Kindle Edition
Category:
Action/Thriller
Publisher: amazon
Type: Fiction
Pages: 285
Copyright: July 14 2014
ISBN-13: 9781499316452
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
An adventure story set in 1758, written in the best traditions of the sea
Another seagoing adventure set against the background of the Seven Years War of 1754/63. James is now a Captain in his own right, and bearing a ‘Letter of Marque’ from the Duke of Northumberland; he sets out to rescue his old Captain and crew who are being held captive by pirates.
By offering shares in the spoils, he raises enough money to buy the captured French prize brig Etoil, and arm her with guns from Alnwick Castle.
With his friend Charles as First mate and Charles’s cousin Rupert in command of the 200 troopers from the Dukes Regiment of Borderers, he sets out to enrich his backers and enhance his own fortune by capturing the pirate’s treasure.
En route, he becomes embroiled in the naval attack on the French port of Brest, and later, in the Government’s expedition to capture the French Colony of Senegal.
Kindle Available
Excerpt
James Johnson and Charles Hepplethwaite rode under the great arch of Alnwick Castle just as the sun dipped behind the trees. The guard saluted and waved them through.
“Welcome home Mr Charles, go straight up to the house. I will send the osler to tend to your horses”
“Thank you.” Charles answered and trotted on through the archway onto the open green that led to the home of the Duke of Northumberland.
“It is a veritable Castle.” James said in awe.
“Yes, it was built hundreds of years ago; the Dukes ancestors have held the seat since the 14th century.”
“Do you really think he will help us?” James asked. “It all seemed so simple when we discussed it earlier, now it seems almost impossible.”
“This is the first step.” Charles said reassuringly. “If the Duke agrees then the rest will fall into place.”
“Charles,” his cousin Rupert called, “and Mr Johnson, what a welcome surprise.”
“Rupert,” Charles yelled, leaping from his horse and hugging his cousin to him. “It is good to see you”
“It is good to see you too. To what do we owe the honour? I thought you two shipmates would be terrorising the ladies of Norway by now.”
Charles smiled. “And so we have been, but we come on a much greater matter now.”
“Well come up to the house and get out of those travelled stained clothes, you must have ridden hard to make it here from your ship before sunset. It must be something of great import.”
“Indeed it is Rupert. Is the Duke home?”
“He is. I will send the houseboy for him while you get out of those damp clothes.”
An hour later seated in front of a roaring fire, the Duke looked at his two young guests.
“Well, what is it that brings you to me in such haste.” He asked.
“You remember my friend James Johnson?” Charles said.
“I do, and welcome.”
“Thank you your Lordship.” James replied.
“And you will remember the young lady, Miss Annabel Stag?” Charles continued.
“A rare beauty as I recall.” The Duke answered.
“Quite so, well her father has been missing believed lost at sea these past two years.”
“That is most unfortunate.”
“Yes, but we have received news that he may not be dead. There is a rumour that his ship has been taken by pirates and he is being kept as a slave in the Cape Verde Islands.”
“The devil you say.”
“I do Sir, and James and we believe we have a plan to affect a rescue.”
“A rescue, that sounds dangerous.”
“It is not without its dangers, but you will recall that both James and I have been serving naval officers and are both not entirely without experience in such matters.”
“Quite so, but I have to face your mother if you are injured or worse, and that is a prospect I would not relish.”
“Uncle, it was you that sent me to sea to make a man of me. You were correct and I have now grown to love the sea and accept all its hardships and dangers as part of the profession I have chosen to pursue.”
“Quite so, I am sorry Charles, you must forgive an old man. I still think of you as a boy; do go on, how can I help?”
“We need a Letter of Marque.”
“A letter of Marque what on earth for?”
“We intend to attack the island, free the prisoners and confiscate the pirate’s treasure, which we are led to believe is very great indeed.”
The Duke sat back in his chair and laughed. “Oh my boy you had me there, for a moment you had me believing you.”
