clean out of my chest.'However, after that last wave she was not touched again except by the fierceness of the wind and the blinding rain. It was too rough to venture off the ship so Dagan, the Spanish lad, Davy and I tried to keep dry and warm in my cabin and the crew stayed below in their berths. Towards dawn the winds died down and the rain stopped. It was then with the rising sun I realized my beautiful Swan was nothing but a battered hulk and she'd never see water beneath her keel again.' All was silent for a moment when Gabe spoke, 'I recall the wind, Francis. It fairly slung SeaWolf forward.
Had I been a minute longer getting underway I fear SeaWolf may have been setting alongside Swan.'
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gentlemen,' Lord Anthony was calling to the officers at the table. 'We all share in Captain Markham's remorse but as with life, in death often a new life is born.
I have spent the afternoon with the Governor and with his blessings I've decided to purchase the Indiaman… Defiant, for the Navy. You all understand that this has to be approved, but with both the Governor's and my recommendations I believe Lord Howe will agree. However, until he does the following changes are to be considered temporary. We all know the Admiralty Prize Court can be fickle at times.' This brought a chuckle from the group. Fickle was a mild way of putting it. Lazy and tight-fisted were better terms.
'Now then,' Lord Anthony had began again, 'I have asked Captain Buck to draft up a crew for the ship.'
'Valley,' Anthony called to his clerk, who'd been standing in the wings. 'Valley here has a draft of assignments for each of you. Should anyone wish to change or swap a crew member you have but to log it in the ship's book. Now to specifics… Captain Earl, you are hereby given command of Defiant. Lieutenant Anthony, you are hereby temporarily, pending approval by Lord
Howe, promoted to captain and will assume command of Merlin. Lieutenant Markham, I have found no personal fault on your behalf in regards to Swan's loss. I have said as much in my reports. You are now to assume command of SeaWolf. I have left it up to each of you as whether you take your warrants or not. Make your desires known to Valley and he will draft up orders accordingly.'
Glancing to his side, Lord Anthony could see the look of desire on Hazard's face. Well, empty sleeve or not he was a good seaman and a fine officer. As soon as available, he'd put him back to sea… on his own quarterdeck.
Since the storm a number of ships had gathered at Saint Augustine. More than at any time since the Royal Navy had established its presence.
'Looks like a sea of masts,' Buck had commented.
Most of the ships were merchant ships from various nations. They had stopped to heal their wounds and make repairs needed after the recent storm. A few Navy ships had also stopped. The one that interested Lord Anthony the most was the mail packet. He longed to hear from his wife and find out how their daughter, Macayla Rose, was getting along. Caleb was quickly inquiring if Dagan had any news.
'No,' Dagan replied then seeing the hurt in Caleb's face, put his hand on his friend's shoulder. 'Caleb, there's nothing to keep you from going to visit.' After a thoughtful look Caleb said, 'I am. I get the feeling we're not going to be here much longer but I feel I'll be needed before the squadron has new orders.'
'Those are my feelings as well,' Dagan replied. 'It's a nagging feeling I've had for some time. I feel things are coming together that will put us in place to do battle Barracuda
with this Barracuda. It's then you'll be needed,' Dagan said.
'Well, regardless if we do or don't,' Caleb said,
'Mr. Jewells and I are going to Virginia. You're welcome to come along, old friend.'
'It's a thought,' Dagan said, 'even if for just a short visit.'
Mermaid was crowded with all the ships in port. Gabe, Markham and Earl had just said their good-bys to Buck as he had an engagement for the evening.
'Leave it to Buck to find that one lonely lady in need of his time and talents,' Earl joked.
'I hear Dagan has been spending time with the widow woman over with the Colonials,' Markham added. 'Is she going to be a widow much longer?'
'I've no idea,' Gabe replied. 'He's been closed mouth about their relationship. He did say they are going to be exchanged soon and will be headed back to Virginia.'
More drinks were brought to the table and the subject changed to how fast things were going in regards to the new assignments. Earl had taken all his warrant officers to Defiant and Gabe had done likewise in transferring to Merlin. He'd kept Gunnells as master, Jackson as first lieutenant, Lavery as second lieutenant.
The surviving fourth lieutenant from Neptune was now Merlin's third lieutenant and Mr. Davy now was commissioned and made fourth lieutenant. Midshipmen were scarce.
Governor Tonyn had put forth two boys and Reverend Kennedy had asked Lord Anthony to take two boys. Alejandro had decided to continue so they now had five new midshipmen. Lord Anthony had decided to
partial out his three most senior mids so that each ship would have someone to help train the new lads.
Trying to find uniforms for those recently promoted had been difficult. Earl gave Gabe a spare captain's coat and Hazard had rounded up a lieutenant coat for Davy.
Still everyone's wardrobe needed an overhaul but it'd have to wait.
As the evening wore on the group was finishing their final round when Domingo appeared at the table.
'Senor Gabe, would it be possible to speak to you of a private matter?'
The three just looked at one another sure this had something to do with Domingo's daughter, Nancy, and Sir Raymond. Earl and Markham downed their drinks and bid a hasty farewell.
'Cowards,' Gabe hissed.
'Dagan is with Bart at a table by the door. I'll send him over,' a smiling Markham replied to Gabe's remark.
Markham did lean over to speak to Dagan who then made his way over to Gabe.
The two approached the bar where Domingo was turning the counter over to his wife. He beckoned to the two to follow him to a small storage shed behind the tavern. It was a small low roofed affair made of Coquina stone, which was hauled from Anastasia Island. Just inside the building, a smallish dark complexioned man sat at a table where a single candle gave forth a dim light. As the door opened the candle flame flickered creating little shadows that danced on the whitewashed walls inside the shed.
The table was small with only two chairs. A partial loaf of bread and a few crumbs of cheese were next to a half full bottle of Sangria. Fear filled the little man's eyes as Gabe and Dagan entered first, then relief when Domingo entered closing the door behind him.'This is Paco,' Domingo said by way of introduction. 'He is my wife's cousin. He is a seaman.' That much was obvious from the man's dress.
'Until recently he sailed on a ship out of Boston and was in charge of his captain's boat.'
'A cox'n?' Dagan asked.
'Si, senor, a cox'n and how do you say it… a boatsman.'
'A bosun,' Gabe corrected.
'Aye,' the little man said before Domingo could reply.
However, Domingo continued, 'He was offered much to sign on to a privateer but he now thinks his captain is crazy so he… ah deserted his ship. He has come to me with much information and I tell him you are a fair man, Senor Gabe, and you can make a place for him on your ship. He thinks that is good… otherwise he feels his life is in danger.'
'We can certainly discuss signing him on,' Gabe replied. 'What ship did he run from?'
'The ship you search for,' the little man said, 'the Barracuda. I have much information which I think will be useful to you.'
Damme, Gabe thought, we must have an interview with his lordship.
'In the meantime let's keep… Paco, is it?'
'Si, Paco.'
'Good. Let's keep Paco hidden so that Barracuda's spies don't find out about our friend being here.' As the captains settled into their seats in the admiral's cabin the atmosphere was much different. This was a conference
