“I’m… I’m sorry, sir,” Pitts was speaking, his voice cracked and strained.
“Shh, don’t talk now, Merle. Let’s get you well,” Anthony said taking the lieutenant’s hand in his.
“She came right outta the squall, sir, with guns blazing. We never even knew she was there till it was too late. I’m…I’m sorry, sir.’’
Anthony tried to quiet the dying man and make him comfortable. “It’s not your fault, Merle. Rest now.”
Silas had brought a small cup of wine and tried to help Pitts take a drink, but the cup was pushed aside.
“I want to…thank you, sir…for trusting me.” Then he was gone.
Anthony had the body taken aboard Drakkar. It was a somber group that carried the young lieutenant’s body back to the frigate to be made ready for burial. Pitts had been well liked by his fellow officers and the ship’s crew, and would be missed. As a flag was being draped over Pitts body Anthony gazed upon the crew. Heads were bowed in respect for Pitts and other crew members who had been slain by Reaper’s attack. Tears drained from eyes and dripped onto the deck. Anthony gave a nod to Buck who ordered “hats off.” When there was silence Anthony read the customary passage from the Bible and Lieutenant Pitts body was commanded to the deep, along with the other fallen crew members.
After a respectful pause, Dawkins spoke what they all felt, “Bloody sodomites has hit us’ns good. They got our ‘tention but they’s gonna pay. I lost some good mates along with Mr. Pitts and I don’t take kindly how the bastards went about it. We’s with you cap’n.”
“Aye, aye,” other crew members chorused.
“It’s hard to find a silver lining after what we’ve gone through today, captain,” Lieutenant Dunn stated, “But if there is one, the damned pirates have embittered the men so that I wouldn’t want to try to stop them from butchering the rogues.”
“Aye,” Buck joined in “I doubt they’d take kindly to taking prisoners.”
Anthony had to agree. A new air of determination seemed to prevail. However, burying those whom you put in harm’s way was one of the most difficult parts of command. Anthony couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt, but he knew he must carry on. He had to carry on.
Later, Buck, the carpenter, and the bosun met with Anthony. “Most of the damage was done ‘betwixt wind and water,” the carpenter reported. “Therefore, she’ll float. However, with the foremast gone and the mainmast hit, it will take awhile to get her re-rigged and back to English Harbour. I’ll want to fish the mainmast, proper like, otherwise I’m not sure she’ll take the strain.”
Buck spoke up. “Sir, let’s put some of the prisoners to work putting Rascal back together. Lieutenant Dunn’s marines can keep them covered.”
“Aye,” chimed in the bosun. “And a bare-o-net in the arse once in awhile to keep the whoresons moving wouldn’t be amiss I’m thinking.”
Bart had walked up during the last of the conversation and heard the bosun’s comments. He’d come to tell Anthony that Gabe and Dagan were alongside, and would be present any minute. Seeing the look in Anthony’s eyes almost frightened him. He’d never seen such a determined look. He spoke his feelings aloud, “I wouldn’t want to be that damn pirate as he headed back toward Drakkar. ‘The Grim Reaper.’ Well, he ain’t seen bloody grim like the shit for brains sod is gona see now he’s done crossed with me cap’n.” Buck wondered if Bart would ever stop calling Anthony captain, but he agreed with Bart’s statement.
Dagan had overtaken Bart, and overhearing his words, added, “Aye! I feels his time is nigh but ‘e won’t go quietly. He’ll be gone, but not quietly.”
Chapter Thirteen
The sight of the small flotilla limping into English Harbour created a different type of stir than previous times when Anthony’s squadron proudly sailed its prizes in. Much of Rascal’s damage had been temporarily repaired, but huge scars still remained, attesting to the battering that she’d taken. Commodore Gardner had met them in a guard boat.
Upon hearing how the Reaper had viciously attacked Rascal, the commodore waxed livid. “He’s trying to goad you, make you make a mistake Gil, so be careful. You’re hurting him with all the prizes you’ve taken and men you’ve either killed or captured. He’s got to do something.”
Anthony understood the wisdom in Gardner’s words. Before going ashore, the commodore vowed, “We’ll fix up Rascal. The dockyard will work night and day if they have to, but we’ll have repairs completed so Rascal can return to her duties before you know it.”
The entire attitude seemed to change on the island of Antigua. The islanders had come to look at the men under Anthony’s command as their own. Now, everyone felt the loss of Lieutenant Pitts and many of his crew. The increasing reports of hostilities between England and the colonies only added to the people’s anger. The hostilities were now rumored to have gone beyond verbal. The master of a mail packet had just returned from Halifax. Word had gotten to the commander in chief of that station that colonial men in whale boats would dash out of hidden creeks and coves to harass British ships tiding at anchor in Boston Harbour. The master went on to say they had removed channel buoys and had gone so far as to burn lighthouses. Needless to say, the concern was great, and British forces in the colonies were having a time deciding who was loyal and who was not. It was not uncommon for a father to profess loyalty to the crown while his son openly chose rebellion. Some of the would-be loyalists kept quiet for fear of reprisals from rebellious colonists. The British soldiers stationed in the colonies were vastly out-numbered, and could do little by way of affording protection. Many felt Lord North could have done more to halt the escalating difficulties.
Standing behind the desk in his office,
Commodore Gardner peered down at the ships
anchored in the harbor. He had to squint to keep
the sun from hurting his eyes. Angrily, he snatched
the curtains together to block out the blinding rays.
“Lord North underestimates the colonies, Gil, I
tell you. He takes them too lightly. They’ll fight
and fight like no enemy we’ve dealt with in the
past. I doubt they’d stand at ranks and fire as if on
parade. Nay, it’ll be hit and run. They’ve fought
the native Indians, and they’ve learned their tactics
well.”
Peering once more out of his office window,
Commodore Gardner made one more comment. It
was more a prediction. “Lord North and Parliament has bitten off more than they can chew. If he doesn’t learn to respect the abilities of the colonials we’ll lose this war. Mark my word sir, we’ll lose.”
After leaving Government House, Anthony
went to “the cottage.” Lady Deborah was waiting
and offered a warm greeting. However, she could
see Anthony was despondent and angry over the
news from the colonies, on top of Rascal’s near
destruction by the Reaper. But beyond Anthony’s
anger was a feeling of despair and hurt from losing
Merle Pitts and so many of Rascal’s crew. Deborah