Gabe watched as the grapnels flew through the air. Not a miss. What luck, Gabe thought.
Now the slack was playing out. Would the lines hold Gabe wondered? Would they be able to affect a tow?
Snap! The first line parted creating a sick feeling to enter Gabe’s stomach. It was then SeaWolf slowed almost to a halt, like a great anchor was on her. The other lines were holding…so far.
‘Her bows turning,’ Jackson shouted, ‘We’re bringing her around.’
Satisfaction now replaced the sickness Gabe had felt only a moment or two ago.
‘Mr. Gunnells, would you be so kind as to bring us up a point please?’
‘Aye, cap’n, up a point.’
‘Fire, fire forward.’
Gabe looked at the fiery remnant of a sail that had landed near the bow chaser. Lieutenant Lavery and a group of men were working frantically to put out the flames. Hopefully the gunpowder used to fire the bow chasers had been used up or properly taken care of otherwise there might be two ships ablaze instead of the one.
Feeling the deck rumble beneath his feet Gabe could tell they were picking up speed. So far they were successful in creating the tow. He could still feel the intense heat coming from the fireship. Now fiery remnants of the fireship’s sails were filling the air blowing in several directions. Gabe could also hear the hiss as debris hit the water which extinguished the flames. How long would it before the grapnel lines were burned into?
‘Mr. Gunnells.’
‘Aye, cap’n.’
‘Is the wind still off the shore?’
‘Aye, cap’n, almost directly astern.’
‘Very well, now steer a course to take us out of the harbour. We’ll keep that course until the tow lines part.’
‘Aye cap’n.’
‘Looks like we did it captain.’ This was from Jackson who looked dark and sooty.
‘Yes, so far Dagan’s lady luck has held.’
BOOM…BOOM…
‘What the hell?’ Jackson cursed.
‘We’re being fired on sir,’ Lavery volunteered. ‘Probably the whoresons that set the fireship into action.’
‘Aye,’ Gabe replied. ‘They were probably standing off to see the results of their deeds.’
‘A bit disappointed I’d say,’ Lavery said.
BOOM…BOOM…
‘No hits as of yet but that last one was close enough to rock SeaWolf.’
‘Did anyone see where the shots came from?’
‘Aye,’ this from Dagan. ‘They’re off the larboard bow.’
‘Mr. Lavery.’
‘Aye, captain.’
‘Let’s load and run out the larboard guns. Don’t wait for my order. You see a flash you let loose.’
‘Aye, captain, we’ll give ’em what for.’
Snap…Snap… Two more of the tow lines parted. Only three lines left.
BOOM…BOOM…
This time a ball hit amidship plowing its way through the line of men in the bucket brigade and coming to a stop as it hit one of the cannons on the starboard side.
BOOM…BOOM…BOOM…
Gabe felt SeaWolf’s deck shudder as one after another of her larboard guns were fired, flames leaping out of the mouth of each cannon scorching the night air. Did they score a hit? There was no real way to know but the enemy will know we’re ready, Gabe thought.
After several minutes the night remained quiet except for the hissing sound from the fireship which was now completely engulfed in flames. The heat was blistering SeaWolf’s paint and making it difficult for the men to carry on. Smoke drifted forward with the wind, burning one’s eyes and causing men to cough and gasp for breath as smoke filled their lungs.
Snap…Snap…Snap…
‘There goes the tow lines,’ Jackson reported.
‘Aye,’ Gabe replied, ‘Prepare to come about, then Mr. Gunnells take us back to our anchorage.’
‘Aye, cap’n,’ the old master replied. He to was relieved and glad to be away from the burning hell that had once been a ship.
‘Mr. Lavery.’
‘Aye, captain.’
‘We’re about to come about. When we do so, I want every gun doubled-shotted and fired into the fireship at the water line. I want her sunk.’
‘Aye, cap’n. We run off the other rogue for you and now we’ll sink this bugger.’ ***
Lieutenant Lavery was good as his word. As SeaWolf came about the cannons fired and ball after ball poured into the fireship until she listed to starboard then sank, creating a sizzling sound as the dark waters quenched the inferno. The distinct smell of burning wood and tar still filled the air and looking about his crew Gabe couldn’t find a single person who was not blackened by the smoke and debris from the flaming fireship.
What a crew, he thought. To be awakened from a dead sleep only to face a burning hell and succeed in conquering the demon in a matter of minutes. Well, they’d enjoy a double tot once they anchored. They’d put the ship back to order on the morrow.
As SeaWolf made her way back toward her anchorage the flagship fired a salute in honour of their deed. Cheers filled the air from men who lined up against the rails.
‘The flagship has got a signal flying, sir,’ Lancaster informed Gabe.
‘Am I to guess? Tell me what does it say lad?’
The smiling youth replied, ‘Two words, captain. Well done.’
‘Acknowledge the signal, Mr. Lancaster.’ ‘Mr. Jackson.’
‘Aye, captain.’
‘Am I to understand you owe six guineas to the men heaving the grapnel?’
‘Nay, captain. I was speaking on your behalf so it is you I’m thinking owes the debt.’
‘Me,’ Gabe said somewhat sarcastically.
‘Aye, captain, but I’m betting the admiral will cover the debt as you saved his flagship.’
