Howe, promoted to captain and will assume command of Merlin. Lieutenant Markham, I have found no personal fault on your behalf in regards to Swan's loss. I have said as much in my reports. You are now to assume command of SeaWolf. I have left it up to each of you as whether you take your warrants or not. Make your desires known to Valley and he will draft up orders accordingly."
Glancing to his side, Lord Anthony could see the look of desire on Hazard's face. Well, empty sleeve or not he was a good seaman and a fine officer. As soon as available, he'd put him back to sea… on his own quarterdeck.
Since the storm a number of ships had gathered at Saint Augustine. More than at any time since the Royal Navy had established its presence.
"Looks like a sea of masts," Buck had commented.
Most of the ships were merchant ships from various nations. They had stopped to heal their wounds and make repairs needed after the recent storm. A few Navy ships had also stopped. The one that interested Lord Anthony the most was the mail packet. He longed to hear from his wife and find out how their daughter, Macayla Rose, was getting along. Caleb was quickly inquiring if Dagan had any news.
"No," Dagan replied then seeing the hurt in Caleb's face, put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Caleb, there's nothing to keep you from going to visit." After a thoughtful look Caleb said, "I am. I get the feeling we're not going to be here much longer but I feel I'll be needed before the squadron has new orders."
"Those are my feelings as well," Dagan replied. "It's a nagging feeling I've had for some time. I feel things are coming together that will put us in place to do battle Barracuda
with this Barracuda. It's then you'll be needed," Dagan said.
"Well, regardless if we do or don't," Caleb said,
"Mr. Jewells and I are going to Virginia. You're welcome to come along, old friend."
"It's a thought," Dagan said, "even if for just a short visit."
Mermaid was crowded with all the ships in port. Gabe, Markham and Earl had just said their good-bys to Buck as he had an engagement for the evening.
"Leave it to Buck to find that one lonely lady in need of his time and talents," Earl joked.
"I hear Dagan has been spending time with the widow woman over with the Colonials," Markham added. "Is she going to be a widow much longer?"
"I've no idea," Gabe replied. "He's been closed mouth about their relationship. He did say they are going to be exchanged soon and will be headed back to Virginia."
More drinks were brought to the table and the subject changed to how fast things were going in regards to the new assignments. Earl had taken all his warrant officers to Defiant and Gabe had done likewise in transferring to Merlin. He'd kept Gunnells as master, Jackson as first lieutenant, Lavery as second lieutenant.
The surviving fourth lieutenant from Neptune was now Merlin's third lieutenant and Mr. Davy now was commissioned and made fourth lieutenant. Midshipmen were scarce.
Governor Tonyn had put forth two boys and Reverend Kennedy had asked Lord Anthony to take two boys. Alejandro had decided to continue so they now had five new midshipmen. Lord Anthony had decided to
partial out his three most senior mids so that each ship would have someone to help train the new lads.
Trying to find uniforms for those recently promoted had been difficult. Earl gave Gabe a spare captain's coat and Hazard had rounded up a lieutenant coat for Davy.
Still everyone's wardrobe needed an overhaul but it'd have to wait.
As the evening wore on the group was finishing their final round when Domingo appeared at the table.
"Senor Gabe, would it be possible to speak to you of a private matter?"
The three just looked at one another sure this had something to do with Domingo's daughter, Nancy, and Sir Raymond. Earl and Markham downed their drinks and bid a hasty farewell.
"Cowards," Gabe hissed.
"Dagan is with Bart at a table by the door. I'll send him over," a smiling Markham replied to Gabe's remark.
Markham did lean over to speak to Dagan who then made his way over to Gabe.
The two approached the bar where Domingo was turning the counter over to his wife. He beckoned to the two to follow him to a small storage shed behind the tavern. It was a small low roofed affair made of Coquina stone, which was hauled from Anastasia Island. Just inside the building, a smallish dark complexioned man sat at a table where a single candle gave forth a dim light. As the door opened the candle flame flickered creating little shadows that danced on the whitewashed walls inside the shed.
The table was small with only two chairs. A partial loaf of bread and a few crumbs of cheese were next to a half full bottle of Sangria. Fear filled the little man's eyes as Gabe and Dagan entered first, then relief when Domingo entered closing the door behind him."This is Paco," Domingo said by way of introduction. "He is my wife's cousin. He is a seaman." That much was obvious from the man's dress.
"Until recently he sailed on a ship out of Boston and was in charge of his captain's boat."
"A cox'n?" Dagan asked.
"Si, senor, a cox'n and how do you say it… a boatsman."
"A bosun," Gabe corrected.
"Aye," the little man said before Domingo could reply.
However, Domingo continued, "He was offered much to sign on to a privateer but he now thinks his captain is crazy so he… ah deserted his ship. He has come to me with much information and I tell him you are a fair man, Senor Gabe, and you can make a place for him on your ship. He thinks that is good… otherwise he feels his life is in danger."
"We can certainly discuss signing him on," Gabe replied. "What ship did he run from?"
"The ship you search for," the little man said, "the Barracuda. I have much information which I think will be useful to you."
Damme, Gabe thought, we must have an interview with his lordship.
"In the meantime let's keep… Paco, is it?"
"Si, Paco."
"Good. Let's keep Paco hidden so that Barracuda's spies don't find out about our friend being here." As the captains settled into their seats in the admiral's cabin the atmosphere was much different. This was a conference for battle. A battle in which some of those gathered here today might not return. Heads went up as Hazard entered and held the door for the admiral.
"Well, gentlemen," Anthony said as he took his seat at the head of the table.
No pleasantries today, Gabe thought.
"It appears," Anthony continued speaking, "that lady luck has once again smiled down on us. We have reliable information that the Barracuda was just in an area some thirteen miles south of Savannah. This is a plantation owned by a fellow named Morel. Apparently there's a good landing area here and Barracuda's Captain de Lavago was treated for wounds he received in battle against Sir Raymond and Gabe."
"Our information is he has a vendetta against the British for the loss of his property. However, our informer tells us he is now a man gone mad by his hatred and worsened by his wounds. He recently flogged one of his officers to death over having to retreat from the recent battle with Gabe and Sir Raymond. He is now, I'm told, gone back to his lair, Cayo Hueso, or as some call it Key West. Because of the tricky currents and treacherous reefs on both sides of the channel this has been the perfect hideout. One we've thought about but not ventured into. But that's about to change. Our own Lieutenant Hazard knows these waters having participated in… ah… shall we say salvage operations there before the war."
This brought a chuckle from the group. It was known that the island had been a haven for wreckers at one point and the salvage for the most part was due to the wreckers luring unsuspecting ships onto the coral reefs.
"Now, we know de Lavago is a capable foe, madman or not. So we have to go about this boldly but with the idea of limiting our loss in case the plan doesn't work."