Barracuda

for battle. A battle in which some of those gathered here today might not return. Heads went up as Hazard entered and held the door for the admiral.

'Well, gentlemen,' Anthony said as he took his seat at the head of the table.

No pleasantries today, Gabe thought.

'It appears,' Anthony continued speaking, 'that lady luck has once again smiled down on us. We have reliable information that the Barracuda was just in an area some thirteen miles south of Savannah. This is a plantation owned by a fellow named Morel. Apparently there's a good landing area here and Barracuda's Captain de Lavago was treated for wounds he received in battle against Sir Raymond and Gabe.'

'Our information is he has a vendetta against the British for the loss of his property. However, our informer tells us he is now a man gone mad by his hatred and worsened by his wounds. He recently flogged one of his officers to death over having to retreat from the recent battle with Gabe and Sir Raymond. He is now, I'm told, gone back to his lair, Cayo Hueso, or as some call it Key West. Because of the tricky currents and treacherous reefs on both sides of the channel this has been the perfect hideout. One we've thought about but not ventured into. But that's about to change. Our own Lieutenant Hazard knows these waters having participated in… ah… shall we say salvage operations there before the war.'

This brought a chuckle from the group. It was known that the island had been a haven for wreckers at one point and the salvage for the most part was due to the wreckers luring unsuspecting ships onto the coral reefs.

'Now, we know de Lavago is a capable foe, madman or not. So we have to go about this boldly but with the idea of limiting our loss in case the plan doesn't work.'

Hazard with the help of Bart had hung a large hand drawn chart of Cayo Hueso on the bulkhead.'Lieutenant Hazard thinks Merlin and SeaWolf can enter the channel here. With only minimal room to maneuver he feels Barracuda, if she's there we'll up anchor and travel down the channel and out into open waters on the Gulf side. At this point he could come about and have a broadside waiting when the would-be chasers arrive. But that's not going to happen. We, that is Warrior and Defiant, will be waiting on him once he clears the channel. Now are there any questions?' Markham was the first, 'What if Barracuda's not there?'

Nodding his head, Anthony answered the question that was on everyone's mind. 'The attack is to be a dawn attack. However, Lieutenant Hazard with a crew in a long boat will scout out the area before we proceed.

We will lie off the coast until the reconnaissance is complete. If everything goes as planned this should be done by midnight which gives Warrior and Defiant time to sail around the Key and be in position by dawn.'

'If he's not there?' Earl asked.

'I intend to set a trap not unlike the one he laid for Pigeon. The utmost in secrecy in regards to this plan cannot be expressed enough. Bart has already set out rumors we are going out on patrol, Defiant and Merlin to the north and Warrior and SeaWolf to the south. Let's hope it is believed.'

'Boat ahoy!'

'Merlin.'

The challenge and reply. Gabe had still not gotten use to the fact he now commanded… temporarily commanded, a frigate. Rated as a thirty-two gun ship her main battery consisted of twenty-six twelve pounders with two eighteen pounders on either side of the bow.

Her secondary armament was four six pounders. Merlin

was one hundred twenty feet long and thirty-four feet wide with a burden of about six hundred tons. Making his way down to his cabin Gabe found Dagan waiting.

'I'm going over to dine at Colonel Manning's. They are to be taken to Norfolk tomorrow and exchanged.' Gabe could tell Dagan was taking their leaving hard.

'You've become quite close with the family haven't you, uncle,' Gabe said using the name he'd used all his pre-Navy life.

'Aye,' Dagan replied, the hint of a smile on his face at being addressed so.

'Go then, enjoy the evening… nay the entire night but one question before you go. What's her name?' Before Gabe could blink Dagan's hand shot out and put Gabe in a headlock with one hand and tossed his hair with the other. Then just as quickly he was through the cabin door. Stopping suddenly he turned and said,

'Betsy.'

The marine sentry standing at the captain's cabin door, stood at attention, shocked at what he'd just witnessed. What a story he'd have for the mess that evening.

After a quiet meal Colonel Manning made his excuses about some last minute packing to do before they were ready to start their voyage home on the morrow. The servants set about cleaning and packing the dishes as Dagan and Betsy made their way to the swing on the front porch.

A faint breeze drifted in off the Atlantic and there was a quarter moon. Dagan was pleasantly surprised as Betsy nestled in beside him.

'I will miss you,' Dagan said.

For a moment Betsy didn't say a word; then taking Dagan's hand said, 'And I will miss you. I was a child bride, married at eighteen to the son of the man who owned the plantation next to the Colonel. He was rich, Barracuda

handsome, dashing and fearless and I thought I loved him. What girl wouldn't? He was made an officer in the Army of Virginia only to die of pneumonia before a shot was ever fired. But it's since I've been here… been with you that I really know what love is. I liked Thomas but I never loved him and I realize that now. But is it over before it begins?' She dabbed with her handkerchief at the tears starting to well up in her eyes.

Putting his arms around Betsy and drawing her close Dagan kissed at the moisture on her cheeks tasting the salty taste of tears. 'No, my love, it's not over that much I promise you. You may have to wait but I'll come… I promise I'll come.'

At that moment Dagan knew his words were true.

His lips left her face and found her lips for a long, warm passionate kiss. She eased up onto his lap; their bodies crushed together, each feeling the other's heartbeat against their chest.

'My God, Dagan, I'm in love. I want you. I want you forever.'

'Aye,' Dagan barely whispered, 'I want you and soon… soon mind you, you will be mine forever. You just wait.'

'I will Dagan. I promise with all my heart… I'll wait.'

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lord Anthony stood on the quarterdeck of Warrior.

Small droplets of sweat dripped from his hair running down his neck to his back. Just out of sight of Saint Augustine they intended to come about and head southward. That is of course if no sails were sighted following them.

Buck made his way over and knowing his admiral as he did said, 'Questions, doubts, always the what ifs.

Don't you worry, my lord, we've covered every possible situation we could.'

Nodding, Anthony replied, 'You're right as usual, Rupert. Let me know when we sight the other ships.'

'Aye, my lord.'

As the admiral ducked into the companionway Bart winked at Captain Buck, ''E always worries but don't yew's fret. I's'll take care o' 'em proper like.'

'Aye,' Buck replied, 'I'm counting on it.' Both knowing Lord Anthony's biggest worry lay in the fact that Gabe's Merlin would be the first to encounter Barracuda if in fact she lay in her lair as hoped for. Gabe was a seasoned officer and he'd handle himself well, Buck was sure but an extra prayer wouldn't be amiss.

It was just after midnight with a faint breeze blowing and a quarter moon shining down on the gentle ocean a mile off Cayo Hueso that Merlin picked up Lieutenant Hazard, Lieutenant Davy and the long boat crew. Once the longboat was brought aboard the orders were given to come about so they could rendezvous with the rest of the squadron who was hove to just out of sight of land.

'She's there,' an excited Hazard had reported. 'Not only is she there but from the number of campfires we