by Michael Aye
Captain Knight on the newly captured Neptune, and Gabe on SeaWolf had just returned from their patrol south to the Keys and back. Pigeon and Audacity took turns as transport from the anchorage to Saint Augustine. Warrior continued at anchorage providing protection to the city.
“Boat ahoy!” Anthony could hear the challenge through the open skylight. A few minutes later Buck came down.
“Sir, flag captain,” the marine sentry announced.
As Captain Buck entered, Anthony called to Silas, “Bring us a glass of hock if you will.”
“Aye, my Lord, I have to fetch it from the bilges, but it shouldn’t take long.”
Seeing the official envelope with the Governor’s seal, Anthony asked, “What have we here?”
“I’d guess it’s an invitation,” Buck replied.
“To what?”
“You’ll have to tell me sir, as it’s addressed to you.”
Anthony tore open the seal, and then sat silent for a moment while he read the invitation. “Well, Rupert,” he spoke to Buck, using his first name. “It’s time for you to meet some of the city’s more eligible ladies.”
“I don’t understand,” Buck said with a slight frown across his brow.
“The Governor is having a ball. Why, I have no idea, but you and the other ship’s captains are all invited. As I recall, it was at such an affair you struck up quite a relationship with a lady on Antigua.”
“Aye,” Buck replied as a smile creased his face. “A most warm and loving lady she was until she found out I’d not quit the sea to become her kept man. Mind you now, it was like a honeymoon itself every time we came back into port,” Buck continued as he recalled the buxom dark-haired woman who had offered him a life of luxury.
“Trouble was, sir, nothing went with it. The plantation stayed in her name. She didn’t want marriage and I couldn’t see myself as some nabob.”
Anthony couldn’t help but chuckle. He and Buck had been together for a long time and he could just see him as some rich widow’s kept man.
“Wouldn’t mind seeing her again for a day or so. Then I’d be ready to set sail,” Buck said as he took a deep sigh.
“Well, we’ll see if Saint Augustine has anyone to stir your humours.”
“Huh!” Buck replied. “There’s plenty of that, I don’t know if it’s the sun or possibly the Spanish heritage sir, but the women in the…ah…establishments around Saint Augustine are dark-skinned with ready smiles and bold looks. The way they flash their eyes at you is enough to set a sailor’s heart ablaze. They tend to be very shapely, sir, all buxom and smiles. Several of our lads wouldn’t mind having a closer relationship with the local women I’m told.”
“Well,” Anthony said as he pushed his chair back allowing Silas to pour the hock he’d retrieved from the bilges, “let’s try not to cause any problems with the local men over these women.”
“Nay, my lord, there’ll be no trouble as long as our jack tars keep a full purse and a condom on hand.”
Admiral Lord Anthony walked down the corridor toward the ballroom; Flag Captain Buck at his side and Flag Lieutenant Hazard was directly behind. As the door was opened by a footman Anthony heard Hazard take in a deep breath when he saw the bare shoulders and deep cleavages of the ladies who were wearing gowns of various colors. Anthony saw Buck hesitate ever so slightly in his pace so that Hazard would come abreast then whispered to the lieutenant, “Don’t stare.” Hazard gulped and shook his head.
Buck then leaned toward Anthony and spoke softly, “Not as grand as Antigua but the evening has promise.”
As the three officers made their way further through the entrance and to the first step of three that led down to the ballroom floor the footman tapped a long stave on the floor gaining everyone’s attention, “Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony.”
This drew curious stares from the mass of people already circulating inside the ballroom. A huge chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling with four smaller ones bordering it. The heat from the candles intensified the already warm evening. The musicians as if on cue started playing again.
The governor, looking debonair, was dressed in all white much as he had been when Anthony first met him.
Anthony introduced Captain Buck and said, “You remember my Flag Lieutenant Everette Hazard?”
Greetings were exchanged and the Governor said, “I have someone I’d like you to meet, my Lord.”
