Castle of Fire

by Peter Greene

  “You are late, Captain Gorman, so we believed it best to drift in for a better look. Handy, this early morning fog, isn’t it?” he said. “Pardon me for a moment, will you please? Oh, you should now duck!”

  Harrison disappeared into the ship and all heard his voice loud and strong from the other side of the hull.

  “Fire! Fire! Fire!” he yelled, and the world erupted in a great noise as thirty-five guns exploded in unison, sending ball-and-grape shot at the pursuing Spanish boats.

  HMS Danielle finished her bombardment quickly, with just a single reload and fire as sails were let out immediately after the shore party was safely aboard. Holtz had observed many small boats being turned into splinters and many Spanish guards floundering in the water. The fog had rolled in thicker and thicker and the morning sun was still many minutes from appearing. Walker seemed pleased with the result and ordered Lieutenant Holtz to make sure all sail was let out and all hands remained at their fighting stations. They were in enemy waters. Walker knew that not only Spanish ships were prowling about, but French squadrons could also appear at any moment. He did not want to risk a fight. The Danielle needed to escape to deeper waters, far from the unfriendly coastline, and continue her mission.

  True to expectations, the crew let out all sail, tightened lines, and secured all cargo below and on deck. The Danielle caught a friendly breeze and slid away at approximately eight knots, or possibly nine, as Steward had suggested was the current speed after Lieutenant Harrison had announced his lesser estimate for the Captain.

  Captain Walker settled in on the poop deck, observing the crew and advising Mr. Watt on his duty. Harrison appeared on deck and stood properly next to the Captain. He had a wide smile on his face.

  “Report, Mr. Harrison!” commanded the Captain.

  “Yes, sir!” Harrison said. “The shore party is aboard and reports that they were successful in obtaining the manifests, as well as . . . another surprise.”

  “Another surprise?” asked Walker. “Whatever do you mean?”

  We have a new passenger sir,” Harrison continued cautiously. “It seems the thief is also a stowaway and has been found. She was in the jolly boat that rowed ashore.”

  “She? Did you say she?” asked Walker.

  17

  The Stowaway

  In the Captain’s cabin, all the lieutenants were present, along with Mr. Koonts, Jonathan and Lane. Spears was reporting ill, and all assumed it better that he be with his reflections and tend to his future plans. The only other officers not in attendance were Mr. Watt, ever-present at the wheel, and Gorman, who would join shortly once he completed poring over the manifests.

  The table was set with only coffee, and Steward was sternly dismissed the minute he finished pouring the Captain a very large cup. Steam rose from the hot drink, swirling up into the beams overhead; however, all who had been in similar discussions knew that the wisp of vapor was nothing compared to the venting of anger that was brewing within the dragon they all called Captain Walker.

  He glowered as he stared at his cup, teeth clenched and hands in tight fists. He mumbled a few disguised expletives and, as the tension rose in the room to an almost unbearable point, he turned his gaze upon the one person in the room who was not part of the crew. He drew in his breath and unleashed a tirade that even Koonts, who had known and sailed with the Captain for the longest time, over ten years, found truly astonishing. The eruption was not spectacular for its ferociousness (which it certainly was), nor its volume (it was certainly louder than a hurricane), nor the fury that was evident in the Captain’s voice. It was spectacular because of what it did not contain: swearing.

  “Miss Delain Dowdeswell!” the Captain began in an enraged tone. “Did it ever occur to you that this ship was involved in a war? And that at any minute we could be engaged in a life-and-death struggle that would possibly result in your own demise?”

  “Well, sir,” she began.

  “Silence!” Walker boomed. “I do not need to hear your foolish responses to my rhetorical questions! Stand at attention when a ship’s captain addresses you!”

