Read Online Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart - Free Book Online

lad. Better prepared than dead.”
    By the time Ellie reached the mainmast, Nelson had already scaled down the rigging and waited for her at its base. “Looks like a Dutch fluyt.” He pulled a flintlock from his belt and began loading it. “If it is, Harris will attack. He won’t be able to stop himself. They carry too much cargo for him to let her pass unaccosted, regardless of any peace treaties.” Nelson halfcocked the pistol and stuffed it into his belt. “I think we may be in for a tussle.”
    Ellie’s heartbeat quickened. If we attack the ship, we become pirates. Her shoulders deflated.
    She followed Nelson down a deck to where the cannons stood in two long rows extending the length of the ship, five on each side.
    “All right, you’re going to be my powder monkey, El. Head to the munitions stores and arm yourself, then bring me as many powder bags as you can muster. If she is a fluyt, we should have her outmanned and outgunned. Maybe we’ll get lucky and she’ll surrender without a fight.”
    Hope bloomed in her chest. Perhaps I won’t end up a pirate after all.
    Captain Harris’s voice echoed from the deck above. “All ’ands to stations! Load the cannons!”
    Nelson repeated the order for the men at the guns.
    Or maybe I will.
    The hair on Ellie’s arms stood up as the possibility struck home. Her father’s disapproving face floated to the front of her mind. She gave herself a mental shake. There was no time to worry about her father’s opinions.
    Intent on her assigned task, Ellie headed for the munitions room and knelt at her footlocker. The hinges squeaked as she lifted the curved lid. With shaking hands, she strapped on her belt and grabbed her cutlass. Ellie sheathed the blade and checked her left boot for the hidden dagger. Patting the handle, she rose and headed for the munitions stores.
    Muffled shouting and running footsteps from above sent a shudder of fear through her limbs. She grabbed a powder bag, grunting. The satchel was heavier than she expected. Ellie slung another sack over her shoulder. Leaning forward against the weight pulling her, she worked her way back to the cannons.
    She brought the heavy bags to Nelson, panting with exertion.
    He took the sacks and set them beside one of the guns. “Good, now go get some more and hope we don’t have to use them.”
    Ellie nodded and headed back for more bags.
    By the time she returned to Nelson, The Surf Runner had closed the distance between the vessels and was bearing down on the Dutch ship.
    “Prepare to come alongside ’er!” Captain Harris shouted.
    Men jumped to action. No part of the ship lay idle as the crew scrambled into position, two per cannon. One man set the powder while the other loaded the lead ball and shoved it home with a ram.
    Ellie backed away, eyes wide and heart threatening to pound right out of her chest. This can’t be happening.
    Nelson spun to face her. He pointed to the stairway that led further below. “Get your arse down there until I call for you.”
    Ellie quickly did as she was told. She hunkered down on the second step, eyes glued to Nelson.
    He walked the length of cannons, checking with the men to ensure they were all loaded and ready.
    The captain’s command to fire echoed through Ellie.
    Nelson raised his arm, cast a quick glance her way, and shrugged. “Fire!” He swung his arm down as he repeated the captain’s command.
    The row of five guns erupted in a succession of shuddering booms. Smoke puffed from the cannons’ mouths as they jerked back beneath the force of the shots. The sounds of splintering wood told them they’d hit their mark.
    Screams of pain mingled with shouted orders.
    A return call of “Fire!” echoed across the water.
    A second volley of guns rent the air. The Surf Runner trembled as enemy cannonballs blistered its hull.
    The impact vibrated the stairs Ellie perched on, making the hair at the back of her neck stand up. She bent and flexed her fingers to expel some of