This was Buck and Hazard’s cue for each to go their separate way. Hazard looked somewhat lost but was quickly relieved when he spotted other naval officers he knew. Buck had spotted a lady who had on such a low cut gown she need not have covered herself at all. She returned Buck’s bold stare then flashed a fan to her face trying to hide a glint of a smile as Buck made his way toward her. Maybe the evening holds more than just promise, Buck thought.
Buck took one glance over his shoulder and saw Anthony and the Governor shaking hands with another man.
“Lord Anthony, I’d like you to meet Colonel Thomas Browne,” Governor Tonyn said as he introduced the two men. “As I’ve placed the defense of Florida in your capable hands I thought the two of you should meet. I have given Colonel Browne command of the Florida rangers.”
“How many men do you have?” Anthony asked.
“At present we have two hundred or so,” Browne answered, “but the way…we fight large numbers would only work against us. My rangers are made up of Seminole Indians led by Chief Cowcatcher, loyalist and free black men who know their way around the woods.”
Listening to the man talk Anthony could feel his energy and knew right away he was a very competent soldier. Browne soon excused himself as he was summoned by a very attractive lady.
As he made his departure Tonyn stepped close to Anthony and said, “Would you believe the damn Georgia rebels tarred, feathered and partially scalped Browne? That’s why his hair is long.”
Seeing a British officer Tonyn said, “That’s General Augustin Prevost, Commander of the Royal American Regiment. He is in charge of the defense of Saint Augustine. As you can imagine, he doesn’t like Colonel Browne. He doesn’t think Browne’s guerrilla warfare is honorable. Not a gentleman, he says.” But speaking very stern Tonyn said, “For what the rebels send against us I’d rather have Browne’s rangers than a dozen of Prevost’s regiments.”
As the evening continued Anthony spied Hazard and one of Knight’s lieutenants standing in the center of a group of young ladies. Seeing the smiles on the lieutenant’s faces and the look of awe from the young ladies he could only imagine what tale of derring-do’s was being told.
Without realizing her actions, one young lady touched Hazard’s empty sleeve. The young lieutenant was so enthralled with the conversation he appeared not to have noticed the act, something that would have caused him to jerk back three months ago.
Good, thought Anthony. He’s realizing the loss of the arm didn’t make him less of a man. He at this particular time appeared to be treated like the hero he was.
Anthony continued to observe the group a few more minutes when he realized how much he missed Lady Deborah…Lady Deborah and a daughter he’d yet to lay eyes on. Damn this war, he thought, damn it to hell.
Chapter Nine
Gabe was listening to the sounds overhead as he sipped on his coffee. Lum seemed awkward this morning, almost distant.
“Did you enjoy your time ashore last night?” Gabe asked. Dawkins had taken Lum in tow and the two had gone into Saint Augustine.
“Yes, suh.”
“What did you think of the town,” Gabe asked trying to draw Lum into conversation.
“Well, suh, Beaufort ain’t got nuthin’ on it, but it ain’t no Charlestown.” Lum still wasn’t his usual self.
“Is there a problem Lum?” Gabe asked.
“Well, suh, I jus’ ain’t used being round no trouble.”
At that time there was a knock at the cabin door. “First lieutenant, sir,” the sentry said.
As Jackson made his wa
y in Gabe could feel his stomach tighten. The look on Jackson’s face was enough.
“What is it Mr. Jackson?”
“Mr. Lancaster is in jail, sir.”
“In jail, damme sir, what’s this about?” Gabe exclaimed.
“He was in an altercation at some tavern.”
“The Mermaid,” Lum volunteered. Both officers turned to look at Lum.
“You know about this?”
“Aye, sir, I was there.”
“Is this the trouble you just spoke of?”
“Yas suh, that’s hit.”
“Well what happened?” Gabe asked.
