The men were at their stations and the guns had al been made ready. The marines were ready, what few they were. The deck had been wet down and sanded.
Though wetting the deck down now appeared to have been a wasted effort. A heavy fog seemed to leave al in its wake wet.
Now it was time to wait. Hurry up, move your arses, then wait. The darkness finally gave way to dawn; a foggy dawn.
"It will break by mid-morning," Blake, the master said.
"That's a long time," an anxious Gabe replied. "Is there any sign of Swan, Le Frelon, or Pigeon?"
"Aye, sir." Lavery said. "The Swan is to larboard and Le Frelon is to starboard. I can't see the ketch but on last sighting she was on station with Le Frelon." Silence fill ed the deck. Every sound a ship makes at sea seemed to be magnified by the silence. The fog moved across the deck and through the rigging in a ghostly eerie silence then disappeared only to be replaced by another patch, leaving moisture as its only sign of having been present. The master wiped the compass with a dry cloth and Dagan taking Gabe's glass wiped the lens thoroughly though damn little good it would do as the next patch of fog would have it cloudy al over again.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gabe saw Lum whispering to Dagan who nodded and was now making his way to the wheel.
"Lum says he hears something not unlike the flap of the sail on the fishing yawl back home when the wind would fill the sail then die down."
"He's right," Gabe said, "I've heard the sound a time or two but couldn't make it out. Pass the word to the lookouts to watch for small boats, not just ships, Mr. Hazard."
"Aye, captain."
"I don't like the feel of the wind," the master, Blake, complained. "It's from the north but seems to bounce off yonder island. I…" There was a confused shouting to larboard, then a flash as a gun was fired.
A lookout shouted, "A gunboat, a black gunboat, sir, just let off a gun, can't tell if it hit anyone."
"Damme sir, but it sounded like a thirty-two pounder."
"Aye, that it did, Mr. Hazard."
Then she was visible again. A gunboat with one large gun mounted high on her bow. She had a lug sail and four sets of sweeps to maneuver her with when there was no wind. The marines were quick into action pouring round after round from their muskets and SeaWolf’s swivel guns into the smaller boat from their places in the rigging before she disappeared into the heavy fog bank. Then a flash of light, somebody set off a flare. Was it Earl on Le Frelon or the privateers?
"Makes no difference," Gabe thought, as in that one burst of light he saw what looked like six or more sets of sails dead ahead. Firing was sporadic and if anything was being hit it was not obvious yet. He felt suddenly queasy thinking what that thirty-two pounder would do to Swan if she were hit. Then a thunderous roar and flashes to starboard.
"That was Earl, I'm sure," Lavery said, his voice suddenly excited and high pitched.
"What was he firing at? Another gunboat? The ships ahead were not yet in range."
Meanwhile aboard SeaWolf with still no visible target, the gun crews sat at their stations, restless and uncomfortable now that the north wind was gathering in force.
"Fog will be gone quick like," the master proclaimed but that did nothing for the men as they shuffled and shivered, damp from the fog and cold from the wind. Gabe wished he hadn't ordered the gal ey fires out; a warm cup of coffee would have lifted their spirits if nothing else.
It was like holes in the sky as the sun was finally able to punch its way through the clouds. "Maybe we can see now, sir," the first lieutenant volunteered.
"And pray we be truly thankful for that which we are about to see," Gabe replied sarcastically but was suddenly sorry for his words. "My apologies, Mr. Hazard, I'm foul company this morning I fear."
Another patch of fog rolled across the waves and with its passing the sky was almost clear. And with the clear sky the glimpse of sails Gabe had seen earlier, they were dead ahead and stretched across the horizon.
The lookout was calling down, "Six…no…seven sets of sails, sir and one's a frigate."
"What about the damn gunboats?" Gabe cal ed.
"No sign, sir."
"We'll have to tack soon," Hazard volunteered,
"The master has stated the sooner the better." A number of smaller islands were now visible from the masthead and just beyond them a larger island, Grand Manan. Their present tack would take them dangerously close to those smaller islands.
"If it ain't the privateers, it is shoals and rocks," the master declared.
"Signal from Le Frelon, sir, engage enemy, single action."
"Damned cheeky of Earl if you ask me." Turning Gabe was face to face with Caleb, "Thinks he's a commodore no doubt."
Gabe had to smile, "Come to grab a bit of fresh sea sir before the excitement starts?"
"Aye," Caleb replied, and then asked, "What does Earl mean single action?"
