“That inlet, young man. See to it, and have longboats made ready. I want a compliment of marines ready to go ashore within the hour from all three ships,” said the Admiral. With that he left the midshipman standing on the bow, as he headed to his cabin Elliot tried to think of the last time he had personally led a party ashore.
PART TWO
Take The Helm
Chapter 6
‘Drowned Maiden’
14 Sept 1808
18 Degrees 2’ N, 76 Degrees 11’ W
The brunt effects of the storm had enveloped both the Drowned Maiden and the Unholy Shepherd. Howling winds combined with large rolling waves, battering both ships as they made their way toward the eastern coast of Jamaica. Waves broke on the bow of the Maiden, washing seawater across the deck and making walking near impossible for all but the most seasoned of the crew. Lilith fought through waves of nausea on the constantly rolling deck, tending lines according to the orders Chibs barked through howling wind. Several times, the Maiden rolled so hard Lilith thought she was going over the rest of the way. It was by far the worst storm she had ever experienced. Chibs seemed unmoved by the severe conditions, calm even as the ship was tossed about through wind and wave.
“Land ho! Land off the bow!” the lookout aloft called. His voice barely audible over the wind.
“Aye, land!” Chibs called back. The lookout yelled something else down, his words lost to a wave breaking over the bow. “What?” Chibs called back up at him. Again, the lookout called something down, but the words he shouted were drowned out in the storm. Chibs, shaking his head turned to Lilith.
“Girl, go and fetch the Captain. Let him know we’ve sighted land.” Chibs said, wiping seawater off his brow and wringing out his beard.
“Aye.” Lilith responded. She scurried across the deck, stopping to grab onto the rail as a large wave broke over the bow sending a wash of seawater across the ship. When she reached the door to James’ cabin she knocked loudly,
“Enter,” came James’ voice from within. Opening the door, she found the Captain leaning against a table with a chart spread out atop.
“Such a loud knock from such a small and beautiful creature. You intrigue me Lilith.” James said with a warm smile.
“Aye Captain, I wanted to be certain you would hear me.” Lilith replied slightly embarrassed by his flattery.
“I can think of worse interruptions. What brings you miss?” James asked.
“Lookouts have spotted land. Chibs told me to inform you.”
“Very good. I suppose it’s time I came out and got wet with the rest of you. It will certainly be an improvement of company, if not condition.” James said, giving her a sideways look and smiling all the more.
Above deck Captain James lurched and staggered his way through the motion of the ship up to the bow. He extended his looking glass and did his best to peer through the weather. Meanwhile the lookout and Chibs were still shouting back and forth trying to communicate through the blustering wind and breaking waves. The lookout reluctantly pointed to the foot of the ratlines, signaling Chibs to meet him there so he could pass his message without competing with the weather. When the two met, Chibs spoke with the man only for a fleeting moment before he took off across the ship towards the Captain. Oblivious to the movement of the deck the rain and waves Chibs seemed to be in a panic.
“Captain!” Chibs shouted over the weather, “Captain there are masts sighted in the bay!” He stumbled up right next to Captain James, who instantly turned back outboard and peered back through his looking glass.
“So there are Chibs. Let’s make our course west by north. We’ll have to skirt the coast north until the weather settles.” James replied, shouting over the wind.
Chibs scrambled back to help adjust course, Lilith trying her best to keep up behind him. As the two made their way back, a rogue wave slammed against the side of the Maiden throwing both to the deck. Lilith looked up to see Chibs awash in a flood of seawater struggling to his feet, just beyond him the ship’s wheel spun freely the helmsman lying unconscious at its base.
“Lilith!” Chibs cried out slipping from his feet in the rush of water, “Lilith! Take the helm! Take the helm or we’re doomed girl!” Lilith stumbled and slid, falling to her knees. She pulled herself back to her feet and made it to the wheel. Lilith grabbed onto the wheel and was nearly lifted off the deck by the force of it. She put all her weight into trying to right the wheel.
“Chibs! I need help, I can’t turn it back!” Lilith screamed. In an instant and seemingly appearing from nowhere Captain James grabbed hold on the other side of the ships massive wheel.
“Ready girl? Hard a starboard,” James shouted. The wheel moved grudgingly but with James and Lilith both laboring at it the ship started to correct course. As the bow swung back to where it was and then edged north James looked over to Lilith.
“Can you hold her steady?” he asked.
“I believe so.” Lilith answered, a little unsure.
“Well, we’ll find out in a hurry if you can’t,” James quipped as he let go and stepped away to see to the fallen helmsman. The man had taken quite a hit to the head when the wave threw him into the wheel, and he was out cold. Captain James tried to wake him with little result when Chibs approached.
“We strayed closer to the shoreline than I thought James. We aren’t going to hit the rocks, but those ships in the bay will surely see us.” Chibs rasped. He looked like a man drowned in the sea and returned from the abyss.
“Not much we can do about it now I guess; they’ve probably spotted us already. No matter
