"Dispatch ship making its way to anchor, my Lord."
"Very well, gentlemen, lets go about setting your ships to rights. Unless this dispatch ship brings word to change things I'd enjoy the company of each of you for dinner tonight. As I recall two of you have just had a birthday which will add to the cause for celebration."
After the lieutenant from the dispatch vessel had left Bart brought a cup of Silas' special coffee to his Lordship.
"Something to warm ’yew's bones on a frigid night, sir."
"Aye, thank you, Bart. It's most welcome and not a moment to soon."
Seeing the papers on the admiral's desk before him, Bart asked, "New orders?"
"Aye, Bart, Lord Howe is of the opinion Nova Scotia is no longer an objective of the Colonials.
They've failed to secure Quebec by the army and they've now failed Nova Scotia by sea. Even though, he doesn't know of the failed invasion as of yet. His Lordship feels our forces are needed south. As soon as convenient we are to sail south to Philadelphia were his lordship's words. There I'm to report to Admiral Graves for further orders."
"Well, ’I's don't mind going south," Bart volunteered, "But I wishes it'd be a bit further south.
It's still cold in ’Fillydelfia ’hein't it?"
"Aye, Bart, that it is and with December coming on I fear we will be iced in some cold harbour for months with nothing to do but try to keep from freezing."
"Well, could be you ’mighten talk Admiral Graves
’inta sending ’us's to Florida to keep an eye on them dago's. We knows they's helping the privateers."
"Well, Bart, I'll pass your concerns on to the admiral and see how he responds."
"He'd respond in the right way iffen he ’ad a brain," Bart replied.
"Bart!"
"Aye, I know's I'm talking ’bout a King's officer." Then Bart was out the door.
"Damme," Lord Anthony exclaimed, "Will I ever get the last word in?"
A smiling Silas sat in the pantry and said to himself,
"I doubt it."
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank that one special lady who doesn’t want her name mentioned, but without her help there wouldn’t have been a manuscript. She edits, critiques, and doesn’t let me get by with mediocrity.
I want to thank you, the reader, not only for buying The Reaper but also for demanding Book Two. I will try to not disappoint you.
A special thanks to Carrie Skalla for her artwork.