"We'll break through the enemy's lines as a group then it's every man or every ship for himself."
"Did I hear the lookout say one was a frigate?"
"That you did, my friend, but it's a small one, twenty-eight or thirty-two guns I'm sure, not a forty-four like Drakkar. "
"Deck there, the frigate has fired but ain't yet found the range."
Caleb looked at his friend, "Have a care and no heroics today. Your word."
Grasping Caleb's hand Gabe replied, "My word."
"Liar," Caleb responded then made his way below to recheck everything he'd already checked and make sure his mates were sober.
"Earl will have his hands full today," Hazard volunteered. He had gotten to know the man well during his temporary command of SeaWolf. "A very confident seaman and brave man. May God and luck be with him this day."
"Aye," Lavery answered. He too liked Earl and was concerned about his having to face a thirty-two gun frigate with a twenty gun corvette.
"Not worried about the odds are you Mr. Lavery?" Blake, the master asked.
"Who wouldn't be," Lavery responded matter-of-factly. "A schooner, a ketch, a brigantine, and a corvette against God knows what."
Overhearing the two lieutenants' conversation Gabe didn't speak out but felt the same apprehension.
It had sounded like the best plan available back in Warrior's wardroom…but now. Well now, the plan was in effect and that was al there was to it.
"Shall I go aloft?" Dagan asked. He knew Gabe needed him at the masthead but seemed reluctant to order it.
"Yes, let me know what we are facing, a true picture."
The lookout moved over as Dagan made his way onto the platform. A quick scan of three-hundred sixty degrees then Dagan settled his attention to the sails ahead. After scanning the horizon again, Dagan cal ed down his report.
"Seven ships and a gunboat, a gal ey I believe and there's wreckage aft, probably the gunboat we saw earlier."
"Probably a forward scout," Gabe thought.
As quickly as he'd gone aloft Dagan was quicker coming back down and expanding on his report.
"Seven ships and a large gal ey. Looks like three large schooners, sixteen or eighteen guns I'm thinking, a brig at least sixteen guns and the frigate. There's one ship aft I couldn't get a good look at and the gal ey appears to have a thirty-two pounder forward."
As the ships continued to approach on a converging tack Hazard approached Gabe, "It appears Le Frelon will be on one quarter and we'll be on the other of that frigate."
"Aye," Gabe answered, "If we can time it right we can both give her a broadside and hopeful y she'll not have enough gunners to deliver a full blow from both sides at once. However, don't forget sir, we have a large schooner to our larboard that will be doing her damnedest to cripple us as well."
"Aye, sir, I see her more clearly now."
"Deck there, the schooner has just fired a bow chaser in our direction."
It was a wet sailing master who turned inboard and growled. "A miss, but close enough to soak me, by Gawd. He'll have our range with the next one, I'm thinking."
Hearing the master's comments, Gabe spoke to his lieutenants, "To your stations now. Keep a good lookout and after my first order to fire, then fire as you will. Remember it will be close action and from al quarters so don't wait for me to tell you what to do…just do it."
As the two left Gabe looked over toward Swan. He could make out Markham and Davy. Both gave a wave and Gabe returned it.
"We'll al share a wet when this is over," Dagan spoke softly.
"I'm looking forward to it." Then Gabe made his way to the wheel. "Al ready, Mr. Blake?"
"Aye, cap'n, we're ready by Gawd."
Then speaking to the crew in general, Gabe cal ed out, "A guinea to every member of the gun crew whose gun scores the first hit." This set the men to howling.
"Mind you…mind you now. Men!" Gabe spoke again after quieting the men, "If there's a tie you'll have to share the purse but I'll double the rum ration." This again set the men to howling. This was what he wanted…to get the men in the right mood for what was forthcoming.
BOOM!…CRASH!…
The master was right. The approaching ships now had their range, and it would be a minute more before their guns would be in range; however, Earl had just let loose with a forward gun.
"Alter our course two points to windward," Gabe ordered the helmsman, "Then let's see if yon frigate notices the change before she fires again." BOOM!…BOOM!…The frigate fired at Earl who quickly returned fire.
"A hit, a hit. Le Frelon has scored a hit."
"The hornet has stung its prey," Dagan quipped.
"Let's hope he does more than just sting him," Blake replied after hearing Dagan's comment.
The converging schooner let off a gun. The shot landed close to SeaWolf’s bowsprit sending a spout of water over the bow and soaking a gun crew. still Gabe held his fire.