  Delain snapped as straight as a rod. Jonathan, as well as all the lieutenants, also bolted to an even tighter state of attention. They all realized that Delain was not a member of the crew, in fact, not even part of the Royal Navy in any way, and therefore she was neither subject to naval protocol nor its rules. Unsurprisingly, none of them made an effort to point out that small fact to the Captain, who was now roaring like a typhoon at the young girl. To her credit, she stared straight ahead, looking out the stern window, just like Jonathan and the Lieutenants. After a few more minutes of “did you even think before you took this course” and “do you not believe your father and mother will die of heart failure once they hear this tale,” Captain Walker calmed only slightly and then turned to Jonathan.

  “Mr. Moore, please tell me your part in this idiocy!”

  “He had no part in it, Captain Walker,” said Delain, meekly.

  This set the dragon at it again, spitting venom and fire.

  “Is your name Moore, young lady?” he blasted. “Did you not have enough of my tongue? Only a foolish, impudent, deranged, cretinous—”

  The Captain went on for a full minute without ever stopping, never repeating the same insult twice. Delain was now silent as a statue. Jonathan assumed she had used her mind to shut out the verbal thrashing as she stared directly ahead, looking out the window.

  We must look ridiculous, Jonathan said to himself, all standing like statues and only the Captain breathing!

  “Mr. Moore!” the Captain said, now shocking Jonathan from his thoughts. “I asked you, what was your part in this farce?”

  “I had no part, Captain. I was as shocked as anyone to see Miss Dowdeswell appear in the fort.”

  The Captain rose from his chair and stomped over to Jonathan. He placed his eyes directly even with the boy’s and stared at him menacingly. Jonathan thought it was like looking into the eyes of one of Sean’s serpents from King Arthur.

  “Am I to believe that this prissy little girl boarded the ship all by herself and was never noticed?”

  “I never left, your honor,” said Delain.

  The Captain stomped to Delain and took up a threatening pose.

  “Never left what?” he demanded.

  “I never left the Danielle after the final tour,” Delain answered.

  “But you returned to the Drake, you left with Penelope!” blurted Jonathan, who received an evil glare from the Captain, as if he were saying: Did I ask you to speak?

  “Yes, I did walk to the deck with Penelope, after feigning my illness; however, when no one was looking, I hid in the larger jolly boat.”

  “Lieutenant Blake said you were in your cabin aboard the Drake, asleep, when we departed Nassau!” bellowed Captain Walker.

  “A sack of rags,” Delain said, almost appearing happy as she now was telling of her ingenious plan and at the same time entertaining the lieutenants and Jonathan, who seemed totally engrossed with the tale.

  “A sack of rags?!” roared the Captain.

  “Yes, sir. If I may explain. I announced to my tour guides,” Delain said, pointing to Jonathan and Harrison, “that I was feeling poorly and would return to the Drake. Penelope returned alone and prepared my bed with a sack of rags and pieces of our luggage, then covered them with blankets to replicate my shape. Rebecca was also an accomplice and was instructed to continue the ruse whenever Lieutenant Blake, or anyone else, for that matter, inquired about my state of health. I would assume that by now the truth is out aboard the Drake.”

  The Captain simply shook his head and turned his back to the girl.

  “The jolly boat was actually quite comfortable,” Delain said, “and food was easy to come by. I borrowed some from Claise, though mostly from Steward, as I found he had better fare, fresh eggs and even some delicious little fish that he would toast, and cheese. I took a few as they cooled in his galley. Quite delicious if you ha
ven’t had any; I thoroughly recommend them.”

  Walker exploded.

  “You were eating my anchovies? Of all the gall!” His tirade continued for a full five minutes, and only after that did he calm down once again to only a howl.

  “What in God’s green earth ever possessed you to do this?”

  “Boredom, for one,” she said. “As exciting as some may find London, I knew that all awaiting me there would be school, and books, and work, work, work. Proper parties and engagements with grown-up, uninteresting people who never laugh—or have adventure!”

  The Captain stared at her, not laughing, looking older than dirt.

  “Once you announced that the Drake would be taking us to London, I knew the Danielle was off to something more exciting than tiresome dinner parties and school lessons,” Delain continued. The Captain turned about and moved to his throne. “Besides, I so much enjoyed the cutting out of the Drake and disposing of the pirates, I thought along with my adventure, I could lend a hand at the guns!”

