Chapter Two
By noon the wind was near a half gale, lusty but not as bitter as it had been the month before. Still it came fierce and bellowing out of the northeast creating snarling gray waves, rising higher and higher, beating at HMS
SeaWolf's hull before rushing on to attack the nearby Halifax shoreline.
Lieutenant 'Gabe' Anthony, captain of SeaWolf stood at the lee rail taking it all in as the ship was being made ready for sea. Since the recent battle with privateers off Nova Scotia, the ship had been newly rigged and painted. Fresh water had been lightered out along with casks of beef, pork and wine as well as countless other supplies.
The new first lieutenant seemed to be everywhere at once. He was old for his age and wizened as he had risen from the lower deck. It was said Admiral 'Black Dick' Howe had promoted him on the spot for extraordinary bravery in battle. Lieutenant Jem Jackson may never make admiral, but he was an outstanding first lieutenant.
Thinking of this made Gabe wonder how his last first lieutenant was doing. Everette Hazard had also risen from the ranks. After he had been seriously wounded in the recent battle with privateers, Lord Anthony had taken him on as flag lieutenant.
A loud resonant voice attracted Gabe's attention'
Andrew 'Andy' Gunnells. The new master was a smallish, premature gray-haired man. His face was leathery and tanned by the sun and wind from countless voyages. He gave an immediate impression of great competence. He had small twinkling eyes and the crow's feet that appeared with his quick grin gave an equal impression of a ready sense of humor. Gabe thought he would probably keep the wardroom on its toes.
Dawkins, Gabe's newly appointed secretary, a man who had been with him from the time he was a midshipman, was approaching. He was bent forward with a scarf over his head trying to keep the wind out of his aching ear. He was sniffling and snorting in spite of the mixture of honey, lemon and brandy Lum had concocted.
Lum was a former slave on a plantation in South Carolina. He had killed the plantation overseer to prevent Faith from being raped. She had begged Gabe to take Lum with him, 'else he'll be hanged' she pleaded. So here he was. A giant of a man, loose limbed, almost ungainly, a baldpate with salt and pepper colored hair on the sides. He was solid as a ship's timber with big calloused hands. He was like a demon in battle but like magic could turn to something almost delicate as he played a soulful melody on his lotz.
As Dawkins got close he sounded very nasal as he tried to speak above the wind. 'You going to wait on Dagan and Caleb to return before your ready to eat or do you want Lum to fix you something now?' Realizing that he was indeed hungry and just as important realizing he was creating more of a hindrance by being on deck, Gabe decided to go below then thought to ask, 'Did Caleb take his damn ape with him?'
'Aye,' Dawkins replied. 'There's naught on board to look after the bugger since Lum 'as sworn off him.' Caleb's ape, Mr. Jewells, had tried to pick the gray hairs out of Lum's scalp one night after he had fallen asleep in one of the cabin's chairs. It was dark in the cabin but the pulling sensation caused Lum to wake up and immediately felt a heavy weight upon his lap. The ape was face to face with him so that when he opened his eyes all he could see was the ape's teeth as it rolled its lips. He could feel the hot breath on his face, with two tiny beady eyes staring at him.
Lum let out a scream that startled the ape causing it to let out a blood-curdling scream, which was made worse when Lum's chair fell back hitting the deck and jarring the two apart. The sentry hearing the screams rushed into the cabin only to be run over by the ape trying to escape.
As the two collided, the sentry's musket was knocked from his grip causing it to go off as it hit the deck. The loud shot rang out adding to the confusion. The officer on watch alerted the master-at-arms and sentries were put around the ship fearing attack. By the time Lum, who had been either knocked unconscious falling with the chair or fainted from his fright was able to speak, everything had quieted down.
When asked if the ape had scared him Lum replied,
'How'd you like to wake up wid sumthin' plucking at yo'
head? Then when you opens yo' eyes all you sees is dem big ole teevies shining at you in da moonlight, and feels dat hot breath blowing on yo's face. Yas suh! I was scared and I ain't shame to say it. No suh! I didn't know if it was a ghost or a sea devil or what, but I knowed it didn't belong in old Lum's lap. No suh, not in a hundred years it didn't.'
It was a sleepy-eyed Gabe who made his way on deck. Dagan, as always was at his side. He watched every morning as Gabe dressed and wondered if he'd ever be a good riser. Dagan was not only Gabe's uncle but also his protector, a rite he had assumed upon the death of Gabe's gypsy grandfather.
'Mr. Jackson, Mr. Gunnells.' The habitual greeting.
'Morning, captain.' The habitual reply.
Damn I'm getting cantankerous, Dagan thought.
'The anchor's hove short, sir, and the men are at their stations prepared to get underway,' Jackson volunteered.
'Very well,' Gabe replied then turned his attention to the master.
'Winds from the north-nor-east. Not as fresh as she be yesterday but it'll be a brisk one by any man's thinking.'
Nodding his understanding to Gunnells, Gabe directed his attention back to his first lieutenant. 'Well, Mr. Jackson, you've worked wonders putting SeaWolf back to rights. Now sir, you may have the privilege of putting us to sea.'
'Aye! Aye! Captain.' A smile on Jackson 's face as he turned to go about his duties, pleased the captain had so quickly placed his confidence in him.
Pipes shrilled and the deck came alive. New replacement seamen were urged on by curses from the petty officers. Gabe could feel SeaWolf tugging on the cable as the wind freshened. The fiddler plucked out an Irish shanty'attempts to please its new master no doubt.
'Now me little sweethearts, let's give the ladies in Halifax a final wave to remember us by.' This from the bosun, Graf.
'Hands aloft. Prepare to make sail,' Jackson bellowed as seamen scrambled to do his bidding.
'Loosen mainsails! Lively now, lads. You heard the lieutenant,' Graf shouted.
The sails suddenly filled with the wind giving a thunderous flap.
From forward, Nathan Lavery, the second lieutenant cried out, 'Anchors aweigh.'
Gabe could hear the clank, clank, clank as the capstan continued to reel in the anchor. Looking over at the compass, the helmsman volunteered, 'South by sou'east, sir.'
Glancing forward Gabe could see the men had the anchor hauled towards the cathead. Jackson was ordering Lavery to have the yards braced around to take full advantage of the wind. The headland and most of the shoreline seemed to be disappearing very quickly as the wind held steady. SeaWolf plunged through the cresting waves cascading spray over the bow.
Approaching Gabe, Jackson stated, 'I'd like to see how she behaves under full canvas if you don't mind, sir.'
'Very well, Mr. Jackson, put her through her courses, and then get some food in the men.' Looking at Dagan and giving a slight motion with his head Gabe turned back to Jackson, 'I'm going to my cabin. I'm sure you have control of the ship and can do without my presence for a time.' Then, before Jackson could respond, Gabe headed down the ladder to his cabin.
'Seems to be ready to head south, don't he?' Dagan said as he closed the cabin door.
'Aye, and so am I,' Gabe said. 'I wish we had been able to sail with Gil and the squadron when they left.
I've had enough of this cold. I'm ready for some warm weather.'
Dagan watched as Gabe unconsciously clutched the empty pouch around his neck. Aye, Dagan thought, warm weather and closer to the pretty little rebel girl who held his heart and his ruby. Feeling the stiffness between his shoulder, Dagan thought maybe a little warm weather would do some good. Either that or drink some of Caleb's
