Barracuda

to face whatever the sunrise brings.'

It could be they'd have to face the enemy on both fronts. Could Sir Raymond hold off the invasion force until they arrived to help?

Lots of questions but no answers, Gabe thought

Chapter Twenty

Dawn was breaking as Sir Raymond Knight looked over the deck of Neptune. She was a fine ship with a fine crew. Knight glanced from one group of seamen to another. It hadn't been that long ago he'd been a first lieutenant and he would have been assigning duties to the warrants and petty officers.

Now it was different. More so than he would have imagined as a first lieutenant. He'd expected the responsibility that went with command but the isolation.

That was the hard part. The part he had not considered or expected. The much sought after privacy of the captain's cabin also meant loneliness. Being 'the captain' certainly meant privilege but there was also the burden. He had still not gotten over the destruction of the ketch Pigeon and the loss of Lieutenant Kerry. Should he have denied permission for him to give chase to that lugger. No, his mission had been to gather information and so the order was correct but it was a lesson… a lesson he'd not soon forget. Not all was as it might appear.

Knight thrust his hands behind his back grasping the waistband of his trousers as he paced the weather side of the deck.

The air was already warm and humid and made his shirt stick to his chest. The wind teased his graying hair.

As the sun rose further shadows disappeared and the coast began to take shape. How was Gabe getting along? he wondered. If all went well he should be sighted soon.

They'd heard no commotion during the night to suggest otherwise.

'Sail ho, dead astern,' the lookout called down.

'She be a big un zur.'

Then before Knight could think another cry from above, 'Two ships astern, zur, in close company. The second appears to be the Barracuda.' Hell's teeth, Knight thought, where's SeaWolf?… though precious little help she'd be.

'Mr. Brooks.'

'Aye, captain.'

'Beat to quarters if you please. It's a hot time we're about to have I'm thinking.'

'Do we come about, sir?' Brooks asked.

'Aye,' Knight replied sarcastically, 'it's a fight we're in for, but I'll not let the buggers sodomize us as well.' This brought a chuckle from the second lieutenant until a glare from Knight cut it off.

'Mr. Dey.'

'Aye,' the second lieutenant answered solemnly after being silently rebuked.

'Yonder ships would like to have us between them but I'm not giving them the pleasure. We may have to pass them consecutively but I'll not be double-teamed.

Now depending on how they take station as we approach I will pass larboard or starboard so I want you to have the guns loaded on both sides but not run out. Once we have decided I want you to keep up a rapid rate of fire.

You may have to augment the gun crews from the opposite side to maintain the fire.'

'Aye, captain,' Dey replied. 'We'll fire 'um till the barrels melt down.' Neptune tilted and Knight grabbed a rail to keep from losing his footing as the ship quickly came about. Taking his glass for a better look Knight realized just how right the lookout had been. She was a big un. The lead ship appeared to be a converted Indiaman. Forty guns at least and damn the lookout's eyes, he was right. The far ship was the Barracuda. Well, Nancy, Knight thought, it could have been a wonderful life.

BOOM! The forward ship, the Indiaman had fired.

'It'll be a costly affair sir.' This from the master.

'Aye,' Knight replied, 'but you didn't expect to live forever did you?'

'Well, sir,' the master replied, 'I can truly say I'm right wid me maker but still while I'm ready I can't say as I'm raring to go.'

Such wisdom, Knight thought.

Then Lieutenant Brooks was there, 'It appears, sir, like that Dago can't stand not getting the first shot in, and he's overtaking the Indiaman.'

Not believing his ears Knight picked up his glass to see for himself. Brooks was right. Barracuda was reaching on the lead ship and would pass to windward.

'That's it,' Knight said. 'They've made the first mistake. Barracuda's arrogant captain couldn't stand to let the Indiaman draw first blood. Hopefully, it'll be his undoing.' Then Knight called to his master, 'Set a course straight toward the bow of the Indiaman, then when I tell you veer to larboard. If all works well maybe we'll only face twenty guns on the first pass instead of forty or more.'

'Aye,' the master replied then ambled to the wheel.

Knight then called to the signal midshipman, 'Mr.

Byne, run up the signal, enemy in sight, then after a spell haul it down and acknowledge.'

The mid looked dumbstruck at his captain, 'Who are we signaling to, captain? The squadron is in Saint Augustine.'

Knight snapped at the youth, 'Damme sir, I know that but yonder ships don't.'

Seeing the hurt look on the boy's face Knight relented, 'My apology, sir. I'm in an ill mood and I've no right to take it out on you.'

'Thank you, sir,' the youth replied not believing the captain would apologize to the likes of him. 'I understand now sir,' the mid continued. 'The signal is to keep 'em guessing.'

'Right you are lad, now off with you.'

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Fire from both ships now. The Barracuda had gained firing position.

'The next will be a hit if we maintain course, cap'n.' This from the master, 'If we loose our bowsprit we'll never be able to carry out your plan.'

Knight who had once again taken up his glass spoke softly, 'Patience, sir, patience.'

Barracuda was to larboard but not yet along side the Indiaman.

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Both ships had fired again almost like they were in a contest. CRASH! A shudder went through Neptune as she took a hit forward. Almost like it was in slow motion.

Knight could see bits and pieces of wood and splinters flying through the air. Looking forward the bowsprit and the bow chasers were intact.

'We lost part of Neptune 's head, captain,' Brooks volunteered speaking of the ship's figurehead.

'I believe we are almost in range now, Mr. Brooks.

Have the gunner man the bow chasers and let those rogues feel Neptune 's anger over being defaced.'

'Aye, cap'n, we'll give a good accounting.' Barracuda

'Mr. Brooks.'

'Sir.'

'Have a care, should I fall, you will be in command.'

'You'll not fall,' Brooks replied as he went to carry out his captain's orders.

I wish I felt as sure, Knight thought.

BOOM!…BOOM!…

Again the enemy was firing. This time they fired high, trying to bring down the mast and riggings.

'Zur, zur,' this was a petty officer. 'Begging the cap'n pardon, zur, but the lookout 'as been calling to you, the Indiaman is full of sojars 'e says.'