Prevost puffing and all in a flush. Ignoring protocol he shouted, 'Damme, man, what type of a fool are you to send a post captain and a squad of marines to take a prisoner from my jail?'
Anthony took a step forward and spoke with a grimace, 'I'll lay your current actions to the heat outside sir, but take notice, you ever speak to me in that tone again I'll have satisfaction. I'm told you are a gentleman so I'm sure you know what I mean. Now as to your accusations, sir, I sent a post captain to give my compliments to your provost asking for the accused to be released into my custody. The marines were to escort the accused back aboard ship.'
Realizing he was on dangerous ground with a man who was no stranger to death the general took a deep breath and stammered, 'Put that way sir, I see no reason the prisoner shouldn't be released to you as long as he's returned to appear before a court martial.'
'On whose authority will the court martial be convened,' Anthony challenged.
Realizing things could get very sticky the governor said, 'The incident took place in a civil establishment, therefore, it will be a civil matter and I will appoint the judge.'
Glaring, the general said, 'Very well.'
'As it should be,' Tonyn stated.
The general then turned on his heels and left.
'You've made an enemy there,' Tonyn addressed the admiral after the general was out the door.
'Not the first, nor likely the last,' Anthony replied, then thanked the governor for his intervention and departed.
The Mermaid was a square, low ceiling room with open shutters so sunlight would fill the otherwise dimly lit taproom. A short staircase led to a second floor door, probably the tavern keeper's sleeping quarters or rooms used by the doxies to entertain.
As he turned, Gabe saw a scorched fireplace across the room from a half circle bar. The bar showed signs of age and scars from many drunken brawls. The tavern keeper was there leaning on the bar with his elbows. His shirt had once been white but was now stained to a deep yellow. His sleeves were rolled up showing strong arms.
He was short and had an immense rotund belly, probably from sampling his wares Gabe thought.
Straightening up the man smiled and said,
'Greetings senor. It is not often we get such an honoured patron.' He had recognized Gabe as an officer. He extended a meaty hand toward Gabe and said, 'I'm Domingo Chavez.'
Gabe liked the little man. As he reached forward to shake the offered hand the man's small mouth broke out in a smile revealing brown tobacco stained teeth.
'You are not with the Army, senor?' Chavez asked.
'No, I'm in the Navy,' Gabe answered.
'Always, I've wanted to see what it would be like to be on a ship at sea. But alas, you see that I cannot,' Chavez said as he stretched out his arms and gave a shrug. 'Always, I'm here. This place has been in my family before the Spanish left. Now there are only a few of us but I could not leave what was my father's. But you did not come to hear about Domingo, what is it I can do for you senor?'
'I want to know about a soldier,' Gabe replied,
'The bully who hurt the boy.'
'Si, I know him. He always makes trouble. He likes to bust up things but never likes to pay for damages. He got what he asked for.'
'Would you be willing to testify to that?' Gabe asked.
'No, senor, to do so would mean death. My place would burn, my family hurt. No, senor, I cannot.'
'I will pay you for the bar and I will provide protection,' Gabe replied, 'For you and your family.' Gabe watched the man thinking it over.
'I would have to know who it was that would protect me and perhaps we could be partners, eh senor?'
'Fine,' Gabe said, 'Let's agree on price and I will send you money for the partnership with the man who will protect you.'
Chavez looked skeptical as he spoke, 'Only one man, senor?'
'Aye,' Gabe replied, 'His name is Dagan.'
'What about papers senor? Do we have to have documents drawn up?'
Gabe paused and looked at the man, 'Is your handshake not good enough?'
'Si, senor, Domingo's word is as good as gold.'
'Then we don't need any papers,' Gabe said as he departed.
Chapter Ten
Sir Raymond Knight sat at his desk going over the notes he had made while talking to all concerned parties in the assault case against Midshipman Lancaster. By concerned parties, he meant Lancaster, Lum and Domingo Chavez.
Knight had talked to a number of soldiers who were known to have been in the bar at the time of the incident. However, none claimed to have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary. Giving a sigh, Knight pushed his chair back and thinking aloud said, 'Well, it don't help none but it don't hurt us either.' It all boiled down to how well the three did being cross examined by the provost marshal. Lum was the key. If he did well Lancaster would be free, otherwise…
The governor had appointed a judge to hear the case as he had stated. However, Tonyn had left it up to the Army to provide a prosecutor and the Navy a defender. Lord Anthony had immediately picked Knight to act in Lancaster 's defense. He of all the other officers was the only one who didn't know the midshipman or Lum so it was felt he would be more objective.
He had also been present for Sir Percival and the flag captain's court martial after the flagship had been sunk. Therefore he was familiar with the proceedings. A knock at the cabin door broke Knight's train of thought.
'First Lieutenant, suh,' the marine sentry announced and stood aside to let Lieutenant Brooks enter.
'It's time captain. Your cox'n has your gig ready.'
'Thank you,' Knight said as he buttoned his shirt, put on his coat and took a quick look at shoes. 'Well, Mr. Brooks, Neptune is yours till I return.'
'Aye, captain, I'll keep a sharp lookout.' Brooks also knew about Knight having to fight a one-sided battle in a sinking ship right here at this anchorage.
I'll not let the damn rogues get within cannon range without being sighted, Brooks thought. Nay, the buggers will find a heated welcome should they try it again.
'Gentlemen, this trial is called to order,' the judge called from his seat behind a large table. 'While we have military officers in key roles please remember this is a civil matter and as the defendant has waived his right to a jury, I will decide as to the verdict, innocent or guilty.
Is there any questions?'
Since neither the Army provost, a Major Macpherson, nor Captain Knight had any questions, the judge continued.
'As long as order is maintained I will allow those interested into the courtroom. I will allow each of you a quarter hour then we will start. Major Macpherson, you will begin.'
Lord Anthony and Gabe sat behind Knight and Midshipman Lancaster and listened as Macpherson went through the incident with the soldier who was a Corporal Johnson.
'Now Johnson,' Macpherson's thick brogue resonated throughout the courtroom, 'On the night in
question did you provoke the midshipman before he attempted to murder… ere before he assaulted you?'
'No suh,' the corporal sounded off as if he was on parade.
'Did you slander the midshipman in any way?'
'No suh.'
Unable to contain himself, Gabe whispered to Lord Anthony, 'A shilling says the lout doesn't even know what the word slander means.'
'We have all been made aware of your grievous injuries so we will not go into specifics, but tell me now
