Read Online The Seahorse by Michael Aye - Free Book Online Page A

now calling Alejandro Ally.
    â€œMr Lavery’s respects, sir. Flag has signaled: investigate strange sail.”
    â€œThank you, Mr Alejandro,” Gabe said, using the boy’s name. It wouldn’t do for the captain to use nicknames. “Now tell me, are you still satisfied with your decision to be a sailor?”
    â€œOh si…I mean aye sir. I would want to do nothing else.”
    â€œVery well. Now go tell the first lieutenant I will be up directly.”
    Gabe had yet to finish his coffee when he could feel the ship turning on a course to intercept the strange sail. Lavery was a good first lieutenant. He had taken the initiative to comply with admiral’s orders. Just like Jem Jackson would have done.
    Finishing his coffee, Gabe paused on his way out of the cabin to look toward his sleeping quarters. She was still asleep. Another thing they had in common , he thought as he left the cabin and headed on deck… we’re both hard risers .
    Before Gabe could make his way to the quarterdeck the lookout called down, “She’s changed tack sir, hauling her wind I’d say.”
    â€œI’ll go,” Lieutenant Davy volunteered, seeing the expression that came across Gabe’s face as he appeared on deck.
    Within minutes Davy was back on deck. “She’s a large ship, sir. The size of a large frigate, but she has hauled her wind right enough.”
    â€œThat’s puzzling,” Gabe said. “I thought she might be a merchantman wanting to sail along with the convoy.”
    â€œThat she may be,” Gunnells volunteered. “There’s safety in numbers.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Davy spoke again. “In truth she looks like some of the Jonathan ships we’ve tangled with. Like a large privateer.”
    â€œMakes sense,” Gabe said. “She could keep a close watch on the convoy then pounce on a straggler.”
    â€œLike in a squall,” Gunnells added.
    â€œOr at night.” This from Lieutenant Wiley.
    â€œYou’ve got something there,” Gabe acknowledged. “Mr Lavery, once we are close with the squadron make a signal to flag requesting permission to close within hailing distance.”
    ***
    The attack came suddenly and from an unexpected quarter. After two days with no sightings everyone seemed to have relaxed. The sun was going down and the sky had a reddish purple haze.
    â€œDeck thar, signal from Alert …strange sail to larboard.”
    â€œRelay to flag,” Gabe said, immediately a sinking feeling in his gut. “Lum!”
    â€œAye Cap’n.”
    â€œEscort Mrs. Anthony and Nanny below.”
    â€œAye, Cap’n.”
    â€œWhat is it, Gabe?” Faith asked.
    â€œShh, Missy Faith,” Lum said. “Mistuh Gabe got to be the cap’n of this heah ship right now. He ain’t got no time foh your questions.”
    â€œDeck thar,” the lookout called down again. “The ship is on a converging tack to attack Alert .”
    â€œDamme,” Gabe said, looking at the sky. “They’ll never see a signal in this light. Mr Lavery!”
    â€œAye, Captain.”
    â€œFire off two red flares. That was the signal enemy in sight. Then beat to quarters.”
    â€œAye, Captain.”
    â€œGunfire, sir!” Lieutenant Wiley exclaimed.
    â€œAye. I heard it,” Gabe responded.
    â€œ Alert’s under fire,” the excited lookout called down.
    â€œYou were right,” Lavery said. “Privateers, by God.”
    â€œNo,” Gabe answered. “Davy was right.”
    â€œFlares from the flagship, sir, two white.”
    That meant “acknowledge.” No instructions. What instructions can she give ? Gabe thought to himself.
    â€œMr Gunnells, put us on a course to intercept yonder ship.”
    â€œAye, Captain.”
    The gunfire was clearer now. Gabe raised his glass but could see nothing in the dying light except the flash of