fisherman admitted seeing the large ship captained by a Spaniard. He was last seen at Long Key the man had said, but he was also seen at Sugarloaf Key and Cayo Hueso. Cayo Hueso is much in use.
"Lots of pirates hide in that area," the man had said.
"They call it Pirates Cove. It has a deep water anchorage and therefore many ships stop there. This makes for big profit for the pirates."
After hearing this Anthony set down with Buck and Oxford, Warrior's old master. "Looking at these charts," Anthony said, "it looks like it's only a small distance from Cayo Hueso to Havana."
"Aye, my lord, about ninety to one hundred odd miles I'd say."
"And to Isla de Tesoros?" Anthony queried.
"I'd double that and more," the master said. "You have to sail around the western tip of Cuba from our current position."
"Yes, I remember," Anthony said. Then turning to Buck, he said, "I think we'll poke our nose into Havana Harbour. Just enough for them to know that we're about."
"Might flush out a rat," Oxford said.
"Or a Barracuda," Buck chimed in.
"Might not either." This interruption made the three men look up from the chart. Anthony knew something was amiss the way Bart had spoken. Once he had their attention, Bart continued, "We just got a signal from Gabe, water spout on the horizon and the sky is turning dark."
"Gawd!" Buck exclaimed.
The group then made their way on deck.
"Aye, we're in for a blow," Oxford said in a nervous voice as he went to check the barometer. "Pressure is falling," he stated matter-of-factly.
Buck then turned to Anthony and could see the conflict going on in his mind. Command… so much responsibility; not just one ship but the entire squadron.
Without thinking Buck touched Anthony's arm.
Glaring at the darkening sky Anthony said, "I know Rupert. We can't be caught here in a blow. Make general signal, take position on flag, and then set a course for Saint Augustine. The Barracuda will live to swim another day, but not for long."
As Anthony walked dejectedly back to his cabin Buck thought, Damn the Dago bastard anyway!
PART III
Rain falls when it wants to,
Like the wind that fills our sail.
I recall the tears on her face,
When we said our farewells.
Her memory's like a dagger,
The blade, cold and sharp.
All the nights I walked these decks,
With a lonely aching heart.
Tomorrow we'll return to port;
This cruise is finally over.
She'll be standing on the pier,
Waiting for me to hold her.
– Michael Aye
Chapter Nineteen
The storm lashed out violently as the waves crashed and beat upon the wooden hull of the ships in Lord Anthony's squadron. The pennant snapped and sounded like a gunshot as the mast and spars groaned. The winds created a whistling sound in the shrouds as the storm blasted down on the ships.
The helmsman steered a course almost due north as the squadron tried to outrun the tempest. It was on the eve of the third day the sun peeked through the clouds and the wind that drove the ships so furiously quieted down to a gentle breeze. Anthony came on deck and greeted his flag captain.
"She's a gallant ship, captain."
"Aye, my lord, with a gallant crew. It is my intent to splice the main brace before we come about and make our way to Saint Augustine."
"Good idea," Anthony replied. "How's the rest of the squadron?"
"All present and on station," Buck replied. "Audacity looks a little worse for wear but she's under full sail." Then Buck looking past his admiral could see the master approaching. "Well, Mr. Oxford, have you a good guess for our position?"
Anthony smiled appreciatively. Oxford would be as close as anybody could be but Buck was right. The exact position would be little more than a good guess until the noon sights could be done on the morrow.
Oxford ignored Buck's remarks and said, "There's a group of islands to larboard that I think is the Outer Banks of North Carolina so I judge we're in fact just off Cape Hatteras."
The master's positioning was very accurate as was usual for his breed of old salts. After the noon sighting the following day the squadron came about and made a leisurely cruise south to Saint Augustine. Audacity and SeaWolf chased a small schooner up the Cape Fear River inlet before being recalled by the flagship. Lord Anthony also allowed Swan and SeaWolf to take a peek into the harbour at Charlestown and Savannah but found nothing in either place.
The sight of British men-o'-war did cause alarm to the citizens of both places whose life had been very peaceful up to that point. It was at sundown on the fourth day after coming about the squadron dropped anchor at Saint Augustine.
Lord Anthony was disgusted as he seemed to face nothing but one frustration after another in his attempt to come to grips with the privateer Barracuda.
"We have been very successful overall," Buck pointed out. "Our convoys are making it through so there's no doubt as to our impact."
"Aye," Lord Anthony agreed, "but I'll not rest until Pigeon is avenged. We cannot, I will not allow a ship under my command to be destroyed without bringing the offender to justice."
Buck could tell by Anthony's voice his ire was up.
"They have to know," Anthony said his arm making a sweeping motion, "that to destroy a King's ship is to Barracuda
doom their fate. I will not rest until the rogue is brought to bear."
Bart was standing inside the pantry with Silas.
Anthony's words were easily overheard. "I's 'spect that cap'n of the Barracuda is in a fix."
"Aye," Silas answered, "His days be numbered alright. When his lordship gets 'is temper up somebody generally pays."
"Me thoughts as well," Bart answered. "Don Louis is a dead man and 'e jus' don't know it yet."
"Aye," Silas agreed, "not yet 'e don't, but soon." No sooner had the ships dropped anchor than Governor Tonyn's secretary came aboard with new orders for Lord Anthony. After reading his orders Anthony had Sir Raymond and Gabe repair on board. When all had settled on board and Silas had served a glass of refreshment for the group Anthony got down to business.
"The rebels are sending another invasion force into Florida. We have this on good word. The force is said to contain more than one thousand troops. Governor Tonyn is taking this as a very serious threat. He has already sent a force under Colonel Provost to repel the attack. However, we are to land a group of scouts under Colonel Browne at Cowford just north of here. Gabe, as SeaWolf has the shallowest draught you will put into the mouth of the Saint Johns River here," Anthony said pointing at a place on the chart which was spread across the dining table. "Once at this place you will disembark Colonel Browne and his scouts and return here and maintain patrol along with Neptune."
"May I ask a question my lord?" Sir Raymond asked.
Glancing up Lord Anthony nodded his consent.
"If it's only a handful of scouts we're landing why are you sending both SeaWolf and Neptune?"
"Good question. There's a possibility some of the invasion force may come by sea… a two-pronged attack if you will. Therefore you will act as defender should difficulties arise."
"Aye my lord, we will be ready."
Gabe had barely made it back to SeaWolf and informed his first lieutenant and master of their orders when the boat carrying the scouts was sighted.
"Tis but a wee outing," Gunnells said as he quickly reviewed the charts prior to setting sail. The scouts were as motley a mixture as Gabe had ever seen. The group was made up of four blacks, seventeen whites, and the rest were Indians. They were dressed in a mixture of buckskin, homespun Lindsey Woolsey and breechcloths.
Their outward appearance gave little hint to the effectiveness of the group.
Colonel Browne gave an air of competence and energy. In his late thirties or early forties he had made a reputation of being very skilled in the art of guerrilla warfare. This skill had not gone unnoticed by Governor Tonyn who had placed Browne in command of the East Florida Rangers. Browne was a man that was easy to like. He grew his hair long to cover the baldness where the Colonials had scalped him. Not only was he a soldier of merit Gabe decided but he was also a man set on retribution towards those who were responsible for his disfigurement.