“Well suh, Dawkins, he done struck up a conversation wid what he called a lovely little doxy. Deys was two of dem, but old Lum didn’t wants ta boder wid ’em none cause I’s be thinking about Missy Faith and Nanny. Well, upstairs Dawkins goes whilst I watch over his purse and finish my wet. Den da’s a comotion to beat da devil. Dis sodjar man trys to kiss Mistah Lancaster on da face. Den Mistah Lancaster slaps dat sodjar man a good’un and says he don’t have no time fah no damn sodimite sodjar. Dat heathen then grabs a-hole of Mistah Lancaster like he was a woman and say’s ‘When I’m done ye’ll be squealing like a pig.’ ”
“When Mistah Lancaster wouldn’t squeal da man starts biting on his eah and foh ya know’d it he done bit poh Mistah Lancaster’s eah clean off. Dat’s when Mistah Lancaster felt blood running down his face and puts his hand to his eah but dey ain’t no eah dar, so he cries out ‘You bung bustin’ scum’ and shoots da man right in his…his…ah…you knows what Bart calls ’is wedding tackle. Den da’s dis Captain man wid moh sodjars take poh Mistah Lancaster off to da jail.”
Gabe and Jackson sat astonished at Lum’s narrative. “And you saw it all?” Gabe finally asked.
“Aye, suh, wid my own peepers. I’s as close as I is to you right now.”
“Well, I’d better go check on our midshipman. Mr. Jackson, get my gig ready,” Gabe said. “Where’s Dagan?”
“I’m here,” Dagan called. He had slipped in and poured himself a cup of coffee as Lum had told his story.
“Where have you been?” Gabe asked Dagan.
“With Dawkins, he was roughed up a bit afterwards by a provost sergeant of the sixtieth when he went to check on Lancaster. Lum laid the sergeant out and brought Dawkins back to the ship. He’s with Caleb now. Caleb says he’ll be fine.”
Turning back to Lum, Gabe said, “Is there more?”
“Not much, suh. We went to check on Mistah Lancaster adder Dawkins finished his business wid that little doxy. Dat sergeant acted real uppity like and said they’d handle the little sailor boy. Dawkins den told the man he’d be back and they’d see who handled whom. When Dawkins turned to go dats when dat sodjar hit him wid ’is pistol so I jus’ clops dat man a good’un and down he wents.”
“What did you hit him with?” Gabe asked.
Lum looked sheepish as he replied, “Dawkins bottle ‘od kill devil.”
“Did the sergeant see you?” Gabe asked.
“No suh, not lessen ’e’s got eyes in da back o’ ’is head and iffen he do I ’speck they’s busted.”
Lord Anthony was discussing the ball from the previous evening with Buck. He told of his meeting Colonel Browne, and then asked Buck how his evening had gone, expecting a lewd tale. Bart was expecting some bawdy tale as well as he continued to hang around the pantry when normally he’d be out and about.
Buck had just started when through the skylight the challenge “boat ahoy!”
SeaWolf came the response. While Gabe and Lord Anthony were brothers it was only upon invitation Gabe would visit the flagship.
“I’ll go,” Buck said then grabbed his hat and headed topside.
Later in Lord Anthony’s cabin Gabe retold Lum’s story as he’d just told Buck. “When I went to the jail a provost major told me pretty quick Lancaster was under arrest for attempted murder and I didn’t have the authority to have him released or to even see him for that matter. Said he was tired of the Navy acting like they owned the damn city. He did tell me, Lancaster would be tried tomorrow and likely be hanged by sunset.”
Hearing this Lord Anthony stood up suddenly and said, “Nay! There’ll be no hanging unless it’s that damnable sodimite. Bart?”
“I’s getting the barge ready now sir,” Bart said, not needing to be told.
“Captain Buck, I’m going to the governor’s; meanwhile you take marine Captain Dunlap and a squad of his men to the jail. Tell that popinjay major I’d consider it a compliment if he’d release Lancaster into your custody.”
“Aye,” Buck replied, “and if he don’t I’ll have Dunlap shoot the bastard.”
The governor was out when Anthony arrived unannounced.
“His Excellency is expected soon, my Lord,” Tonyn’s secretary assured Anthony, not quite sure what to do with someone of Lord Anthony’s status. Finally, he said, “May I offer you some refreshment while you wait, my Lord?”
Tonyn had just returned and was in the process of greeting Anthony when the sound of horses could be heard and a coach slid to a halt causing a grinding sound on the flagstones outside the governor’s door. In came General Prevost puffing and all in a flush. Ignoring protocol he shouted, “Damme, man, what type of a fool are you to send a post captain and a squad of marines to take a prisoner from my jail?”
