"Alter course again back to original course," Gabe ordered the helmsman. "No use wasting shots yet," Gabe spoke his thoughts aloud.
But the frigate was not concerned about range and fired another bow chaser at Le Frelon.
"She's hit, Le Frelon has been hit," cal ed down the lookout but Gabe could see with his own eyes.
The bowsprit was broken and dragging in the water. You could hear the officer's shouts and soon the bosun and a group of men with axes were chopping away at the wreckage and soon cast it adrift.
More gunfire, more flashes as Gabe made his way forward to get a better view. There was something unreal about al that was taking place. It was dream like. Then they were upon the privateers. A sudden exploding sound, a stupendous roar that could only be a broadside from the frigate fill ed the air. Loud whooshing howling sounds were heard as the air was rent by flying cannon bal s, half the wheel and the gaff boom were shattered with splinters flying everywhere.
Fire, had he given the order to fire? "Fire," he shouted, "Fire at will."
Great pieces of the bulwark were missing, a huge gouge in the deck, guns upturned, the rigging falling.
Looking up at the sails Gabe saw holes open up as shot after shot passed through them.
Then where there had been "booms", probably twelve pounders, Gabe thought, there was now "pops" from the schooner, puppies yapping when compared to the frigate's thunder.
The frigate was now on the starboard beam and the large rebel schooner to larboard. SeaWolf was being fired on from both quarters. Bal s whizzed overhead, tearing at the upper rigging while other bal s were finding their mark as they tore into the ship's hull.
CRASH!…loud screams fill ed the air as another of the frigate's bal found its mark. The bal had overturned another of SeaWolf’s forward guns, crushing several of the gun crew. Gabe felt dazed as the air felt like it was sucked from his chest as a bal flew past.
Watching it cross the deck, it appeared to be moving in slow motion until it hit one of the marines. Suddenly the man was without his legs. He fel to the deck, his lower body a gory pulp. Another crash…a group of men were cut down with the bal leaving a bloody path across the decking before the bal bounced up taking out a stanchion. As the frigate and the schooner continued their onslaught on SeaWolf, Gabe felt a great shudder as if she was trying to shake off the attack from her foes.
"Damme," he thought, "My ship is getting chopped to pieces." Men were down, bleeding, reaching out for help.
Some were crying while others were screaming and
writhing in pain from their injuries. Others merciful y lay silent, staring at the sky through sightless eyes.
The ship was completely engulfed in smoke. From aloft the enemy fire was making its mark as riggings separated then flew apart. Blocks and tackles plunged to the deck, some hitting harmlessly while others crashed into unsuspecting sailors with a sickening thud. That was it, knowing ship to ship they were no match for SeaWolf, the schooners were trying to cripple the brigantine by bringing down her riggings. The smoke began to clear as the wind carried it away. To leeward, they were closing with the islands, too damn close, Gabe thought. Then a bel owing roar as several of the larboard guns let loose; a roar that shook the deck beneath his feet.
"That's it boys give them another round," Lavery cal ed out. A cheer came from the gun crews, the schooner had been hit hard…so hard she was dead in the water. The marine's sharpshooters continued to fire at human targets. Then they were past the enemy and in the clear.
Without hesitating, Gabe cal ed out, "Prepare to go about."
Dagan appeared at his side, "Mr. Hazard has been hit, sir, hit hard. He may lose his arm if not more."
"Is he below yet?" Gabe asked.
"Aye, just after we passed through the line."
"Very well. Mr. Lavery!"
"Aye, cap'n"
"You have the deck. Have the ship put about."
"Aye, aye cap'n."
"Dagan, you will take Mr. Hazard's place with the starboard section." Dagan nodded and Gabe went below.
Caleb already had the arm removed by the time he got there. Seeing Gabe, Caleb shook his head, "He's unconscious and maybe he'll stay that way for a while. I took his left arm off without complications but he has a splinter in his thorax that I can't remove. He needs to be on land to have his chest cut open. Even then there's no guarantee. It might be better if he died now…without suffering."
Nodding his understanding, Gabe turned to leave then paused, "Keep him comfortable, Caleb. Losing him will be a loss I can ill afford."
Back on deck Gabe was surprised at the powder and smoke smudged faces of his crew. They had come about and were now overtaking a couple of the privateers. The one privateer SeaWolf’s gunners had fired on was down in the stern and he could see several boats in the water around the sinking ship.
Swan had just come about and though she was scarred she seemed to be sailing well as was the Pigeon.
Earl had been faster and had already come about and now was dead head off the larboard bow.
"Deck there! The frigate has come about and so has the largest of the schooners, sir. So ’as the brig, sir.
Now the second schooner ’as come about as well."
"A final meeting!"
"Sir?"
Again Gabe had spoken his thoughts aloud without realizing it. "I said one final meeting, Mr. Lavery. At least I hope we succeed with this round."
"Aye, cap'n, I hope so as well. Ah…how was Mr. Hazard, sir?"
"He's alive…the surgeon says it will be touch and go…"
"Kind of like the fix we're about to be in, isn't it cap'n, touch and go."
BOOM!…BOOM!…
"There goes the frigate and Captain Earl again."
"Right you are, Mr. Lavery, now back to your station."
"Aye, aye, cap'n."
"Mr. Blake."
"I'm sorry, sir," a master's mate replied, "I'm afraid he's done for!
"Done for? When?" a shocked Gabe inquired.
"When the frigate let loose, sir."
"Damme, " Gabe thought, "I didn't even realize it." Then turning to Evans, the master's mate, he ordered,
"You have control of the wheel. Follow my orders."
"Aye, sir."
"I must speak with the bosun and carpenter," Gabe thought, "I fear I may not have time directly."
"Mostly its betwixed wind and water, sir, more in the riggings and the upper decks," Dover, the carpenter reported. "No more water in the well than usual." Then Graf reported, "Dagan got a party together and we's got two of the guns back into their carriages so they be back ready for action."
"Are they stable enough?" Gabe asked.
"Aye, cap'n, ’jus ’lak a newborn in ’s modder's cradle." There was another swooshing sound overhead as the enemy renewed their assault. "Very well men, let's be about it," Gabe said dismissing the bosun and the carpenter. Glancing over, Gabe saw Lum. He seemed to be taking it al in, and then Gabe realized his breeches were smeared with gunpowder stains, as was his face and hands. Only it wasn't as noticeable due to Lum's black color. He had been involved in fighting the ship and I didn't even notice Gabe thought. Then he wondered what Faith would say if she could see him now.
As the SeaWolf continued to approach the enemy schooner the lookout cal ed down, "The frigate and the brig be ’tacking Cap'n Earl, sir."
"Damn," Gabe thought. He looked and Swan had her own troubles. At least, Pigeon was almost up with her and could help. "Evans, prepare to put your helm down when I order. Dagan! I want every gun loaded, with double shot."
"Aye," Dagan replied.
"Mr. Lavery, I want your section loaded with bal and canister."
"Aye, cap'n."
As the two ships converged, Gabe looked up. The wind was holding…this never predictable and always perverse wind was holding. "Dagan's lady luck," Gabe thought as subconsciously his hand went to the pouch around his neck. The now empty pouch. "Please God…be with her," Gabe prayed silently then turned his attention back to the battle.