perform our mission if they've been knocked about so.'
'I think your being wise, colonel,' Gabe replied. 'I find it taxing to ride horses so do not be embarrassed by being out of your element.'
'Mr. Graf.'
'Aye, cap'n.'
'See to it that our guests are made comfortable below.'
'Aye, cap'n, comfortable they'll be.'
'Bye the mark five.'
It had been a quick trip from Saint Augustine north to the entrance of the Saint Johns River. Knight in Barracuda
Neptune sailed back and forth at the entrance as SeaWolf made its way up the river.
'Put our best leadsman in the chains,' Gabe had ordered.
'Already done, sir,' Jackson replied.
'Thank God we've such a shallow draught,' a nervous Gunnells volunteered.
'A quarter less five.'
'Hell's fire,' Gunnells again, 'Maybe we should anchor and send the longboats the rest of the way.' The sails flapped loosely as the wind dropped.
'By the mark four.'
'Sir,' Gunnells cried the anxiety apparent in his voice, 'are we to loose our keel?'
'Bring her up another point,' Gabe ordered, ignoring the master's pleas.
'We're shoaling fast,' Jackson said.
'Nay,' Dagan spoke out, 'it'll be deeper ahead.'
'I wish I had your confidence,' Gunnells said, still very anxious.
'Deep six.'
There was a sigh of relief from Gunnells and a look of 'I told you' from Dagan.
'Deep eight,' the leadsman called again.
The river widened at this point. On both sides of the river oak trees and scrubs were so thick it was hard to imagine a man being able to make his way through the dense vegetation. After rounding another bend, Dagan sided up to Gabe.
'I get the feeling we should heave to now.' Gabe started to argue but something in Dagan's demeanor made him forget his objections.
'Very well. Prepare to come about and anchor, Mr.
Jackson.'
'Aye sir.'
'Mr. Graf.'
'Aye, cap'n.'
'Have the cutter and a longboat lowered.'
'Mr. Lavery.'
'Aye, sir.'
'As soon as convenient convey our passengers ashore. Select a master's mate to be in charge of the longboat and return when your task is complete.'
'Aye, sir.'
The sun was dipping and as it set beyond the horizon strange noises arose from the forest. While the sun was down the humidity was still high and the men were soaked in sweat.
'Glad I ain't pulling one of those boats,' Dagan said.
As the night came on and the air cooled ever so slightly a mist rose from the warm Saint Johns. The mist gave an eerie sensation. A slap forward was heard as a man defended himself from a determined mosquito. This made Gabe recall his recent trip up river to Savannah.
They'd be no pipes tonight, however.'
It was then Gabe realized all the sounds that dominated the night had suddenly ceased. No more sounds of crickets, no sounds of frogs, no sounds came from the forest; a sudden silence. The men on deck sensed the change as well. Mates spoke in nervous whispers if they spoke at all.
'Mr. Jackson,' Gabe hissed.
'Aye, sir,' the first lieutenant answered softly.
'Quietly, quietly mind you, have the men man the guns.'
'Aye, sir,' Jackson replied as he went to do his bidding.
Tension filled the air as weapons were laid out.
'See what the cook can fix the men,' Gabe told Dagan, knowing it wouldn't be much with the galley fires Barracuda
out. 'Mr. Jackson, after the men are fed let them sleep if they can but we'll remain at quarters.' Off to larboard a splash was heard. Was it a fish, or perhaps a bird after a fish. After awhile the wind shifted and the faint smell of wood smoke from somewhere inland drifted on the light breeze. 'At least it'll help wid dem skeeters,' Gabe heard Lum say but to whom was uncertain as the darkened deck seemed to be filled with shadows. The incoming tide created a lazy roll to the ship not unlike the rocking of a cradle.
Damme but this is not what SeaWolf was built for, thought Gabe.
Two hours had passed when Dagan nudged Gabe.
Without realizing it Gabe had drifted off to sleep in spite of the pesky mosquitoes. He had been dreaming of swimming in a warm pool of water with Faith… nude.
Then Dagan woke him. Damme, he thought, this type of dream hadn't happened before and to be awakened before… ah.
'I hear the boats coming,' Dagan whispered.
'They're pulling hard.'
Gabe peered over the side but could see absolutely nothing in the mist, then almost like magic the cutter appeared followed by the longboat.
No sooner had the cutter ground to a halt than Lavery was through the entry port making his report,
'Had it not been for the campfires we'd have rowed right into an ambush. One of the Colonel's Indians smelt the smoke so we went ashore. The Colonel had one of his scouts shimmy up a tree. The campfires were obvious from his advantage. I wanted to land the rangers there and head back,' Lavery explained, 'but the Colonel wanted to get closer and said it could be done more quickly and with less noise if we continued on the river.
We pulled to a spot not more than twenty-five yards from where some of the rebels sat around their fires. I guess the Colonel could tell I was nervous about our
being seen as close as we were. He told me not to worry.
See the men staring into the fire? This has ruined their night vision. When they look away everything appears black. Let this be a lesson to you lad the Colonel said.'
'If you are on bivouac put your back to the fire otherwise someone like my scouts will slit your throat before you can blink your eye. He sent one of his men to look for sentries and while we were sitting there we could hear the men at the fires talking. They already have five hundred or so men already staged, sir, but they are expecting another five hundred tomorrow… ere, this morning, sir. They are to come by sea, and run up this river in boats to meet up with those who came overland.'
Hearing this disturbing news Gunnells spoke before the question was raised. 'We are on the end of the ebb tide and the wind is outta the east, blowing directly against us. It'll be two hours is me guess before we can sail.'
'Damme, what I'd give for a set of sweeps right now,' Gabe cursed.
'Bit like a frog wishing for wings so 'e don't bump his arse,' Gunnells said. Then seeing Gabe's look, apologized. 'Sorry sir, didn't mean to be disrespectful.'
'No offense taken,' Gabe assured his master, 'but we are up a creek without a paddle and I've a bad feeling about the morrow.'
'I understand sir.'
As the master ambled off Gabe called to Jackson,
'Roust out the cook and light the galley fires. I want the men to have a good meal in them, so they'll be ready
