Barracuda

spotted I'd say half the crew was ashore.'

'We were close enough to hear their drunken laughter,' Lieutenant Davy interjected, 'as well as a few giggles from some of the little huts we could see that sat just at the shadows.'

'Aye,' Hazard confirmed, 'and I'm betting there will be more than a few buggers hungover and nursing headaches in the morning from all the drinking and womanizing that seems to be going on.'

'Any sign of her captain?' Gabe asked.

'No, we wouldn't know what he looked like of course but we didn't see anyone who was an obvious officer.'

Once the rendezvous was made and Hazard's report relayed to Lord Anthony, final preparations were gone over and Merlin, with SeaWolf following, would enter the channel at first light. Once Barracuda was in range Merlin would start firing and if SeaWolf could bring her guns to bear she would concentrate her fire on the ship as well. If not, she was to fire on the batteries ashore or other targets of opportunity.

If Barracuda ran for it they'd be waiting and if she didn't an attempt to enter the channel would be made by Defiant. That failing a force would be sent in boats.

'She'll run,' Paco volunteered. He had been brought forward due to his knowledge of the anchorage.

'Capitaine de Lavago is not such a man to risk his ship Barracuda

or fight a battle without having the odds in his favor. He will run.'

'Well, I damn well hope so,' Buck had growled, ready to bring the rogue to an accounting.

Lord Anthony then asked the question no one else had, nor was it mentioned in the report by either Hazard or Davy, 'Are there any other ships at anchor?' Hazard's chin dropped and Davy suddenly looked crestfallen. Finally Hazard spoke, 'We didn't see any others but a smaller ship could have been at anchor to the Gulf side of Barracuda. I didn't see any mast but as dark as it was I couldn't be certain. I'm sorry, my lord,' a dejected Hazard said. 'I saw the obvious and didn't try to get past the Barracuda to see if another ship lay alongside.'

'No, you did the right thing,' Anthony said wishing he had the information but trying to salve the young lieutenants sense of failure. Damme, why hadn't he sent Bart or Dagan along. They would have looked then he'd know what lay ahead, not guess but know.

Gabe straddled his legs and waited for the swell that caused Merlin's bow to rise to glide past, then raised his glass to peer toward the small island or Key as Gunnells was so apt to correct. 'Cayo Hueso is the Dago name.

For us it's Key West,' he'd say.

'Not yet light enough to see anything as of yet,' Gabe said. He had come on deck at dawn as was his custom, shirt half buttoned, coat unbuttoned and hair all mussed.

'Good Lawd, sir,' Lum declared. 'One look 'et you'd plum scare dem pirates oudda dey skin. Better let Lum get you a comb.'

'Later,' growled Gabe. Sensing Gabe's mood Lum backed off.

'Good morning Mr. Jackson, Mr. Gunnells.'

'Morning, captain.'

The habitual greeting, the habitual reply.

'Mr. Jackson, let's get the men fed before we have to douse the galley fires.'

'Aye, captain.'

Dagan came forward with a cup of coffee. 'Not like the kick you get with Silas's coffee but its got flavor,' he said.

Silas always spiked his coffee wit a small tot o'

sumthin' to get you going. Lum on the other hand added a small amount of chicory to his coffee that made the coffee strong but once the taste had been developed nothing else satisfied. Caleb had gotten to where he stopped by every morning for a cup and Dawkins wasn't shy about grabbing a cup, 'to help me concentrate on me duties' he'd said.

It was now fast growing light and you could now see the Key in the distance.

'Let's get underway, Mr. Jackson… quietly if you will.'

'Aye, captain.'

'Mr. Gunnells, make our course sou'west by west.'

'Aye, captain, sou'west by west.'

'Deck there,' the lookout called down, 'Breakers on the larboard bow, sir.'

'We've a good three miles,' the master said without being asked as Gabe turned to him.

It was then that Hazard spoke, 'Nothing to worry about, sir.'

Gabe watched as the land became nearer. 'Alter course two points to starboard, Mr. Gunnells.'

'Aye, cap'n, two points it be.'

'Damme,' Gabe said, 'I hate entering into a channel like this.'

Barracuda 'I can get us through captain,' Lieutenant Hazard declared.

Seeing the relaxed look on Hazard's face eased Gabe's anxiety somewhat but not completely. 'Very well,' Gabe replied. Then so that everyone on the quarterdeck could hear he said, 'She's in your hands, Lieutenant Hazard.'

'Aye, aye, sir.'

Then to Gunnells, Hazard ordered, 'We will alter course, steer west by north.'

Then turning to Gabe, Hazard said, 'I'd put a couple of leadsmen in the chain, sir.'

Nodding to Graf, the bosun set about the order.

They were less than a mile from the entrance of the channel when Gabe ordered, 'Clear for action, Mr. Jackson… quietly.'

Quietly, aye,' Jackson replied. He then asked,

'Should we signal SeaWolf, sir?' Somewhat taken aback by the question it took Gabe a moment to realize Markham was now on SeaWolf. He was on Merlin.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed at his momentary lapse he spoke sharply, 'I assure you, Mr. Jackson, Captain Markham knows how to command his ship.' Gabe was instantly angry with himself and spoke again, 'Forgive me, Jem, I had no call to speak that way.'

'No apologies necessary, captain,' the first lieutenant replied as he went about passing the word to clear for action… quietly.

'A touch of nerves?'

Gabe turned and was facing Caleb.

'We've not had much time to talk lately,' Gabe said, feeling the need to talk to his friend.

'You've been busy,' Caleb replied.

'Aye,' Gabe answered, 'but we should never get so caught up that we don't take the time to talk even if it's over coffee.'

Then Caleb spoke the words Gabe knew was coming. 'After this, when the time is right and things are settled I'm going to Virginia. I want to see Dagan's niece. I've a longing for her that will not go away.' Gabe had noticed the change in Caleb's demeanor around the wenches and thought so he's finally found the right woman. He could feel the emotion in his friend's voice but didn't trust himself to maintain his composure with the direction of the conversation so he jokingly said,

'Are they ready for Mr. Jewells?'

The comment had the desired effect Gabe wanted and Caleb broke out laughing after a sudden look of concern. Men running to their battle stations broke up the conversation.

'We'll talk later,' Caleb said.

'Aye, later.'

As the men rushed about clearing for action Gabe felt like a bystander. He could hear the different sounds all mingled together as a sort of chaos became order, each man carrying out his assigned duty. The thud as screens were torn down, the sound of feet on the planks as seamen hurried across the deck, the clearing of hammocks and mess tables as they were cleared from the ropes and tackles of the guns.

The wisp of sand being strewn across the deck and rattle of metal as a tub of cutlasses was set, none too gently, on deck. Watching the scene, Gabe recalled Lord Anthony… Gil's quick words the brief moment they were alone before getting underway, Have a care, Gabe, no heroics today… Gabe don't close with the ship, don't let them