thought, recalling Dagan's words, 'she's poorly handled.' Gabe didn't feel as joyous as he had a moment earlier.
'Do we send the boat over sir, or do we close and grapple?' Hazard was asking.
'I'll take a boat with the surgeon I think, Mr. Hazard, and have Mr. Davy along with the bosun and a few marines come as well'.
'Aye, cap'n.'
'Dagan, let's go see to our prize.'
SeaWolf’s broadside had caused much damage aboard the Colonial schooner, Linda Lee. Spars
were down, cordage and riggings were severed and strewn. Several cannons were upturned. Bodies lay about. However to seasoned veterans like Mr. Davy and Graf, the bosun, the casualties seemed remarkably few upon first glance. Gabe, along with Dagan, boarded the beaten ship. A youth met them. He still held the gaff with its improvised flag of truce.
'Where are your officers, sir?' Gabe asked.
'Dead. They were trying to help man the larboard guns when you fired your salvo.'
Looking about the deck Gabe could see ten or twelve bodies. Another dozen or so of the crew were miling about.
'Where's the rest of your crew?'
'Cap'n Crawford put most of them on prizes and they sailed on to Cuba.'
'Where?' Gabe asked.
Realizing he may have given something away the youth became defiant. 'None of your business you British bastard.'
Davy took a sudden step forward. 'Watch your tongue with my cap'n or you'll answer to me.'
'That's enough,' Gabe spoke to his loyal midshipman. 'I'm sure the young gentleman meant no harm.'
At that the youth spat on the deck. Mr. Davy lunged for the boy only to be stopped by Dagan, who looked dead in the privateering youth's eyes.
'There will be no more. Do we understand one another?'
The youth looked at the cold black eyes that seemed to penetrate into his soul. He could feel the hand of the man who had spoken on his shoulder and suddenly he knew not to push his luck.
'How old are you, boy?' Gabe was speaking again.
'Fifteen sir. Well almost fifteen.'
'What's your name, son?'
'Andrew.'
'Caleb, will you take Andrew back with you when you're finished here?'
'It will be my pleasure, Gabe. I'm sure he'd like to meet Mr. Jewell s.'
Mr. Jewell s was Caleb's ape. Only a few knew his name was a reflection on part of his anatomy and not his disposition.
'Dagan, let's have a look at the captain's cabin.
Mr. Graf, send a party through the ship checking for damage and anything which may be of interest. Lt. Baugen, put a sentry on the rum stores. I'm sure there's some about, then have the prisoners searched for weapons, then get them in the hole.'
'Aye, cap'n, we'll take care of it,' Baugen replied.
Then turning to his men, 'Marines, do your duty as the cap'n has ordered.'
'Mr. Davy?'
'Yes sir, cap'n.'
'Signal for Mr. Hazard to join me on the prize.'
'Aye, aye sir.'
'Sail ho! Fine on the larboard bow,' the lookout cal ed down his sighting.
Lavery approached the master and Dagan.
'Two in one day?' The master raised his thick bushy eyebrows, ’If the Lord giveth, who are we to question his bounty?'
'Deck there, she's the Badger, sir. I've seen her in Barbados afore.'
'Frances Fewghay of His Majesty's armed brig, Badger, the captain introduced himself to Gabe as he came aboard SeaWolf. 'I'm part of Vice Admiral Gayton's squadron.
I'm on the way to Barbados by way of Port Royal, Jamaica.
As Dawkins served the of icers a glass of wine, Fewghay asked, 'Have you heard Admiral Lord Howe is now in command of the North American Naval Forces. Admiral Shuldham has returned to England.'
'What about Admiral Graves?' Gabe asked.
'He's going back as well, but word is he'll return after refit and overhaul.'
Touching Gabe's arm Fewghay almost whispered,
'Rumor is Admiral Gayton is not well and will likely by returning to England soon also.' Gabe wondered if Gayton was il or just didn't look forward to the trying times ahead.
'Land ho,' the lookout cal ed halfway through the ’forenoon' watch.
'Where away,' Hazard cal ed, his impatience at not already having been told not lost on the lookout.
'Two points of the starboard bow,' came the answer.
Hazard went aloft with his telescope to identify the land. The eastern point of the island was visible. Quickly sliding down the stays Hazard quipped, 'A perfect landfal.'
'What else should we expect from our master?' Gabe joined in.
'We'll be entering Carlisle Bay soon,' the master advised, feeling somewhat smug and strutting like a peacock.
'Let's make the ship ready to enter port,' Gabe instructed his first lieutenant. He'd not have the admiral mentioning any defects if he could help it.
'Aye, sir, she's looking smart now but we'll 'smarten' her up another notch.'
Gabe then motioned to Dagan to follow as he went below to put together SeaWolf’s papers for the admiral along with usual dispatches and his reports on the capture of the prize. SeaWolf and her prize sailed to Barbados in company with Badger.
They rounded Needham Point and then tacked into Carlisle Bay. The master checked the bay depth for the anchor, and the gunner was making ready for the salute.
No sooner had the salute been given when the flagship signaled 'Captain repair on board.' Dagan had the gig
