It then occurred to Gabe that Markham should be present. "Mr. Davy!"
"Aye, sir."
"Would you be so kind as to give my regards to Captain Markham and if convenient could he return to the prize."
"Aye, cap'n…ere sir.'
"Bosun!"
"Sir?"
"As soon as the prisoners are well secured take a party and search this ship." Gabe ordered.
"Aye, sir," the bosun replied then gathering up a party made his way below.
Turning back to the corvette captain, Gabe said,
"Tell your crew to behave and they will be treated fairly, otherwise…"
"I cannot, m'sieu."
"Well, you damn well better," Gabe growled,
"Because I promise you sir, that should they try any mischief or attempt to damage this vessel in any way they will be fired upon without any quarter. The choice is up to you."
"What choice is that?" Gabe turned to see Markham had arrived. He introduced Robeaud to Markham, and then explained his comments.
Markham then faced Robeaud.
"As I recall sir, your men threw down their arms but you never came forth and gave your formal surrender."
"Because I have not," Robeaud replied.
"It is with regret then sir, but I deem your actions less than honorable and place you under arrest. Mr. Davy, see that the prisoner is properly secured on board the Swan."
"I protest," Robeaud cried, "This is absurd."
"Protest al you desire captain, Markham answered,
"But arrested you are."
At that time, Dagan came back on deck. "I think we've found something of interest."
Turning, Gabe saw the obvious bulge in Dagan's pockets and Lum's shirt appeared to protrude. "Damn," Gabe thought. "I hope Markham doesn't become interested in what's in their pockets and shirt." As Gabe and Markham went down to the captain's cabin Lum stood aside and then made his way back to the Swan. Letting Markham go ahead, Gabe whispered to Dagan, "Surely your not turning Lum into a larsonist?"
"Just looking after retirement," Dagan answered,
"Us's retirement."
Dagan had indeed found a magic box in which the key fit. "Damme," Markham exclaimed after reading the first page of a bundle of papers that had been locked in the box. As he started reading the second page, he handed the first to Gabe who was just as astonished as Markham.
"Damme, sir, do you know what this means?"
"Aye," Markham replied. "I think we'd better get underway directly. After seeing these papers perhaps Lord Anthony will not ask if we found anything else of value."
"Damn," Gabe thought eyeing Dagan and then replied, "We didn't, Frances, we didn't." Long after putting the papers back in the box and locking it, the heading of the papers still burned in
Markham 's brain. "Plans for the invasion and occupation of Nova Scotia."
It was midday when the lookout cal ed down, "Sail off the larboard bow." Swan, Le Frelon and the merchant brigantine al reduced sail until the sighting had been identified. It was the gun ketch, Pigeon, commanded by Lieutenant Kerry. Pigeon had just rounded Cape Sable on her way to rendezvous with Lord Anthony's squadron at Halifax.
"You gave me a start," Kerry said to Markham.
"It's not often we see a French corvette in these waters.
I was sure you were a group of privateers." After hearing of Le Frelon's capture Kerry was surprised to hear Gabe was acting as commander. "So he's not dead. Half the squadron believes he's alive, while the other half thinks he's dead. Lord Anthony made it plain when he put Lieutenant Earl in command of SeaWolf-it was only temporary-until Gabe returned.
Some thought him daff but he was so positive I figured he knew something the rest of us didn't."
"Aye," Markham replied, "he knew Dagan and if Dagan say's it, you can count on it."
It was a joyous greeting that Gabe and Markham found waiting on them as they glided into the harbour of Halifax. Not only were Gabe and Markham
returning, but they were returning with a French corvette as a prize. The Pigeon had made al sail and alerted everyone to their soon arrival.
"The admiral is sure pacing," Lieutenant Herrod remarked to Captain Moffett.
"Aye, that he is," Moffett replied. "He said al along Gabe was alive, but I can't help but believe there was a nagging doubt. I'm glad for him. He sets some store in young Gabe. More like a son than a brother."
"There's Bart, captain, I can just imagine his words,
’know'd ’e were alive; 'I's jus know'd it." Herrod had Bart down pat. His mimicking the admiral's cox'n made Moffett chuckle.
"I-ha! ha!-don't think I'd let Bart hear you, Mr. Herrod-ha! ha!-not if you plan on staying around long enough to make captain.
As the Swan crept closer her battle wounds were obvious. A gaping void in her bulwark had not been replaced, nor were the scars in her mast that still had pieces of iron imbedded in it. The damaged rigging had been replaced and the "new" stood out in contrast to the older, more seasoned rigging. The decks had been washed down well after the battle, the water had poured thick and bloody as it ran down the scuppers. Now it would be hard for a person to full y comprehend the fierceness of the battle.
But some knew and that was why the harbour was lined, not only with Lord Anthony's ships, but also with every type of boat imaginable-al shouting, cheering, huzza…huzza. As Gabe stood on the corvette's
quarterdeck he caught a glimpse of his brother, standing tall and rigid then off came his hat in a bow…a salute.
The reception the returning ships were getting caused Gabe to think of Antigua and how the islanders cheered when time after time Lord Anthony would return with one or more prizes. A sudden chilling wind caused a sail to pop and made Gabe think the cheering was the only thing similar to Antigua as he pull ed his cloak closer. The damn weather certainly was not similar.
Chapter Three
Bart had the admiral's barge crewed and on their way before Gabe had dropped anchor. "Let's do it up proper like," an excited Bart had urged Lord Anthony.
"Make'um feel like they's dig-na-terries being picked up in the admiral's own barge. Then when the fuss is al over…me and Silas will cut out ’is gizzard for scaring the life outta us'ns so."
Bart's sentiment mirrored his own Lord Anthony thought but it was hard to fill ill toward Gabe when he had been trying to do his duty. Turning toward the companionway, Lord Anthony spoke with the flag captain, "I'll be in my quarters, Dutch. You can escort our wayward young officer down after you're finished on deck. He seems to have picked up someone along the way so make him comfortable until I send for him."
"Aye, my lord." Dutch had also noticed the tall black man Gabe seemed to be pointing out things of interest to.
Suddenly a very loud cheer went up accented with musket fire. Lord Anthony paused and turning back to Dutch questioned, "SeaWolf?"
"Aye, my Lord, their captain is back."
"I hope Earl won't take offense."
"Nay, my Lord. He and Gabe are close and from al appearances Gabe and Markham may have brought a ship for him."
Smiling Anthony chided, "You'd promote Earl over your own first lieutenant, Dutch?"
"Nay, my Lord, not I, but you."
With a smile on his lips Lord Anthony made his way to his quarters. Not even the stamp of the marine sentry stirred his ire. "Silas, Silas damn your slow soul I want…"
"It's already done, sir. I's sent for your best wine, we's cutting up some cheese and setting out some bread and opening some preserves. It'll be just right for young Gabe, my Lord, and that's no error."
After greeting Gabe and Markham on deck, Captain Moffett had his cox'n take Lum in tow. Dagan and Bart made their own way which was likely to end up in the admiral's pantry, Dutch thought. Then eyeing the bulging canvas dispatch pouch Markham was carrying he led the two down to the great cabin.