Anthony took a step forward and spoke with a grimace, “I’ll lay your current actions to the heat outside sir, but take notice, you ever speak to me in that tone again I’ll have satisfaction. I’m told you are a gentleman so I’m sure you know what I mean. Now as to your accusations, sir, I sent a post captain to give my compliments to your provost asking for the accused to be released into my custody. The marines were to escort the accused back aboard ship.”
Realizing he was on dangerous ground with a man who was no stranger to death the general took a deep breath and stammered, “Put that way sir, I see no reason the prisoner shouldn’t be released to you as long as he’s returned to appear before a court martial.”
“On whose authority will the court martial be convened,” Anthony challenged.
Realizing things could get very sticky the governor said, “The incident took place in a civil establishment, therefore, it will be a civil matter and I will appoint the judge.”
Glaring, the general said, “Very well.”
“As it should be,” Tonyn stated.
The general then turned on his heels and left.
“You’ve made an enemy there,” Tonyn addressed the admiral after the general was out the door.
“Not the first, nor likely the last,” Anthony replied, then thanked the governor for his intervention and departed.
The Mermaid was a square, low ceiling room with open shutters so sunlight would fill the otherwise dimly lit taproom. A short staircase led to a second floor door, probably the tavern keeper’s sleeping quarters or rooms used by the doxies to entertain.
As he turned, Gabe saw a scorched fireplace across the room from a half circle bar. The bar showed signs of age and scars from many drunken brawls. The tavern keeper was there leaning on the bar with his elbows. His shirt had once been white but was now stained to a deep yellow. His sleeves were rolled up showing strong arms. He was short and had an immense rotund belly, probably from sampling his wares Gabe thought.
Straightening up the man smiled and said, “Greetings señor. It is not often we get such an honoured patron.” He had recognized Gabe as an officer. He extended a meaty hand toward Gabe and said, “I’m Domingo Chavez.”
Gabe liked the little man. As he reached forward to shake the offered hand the man’s small mouth broke out in a smile revealing brown tobacco stained teeth.
“You are not with the Army, señor?’ Chavez asked.
“No, I’m in the Navy,” Gabe answered.
“Always, I’ve wanted to see what it would be like to be on a ship at sea. But alas, you see that I cannot,” Chavez said as he stretched out his arms and gav
e a shrug. “Always, I’m here. This place has been in my family before the Spanish left. Now there are only a few of us but I could not leave what was my father’s. But you did not come to hear about Domingo, what is it I can do for you señor?”
“I want to know about a soldier,” Gabe replied, “The bully who hurt the boy.”
“Si, I know him. He always makes trouble. He likes to bust up things but never likes to pay for damages. He got what he asked for.”
“Would you be willing to testify to that?” Gabe asked.
“No, señor, to do so would mean death. My place would burn, my family hurt. No, señor, I cannot.”
“I will pay you for the bar and I will provide protection,” Gabe replied, “For you and your family.” Gabe watched the man thinking it over.
“I would have to know who it was that would protect me and perhaps we could be partners, eh señor?”
“Fine,” Gabe said, “Let’s agree on price and I will send you money for the partnership with the man who will protect you.”
Chavez looked skeptical as he spoke, “Only one man, señor?”
“Aye,” Gabe replied, “His name is Dagan.”
“What about papers señor? Do we have to have documents drawn up?”
Gabe paused and looked at the man, “Is your handshake not good enough?”
“Si, señor, Domingo’s word is as good as gold.”
“Then we don’t need any papers,” Gabe said as he departed.
Chapter Ten
Sir Raymond Knight sat at his desk going over the notes he had made while talking to all concerned parties in the assault case against Midshipman Lancaster. By concerned parties, he meant Lancaster, Lum and Domingo Chavez.
Knight had talked to a number of soldiers who were known to have been in the bar at the time of the incident. However, none claimed to have seen or heard anything out of the ordinary. Giving a sigh, Knight pushed his chair back and thinking aloud said, “Well, it don’t help none but it don’t hurt us either.”
