Will had placed extra lookouts aloft and on the bow as the Captain had asked, he was on his way forward to take a look toward the western horizon when Grimes came up onto the deck. The massive rolling swells had reduced into a sea of short, choppy waves under a strong but steady west blowing wind.
“Well done Will. Let’s get the crew set to it. Any damage from the storm?” Johnathan asked. Will began to go through the list of tasks he had just been thinking through when the lookout above relayed down,
“Land on the horizon. Two point off starboard bow.” The sailor drolled.
“Good. Let’s get about it then. I’ll get a fix on our exact position.” Grimes continued.
“Sail! Sail off the starboard stern rail Sir! Two Ships!” the lookout cried down, this time a streak of adrenaline fueled his voice. Grimes grabbed his looking glass extending it as he ran across deck to the stern. Reaching the rear of the ship Grimes and Pike looked out over the fantail into the growing light of the rising sun. Two ships sailing abreast bore down on their position, weather gauge in their favor. Lieutenant Pike’s stomach turned into knots as he found the silhouette of two warships to the east. Scouring their view of the ships the two officers stood together trying to discern the warships’ colors. In their view behind the Valor, the ship to the right in the duo changed her course slightly. The flag flying over her stern revealed a fearsome looking horned skull over a black field, a tilting trident behind the skull and a length of broken chain beneath.
“Captain.” Will said, “Do you see those colors?”
“I do lad. Beat to quarters.” Grimes replied sharply. Looking over both ships, the sting of a chill ran up Captain Grimes’ spine. They were in his class, both appeared to be frigates but there were two and unlike his bold confrontation with the French in the Atlantic he was at a disadvantage with his opponent upwind. That was before he took into account his damaged sails and rigging. The drum aboard the Valor sounded briskly while the crew erupted into a frenzy of activity to make ready for action. “Well, let’s bloody get to it then.” Captain Grimes muttered to himself. He looked over to Lieutenant Pike, “Run her towards the coast and make a hard-larboard turn facing us south. I want a volley as soon as we come about Will. Have the bosun and his mates get those damaged sails replaced as we make the run up. We’re going to need them.” Will smiled devilishly as he went about issuing his orders, Captain Grimes was in his element again.
H.M.S Endurance
14 Sept 1808
18 Degrees 2’ N, 76 Degrees 16’ W
The rains intensified after sunset and combined with a wind from the east that battered the ships anchored within the safety of the bay. Elliot had donned his oilskin cloak and large hat, but it only took a few minutes on deck until he was soaked through down to his skin. The longboats from his other two ships arrived at the stern of the Endurance, Elliot climbed down into one of the two longboats from his flagship. His longboat led the way toward the shore of the bay, Elliot instructed the marines to make landfall away from the mouth of the inner cove. The intensifying weather made conditions in the longboats miserable, even within the cove short choppy waves slopped over the surface of the water. With the sun down and the heavy wind and rain, visibility was limited as well; which brought a wry smile to Elliot’s face. He liked miserable conditions especially if he wanted to do something aggressive. Pouring rain and howling winds would discourage even the most ardent watchman.
After making landfall Elliot waited until he had his entire compliment of marines before heading inland. They formed a column trudging into the tree line on the finger of land separating the inner cove from the larger part of the bay. After only a few minutes of weaving through the dense forest Elliot could see the opening of the cove ahead.
“Douse those lanterns men, four of you come with me. Everyone else form up and stay put, we won’t be long.” Elliot said to the marine closest to him. The order was quickly passed in hushed tones through the column of soaking wet men. Elliot moved cautiously toward the opening, peering through the trees to the inlet ahead. The visibility had only deteriorated but as Elliot approached the edge of the tree line, he could see a light on the cove. He sent one of his four-man detail back to retrieve the marines who had stayed farther back. When the main body of the landing party all came up to Elliot’s location, he looked them over momentarily and addressed them quietly.
“Alright lads. You’re probably all scratching your heads and wondering why the old man is dragging you inland in the pouring rain and wind, marching you through this damn mud eh?” Elliot said stone faced. A few grins and chuckles ran through the formation, a marine toward the rear grumbled. “Something has been going on in Jamaica, in the Caribbean. I mean to get to the bottom of it men. If we come across anything up here, it’s going to be a close engagement
