Gabe waited till Lum had finished his melody then spoke, "Do you know what today's incident reminds me of?"
"I was thinking along those lines as well," Dagan replied. "Makes you think of the Reaper."
"Yes, but her captain was French and he's dead," Caleb interjected.
"Aye, he is," Dagan replied, "But Montique's not.
That's something we can't afford to forget."
"No," Gabe replied, "I'll not soon forget."
"Nor will I," Dagan promised himself as he took another swig of his wine. "Nor will I."
Chapter Five
Gabe, Gunnells, the master, and the first lieutenant, Jackson, sat reviewing the charts they had of Saint Augustine, Florida. They had been able to rendezvous with Admiral Graves the day following the incident between the brig and the Barracuda.
Admiral Graves showed little concern about the incident other than to say he could use the survivors to replace men lost from his ships, men Gabe had hoped would be used to augment Lord Anthony's squadron.
But Admiral Graves being an admiral and Gabe being a lieutenant, the men went where Graves dictated.
Now Gunnells was going over different channels into Saint Augustine Harbour. "The North channel is deeper but narrow, while the South channel is much wider.
However, there's a sandbar with only eight to nine feet of water at low tide with breakers separating both of the South channels entrances."
"Along here," the master explained using calipers to point with, "The water is also shallow with more breakers. His Lordship's flagship and the frigate will have to anchor just off the north breaker while it's possible for SeaWolf, Swan, Pigeon and Audacity to enter the harbour. I'm not sure about LeFrelon. More than likely Audacity will be in much use plying between the anchorage and Saint Augustine."
"Audacity's captain won't much like his new livelihood I'm thinking," Jackson said with a smile on his face.
"It's in the scriptures already I'm betting," Gunnells responded.
"What about the harbour and the city?" Gabe asked the old master.
"Several rivers, the Matanzas, San Sebastions, and St. Marks all flow into the harbour. Most places there's nigh on to thirty feet, so if there was a deep channel there'd be a good anchorage. The harbour sets between Anastasia Island and Saint Augustine. There's a lighthouse on Anastasia Island. There's a huge castle that's been turned into a fort right here in Saint Augustine, but I don't see it being much help. I was here in '70 and the cannons looked ancient then. I'd be afraid to fire one if they haven't been replaced. More 'n likely kill more of us than the enemy," the old master said, matter-of-factly. "They were probably put there by the Spaniards when they first built the place two hunered years ago."
Then, turning back to the charts Gunnells said,
"I'm betting the squadron will be at anchorage here," using his pipe as a pointer. "That being said, we should drop anchor alongside the flagship by midday, Lord willing."
Admiral Lord Anthony stepped down from the coach as a footman opened the door. The man continued holding the door as Everette Hazard dressed in his finest as the flag lieutenant, made his way out of the coach. If the footman noticed the pinned sleeve he made no sign.
Hazard was somewhat self-conscious of his one empty
sleeve and was bewildered at Lord Anthony's offer to make him his flag lieutenant. He could never remember a one-armed flag lieutenant, certainly not one who had just been promoted to lieutenant after serving before the mast. Gabe had something to do with this appointment, he was sure.
While only a lieutenant himself, Gabe was Admiral Lord Anthony's brother, so there was little doubt in Hazard's mind as to where the recommendation had come from. Once he had asked Bart, the admiral's cox'n if he thought he could handle the requirements.
"Sure yew can. Alls yews got to do is stand around making sure 'is lordship is taken care of proper like when theys guest and dignaterry's about. Course yew got to fetch and carry his lordship's 'portant papers and such but yew's a do fine."
"But why would he choose me," Hazard pressed on seeking to confirm his suspicions that Gabe had been instrumental in his appointment.
Bart's reply was solemn and as elementary as Hazard had ever heard. "'Cause us-un's take care of our own." Stated so, Hazard never asked another question.
This was his first ceremonial task as the new flag lieutenant and he wanted to do a good job and show the admiral his confidence in him had not been misplaced.
The two other footmen, who seemed to appear just at the precise moment, pulled a pair of heavy ornate doors open. Once inside Government House a clerk greeted the pair and ushered them into the governor's office. Anthony glanced at Everette and smiled to himself. Everette seemed awestruck as he took in the pillared corridor, and the huge paintings that lined the walls.
As the usher approached a large painted door he stepped to the side to let Anthony and Everette pass through before he announced, "Admiral Lord Anthony and his flag lieutenant, sir."
Governor Patrick Tonyn stood from behind his desk to greet his visitors. He was debonair and elegantly dressed in all white. He had a firm handshake and you got the feeling he was a man qualified for the job at hand. "A glass of wine, my Lord, lieutenant?" As both officers responded, Governor Tonyn sent a servant for the wine then had the men seat themselves.
When the servant returned Tonyn explained as the two men looked at their glasses.
"Sangria, gentlemen. One of the Spanish wines that I find light and refreshing for the midday. Some may think it sweet after drinking the usual dry British wine." The wine was sweeter than Anthony was used to, but it did have a pleasant taste and was chilled.
"Have you ever been to Florida, my Lord?" Tonyn asked.
"No, I've not had the privilege."
"Then let me fill you in on some of the history which I think will better able you to carry out your orders. In 1763, Havana was given to the Spanish for the Province of Florida. Most of the Spanish residents chose to depart for Cuba. However, some stayed. Mostly the very poor, many blacks and individuals of mixed blood. Even a few of the wealthier stayed to maintain their extensive properties. I'm sure most in this group are actually spies."
"In November 1775, I issued a proclamation that invited loyal subjects who were being harassed by the rebels in the northern colonies to come to Florida and we would give them land to start anew. Since then rebels out of Savannah, Georgia and surrounding areas have raided us. They kill, plunder then make their way back to safety before I even know they've been a foot."
"I ordered a number of forts built to help defend us from these invasions. I've authorized a force of militia to be raised. A man of considerable merit, Thomas Browne, commands the militia. You will meet him and others at a meeting tomorrow."
"Now one other thing. Admiral Howe is shipping us prisoners of war. Some of which are well to do. If the prisoners give their parole, I give them the freedom of the city. Others are being kept on the sloop, Otter, which has been turned into a prison ship and still others are kept at the lighthouse."
Tonyn who had been sitting on his desk while talking let out a deep sigh, then stood up. Glancing at the remaining wine he put the glass to his lips and finished the fruity liquid.
"Now sir, you've heard of the damn privateers taking the Betsy and her load of gunpowder right on our doorsteps. Then another group had the audacity to sail right into our harbour and fire on our ships and town.
Had it not been for Lieutenant Knight, we'd never have fired a shot in return. Now we seem to be in danger of losing all our supply ships without which we can't survive. A day will come when we are self-sufficient.
However, we are not there yet. Your job, admiral, is to make the coast of Florida too hot for these damn rogues."