"Damned busy fellow if you ask me," Earl had said.
The name on the ship's stern was the Argus but the ship was definitely Spanish built. Dagan had talked to a few of her crew and they all seemed aware of a "Ghost ship" that deliberately destroyed rather than take its foe.
"She's called a ghost ship because all the captain leaves behind is the spirits of the dead souls he's sent to the deep. One of the men we questioned said once he's blasted away at the ships protecting the convoy, he'll send a boat to various ships. If a cargo strikes his fancy he'll take it but just as often he'll just stand off and fire into a ship until she's sunk, with no apparent rhyme or reason. Usually it's a ship what be under British colors." All heads turned as Bart spoke. He generally didn't say much during a conference but when he did it paid to listen.
Lord Anthony looked at his cox'n and queried,
"Where did you get this information?"
"From a rogue what 'ad run and signed on with the freebooters," Bart replied, "I see'd this man wot had tattoos on his arm and 'ad a Kentish accent. So I's sided up to 'em wid a wet and says we looking for good tars. I told 'em iffen he'd mind 'is manners like and was helpful in giving us-uns some useful 'telegence, life would go better for 'em. Utterwise 'ed be dancing the newgate jig for desertin'."
Bart's use of "newgate jig" to threaten a hanging caused a chuckle from the officers. "'Pears' he seed things me way," Bart continued, "'Cause after a taste of me wet his tongue loosened up quicker than a whore's drawers."Did the scoundrel say where the ship's homeport is?" Anthony asked.
"He's not sure," Bart continued, "They've seen ' em at Isla de Tesoros and at Cayo Hueso."
"Where are these places?" Anthony asked directing his question to the two masters.
"I know more about Cayo Hueso than Isla de Tesoros," Gunnells replied.
"What about you, Quinn?" he asked Earl's master.
"I've been to Isla de Tesoros," Quinn replied. "Its name means Treasure Island after all the loot what's been cached there over the years. It's a small island that lies under Havana 's belly. There's several smaller islands scattered about. There's no way to get close without being spotted except for a night passage. Something I'd be leery of. My charts are sketchy at best, but the passage from either the eastern or western side is narrow with reefs and small islands that could ground or worse rip the bottom clean out of a vessel. I'd not try without a pilot. If that's his lair I'd blockade the area."
"We can't," Earl interrupted, "That would create a national incident."
"We still may take a peek," Anthony replied not yet ready to give up. He then turned his attention back to Gunnells, "Tell me about Cayo Hueso."
"It used to be called Bone Key from all the dead Indians that died in a big Indian War," Gunnells said,
"Now it's called Cayo Hueso which is Dago for Key West. It's a small island about three and one-half by one and one-half miles. My charts say it's the deepest port between New Orleans in the Gulf and Norfolk in the Atlantic. Due to the abundant rainfall there's usually plenty of fresh water. The island is full of small inlets that wind their way into thick stands of mangroves. There are also lots of mahogany trees that are good for ship's repair. Far as I know while both Havana and Britain
claim it, no one government controls it. It's used by fishermen to dry and salt their catch. There's more'n one story of wreckers luring some ship in only to run aground. While the port is deep water it'd take a skilled man to navigate the treacherous reefs and currents.
Somebody like your flag lieutenant."
"My flag lieutenant?" Anthony quizzed with a surprised look on his face.
"Aye, my lord. We've shared a wet at the Mermaid and he told me before the war he'd done a bit o'… salvage work."
"Well, damme," Anthony exclaimed, "Maybe Dagan's lady luck has decided to smile down upon us." Then almost as an afterthought Anthony asked,
"Did anyone get a name for this ghost ship?"
"Aye," Bart spoke up again, "She be the Barracuda."
"Hummph…," Anthony mused. "Is there anything to suggest the Argus and Barracuda are in link."
"No, my lord, just the opposite I would say," Earl answered. "Unlike the organization we found with the captain of the Reaper, the Barracuda has chosen the name well. She appears to be a rogue ship that for the most part operates alone. A ship that has a vendetta for the British."
At this point the sentry announced, "Merlin's first lieutenant says winds picking up." Upon hearing this, the two masters made their way topside. Gabe said his goodbyes and departed as well.
"Did you find anything else of interest on the Argus?" Anthony asked Earl after everyone was gone.
"Not really, sir. Stores were almost depleted so I believe the ship was headed to replenish them. I was amazed at the variation and amounts of specie… hard specie that was found. There was a chest full of specie from every nation, silver livres, gold louis, guineas, pistoles, dollars, all hard coins, no paper at all my lord." Barracuda
"Humph!" Anthony grunted, "You must have made it to the captain's cabin before Dagan got there."
"Sir," Earl asked, not quite sure what to make of Anthony's words.
"I said you must have searched the captain's cabin before Dagan had a chance."
"Oh no, my lord. It was he that found the specie." Nodding his head in understanding Anthony said,
"Well you can damn well bet you only got half at best."
"Half sir?"
"Yes, man, half," Anthony spoke sharply as the pain from his wound was getting more bothersome. "You can be sure Dagan got all he could carry before you were notified of its existence."
"Oh! I catch your drift, sir. Do we search Dagan's belongings?"
Anthony just looked up at Earl with a hard look that spoke volumes even though he was silent.
Seeing the look Earl said, "No, I don't believe there's a need to embarrass Dagan. I don't see how he could have appropriated any significant amount of the booty without my knowledge."
"If you're sure," Anthony said, "then it's a moot point. I have nothing but the utmost in trust and confidence in my captains so your word is good enough for me."
Earl suddenly looked anxious. He rose from his seat, gulped down the wine in his glass then suddenly remembered he was needed on deck. As he left the cabin Bart came out of the pantry, "Smart bugger, ain't he?"
"Bart!"
"Aye, my lord, I know's he's a King's ozzifer and a smart un to boot I'm thinking."
Anthony quickly recovered from his injuries once they returned to Saint Augustine. He refused the bosun chair when going back on board Warrior, but by the time he made it up the ladder and through the entry port he was wishing he hadn't let pride get in the way of comfort.
Captain Buck was taken aback by Anthony's pale flesh tones and stooped position as he walked. Once in his stateroom Silas had a cup of his special coffee ready for the admiral, then went about making Anthony comfortable as he laid down on his day bed. Captain Earl and his ship's surgeon had accompanied the admiral over to the flagship. Merlin's surgeon was explaining to Warrior's surgeon Caleb's plan of treatment for the admiral.
"The man's treating the admiral and he's not even in the Navy," Merlin's surgeon exclaimed.
Standing to the side Bart was amazed to hear the conversation. It appeared the two ship's surgeons were somewhat in awe at Caleb's plan of care.
"I would have bled him a pint at least," Johnson, who was Warrior's surgeon, said.
"Nay," McBain, from Merlin answered. "Caleb says the depletion of volume stresses the cardium and prevents the sanguine suppuration which delivers the humours from the wound."
Damn me ears, Bart thought. I don't need to be listening to this but if I's ever wounded I hope Caleb is handy.
Anthony sipped his coffee patiently until the two surgeons finished addressing his wound. He politely stated, "Now if you gentlemen will forgive me I have duties to discuss with the flag captain." Once the surgeons had left, Anthony moved around until he found a relaxing position. He then turned to Buck and asked, "Has anything of interest developed while I was gone?"We had a day of strong wind and rain. Enough that the master wanted to up anchor and put some distance between us and the land."