  “Dear Lord,” said Walker, dropping into his chair.

  “How did you get about for three weeks without being seen?” asked Koonts.

  “The night watches made it simple,” Delain continued, “especially when the fog was about. It was no trouble at all sneaking where I needed. I even remember almost being caught a time or two. Very exciting. I overheard the crew discussing Africa and the Cape, so I knew I was in for some excitement! Africa? Lions? Tigers? A wild primate or two? That’s for me!”

  The Captain slumped into his chair completely. He seemed spent and alone in his thoughts as he stared at the decking. No one stirred for a full minute.

  Then a knock came at the door.

  “I assume this will be one of your sisters, Miss Dowdeswell?” the Captain mumbled. “Enter!”

  All turned to see that it was not a Dowdeswell at all, but Marine Captain Gorman, and in his hands he held a rolled manifest.

  “Ah,” Gorman said happily, “I see Miss Dowdeswell has been entertaining you with her tales, eh? Well, so sorry I missed it. Maybe we can hear it again over breakfast? Is that to your liking, young lady?”

  “Indeed,” said Delain with a small curtsy.

  “If we can all attend to the business of the war?” asked Walker, still angry. “Miss Dowdeswell, you will be restricted to my cabin. You are not allowed out under any circumstances. You will dine and sleep in here as well. Lieutenant Holtz, with Blake gone, I shall bunk with you.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Holtz.

  “We will alter course and return to London immediately. After disposing of Miss Dowdeswell, we will resupply and depart as soon as possible—understood?”

  “Begging your pardon, sir,” said Gorman.

  Captain Walker paused, looking at the marine with slight irritation. It was unthinkable to interrupt the Captain, especially after he had given an order. The only thing that kept the dragon from another explosion was the fact that he respected Gorman greatly, knew him to be proper and respectful, and more importantly, a spy for the Navy. If Gorman had information, he needed to share it now.

  “Captain Gorman, continue,” said Walker.

  “Thank you, sir,” Gorman said, approaching the table and unrolling the manifest he carried. He used the Captain’s coffee cup and saucer to weigh down the edges of the paper and prevent it from rolling back to its tubular condition.

  “Jonathan and Sean correctly acquired the proper manifests, and many contained valuable information. I have found that this particular manifest happens to be the most valuable. It contains three important pieces of information. One, it certainly corroborates Kozak’s story. There is a fleet of French merchant ships carrying supplies and cannon—over nine hundred as of my last count. They are accompanied by only two French frigates, as Kozak said. The manifest also states that the ships are bound for Rio Muni, and Aguilar is to receive them, as Kozak has claimed.”

  “So Kozak was telling the truth,” said Jonathan.

  “Indeed,” said Holtz, and all paused, then remembered that as usual, he had nothing to add.

  “Secondly,” continued Gorman, “there is reference to the Fiero, or as we know it, the Drake, on this particular manifest. It is to collect, as is stated, ‘several tons of general supplies’ from Rio Muni for delivery to a point unknown.”

  The Captain considered this for a moment and stared at the manifest, following all the points made by Gorman. “We need to get to them before they unload the cannon at Rio Muni.”

  “Aye, but here is the rub,” said Gorman. “If we head immediately for the southern tip of Africa, we should meet them on or about April the twenty-sixth. They are due in Rio Muni after that, of course, about mid-May.” He paused to let the information sink in.

  “Our trip to deliver Miss Dowdeswell to London will be over— Koonts calculated the numbers in his head and his face turned pale. “Dear! It will add almost ten thousand miles to our journey!”

  “At seven or eight knots on average, if we have favorable winds . . . that will delay us . . . ” the Captain calculated the numbers in his head, then after a moment, “almost two months!”

  “We will miss the French squadron if we sail to London first,” said Gorman.

  The room fell silent as all considered the situation and the fact that they might not even present themselves for battle.