"Alter course again back to original course," Gabe ordered the helmsman. "No use wasting shots yet," Gabe spoke his thoughts aloud.
But the frigate was not concerned about range and fired another bow chaser at Le Frelon.
"She's hit, Le Frelon has been hit," cal ed down the lookout but Gabe could see with his own eyes.
The bowsprit was broken and dragging in the water. You could hear the officer's shouts and soon the bosun and a group of men with axes were chopping away at the wreckage and soon cast it adrift.
More gunfire, more flashes as Gabe made his way forward to get a better view. There was something unreal about al that was taking place. It was dream like. Then they were upon the privateers. A sudden exploding sound, a stupendous roar that could only be a broadside from the frigate fill ed the air. Loud whooshing howling sounds were heard as the air was rent by flying cannon bal s, half the wheel and the gaff boom were shattered with splinters flying everywhere.
Fire, had he given the order to fire? "Fire," he shouted, "Fire at will."
Great pieces of the bulwark were missing, a huge gouge in the deck, guns upturned, the rigging falling.
Looking up at the sails Gabe saw holes open up as shot after shot passed through them.
Then where there had been "booms", probably twelve pounders, Gabe thought, there was now "pops" from the schooner, puppies yapping when compared to the frigate's thunder.
The frigate was now on the starboard beam and the large rebel schooner to larboard. SeaWolf was being fired on from both quarters. Bal s whizzed overhead, tearing at the upper rigging while other bal s were finding their mark as they tore into the ship's hull.
CRASH!…loud screams fill ed the air as another of the frigate's bal found its mark. The bal had overturned another of SeaWolf’s forward guns, crushing several of the gun crew. Gabe felt dazed as the air felt like it was sucked from his chest as a bal flew past.
Watching it cross the deck, it appeared to be moving in slow motion until it hit one of the marines. Suddenly the man was without his legs. He fel to the deck, his lower body a gory pulp. Another crash…a group of men were cut down with the bal leaving a bloody path across the decking before the bal bounced up taking out a stanchion. As the frigate and the schooner continued their onslaught on SeaWolf, Gabe felt a great shudder as if she was trying to shake off the attack from her foes.
"Damme," he thought, "My ship is getting chopped to pieces." Men were down, bleeding, reaching out for help.
Some were crying while others were screaming and
writhing in pain from their injuries. Others merciful y lay silent, staring at the sky through sightless eyes.
The ship was completely engulfed in smoke. From aloft the enemy fire was making its mark as riggings separated then flew apart. Blocks and tackles plunged to the deck, some hitting harmlessly while others crashed into unsuspecting sailors with a sickening thud. That was it, knowing ship to ship they were no match for SeaWolf, the schooners were trying to cripple the brigantine by bringing down her riggings. The smoke began to clear as the wind carried it away. To leeward, they were closing with the islands, too damn close, Gabe thought. Then a bel owing roar as several of the larboard guns let loose; a roar that shook the deck beneath his feet.
"That's it boys give them another round," Lavery cal ed out. A cheer came from the gun crews, the schooner had been hit hard…so hard she was dead in the water. The marine's sharpshooters continued to fire at human targets. Then they were past the enemy and in the clear.
Without hesitating, Gabe cal ed out, "Prepare to go about."
Dagan appeared at his side, "Mr. Hazard has been hit, sir, hit hard. He may lose his arm if not more."
"Is he below yet?" Gabe asked.
"Aye, just after we passed through the line."
"Very well. Mr. Lavery!"
"Aye, cap'n"
"You have the deck. Have the ship put about."
"Aye, aye cap'n."
"Dagan, you will take Mr. Hazard's place with the starboard section." Dagan nodded and Gabe went below.
Caleb already had the arm removed by the time he got there. Seeing Gabe, Caleb shook his head, "He's unconscious and maybe he'll stay that way for a while. I took his left arm off without complications but he has a splinter in his thorax that I can't remove. He needs to be on land to have his chest cut open. Even then there's no guarantee. It might be better if he died now…without suffering."
Nodding his understanding, Gabe turned to leave then paused, "Keep him comfortable, Caleb. Losing him will be a loss I can ill afford."
Back on deck Gabe was surprised at the powder and smoke smudged faces of his crew. They had come about and were now overtaking a couple of the privateers. The one privateer SeaWolf’s gunners had fired on was down in the stern and he could see several boats in the water around the sinking ship.
Swan had just come about and though she was scarred she seemed to be sailing well as was the Pigeon.
