With many of her hands in port for their last night of freedom and debauchery before setting sail again, the Valor seemed almost a ghost ship. A skeleton crew of sailors and marines remained to stand the watch, Captain Grimes himself had remained aboard, deferring the opportunity to enjoy an evening ashore to his subordinate officers. Johnathan watched as the sun had set, seeing several merchant ships set off into the dying light. Lamplight created an eerie effect on deck, raising shadows that danced with the movement of the oil flame. Johnathan paced the deck, inspecting line and checking on the watch. As the moon arose, longboats ferrying crews back out to ships could be seen littered across the port. Songs and shouts floated through the night air; Johnathan smiled. In his experience, morale makes a crew all the better. A few dust ups in port and some hungover sailors at daybreak was a small price to pay.
The light of daybreak revealed bruised faces, aching hangovers and to Captain Grimes delight, not a single desertion. Johnathan passed orders to William to take the Valor out of port and the hands responded smartly. Sails trimmed and snapped crisply in the morning breeze and Will made short work of their maneuvers out to sea. In the matter of hours, Valor was plowing ahead full sail and tilt toward the southern edge of Cuba to begin her search pattern for any sign of the missing merchant ship.
Days passed without sighting of another ship. Captain Grimes ordered a sailing pattern by all coves and bays where a ship would likely take refuge from weather. They searched and scanned the southern coast of Cuba, doubling back to search along the north coast of Haiti to no avail. The crew quickly grew weary of the search and Captain Grimes wholly doubted the ship was still afloat. No wreckage or flotsam was found along the coast, no sign or sighting anywhere along the most likely course. A week had been spent searching for any sign of the missing ship when Captain Grimes decided to call off their search. He summoned Lieutenant Pike to his cabin to inform him of his intent and elicit his input on their next course of action, something he made a point to involve his subordinates in. The officer of the watch passed word for William, who was aloft in the rigging with his telescope, scanning shoreline. Will made his way down through the ratlines and hurried to report to the Captain, still in his linen shirt. The rigidity and formal manner he carried when he first assumed his post aboard the Valor had slowly but surely relaxed, he conducted himself with far more latitude and even a bit of swagger. Much of the crew had taken notice and approved, the petty officers and seamen found it endearing, their First Lieutenant was becoming more a part of the Valor every day.
“Captain Grimes Sir, you passed word for me?” William said, stepping into the cabin.
“I did Will, here, have a seat son. We’ve some matters to discuss.” Grimes said, ushering the young officer to the table where he had charts spread out. “I’ve decided to call off this wild goose hunt. We haven’t seen any sign of the Carolina Shepherd, I’m beginning to believe her Captain may have had other plans for his cargo, whatever the case. The Admiralty tasked us with protecting the India Company shipping from privateers and I think that a bit more pressing than spending our days chasing down some missing American tub. By the sounds of things in Nassau, we’ll likely be trading shot with the bloody yankees at sea again anyways,” said Grimes.
“Yes Captain, what shall I make our next heading then?” William asked.
“Kingston, Will. Let’s sail for Kingston and hope Admiral Sharpe can set us on a more sensible course of action.” Grimes answered his tone low.
“Perhaps he will have some answers for you about the standoff orders Sir.” Will offered.
“I would certainly hope so Lieutenant. On a different note, Lieutenant Shelton will be officer of the watch tonight and Cobb will be on lookout. See to it there are no problems Will, however you see fit.”
“Aya aye Sir,” Will responded. Immediately his thoughts were occupied by this, Will feared Cobb would try to undermine the newly promoted Lieutenant. “Perhaps he should be shifted to another watch Sir?”
“Not a chance Will. I refuse to accommodate that dishonorable wretch and I won’t see the young officer babied along. He will take command of the ship for his watch and nothing less. Any action by Cobb to undermine or otherwise interfere with Shelton fulfilling his duties is punishable by death. I’ll tie the damn noose myself if need be. Keep an eye on it and have a strong master at arms on the quarterdeck for his watch, that is all.”
‘Gazelle’
14 Sept 1808
17 Degrees 27’ N, 74 Degrees 43’ W
Flashes of lightning broke the darkness over the Gazelle as she pitched and rolled through heaving seas. The storm had come upon her after sunset and escalated fiercely until it was everything the crew could do to keep her upright. Below deck, the captives in their cells were tortured by the constant violent movement of the ship. Many became ill and all were fearful. In his small cabin LeMeaux was utterly failing to console Omibwe. The young man was panicked almost to hysteria. Omibwe worried for his parents and his sister, he heard screams from the other prisoners outside the cabin. Each time a wave broke over the bow of the ship the walls and