  “We are past the point of no return,” managed the Captain as he sighed heavily. He shook his head as he realized that not only was it true that a trip to London would destroy their chances of meeting the squadron, but that any other course would leave Delain on the ship and put her in danger of losing her life. Additionally, her father was a very influential governor, who also happened to be a retired naval hero. The fact that Delain had stowed away aboard the Danielle could not have made for a more dismal dilemma.

  One by one the officers in the room realized what was happening and how Delain’s presence was a hindrance to their mission. All eyes trained on her, even Jonathan’s, though reluctantly. Delain uncomfortably noticed the glances and realized her prank to enjoy a little more excitement before school in London was possibly not her most well thought-out idea. Finally, even the Captain turned his stern gaze upon her. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence and clearing of throats, she spoke.

  “You seem to have some serious business to discuss, gentlemen, and possibly I should take a stroll about the deck to give you some needed privacy.”

  The Captain stubbornly and sternly held her gaze for an uncomfortable moment.

  “Or,” she said meekly, “I-I could just sit quietly.”

  Walker turned his gaze to Gorman.

  “You mentioned three points you discovered while looking at the manifest. The number of ships was one, the delivery to Generalissimo Aguilar at Rio Muni was the second. What is the third?”

  “There is other cargo being transported,” Gorman said. “One of the merchant ships carries over sixty of Napoleon’s generals.”

  It was now clear to the Captain what course he should take. He stood up and walked to the window to look out on the rising sun as it danced among the waves. The Danielle was under full sail, heading south as she left the coast of Africa, Bioko Island now slipping away astern.

  “Lady and Gentlemen,” he said, turning to address the group. “We will proceed directly to engage the French along the coast of Africa and even around to Madagascar if we must. At the most opportune time, we will place Miss Dowdeswell ashore with an escort and proceed to engage the squadron. If we are successful, we will return for her. If not, we will leave them with supplies and a means of signaling ships for rescue.”

  Delain gulped and considered her position. Stranded on the African coast? Though it sounds exciting, it may be a little too exciting, what with lions, tigers, and elephants! One may see a turtle or two, though one may also be eaten alive by snakes!

  Thoughts were also running around in the head of Jonathan Moore. He knew that Miss Dowdeswell’s escorts would
not be common seamen, or a lieutenant for that matter. They will need a gentleman or two who can look after her, not make any advances, and ones who can survive in harsh environments, he reasoned. And that most assuredly meant Sean and Jonathan. Once again he would miss the battle action, as he did on the last mission!

  “Captain,” said Koonts softly. “Not to question your decision, but just as a reminder, the African continent is wild at best. It is quite dangerous. And the addition of slave traders, certainly not the best of God’s creations—well, is it really safer ashore?”

  “I hear your concerns. And I have considered them before I made this decision. On Isla Sello, just to the southeast of the Cape, there is a grand old Portuguese fort where they can find shelter.”

  “The Castelo de Fogo? It is quite a sight! Are you certain it is uninhabited, sir,” added Harrison.

  “I have heard through some of my fellow captains that quite recently it has been confirmed as being abandoned.”

  The Captain continued giving orders as the others seemed to relax a bit, now having something to do besides just standing about, praying for the dragon to cease his fire-breathing before he found reason to target them.

  “Our mission is to sink as many French ships as we can,” Walker said, “be they laden with cannon or generals. Hopefully the Paladin and the Drake have informed some of our sister ships, so we will not fight alone.”

  The Danielle sailed on to the south, the sea relatively calm and the winds moderate but steady. The log was tossed and revealed that the ship was barely making eight knots. Swift by most respects; however to Captain Walker, it was not swift enough.

  At times, one could look to port and see glimpses of the wild continent. Somehow Miss Dowdeswell had learned of this fact and through incessant pleading, convinced Captain Walker to ease her confinement. He agreed to allow her out for an hour in the morning and another in the afternoon, though only under the watchful eye of Mr. Koonts and from time to time, either Jonathan or Sean. During one of these tours, Jonathan had an opportunity to speak with Delain about all that had happened as they strolled along the port side heading to the bow.