Earl had been faster and had already come about and now was dead head off the larboard bow.
"Deck there! The frigate has come about and so has the largest of the schooners, sir. So ’as the brig, sir.
Now the second schooner ’as come about as well."
"A final meeting!"
"Sir?"
Again Gabe had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it. "I said one final meeting, Mr. Lavery. At least I hope we succeed with this round."
"Aye, cap'n, I hope so as well. Ah…how was Mr. Hazard, sir?"
"He's alive…the surgeon says it will be touch and go…"
"Kind of like the fix we're about to be in, isn't it cap'n, touch and go."
BOOM!…BOOM!…
"There goes the frigate and Captain Earl again."
"Right you are, Mr. Lavery, now back to your station."
"Aye, aye, cap'n."
"Mr. Blake."
"I'm sorry, sir," a master's mate replied, "I'm afraid he's done for!
"Done for? When?" a shocked Gabe inquired.
"When the frigate let loose, sir."
"Damme, " Gabe thought, "I didn't even realize it." Then turning to Evans, the master's mate, he ordered,
"You have control of the wheel. Follow my orders."
"Aye, sir."
"I must speak with the bosun and carpenter," Gabe thought, "I fear I may not have time directly."
"Mostly its betwixed wind and water, sir, more in the riggings and the upper decks," Dover, the carpenter reported. "No more water in the well than usual." Then Graf reported, "Dagan got a party together and we's got two of the guns back into their carriages so they be back ready for action."
"Are they stable enough?" Gabe asked.
"Aye, cap'n, ’jus ’lak a newborn in ’s modder's cradle." There was another swooshing sound overhead as the enemy renewed their assault. "Very well men, let's be about it," Gabe said dismissing the bosun and the carpenter. Glancing over, Gabe saw Lum. He seemed to be taking it al in, and then Gabe realized his breeches were smeared with gunpowder stains, as was his face and hands. Only it wasn't as noticeable due to Lum's black color. He had been involved in fighting the ship and I didn't even notice Gabe thought. Then he wondered what Faith would say if she could see him now.
As the SeaWolf continued to approach the enemy schooner the lookout cal ed down, "The frigate and the brig be ’tacking Cap'n Earl, sir."
"Damn," Gabe thought. He looked and Swan had her own troubles. At least, Pigeon was almost up with her and could help. "Evans, prepare to put your helm down when I order. Dagan! I want every gun loaded, with double shot."
"Aye," Dagan replied.
"Mr. Lavery, I want your section loaded with bal and canister."
"Aye, cap'n."
As the two ships converged, Gabe looked up. The wind was holding…this never predictable and always perverse wind was holding. "Dagan's lady luck," Gabe thought as subconsciously his hand went to the pouch around his neck. The now empty pouch. "Please God…be with her," Gabe prayed silently then turned his attention back to the battle.
Looking forward, Gabe scratched his jaw and eyed the oncoming schooner. If he timed it right one by one every gun on the larboard side would get a chance to
"bloody her nose." If he mistimed it the schooner would ram them. Looking aloft the commission pennant's tail stood out like it was pointing the way.
"Now, Evans, put your helm down now!" It took a moment for the rudder to bit and that moment seemed forever then SeaWolf responded. Now
instead of passing side by side, they were crossing the bow of the schooner.
"As you bear Mr. Lavery, fire as you bear. Rake her good."
Gun after gun gave a bel owing roar. White smoke engulfed the ship and Gabe was temporarily blinded.
However, the smoke was quickly swept away. It was sickening to see what was left of the once proud schooner.
"Up helm, up helm, Evans. Dagan, be ready."
"No need, sir," this from Lavery. As Gabe looked up he saw the reason for Lavery's comment.
The schooner was on fire, flames were now shooting up her sails. People were diving into the frigid waters. Every captain's nightmare, a fire at sea.
"Dagan, see if any of the boats are still in tow and set them adrift as we pass."
"Your not going to heave to?" Evans asked.
Pointing forward with his sword, Gabe asked,
"Would you have me leave Captain Earl without assistance while we pick up enemy survivors?"
"Nay, cap'n, my apologies, my mind was adrift with the sight before me, I'm afraid."
"Mr. Druett," Gabe cal ed his gunner.
"Aye, cap'n."
"Do you think your aim is good enough to hit yonder brig and not Le Frelon?"
"Aye, cap'n, when in range I can knock a flea off a cat's arse without singeing ’is ’airs if ’ye'd like for me to."
