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cannons. He shut his glass with a snap. “Mr Lavery, I’m going up for a better look.”
    â€œAye,” was all the first lieutenant had time to say. He was used to his captain doing the unexpected.
    Once he made it to the mainmast lookout, he could see better.
    â€œIt be a big un, Cap’n,” the lookout said as he made room for Gabe.
    â€œAye,” Gabe snarled. “A wolf after a pup.”
    Ambrose Taylor, the captain of AlertI, was no fool. He was under full sail and zigzagging as much as he could to make it difficult for the bigger ship to bring her under good aim. The privateer was firing bow chasers.
    If luck held out Peregrine would be able to intervene before the privateer’s broadsides would be able to bear. As Gabe turned to step onto a ratline he saw something…a speck in the distance.
    Stepping back up onto the platform he hissed, “Two ships! Close in company!”
    He handed his glass to the lookout then cupped his hands and shouted, “Deck there! Two more sails aft. The last merchantman, she’s under attack.”
    Gabe slid down a backstay and dropped on deck, his hands burning from his rapid descent. “Fire off several red flares and be damn quick about,” he ordered.
    â€œMr Druett!”
    â€œAye, Cap’n.”
    â€œGet the bow chasers into action as soon as possible.”
    â€œAye, Cap’n,” the gunner replied then rushed off.
    â€œWhat a bloody scoundrel,” Lavery said. “Attacking Alert .”
    â€œIt’s a decoy I’d bet,” Wiley volunteered. “Something to keep us busy. They knew we’d react to them attacking a smaller ship. Then once our attention is diverted they set the wolves loose upon the lambs.”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly,” Gabe said.
    â€œSorry sir,” Wiley said. “I didn’t know you were within hearing.”
    â€œI was and I agree.”
    BOOM!...BOOM!...the bow chasers recoiled against the tackles as they were fired.
    â€œDamme but Druett knows his business, Captain,” Lavery volunteered. “They fired quickly enough.”
    Smoke from the bow chasers drifted down wind, filling the air with the stench of gunpowder.
    From above the lookout called down, “She’s broken off, sir. The privateer ’as come about.”
    â€œThank God,” Gabe said.
    Druett made his way to the quarterdeck. “I couldn’t tell if we hit anything Cap’n but we gave it our best try.”
    Alert was now almost up with Peregrine .
    â€œHear that Mr Druett? They’re cheering you over there. So whether you hit the whoresons or not you scared them off. I’m betting there’s many a soul on yonder ship who’d stand for you a wet.”
    Embarrassed by the captain’s praise, Druett said, “It weren’t nothing Cap’n. Course if they’re willing to buy, I’m willing to drink.”
    Standing to the side, Lieutenant Wiley heard the exchange. This captain was different , he thought. The admiral was right. I’m glad I stayed , he realized.

Chapter Ten

    The island of Antigua seemed to rise up over the horizon with the early dawn light. The cry of “land ho” quickened everyone’s step. Even Faith had shook the cobwebs from her sleepy head and made her way topside still bundled up with a thick robe. It had been two weeks since the clash with the privateers and eight weeks since they weighed anchor at Plymouth.
    The privateers’ raid had been unsuccessful. Dasher had run down the privateers, capturing one, an old twenty-eight-gun frigate, and run off the other ship. The frigate, HMS Lizard , had been captured by the Colonies off Marblehead in 1776. Now she was back with the fleet—hopefully, a part of Anthony’s squadron.
    Antigua, Gabe had explained to Faith, was headquarters for the British Navy in the West Indies. It was here his brother and Lady Deborah had met and married. It had been a