'Ah, yes, the Neptune. Since Lord Howe has promoted you to commander of LeFrelon, I'm sure he'll confirm your promotion to captain and command of the frigate. Did you loose any officers?'
'No, my Lord.'
'Good, then we'll do what we can for LeFrelon now, and make a final decision when we get back to Saint Augustine.'
PART II
Searching for fresh air.
The crew gathering on deck,
And stared out in awe;
As the Caribbean sun set.
They drank down their ration,
And lit up their pipes.
The master had promised,
Another scorching night.
– Michael Aye
Chapter Eight
The weeks following the battle with the privateers proved to be less rewarding. It was monotonous at times and hot all the time.
Anthony sent the ships out on patrol in pairs. Merlin and Swan were plying the coast up to Wilmington, North Carolina where two transports had been taken by rebel gunboats.
The Cape Fear River poured out into the Atlantic at Wilmington. The area had over a dozen inlets and most were suited for privateering. Strike fast, then escape into one of the inlets where navigation would be very treacherous for someone who didn't know the area.
Captain Knight on the newly captured Neptune, and Gabe on SeaWolf had just returned from their patrol south to the Keys and back. Pigeon and Audacity took turns as transport from the anchorage to Saint Augustine. Warrior continued at anchorage providing protection to the city.
'Boat ahoy!' Anthony could hear the challenge through the open skylight. A few minutes later Buck came down.
'Sir, flag captain,' the marine sentry announced.
As Captain Buck entered, Anthony called to Silas,
'Bring us a glass of hock if you will.' 'Aye, my Lord, I have to fetch it from the bilges, but it shouldn't take long.'
Seeing the official envelope with the Governor's seal, Anthony asked, 'What have we here?'
'I'd guess it's an invitation,' Buck replied.
'To what?'
'You'll have to tell me sir, as it's addressed to you.' Anthony tore open the seal, and then sat silent for a moment while he read the invitation. 'Well, Rupert,' he spoke to Buck, using his first name. 'It's time for you to meet some of the city's more eligible ladies.'
'I don't understand,' Buck said with a slight frown across his brow.
'The Governor is having a ball. Why, I have no idea, but you and the other ship's captains are all invited.
As I recall, it was at such an affair you struck up quite a relationship with a lady on Antigua.'
'Aye,' Buck replied as a smile creased his face. 'A most warm and loving lady she was until she found out I'd not quit the sea to become her kept man. Mind you now, it was like a honeymoon itself every time we came back into port,' Buck continued as he recalled the buxom dark-haired woman who had offered him a life of luxury.
'Trouble was, sir, nothing went with it. The plantation stayed in her name. She didn't want marriage and I couldn't see myself as some nabob.' Anthony couldn't help but chuckle. He and Buck had been together for a long time and he could just see him as some rich widow's kept man.
'Wouldn't mind seeing her again for a day or so.
Then I'd be ready to set sail,' Buck said as he took a deep sigh.
'Well, we'll see if Saint Augustine has anyone to stir your humours.'
'Huh!' Buck replied. 'There's plenty of that, I don't know if it's the sun or possibly the Spanish heritage sir, but the women in the… ah… establishments around Saint Augustine are dark-skinned with ready smiles and bold looks. The way they flash their eyes at you is enough to set a sailor's heart ablaze. They tend to be very shapely, sir, all buxom and smiles. Several of our lads wouldn't mind having a closer relationship with the local women I'm told.'
'Well,' Anthony said as he pushed his chair back allowing Silas to pour the hock he'd retrieved from the bilges, 'let's try not to cause any problems with the local men over these women.'
'Nay, my lord, there'll be no trouble as long as our jack tars keep a full purse and a condom on hand.' Admiral Lord Anthony walked down the corridor toward the ballroom; Flag Captain Buck at his side and Flag Lieutenant Hazard was directly behind. As the door was opened by a footman Anthony heard Hazard take in a deep breath when he saw the bare shoulders and deep cleavages of the ladies who were wearing gowns of various colors. Anthony saw Buck hesitate ever so slightly in his pace so that Hazard would come abreast then whispered to the lieutenant, 'Don't stare.' Hazard gulped and shook his head.
Buck then leaned toward Anthony and spoke softly,
'Not as grand as Antigua but the evening has promise.' As the three officers made their way further through the entrance and to the first step of three that led down to the ballroom floor the footman tapped a long stave on the floor gaining everyone's attention, 'Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony.'
This drew curious stares from the mass of people already circulating inside the ballroom. A huge chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling with four smaller ones bordering it. The heat from the candles intensified the already warm evening. The musicians as if on cue started playing again.
The governor, looking debonair, was dressed in all white much as he had been when Anthony first met him.
Anthony introduced Captain Buck and said, 'You remember my Flag Lieutenant Everette Hazard?' Greetings were exchanged and the Governor said, 'I have someone I'd like you to meet, my Lord.' This was Buck and Hazard's cue for each to go their separate way. Hazard looked somewhat lost but was quickly relieved when he spotted other naval officers he knew. Buck had spotted a lady who had on such a low cut gown she need not have covered herself at all. She returned Buck's bold stare then flashed a fan to her face trying to hide a glint of a smile as Buck made his way toward her. Maybe the evening holds more than just promise, Buck thought.
Buck took one glance over his shoulder and saw Anthony and the Governor shaking hands with another man.
'Lord Anthony, I'd like you to meet Colonel Thomas Browne,' Governor Tonyn said as he introduced the two men. 'As I've placed the defense of Florida in your capable hands I thought the two of you should meet. I have given Colonel Browne command of the Florida rangers.'
'How many men do you have?' Anthony asked.
'At present we have two hundred or so,' Browne answered, 'but the way… we fight large numbers would only work against us. My rangers are made up of Seminole Indians led by Chief Cowcatcher, loyalist and free black men who know their way around the woods.' Listening to the man talk Anthony could feel his energy and knew right away he was a very competent
soldier. Browne soon excused himself as he was summoned by a very attractive lady.
