Barracuda

'She's a gallant ship, captain.'

'Aye, my lord, with a gallant crew. It is my intent to splice the main brace before we come about and make our way to Saint Augustine.'

'Good idea,' Anthony replied. 'How's the rest of the squadron?'

'All present and on station,' Buck replied. 'Audacity looks a little worse for wear but she's under full sail.' Then Buck looking past his admiral could see the master approaching. 'Well, Mr. Oxford, have you a good guess for our position?'

Anthony smiled appreciatively. Oxford would be as close as anybody could be but Buck was right. The exact position would be little more than a good guess until the noon sights could be done on the morrow.

Oxford ignored Buck's remarks and said, 'There's a group of islands to larboard that I think is the Outer Banks of North Carolina so I judge we're in fact just off Cape Hatteras.'

The master's positioning was very accurate as was usual for his breed of old salts. After the noon sighting the following day the squadron came about and made a leisurely cruise south to Saint Augustine. Audacity and SeaWolf chased a small schooner up the Cape Fear River inlet before being recalled by the flagship. Lord Anthony also allowed Swan and SeaWolf to take a peek into the harbour at Charlestown and Savannah but found nothing in either place.

The sight of British men-o'-war did cause alarm to the citizens of both places whose life had been very peaceful up to that point. It was at sundown on the fourth day after coming about the squadron dropped anchor at Saint Augustine.

Lord Anthony was disgusted as he seemed to face nothing but one frustration after another in his attempt to come to grips with the privateer Barracuda.

'We have been very successful overall,' Buck pointed out. 'Our convoys are making it through so there's no doubt as to our impact.'

'Aye,' Lord Anthony agreed, 'but I'll not rest until Pigeon is avenged. We cannot, I will not allow a ship under my command to be destroyed without bringing the offender to justice.'

Buck could tell by Anthony's voice his ire was up.

'They have to know,' Anthony said his arm making a sweeping motion, 'that to destroy a King's ship is to Barracuda

doom their fate. I will not rest until the rogue is brought to bear.'

Bart was standing inside the pantry with Silas.

Anthony's words were easily overheard. 'I's 'spect that cap'n of the Barracuda is in a fix.'

'Aye,' Silas answered, 'His days be numbered alright. When his lordship gets 'is temper up somebody generally pays.'

'Me thoughts as well,' Bart answered. 'Don Louis is a dead man and 'e jus' don't know it yet.'

'Aye,' Silas agreed, 'not yet 'e don't, but soon.' No sooner had the ships dropped anchor than Governor Tonyn's secretary came aboard with new orders for Lord Anthony. After reading his orders Anthony had Sir Raymond and Gabe repair on board. When all had settled on board and Silas had served a glass of refreshment for the group Anthony got down to business.

'The rebels are sending another invasion force into Florida. We have this on good word. The force is said to contain more than one thousand troops. Governor Tonyn is taking this as a very serious threat. He has already sent a force under Colonel Provost to repel the attack. However, we are to land a group of scouts under Colonel Browne at Cowford just north of here. Gabe, as SeaWolf has the shallowest draught you will put into the mouth of the Saint Johns River here,' Anthony said pointing at a place on the chart which was spread across the dining table. 'Once at this place you will disembark Colonel Browne and his scouts and return here and maintain patrol along with Neptune.'

'May I ask a question my lord?' Sir Raymond asked.

Glancing up Lord Anthony nodded his consent.

'If it's only a handful of scouts we're landing why are you sending both SeaWolf and Neptune?'

'Good question. There's a possibility some of the invasion force may come by sea… a two-pronged attack if you will. Therefore you will act as defender should difficulties arise.'

'Aye my lord, we will be ready.'

Gabe had barely made it back to SeaWolf and informed his first lieutenant and master of their orders when the boat carrying the scouts was sighted.

'Tis but a wee outing,' Gunnells said as he quickly reviewed the charts prior to setting sail. The scouts were as motley a mixture as Gabe had ever seen. The group was made up of four blacks, seventeen whites, and the rest were Indians. They were dressed in a mixture of buckskin, homespun Lindsey Woolsey and breechcloths.

Their outward appearance gave little hint to the effectiveness of the group.

Colonel Browne gave an air of competence and energy. In his late thirties or early forties he had made a reputation of being very skilled in the art of guerrilla warfare. This skill had not gone unnoticed by Governor Tonyn who had placed Browne in command of the East Florida Rangers. Browne was a man that was easy to like. He grew his hair long to cover the baldness where the Colonials had scalped him. Not only was he a soldier of merit Gabe decided but he was also a man set on retribution towards those who were responsible for his disfigurement.

Gabe glanced at the darkening sky as the anchorage became overcast. A zephyr carried the fresh smell of rain.

'Time for our afternoon shower,' Dagan volunteered. 'It'll not last.'So you've become accustomed to the afternoon showers,' Colonel Browne said, more a statement than a question.

'Do you wish for your men to go below,' Gabe asked.

'No, captain, they're used to the elements. I'll not spoil them.'

'As you wish,' Gabe replied. He then called, 'Mr.

Jackson.'

'Aye, captain.'

'Prepare to get underway.'

'Aye, sir.' Jackson then ordered. 'Man the capstan.'

The sound of a fiddle on the fo'c'sle rang out. Lum had proved very talented musically as well as in other ways. Since arriving in Saint Augustine he had traded a handmade flute for a fiddle. He quickly learned to play it and now sawed a sassy tune.

'Jump to it you idle bugger,' Graf shouted at the men. 'Stir your stumps you whoresons. Neptune 's anchor already has hove short. Damme but a sloven crew ye be.'

'Anchors hove short,' Lavery called from forward, his voice loud on a blustery wind as raindrops spattered on the decking stinging ones face as it pelted down.

'Get the ship underway, Jem,' Gabe said using Jackson 's first name. Pleased, Jackson turned to do as he was bid.

'Anchor's aweigh,' Lavery shouted.

'Make sail,' Jackson ordered. 'Aloft sail loosners.'

'Look lively now,' Graf roared. Snap, the sound of Graf's starter against the main mast. 'Foley the next un will be across your arse you laggard. Lay out and loosen, that's it me lads, stand by. Let fall, let fall, I say. Man the topsail sheets and halyard. Tend the braces.'

As the evolution for getting underway was being completed SeaWolf was like a racehorse straining at the bit. Then as the sails were sheeted home she was off with a sudden surge that rocked the deck as they became underway. The scouts had not expected the sudden slanting of the deck and several found themselves bruised and aching after tumbling across the deck. This brought laughter from one of the seamen and caused the scouts to glare menacingly at the man.

'I say, Mr. Jackson,' Gabe said. 'See that yonder man is detailed to cleaning the heads for the next fortnight.'

'Aye, sir, we'll see how much humour he finds in that.'

Once clear of the anchorage the sea became more violent. Spray flew over the dipping bow and dashed scouts and seamen alike. A look of concern filled the scouts and so it was no surprise to Gabe when Colonel Browne approached him.

'It may be best, captain, if I accede to your previous offer for my men to go below. It'll be difficult for them to