Barracuda

It was coming on to hurricane season. That was the topic of the conversation with Governor Tonyn. Without a safe harbour, his ships, with the exception of Audacity and Pigeon who could enter the harbour, would have to stand off and possibly run before the wind. The governor, a landsman, admitted he'd never considered the safety of ships from the elements when he requested Barracuda 1

a naval presence. The meeting had hit a sour note but then Anthony reminded the governor any storm that created peril for his ships would do the same for privateers. This seemed to pacify Tonyn. The slamming of a shutter as the wind picked up, bending the palms outside Tonyn's office window added finality to the situation. A driving rain had started by the time Anthony made it to the harbour and his waiting barge.

He was tempted to have the coach take him back to the governor's house until the weather moderated but knew in the long run he'd be more comfortable aboard Warrior and away from politicians. Stepping down from the coach Anthony turned a shoulder to the wind and rain. He cocked his head to one side but still had to use his hand to keep his hat from blowing off his head. Out of nowhere Bart seemed to materialize with Dagan at his side. The two had likely made a trip to the Mermaid while he had been at the governor's. It was just as likely they had brought a bottle back to be shared by the barges crew.

As Anthony settled in the barge Bart handed him a boat cloak then adjusted his old tarpaulin.

"Winds sharper than a whore's tongue," Bart said to Anthony. Then turning his attention to the barge's crew ordered, "Stir your stumps mates; unlimber your timbers and pull."

The dripping sailors went about Bart's bidding confident a "tot" of rum waited them at the flagship.

The bowman pushed off and the two banks of oars came down in perfect unison. Seemingly oblivious to the wind and rain, Anthony's mind was on the report Gabe and Markham had delivered upon their return the previous day.

They would have to spend more time patrolling that area for privateers. This was now obvious and it pleased Tonyn to hear they'd destroyed the privateer. Finch's 1

report had also sounded promising. However, the more he thought about it Anthony was sure Bart had been right. The Spaniards were involved, but who and how?

Too many questions and not enough answers.

Well, I'll keep the Carolina coast guessing as to when we might make an appearance, Anthony decided, but I am going to focus on the south… the Keys and Havana.

It was what Lord Anthony missed most of all when at sea. With nothing but open sky on the horizon and the deck lively beneath his feet, he would stand at the weather side of the quarterdeck and enjoy the peace of the early morn. Now Captain Earl leaned on the weather rail, as was his place. Merlin was his ship.

Anthony had already deprived the captain of his quarters by shifting his flag to the Merlin. The loss of a cabin compared to the honour of flying the admiral's flag was an inconvenience most captains would gladly endure. Earl was no different.

Anthony had felt the desire… nay, the need to go on this patrol. He needed the feel of the sea vibrating through his body. He felt that if he could get back to the open sea he could get his mind in tune with the mission.

He felt dry-docked at the Saint Augustine anchorage so he had shifted his flag to Merlin in spite of Captain Buck's protest.

Now they were almost to the Florida Keys. SeaWolf was in sight ahead and Audacity was off the weather side almost a beam. The sun was an hour above the horizon and already bearing down like a torch. The sky was a light blue and the sea a deep aqua. Under full sail Merlin ploughed her way through the rolling sea.

Bart approached with a mug in his hand. "A bit o'

lime juice brought by Cap'n Earl's man, who said it were Barracuda 1

better than coffee when the sun was already hotter 'n whore's drawers."

Anthony took the glass and found the lime juice cool and sweetened. Not the usual sour taste he was used too.

Seeing Anthony peer at his glass Bart volunteered,

"'e put a bit sugar into hit."

Anthony had left Silas aboard Warrior trying not to overcrowd Merlin's already close quarters. Earl's servant, an ole topman named Lamb, had done his best to please the admiral.

"Deck there!" The lookout called down, "Signal from Audacity, flotsam in the water." Captain Earl turned to Lord Anthony, "Heave to?"

"Aye," Anthony replied, "and signal SeaWolf our intentions."

"Aye, aye, my lord. Mr. Scott, let's be getting the signals bent on."

Then before the midshipman could respond the lookout called down, "Deck there! Signal from SeaWolf, strange sail in sight."

Anthony could feel his adrenalin rise as his heart began to race. "Captain Earl, please disregard my last order to heave to and make all sail to yonder sighting.

Signal SeaWolf to investigate strange sail, and then advise Audacity to follow after a look at the flotsam."

"Aye, my lord," Earl replied. He could feel a sense of excitement at the sighting of the sail.

"Deck there! Signal from SeaWolf, strange sail 'as went about and 'as headed back toward the east." Bart looked at Lord Anthony, "To the Keys, do you think?"

"Aye, that's my thinking. Like a fox looking for a hole with the hounds at his heels."

Earl approached Anthony and said, "With the wind almost astern we could sail another point or two to starboard. Then maybe we can overhaul the chase.

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From her present position she'll have to tack before she closes with the nearest Key and by that time it's possible we'll be in position to cut off her escape." Nodding his agreement Anthony said, "She's your ship, captain, sail her as you think best." Then as an afterthought he added, "Signal SeaWolf your intention."

"Aye, my lord," Earl answered then went about ordering the change.

Within the turn of the glass it was obvious they were vastly overhauling the strange ship.

The lookout had called down, "She's 'as the cut of a Dago, zur."

Bart had also been eyeing the ship and turned to Anthony, "She's a big un. I bet she wuz a merchantman turned privateer and I'll bet she's loaded to the gills."

"Aye, Bart, my thoughts as well."

With SeaWolf and Merlin converging on the chase they'd soon be upon her. Captain Earl approached Anthony again, "Beat to quarters, my lord?"

"I think that would be appropriate."

Then to punctuate the order the lookout called down, "The chase 'as fired on SeaWolf, zur. No 'it as I can tell."

"Captain Earl?"

"Aye, my lord!"

"As soon as convenient and we are in range have the bow chasers put into action."

"Yes, my lord."

Bart had gone below and now he returned. "Your weapons, sir. I figured yew's be wanting us-uns to help out today."

"Not ready to leave the fighting to the younger tars," Anthony taunted his cox'n.

"Nay, my lord, maybe the exercise will do us-uns some good. Silas's cooking 'as turned us fat. Lady Barracuda 1

Deborah won't 'ardly recognize yew wid yews girth

'spanding such."

"My girth," Anthony exclaimed, sucking in his stomach. "Damme Bart but you've taken on a portly appearance yourself."

"Well, maybe I 'as but it's a wise man wot builds a shed over 'is tools."

"What tools is that?" Anthony asked sarcastically.

"Me wedding tackle, that's wot tools."

"Humph!" Anthony snorted, "They're probably rusted off from lack of use by now."

Bart cocked his head and very stoically replied,

"Nay, I use 'em regular like. Back in Saint Augustine they's this little mulatto who can't 'ardly wait till old Bart is there to dip 'is wick. She be a delightfully naughty little wench if they ever was one."