"Nothing so precise Mr. Druett, I just want to lay a few rounds about her deck."
"Aye, cap'n. ’Bout ’er deck it'll be." Any moment now, Gabe was thinking when the forward gun fired. He quickly stood on the bulwark to see if he could tell where the bal landed. He was not quick enough to see the exact spot but he did see shattered planking flying into the air.
Druett was true to his word, and then the gun fired again. This time there was no need to guess, the jubilant gun crew was jumping up and down cheering, their teeth appearing unusual y white with powder blackened faces.
"Easy lads, easy now, let's give them another with the cap'n's compliments."
"Another hit by Gawd," Evans swore! "Damme, if Druett don't know his business, sir."
"Look sir," someone forward cal ed. Through the smoke Gabe could see the brig's mast was leaning dangerously.
"Surprised we haven't been fired on." Dagan said as he made his way to Gabe.
"I'm sure they used al the crew to board Le Frelon. I just hope we're not too late to help Earl. Alter course,
Evans, bring us along side the brig. Mr. Graf, let's take in another sail."
Suddenly there was a puff of smoke from the brig and Gabe felt SeaWolf shudder. That had been a hard hit. He was about to cal out to Druett when one of the forward guns fired, followed quickly by the other. The gunner had loaded both guns and after firing one, sighted and fired the second.
Another cheer from the gun crew let Gabe know they'd hit Druett's target. The ships were close now and Gabe was worried he'd waited to late to take in the sails.
"Dagan, Mr. Lavery, prepare boarding parties.
Dagan, you forward, Mr. Lavery."
"Aye, cap'n, we'll be aft."
"Mr. Graf, gather the rest of the men and we'll board amidships."
"Aye, cap'n," the bosun replied as he hurried to round up his party.
Al too quick they were along side the brig. I should have ordered the sails taken in sooner, Gabe thought. SeaWolf slammed into the brig with such a jar that it shook the deck planks. The two hull s thudded together and then seemed to bounce off each other before SeaWolf grinded to a stop. Graf's men were ready with grapnels and they were already flying through the air.
"Boarders, boarders away," Gabe cal ed as he gained his balance. The cry was repeated forward and aft as Dagan and Lavery made their way over to the brig. The privateer's crew fired at SeaWolf’s boarders.
Musket and pistols shots rang out and bal s smacked into the deck as men fel. SeaWolf had left a few marine sharpshooters in the rigging and they were returning fire, cutting down al they could.
A swivel gun fired defiantly, another of SeaWolf’s marines cutting down a group of would be resistance.
The boarders pushed forward, bent on reaching Le Frelon and helping their mates. Curses fill ed the air with the clang and rasp of steel upon steel.
Bel owing his loudest, Gabe directed his men to a group of four men with muskets that had gathered around the stump of the brig's mainmast. One of the sharpshooters sagged as Lum threw a boarding pike like a spear, impaling the man who fel forward his musket clanging on the deck and going off harmlessly. Another jerked convulsively as the bosun not to be out done by Lum had hurled his boarding axe into the skull of his foe. Gabe was now upon his man. Apparently the man had already fired his musket, although Gabe couldn't recall. Maybe it had been a misfire.
At any rate the man was trying to fiend off Gabe's sword with his musket barrel. Feeling the urgency to reach Earl, Gabe made a feint that the man overreacted to; Gabe stepped inside the man's guard and brought the hilt of his sword down on the man's exposed head, feeling him like an ox. Another man was racing toward Gabe when a shot rang out. Gabe heard a penetrating thump and the man's chest turned crimson as he fel to the deck.
SeaWolf’s crew was making their way onto Le Frelon and not a moment to soon. Bodies were al over the
deck, some lifeless, others wounded, bleeding and groaning. A horrible scream broke Gabe's revive.
There was something unreal about the scream as it rang out above the den of battle then a falling object from above crashed onto the deck with a crunching sound. It was an enemy sharpshooter. He lay in odd angles, twisted in a heap and blood gushing from his ears and nose. One eye socket was empty. Gabe's group was rushing forward; resistance now was only in little pockets. Earl's men had put up a fearsome fight but were in danger of being overrun.
