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The mainmast had a gash in it that sent splinters flying and blinding one of the bosun mates. Riggings were taken a beating but so far everything that was supposed to be aloft was still aloft.

He could now hear the shouts and curses as men fought. The schooner's people gave a cheer as Swan's hull dug into the privateer's hull and come to a grinding halt. Grapnels were heaved and while some were being made tight, others were used by men to swing over and climb up the bigger ship.

Gabe, Dagan, Lum and a group al boarded onto the bow of the corvette. A group of cursing men was there waiting on them and with screams and threats the two groups collided. Lum met his attacker first and a wicked blow from a boarding axe caused a handspike to clatter on deck as the man holding it found his hand was

now only holding on to his arm by a small piece of flesh.

Screaming, he broke and ran.

Gabe found himself fending off a rogue who knew how to handle a cutlass, however he was to aggressive and fel for a feint Gabe made which opened his guard and Gabe's sword plunged into the man's armpit causing blood to spurt. Startled shouts and musket shots seemed to be coming from every direction.

Gabe suddenly became angry, wildly angry. Al the vented frustrations seem to let loose at once. A man with a bayoneted musket tried to fire only to realize he'd not reloaded after firing the last shot so he lunged at Gabe with the bayonet that Gabe deftly deflected then shot the man with his pistol. He then ducked as a man slashed at him with a blade only to fall to Lum's axe.

"This way men, this way ` Swannies`," that was Markham rallying the men. Another loud sound from amidships, a swivel had been fired. Looking across the privateer's deck, Gabe realized what looked like a pile of rubbish was actual y dead bodies.

Another privateer brandishing a boarding pike and pistol attacked Dagan. However, slipping in blood Dagan fel causing his own weapon to go off taking the top of the man's skull off. Above the den of clashing steel, musket and pistol shots, screams and curses Gabe could hear the sudden cheers of men. Theirs or ours, he wondered.

"To midships," he cal ed to his group, "Make your way to midships." Continuing to fight, the battle seemed less furious. Davy stood over a man rolling on

the deck; his dirk was sticking from the man's chest.

Blood ran down Davy's hand. As the man tried to raise and fire his pistol Dagan raised a boarding pike and crashed it down across the man's skull.

"Dat one was already dahyd and ’jus didn't know it," Lum declared.

Struggling over upended guns Gabe realized Swan's guns did more than he had first thought. The fighting had al but ended, as Gabe's group made their way past sprawled bodies and wounded men crawling, begging for help.

Then suddenly one last group of privateers seemed to rise up in defiance. Their leader swung a boarding axe that made a swooshing sound as Gabe ducked under its blade. As he ducked he lost his footing and landed heavy on his backside only to be jerked up by Dagan who quipped, "No time for sitting down on the job now."

The man who swung the blade was now on the deck in a big puddle of blood. When Gabe looked further the man appeared to have a third eye. One created by a musket bal courtesy of Swan's marine sharpshooters. Now that the resistance had almost ended, Gabe's group made their way to Markham 's group. Markham turned to greet Gabe when Davy shouted, "Look out sir!" Just in time Markham jumped backwards. His attacker had sliced open his coat with a heavy cutlass. Markham felt an instant burning sensation to his stomach and felt a warm wetness when he touched the area with his hand. Then the man with

his blade held high above his head yelled a curse and lunged at Markham.

Using his own blade to take the brunt of the blow a numbing shock seemed to penetrate his shoulder. As the two blades clashed a sudden fear gripped Markham, and with a bloody hand he removed his knife from his belt. His attacker, a much bigger man, was fill ed with blood lust and seemed to be ignorant that the battle was lost. Once again, raising his cutlass in an arc over his head the man swung his blade with al his might. Had the aim been true it would have kill ed, but again Markham used his blade to deflect the other's cutlass, but this time he only partial y deflected the blade and by giving some and side-stepping, his opponent became off balance and fel forward exposing his flank. As he did so Markham drove his knife blade deep to the hilt, right into the man's kidney. The man fel into a pile then as one, the Swannies broke into cheers. The tired but jubilant men clapped their friends' back and shook each other's hands.

"So we can't do anything but make a gesture," Gabe asked recalling Markham 's words. "Well, damme sir, but I think we just made one hell of a gesture."

"Aye," Markham replied, "But we couldn't have done it without your help."

"Cap'n!"

"Yes, Mr. Davy."

"The brigantine's captain requests to see you, sir, but he's wounded so you'll have to go to him."

"Very well. Where's Mr. Harrel?"

"He's…ah…he's been wounded, sir," Davy replied with a snicker.

"Something about Mr. Harrel being wounded humours you, sir?"

"Aye, cap'n, when he was boarding he slipped and fel on the prong of a grappling hook."

"Is his injury serious, Mr. Davy?"

"I…don't…think so, but it's the first time I ever seen a man grapple his own arse, sir." The crew upon hearing Davy's words howled in laughter.

"Mr. Davy!" Markham scowled at the youth while trying to suppress his own laughter. "You better hope the lieutenant is not laid up too long because you'll be doing his duties."

As Gabe and Dagan turned away, Lum innocently asked, "What's he mean, grapple his arse?" Which set the crew to howling again. Turning, Gabe saw Markham giving him the eye, so he grinned, shrugged and went back to board the Swan.

***

Gabe was at the point of boarding the Swan when he heard a commotion. Turning he saw Davy with his pistol drawn at a man who was apparently trying to make his way below on the privateer. Since Markham was tending the schooner's captain, Gabe decided to investigate.

"What do we have here, Mr. Davy?"

"Frenchman, sir, trying to slip below. He's slowly worked his way from midships to the companion ladder, sir. I thought his actions were suspicious so I watched and stopped him as he was making his move to get below."

Dagan was patting the man down for weapons and found a key in the man's coat pocket. Turning to Gabe he said, "He's no crewman…officer…and more than likely he's the captain." The key on a gold chain swung from Dagan's hand emphasizing the suspicion.

Gabe nodded, "Go below and see if there's a magic box this key may fit."

"Aye," Dagan replied and taking Lum in tow headed down to the captain's cabin.

Gabe then turned his attention to the prisoner,

"You are French?"

"Oui, m'sieu, I am from France."

"What ship is this?"

"She is Le Frelon."

"The Hornet," Gabe replied.

"Oui, the Hornet."

"Well, m'sieu, I think she's stung her last British ship." The Frenchman seemed nonchalant and only shrugged.

"You commanded her?" Gabe asked.

"Oui, I've had the pleasure."

"Do you know you'll hang for this, your act of piracy?" Gabe continued.

"I think not," the man answered, "We are not pirates. We are privateers. I have a letter of Marque from the Marine Committee in Philadelphia."

"What is your name," Gabe asked.

The Frenchman smiled, "Au, we have forgotten the courtesies, have we not? I am Capitaine Francois Robeaud." The man's continued use of the word ’oui and Г u was starting to anger Gabe who thought, "oui hell! " However, formalities required he be civil.

"I am Lieutenant Gabriel Anthony."

"Do you command the ship?" Robeaud asked, indicating the Swan.

"I do not, sir, that privilege belongs to Lieutenant Frances Markham. He is presently with the brigantine's captain."