"Aye, sir, I reckon it's time I used me learning so's it won't go to waste."
"Good," Gabe said, "It's settled." He had been concerned that Dawkins being a territorial old salt might not be as agreeable as he had. However, captain's secretary was somewhat more of a status symbol than captain's servant so to Dawkins' way of thinking, he'd just got a promotion.
Thinking of the arrangement made Gabe think of Faith. Where was she? Did she go to Savannah as she said she would? Was she safe? Did she love him as he loved her? Did she real y think of him as the enemy?
He clutched the empty bag. Did she have the ruby?
Was it next to her heart as she said it would be? The heart that had beat against his heart. The feel of her breast on his chest as they embraced. The feel of her breath against his face. The smell of her fresh washed body. Her hair in his hand as his arms went around her. That kiss, those burning lips that caused flames of desire to rage through his body. "My God," Gabe thought, "she has seized my very soul." Little did Gabe know some seventeen hundred miles south, a blonde-haired girl sat in the porch swing of a three-story mansion looking out at the giant oak trees fill ed with low hanging moss. A gentle breeze blew and a slight chill was in the air. Inside, with al the candles lit it was to warm, outside it was a bit cool but the cool air cut down on swarming mosquitoes.
However, the girl was oblivious to al of this. Her mind was on a tall, dark, British naval officer. "Oh Gabe," Faith thought, "In a moment of impudent pride I've ruined it. I never meant to hurt you," Faith thought recalling the look of disbelief and shock on Gabe's face as she cal ed him ’the enemy'. Had he made his escape she wondered.
She had made her way to Savannah as she had told Gabe she'd do. She was given sanctuary in the home of her father's friend and business partner. Gavin Lacy and his wife, Caroline, had been very kind to her. Faith
had told them about her suspicions of Uncle Adam's activities which had been rumored for some time. It was not much later that word had made its way to Faith that Colonel Francis Marion and General Gates had gone south to Port Royal and confiscated al the supplies her uncle had stored in his warehouse. Some of Montique's men had gotten wind of the impending arrest and warned him that a warrant had been issued for treason and white slavery. Upon hearing the news from his men, Montigue loaded al he could aboard one of his ships and fled just prior to General Gates men's arrival.
One of the slaves got word to Nanny that Montique had vowed to do worse than murder to Faith and the British bastard she'd taken up with. Even with the ever constant protection offered by Mr. Lacy and his men Faith had woken several times from a nightmare where she was being raped repeatedly while her uncle looked on laughing. Nanny had slept in her room for weeks until Faith refused for her to do so another night.
"Just look at you," Faith scolded Nanny, "Sleeping in that chair has got your lumbago so flared up you're worthless to anyone. I'll not be the cause of al your ailments flaring up. From now on you sleep in your bed."
Seeing the truth in Faith's words Nanny agreed,
"You's right child, I's gona sleep in my bed from now on ’wid dis heah hatchet under my pillow, and if a bad man messes ’wid you chile, I's gona chop off his head." still before Nanny went to sleep she prayed, "Lawd, keep yo hands on the missy, dem good-fur-nuthin' men
of ours, and if some left over keep me in mind too Lawd. Amen."
Gabe had met with his officers and caught up on what had happen during his absence.
"The ship is in good repair, we need a few things but are ready for sea now if need be," Hazard had assured Gabe.
Nathan Lavery brought up the subject of Mr. Davy.
"Is Mr. Davy gone for good, sir?" the lieutenant asked.
"If so, we have an opening for another mid." Gabe made a note to check on this when he dined with his brother that evening. He didn't go into specifics but before dismissing his officers, Gabe said, "I have every belief we will be putting to sea very soon to engage a fair size force. When I told the men, tomorrow we work, I meant it. Starting tomorrow I want the crew put through al the drill s. They know sailing and gunnery but I want them to be put through fire drill.
Drill them on what to do if the tiller cable parts and we lose steerage. I want to see who steps forward if al the officers are kill ed."
Looking at the captain, Blake spoke what the others were thinking, "You think we're in for a substantial battle with a sizable force, don't you sir?" Gabe would not lie to his officers, "I have no way of knowing exactly what we're to face, Mr. Blake, but I do
expect the worse. If we prepare for it and there's less…well we can al be thankful."
The officers had gone back topside and Gabe could hear the men padding around on the deck overhead going through their daily activities. Gabe had just finished writing in his journal, crew employed A.T.S.R, the abbreviation for ’as the service requires' when he heard the challenge, "boat ahoy?" Le Frelon!
That could only be Earl, Gabe thought as he grabbed his hat and headed topside. It appeared Lord Anthony had given the corvette to Earl. "It was past time he had his own ship," Gabe thought, "In reality he should have had a command before me." Before he left the cabin, Gabe cal ed out, "Dawkins?"
"Aye, cap'n."
"I'm thinking we're about to have a small celebration. Some glasses and a bit of something tasty if you will."
"Aye, cap'n, right away."
"Lum?"
"Yes suh…aye, sir."
"Get your lotz, I want to show it to my friend." Looking at Dawkins, Lum replied, "Aye, aye sir." Then Lum looked pleased as Dawkins grinned and nodded his head.
"We'll make a sailor outta you yet, Lum, and that's no error."
"The two seemed to be getting along well, " Gabe thought.
Then it occurred to him Dagan had made himself scarce of late and come to think of it so had Caleb, undoubtedly to give him time to clear his thoughts on the ordeal that he had been through…then thinking of Caleb, Gabe thought of Mr. Jewels.
"Damme," Gabe said to himself, "How my mind wonders," as he climbed the companionway he couldn't help but wonder what if any mischief the ape had been up to.
Dagan made his way into SeaWolf’s captain's cabin without the usual announcement by the marine sentry.
He caught Gabe's eye then holding up his watch he alerted him to the time then disappeared into the pantry.
After seeing Dagan, Gabe patted his friend on the shoulder and said, "Stephen, old salt, I hate to be a bad host but its time I sup with the Admiral." Earl then looked at his own watch, "Damme, Gabe where has the time gone? You'd best make headway to the flagship. You can't keep the Admiral waiting even if he is your brother."
"Aye," Gabe answered, "Sometimes it's hard keeping the two separated."
The two had shared more than enough wine, biscuit, fresh preserves and cheese in celebration of Earl's promotion to Master and Commander and being given command of Le Frelon. Now Gabe wondered if he'd be able to do justice to his meal at the flagship.
Earl had enjoyed Lum's lotz and commented on how like a flute it was but still different in tone. "It has a melancholy sound does it not?"
"Aye," Gabe replied, "But Lum can make it dance a jig as well." The three had passed it around and made attempts at mastering the instrument with instructions from Lum. Earl seemed to grasp it more readily than Gabe whose talents seemed to be more with stringed instruments.
Surprisingly Lum did well with Gabe's lute and said he'd played a violin as well. "We have a master musician in our mist," declared Earl, which seemed to please the old black gentleman.
Even with the distinct separation of officers and crew, Lum seemed to be treated better than he'd ever been treated as a slave. Dagan had told him, "You're a slave no more; you're a free man and will be paid for your labors. The Royal Navy don't pay well but it pays and being the cap'n's servant you'll have more freedom than most."