'Damme,' Knight exclaimed, outgunned and doubly outmanned. The sound of cannons continued, both the enemy's and Neptune's. The air was rent with the sounds of balls flying by. Then another crash forward and the hatch cover flew through the air.
Seeing it Knight looked to see if he'd given the order for the ship's boats to be set adrift. No need for them to add to the danger of flying splinters. Seeing they were gone he took up his glass again. Had he waited too long?
No, Barracuda was now directly along side of the Indiaman. She could never change course now without risking a collision. Then doubt came into Knight's mind.
Was he falling into their plans? No… no… he'd not doubt himself.
Looking one last time he called to the master, 'Now, sir, alter course to larboard and we'll pass the Indiaman and give her what for.'
Then
calling
another
midshipman,
'My
compliments to Mr. Dey, we will attack to starboard.'
'Aye, captain,' the excited youth replied then hurried off to deliver the captain's message.
It was too late now for Barracuda to change course.
The broadside when it came seemed to vibrate the
distance of Neptune 's hull as the cannons went off almost in unison. They'd gotten the first broadside in but the Indiaman was returning fire, not with the precision of Neptune, but just as deadly.
Shudder after shudder as balls crashed into Neptune 's hull. But Dey was as good as his word. Neptune 's gunners were firing round after round. Neptune was fighting for her life and the gun crews knew it. Then they were past and the firing ceased, at least for the moment.
As the ship sailed out of the smoke that only seconds before had engulfed both ships the lookout called down,
'Barracuda 'as tried to come about but now she's in stays, zur.'
Hearing this, Knight ordered, 'Put your helm down.
Maybe we can get in a blow before she can recover from her confusion.
BOOM!…BOOM!…BOOM!…
Neptune let loose another broadside and Knight witnessed the accuracy of Neptune 's gunners as ball after ball hit the Barracuda. But now the Spaniard was recovering and returning the fire. A scream forward as a ball plowed through and overturned a gun. A small explosion and then a fire. They must have been reloading, Knight thought. The fire was quickly put out by the gun crews to either side
Now Barracuda had completed coming about and was bearing down for the kill. Neptune 's stern guns were firing now.
'Come about to larboard,' Knight ordered. 'Let's see if we can get the Indiaman between us again.' Then a loud crash from the stern and a runner reported, 'Both stern guns 'as been 'it sir, all dead.'
'Gunfire, sir, from out in the bay.'Aye, Mr. Jackson, I heard it,' Gabe answered. He too had heard the deep thud… and thunder of cannon fire.
'Looks like Captain Knight has met up with the rebel ship,' Dagan volunteered.
'Ships, I'm thinking,' Gabe replied, 'I'm sure it's more than one from the sound of it.'
The wind had picked up and on a full ebb tide Gabe was moving down the mouth of the river quickly… too quickly for the master.
'I know you want to help, sir,' he said, 'But if we run aground we'll be no good to anyone.' The master was right Gabe knew, but he couldn't bring himself to reduce sail, not with Knight taking on two ships. From the sound of it, big ships. Dagan glancing at Gabe seemed to read his thoughts, 'I'll go aloft.'
As Dagan ascended to the mainmast, Gunnells approached Gabe, 'We're almost at the mouth of the river now.'
Nodding, Gabe then called to the first lieutenant,
'Mr. Jackson, beat to quarters. I want the guns double shotted and a measure of grape. We have to make a statement with our first broadside before they know we are alone.'
'Aye, sir.'
After what seemed an eternity but were only a few minutes Dagan was back at Gabe's side. ' Neptune looks about done for. There's an Indiaman that's also in a bad way… ' Dagan then paused before he continued, 'The other ship looks like the Barracuda. She's got damage, but not so's she can't fight.'
Jesus, Gabe thought, what can SeaWolf do against such odds.
'I'll not see Knight perish without trying to help,' Gabe said.
'I never thought you would,' Dagan replied as he put his hand on his nephew's shoulder, 'but give a care, don't put yourself at risk.' Then smiling he said, 'Faith would never forgive me.'
The cannon fire continued but it was now more sporadic. The lookout called down, ' Neptune be playing cat and mouse wid de ghost ship, mostly keeping 'at udder ship between 'em bes' 'e can.'
'Knight's a good captain,' Jackson volunteered.
'I just hope we can save him,' Gabe answered.
It was now less than two miles and Gabe could see the beating Neptune had taken. Even as he watched, Barracuda fired her cannons again and the proud Neptune gave a violent shudder.
'I can see boats in the water alongside the Indiaman,' Gunnells said. He had been looking at the privateer while Gabe's attention was on Neptune.
'Well, maybe we won't have to fight both ships,' Gabe said grimly. 'Run up the flags if you will, Mr.
Jackson. Mr. Lavery, I want every gun aimed and fired, I want every ball to hit home. Understand?'
'Aye, captain.'
They were now in range and either they hadn't been seen or they were being ignored. Some would call it suicide, Gabe thought, but even so he'd not turn his back on Knight and Neptune. Not while he had breath.
The planks vibrated beneath Gabe's feet as SeaWolf's gun ports were opened and the guns rolled into firing position. Lord, for what we are about to receive, Gabe thought.
Then as an afterthought, he prayed, please be with Neptune 's crew.
A bareback seaman running by broke Gabe's reverie. Focus he said to himself, they were in such a position they'd face the Barracuda first, then…The Indiaman was now obviously down in the water so unless her men boarded Neptune she should not be a factor.
'All ready, sir,' Jackson reported.
'Very well, Mr. Gunnells. 'We'll cross the Dago hawse and rake her as we go.'
The distance was falling fast. Should we take in another sail? Gabe thought. No, strike fast like Colonel Browne and his rangers are so apt to say. Even though he was expecting it, Gabe felt himself jump as SeaWolf's guns went off, one after another her cannons fired. He was transfixed by the sight before him. The double shotted balls fired from SeaWolf crashed into the Barracuda, scoring hit after hit.
He could see shrouds slashed, sails tore apart, and bright wood splinters flying through the air.
Lavery had the guns firing again as soon as they were loaded, reeking destruction with every ball. Smoke was now making it difficult to see but musket balls rained down from the larger ship and thudded into the deck.
The whine of a ball made Gunnells wince as it flew past him striking the helmsman creating a third eye in the unlucky seaman's head.
They're not ignoring us now, Gabe thought.
Another man screamed as he was hurled to the deck by some unseen force, then blood gushed from his stomach spattering the man next to him.
'Keep moving,' Dagan encouraged Gabe.
'Otherwise, some marksman will be a guinea richer.' In spite of the battle, the comment caused Gabe to grin.
The wind shifted and now the privateer was barely visible as it was engulfed in smoke. With visibility restricted on Barracuda, Gabe seized the opportunity.
