Wake watched Robbins’ Adam’s apple bob up and down in his throat as he talked. He found himself wondering about the young man’s background and how he came to be here in this inhospitable place.
Robbins was wilting under the eye of his commander but continued his narration. “The odd thing is we didn’t see anybody anywhere. Nobody on the road and no one at the crossroads. Couldn’t see any sign of anyone living there. Even the horses and farm animals are gone. A bit disconcerting, sir.”
Wake considered this information and posed a question to clarify the report.
“Ensign, did it appear they had all left suddenly and recently?”
“Well, sir, I sent Kingston here up to one of the homes to see about that. Tell him, Kingston.”
The bosun stepped forward and told his part of the story in even tones. “The ensign, sir, he told me to go see about where the folks were and when they’d left. So I went into this one home, a hut actually, and found the cook hearth still warm, clothes still hung, some food still stored in the larder. Later I found some fresh tracks of horses and wagons in the road leading inland to Collmerton. Saw one other track going north along the coastal road from Claresville. The tracks have been there since the rain yesterday evening. They’d only been gone about a couple hours, I’d say, sir.”
Wake was silent for a few seconds. “Thank you Mr. Robbins, Kingston. Rest your men for the next half hour. Ensign Robbins, I want you to return here for a conference in five minutes.”
Wake stood and turned to McDougall, who was still lethargically reclining against a rock. The lieutenant spoke quickly as his mind was busy formulating a plan. “McDougall, present my compliments to Ensign Chase and have him visit me here in five minutes. Then go to the bluff and gauge the progress of the soldiers in the boats. Return here and tell me when you think they will arrive.”
The energetic tone of Wake’s voice spurred McDougall to rise off the ground as quickly as his old frame would allow. He strode across the clearing while Wake contemplated the breastworks around the camp. Part of Chase’s men were slashing bushes and small trees, piling them in makeshift fence lines around the perimeter. Others were cutting down the areas in front of those lines. Still others walked sentry posts, staring off into the gloom of the forest trying to see any enemy before they could attack the as-yet-unfinished barricades.
Behind the outer line, Wake’s men were doing the same for the main defense perimeter line. The few who were not working to improve their chances against the attack they knew would come were setting up the provisions, medicines and supplies under the canvas awnings by the tree line. The open area by the bluff was left unoccupied by men or equipment.
The heat and humidity competed with the insects for the enmity of the sailors as they worked in the junglelike surroundings. The seamen were no longer quiet as they sweated at their tasks with oaths and shouts. Wake was worried about exhaustion, but the absolute necessity of having strong lines had overcome his concern and he had driven his petty officers to make their men accomplish the work without letup.
Now he had an idea. It was risky, but he thought it was an acceptable risk for a considerable gain. He sat down on the rock and waited for the McDougall and the ensigns. When they arrived he was blunt with them as they sat or knelt down.
“McDougall, what did you see?”
“Looks like the first o’ them will be to the bluff in ten minutes or so, sir. But the poor sods are heavin’ an’ hollerin’ like they’s damn near dead, an’ the line o’ them boats is stretched out for what looks like half a mile down the river and off the beach, sir. They’ll be a hurtin’ for certain sure when they finally get here.”
Wake’s mouth twitched as he nodded in response to the gunner’s mate’s report. “All right. Then here is what we will do, gentlemen. We are going to seize an opportunity that has been presented to us. It won’t last long. Listen carefully.”
Each man leaned forward with attention. There was no mistaking the tone of Wake’s voice. “In half an hour my unit will depart, march up the road and occupy Claresville. Ensign Robbins’ detail will patrol the road between this camp and my unit. Ensign Chase will maintain the perimeter here. The soldiers will be here soon but will probably take two hours for all of them to arrive and form up. They can then follow us up to Claresville. There is no need for them to wait for tomorrow. We need to establish defensive works as far forward of this camp as possible. I do not want to wait until the Rebels come in force to move down that road against us here. Thirty minutes, gentlemen. Questions?”
Chase bobbed his head in affirmation. McDougall had a glint of glee in his eye and smiled. Robbins replied that he understood and turned to leave but was stopped by Wake.
“Mr. Robbins. The road is bordered by dense swamp on either side, is it not?”
“Yes, sir. It’s very thick with plants and vines and things. The water looks to be at least chest high.”
Wake locked his eyes on Robbins’. “We are dealing with Floridians who dwell in these swamps, Mr. Robbins. They are not intimidated by them. Make sure you place pickets out in the swamps away from the road so that you, and by extension me, don’t get flanked. They need to listen for the enemy moving around you. Understood?”
Robbins stared back at Wake. His words were uttered slowly.
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Robbins. A naval officer says ‘aye aye, sir,’ when given a command. You and your detail are the lifeline for sixty sailors and many more soldiers. Make sure your