Gabe saw Lavery and his group engaged with a band of privateers. The constant sound of curses and cries were mingled with the clang of metal on metal as blades flashed in the air then clashed together. The sounds of gunshots some muffled as a pistol was shoved against a foe as the trigger was pull ed. The air was heavy with the smell of gunpowder mixed with the distinct odor of death.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gabe realized Dagan was being overwhelmed by two men. As he gave ground he slipped and fel. As one of the men lunged at Dagan with his cutlass Gabe shot him with his pistol. At seeing his friend downed the other man turned facing Gabe. The man's face twisted in rage as he rushed at the man who shot his friend. Gabe met the man's rush head-on and his sword clanged with the other's cutlass.
Then the man spat tobacco juice into Gabe's face.
Some of it went into his eyes and caused his vision to blur, his eyes stung as if on fire. Gabe's opponent thought he'd won; a smile appeared on his face as he
raised his cutlass to finish off Gabe. However, the man had forgotten about Dagan who had quickly regained his footing. The man's smile suddenly changed as his arm was severed from Dagan's crashing blow with his cutlass. Then Dagan whirled and drove the cutlass through the man's chest. Gabe had wiped his eyes with his coat sleeve and vision was returning as he gathered his wits.
"Earl! Stephen Earl!" Gabe cal ed. "Earl!" His calling seemed to attract the attention of a group still fighting. The sight of the British sailors appearing unexpectedly had the privateers throwing down their weapons and raising their hands. Then it was over.
Dagan walked up to Gabe clapping him on the shoulder. "Any sign of Mr. Earl?"
"Not yet."
Seeing Lavery approaching, Gabe cal ed, "Take a party and take possession of the brig."
"Aye, cap'n. Mr. Graf, lend a hand with your party if you please."
"Aye, sir. You heard Mr. Lavery lads, lets be quick about it now, move it. Este's, They's dead, them buggers, they ’aint gona bother you none but careful where you step, ’at bloods still wet and slick ’lak."
"Sir…sir!" It was one of the bosun mates.
"Yes," Gabe answered.
"We've found Mr. Earl, sir, he and a group of men are on board the frigate. He's trying to prevent their escape but ’ands are cutting grapnel lines."
Gabe again felt a sense of urgency, "Lieutenant Baugean!"
"Aye, sir."
"Have your marines board the frigate aft if you please."
"Aye, sir."
"Mr. Baugean!"
"Sir."
"Put a couple of sharpshooters in the brig's riggings and have them mark down anyone not on our side who approaches the frigate's quarterdeck."
"Aye, cap'n."
Then Gabe cal ed to Dagan, "See if we can't find a few more grapnels to lash the ships together then meet me on board that frigate." Without waiting for Dagan to answer, Gabe gathered his men about him and boarded the frigate.
The frigate being a taller ship meant the men had to make their way up to her decks. This meant they were vulnerable to musket fire, exposed as they were. The sudden sound of gunfire fill ed the air and made Gabe pause to look, but none of his boarders appeared to have been hit, then a quick glance behind him told him it was Sergeant Schniedermirer firing onto the frigate.
Then Gabe's men were on board joining the melee.
Earl's men were mostly gathered around the mainmast and most of their resistance seemed to be from the direction of the quarterdeck. Set Fire! A
sudden vol ey of musket fire struck down a number of the privateers.
"Second rank fire" Lieutenant Baugean had divided his marines into two groups. The second vol ey caused the resistance to realize they were surrounded and then a sailor threw down his cutlass and raised his hands in surrender. Seeing the action of their comrade the rest of the men threw down their weapons as a group.
"Where's your officer?" a bruised and bleeding Earl demanded. When no one spoked, Earl grabbed the man nearest him and with his pistol levelled it at the man's face and said, "Well?"
The poor man stood there tongue-tied, to afraid to speak. From within the group a voice, "I think they're al dead, sir."
"Who are you?" Earl demanded.
"Lawson, sir, master's mate."
"They damn well better be," Earl responded with clenched teeth. His arm dropping suddenly, Gabe and Dagan took a step forward to support him.
"I'm fine," Earl spoke, "son of a bitch showed a white flag, then as we were boarding fired on us with a swivel gun. I'd be dead but Mr. Boyd was in front of me and he took most of the load. Poor man was screaming in agony. He's done for I'm sure." At that moment a hail… Markham was there with Swan and so was Kerry with the ketch. Caleb, who had been sent for, was now coming over to check on Earl.
As order was being restored the death and destruction
was overwhelming. Bodies were strewn so you had to step over them to get across the ship.
"Have you ever seen such a butcher's bill?" Earl asked his friend.
"Nay," replied Gabe, "But better them than us."