"My God, sirs," an excited and surprised Lord Anthony exclaimed, "do you know what you have here…if…if mind you this document is real. Your discovery may have saved Nova Scotia." Looking somewhat awed by his Lordship's words, Captain Moffett inquired as he reached out, "May I, sir?"
"Oh, forgive me, Dutch. Look at this." As Moffett read the heading of the document his jaw dropped, "The Plans for the Invasion and Occupation of Nova Scotia to be undertaken by a Consortium of Free Enterprise Ships and Vessels." As Moffett read on he looked up, "Did you see the date, my Lord?"
"Aye, Dutch that I did."
"That doesn't give us much time to prepare a defense, sir."
"No, it doesn't. Are our patrol ships back in port, Dutch?"
"Aye, sir, al but Merlin and she was due today."
"Make a signal for al captains to repair on board at 0800 on the morrow."
"Aye, sir, and sir have you decided about Mr. Earl?"
"Yes, send for him immediately while I have my clerk draw up the orders." Then Lord Anthony stood.
The formal interview was over. "We have a lot of preparation, gentlemen." Looking at Gabe and Markham he said, "Your find was a Godsend. Have the privateer sent over to the flagship for further questioning."
"Do you think, sir," Markham asked, "that since we captured Le Frelon, they'll cal it off?"
"I doubt it," Lord Anthony responded. "I doubt they know we've taken the ship yet and when they find out they will most likely figure the captain's papers were thrown overboard."
As the group made to leave, Lord Anthony put aside his admiral's demeanor as he spoke, "Gabe, would you do me the honor of dining with me tonight? Silas will have something to soothe the palate or I'll have him keel-hauled."
"Aye, sir, I would take pleasure in it."
"Good, now if you will give Earl time to gather his chest and report to me before you go aboard SeaWolf. "
"Aye, sir, I'd not want to do anything to displeasure Mr. Earl. We've been friends to long." Smiling Lord Anthony said, "And I imagine that friendship will continue for sometime since you're the one who helped capture the ship which will be his." Gabe almost forgot himself, "Real y Gil…'ere sir, that's great. I'll spend some time with Bart and introduce him to Lum if Dagan's not already done so."
"Very well," Lord Anthony explained, "I'd like to meet this Lum fellow soon myself."
As soon as Gabe had left, Lord Anthony cal ed to Dagan…"You still in the pantry?"
"Aye, sir, I'm still here."
"Good, let me draft Earl's orders then we'll sit down and have a glass."
"Aye, my Lord, I do think I've something that will surprise you."
Looking at Dagan for a moment Lord Anthony replied, "I doubt it…I heard his voice when he mentioned her name."
Boarding SeaWolf again was exhilarating even if it did hold some foolish apprehensions. Apprehensions such as how had things gone since he'd been absent:
had Earl changed any of his standing orders or protocols? How was discipline and morale? Had the bosun sewed any red baize bags in his absence? Gabe couldn't recall SeaWolf’s last flogging. Earl had spent time under Lord Anthony long enough to know his Lordship believed in flogging only as a last resort.
"You ruin more good men than you know," he'd always say when he gathered his officers just prior to a commission. Why so many use it as intimidation was more than he could fathom.
Bart had used the admiral's barge again to row Gabe over to SeaWolf. That Hazard had been forewarned was obvious, probably by Earl, who had been summoned to the flagship. The entire crew had turned out in their best.
"Boat ahoy! SeaWolf!" The challenge and the reply, a bosun's pipe shrilled loudly filling the air as did cheers, then a firm "silence on deck." Gabe recognized the voice of Nathan Lavery.
As Gabe grabbed hold of the manropes and stepped out of the barge onto the batten a small swell leapt up between the two hull s and soaked his boat. Damme, thought Gabe, what a way to board my own ship, leaving a wet footprint across the deck.
As Gabe climbed through the entry port the cheers started again. Huzza, Huzza…Huzza for the cap'n.
Hazard, the first lieutenant, Blake, the master; the second lieutenant, Lavery, the bosun, Carpenter; gunner and even the purser were al turned out.
Marine Lieutenant Baugean had the marines turned
out as bright and shiny as if they were on parade. A grinning Sergeant Schniedermirer looked like he had two mouths. His grinning smile was upturned but age old chew'bacy stains left a permanent downward appearance. Taking a step forward, Gabe took off his hat and gave a slight bow to the crew which set the men to howling al over again.
"Flattery men, flattery, do you scallywags think such a welcome will get you any favors? Well, I'm sure none of you deserve it, but today…up spirits…for tomorrow there's work to be done."
The cheers broke out again and was almost deafening. Gabe had to almost shout to make himself heard, "Give me a few minutes, Mr. Hazard, then I'd be pleased if you, the master, and Mr. Lavery would report to my cabin."
"Aye, captain."
"Damme," thought Gabe, "That sounded good, to once again be addressed as captain."
Gabe entered his cabin and felt a peace within him.
Compared to his brother's great cabin it would be insignificant to many, but it was his private space. He recall ed the first day he'd entered it. The deck above had been raised to give head-room. A hatch with a sliding cover had been fixed to give extra daylight when the weather was permissive. His cabin was divided into three sections. To larboard, a section was set aside by a
mahogany divider; his bed was a chest of four drawers not unlike a square box with a rim around the top to hold a feather mattress in place. His bed was suspended from the overhead by four one-inch ropes. This allowed the cot to swing as the ship rolled when in a heavy sea.
To the starboard side was his desk and chair. The starboard side was also divided off but the dividers were not near as elaborate as those on the flagship. Above the desk, sideboards had been built. Without realizing it, Gabe ran his hands over the desk feeling the smooth well -oiled wood. The dark metal fasteners look aged and worn. There on the desk were the captain's standing orders. He'd spent hours preparing it only to throw half of it away after a conversation with his brother, who not only advised, but gave him two copies of his orders book. His first and a second much smaller one.
"The first was from my first command. The second was for Drakkar, " Lord Anthony had explained. "Some captains make the mistake of putting too much in the orders and are forever being summoned. Others don't put enough and the consequence is the same because the men aren't sure what to do. Read these and adjust the orders to fit your ship and your needs. A half dozen absolute do's and don'ts are a good starting point."
"No doubt father had given Gil the same advice," Gabe thought.
"A glass for you sir."
Gabe turned and Dawkins was standing by the divider. "Aye," Gabe replied, "And get yourself a glass.
We have some things to talk over, you and I."
"I thought we might," the old seaman replied. He'd already seen the black man under Dagan's tow.
Dawkins got his glass and set in the armchair beside Gabe's desk. He listened as Gabe explained his commitment to Lum.
"What I thought we'd do," Gabe said, "is this. Lum was at one time a house servant. He's still in good health but like someone else I know probably not fit for daily shipboard work."
"Aye, sir," Dawkins replied, "He's like me in that respect and I ain't ’shamed to say it. ’E's done seen the day he could splice and reef in al manner of seas."
"Right," Gabe answered, "Now what I envisioned is this. You will teach Lum your job, and then since you're an educated man, you will become my secretary."