“I swear to you Uncle, this is no jest. Annabel’s father is in peril and we intend to affect a rescue with or without your help.” Charles said, angry at not being taken seriously.
“By heaven but I do believe you are serious.”
“I am sir, deadly serious.” Charles replied.
The Duke looked at the two young men before him and realised that he was much the same age when he started his naval career and had made his fortune in much the same way. How could he deny them the same opportunity despite all his misgivings?
“Let us have a brandy and we will discuss the matter in more depth.”
*****
George Meacher sat in front of a roaring fire as Miss Peabody poured tea.
“They should not have left you to supervise the loading while they are off gallivanting around the countryside.” She said.
“Oh I am fit enough, besides they are not gallivanting as you term it, they are on a mission of mercy.”
“A mission of mercy, how intriguing.” Miss Peabody said as she handed him his cup. “Do tell me more.”
“Miss Stag’s father has been missing these last two years and we now believe he is being held prisoner by a pirate on an island off West Africa. James and Charles are trying to organize some sort of a rescue plan.”
“A rescue, won’t that be very dangerous?
“I believe it will.” He agreed.
“What do they intend to do?”
“I don’t really know, but they have gone to see Charles’s Uncle the Duke, I expect they are trying to raise some money to have him ransomed.”
“His Lordship is a very fair minded man. If it is in his power, I feel sure he will assist them as best he can.
*****
The Duke settled himself further into his easy chair as he swirled the brandy round his glass.
“Tell me what you plan to do.” He asked as he studied the two young men who sat straight and erect in front of him.
“Well Sir,” James began, “We have the schooner Annabel at our disposal.”
“What fire power does this pirate have?”
“I don’t really know Sir.”
“Don’t you think you had better find out?”
“I fully intend to sir, but first Charles suggested we speak to you to see if you would issue us a Letter of Marque.”
“I will issue a letter if I believe the plan has merit, but I will not permit you two young bucks to throw your lives away on a wild reckless scheme that is doomed to failure before it has begun.”
“Well Sir, if I may explain what we now have and what we plan perhaps you will have a better understanding.”
The Duke sipped his brandy; he could not help but admire the clear headed thinking of his nephew’s new friend.
“Do go on lad.” He said.
“Well Sir, Abel Steward, he is the landlord of the Fish Inn in Hull. He was captured by these pirates some five years ago. He was made to work on the fortifications and build the house for this Alphonso so he knows the island very well.”
“Is he willing to go with you on this venture?”
“I have not asked him, but we intend to investigate the story fully once we know we can make an assault on the island.”
“All this to rescue a girl’s father who may already be dead?”
“There is also an added incentive.” James said.
“Which is?” The Duke asked.
“The Pirates treasure. He has been attacking ships and selling slaves for the last five years, he has a veritable storehouse full of treasure including Spanish Gold.”
“And you know this to be a fact?”
“The tavern owner stole one coin a day until he had enough to bribe a guard. Then he stole a boat and was picked up and brought back to Hull. When he bought the tavern he paid for it in Spanish gold.”
“Have you seen any of this gold?” The Duke asked, not yet convinced.
“Yes, the timber merchant bought two of the coins and showed them to me.”
“Assuming this is all correct, and the gold exists, this Alfonso will not give it up without a fight. How do you propose to take it?”
For the first time Charles joined in the discussion.
“With a Letter of Marque, we can legally offer shares in the enterprise. With the money we intended to arm the schooner Annabel and make an assault on the island.”
“Charles my boy. Such daring do shows great courage, but little understanding of the practicalities of war.”
“That is why I suggested we came to you. I remember all the tales you used to tell me when I went to bed as a child I know of your past history as a great Captain and of the prizes you won in your time at sea.”
“Quite so.” The Duke said, “But they were tales told to a child to help him sleep. Many were exaggerated.”
“Not all Uncle, not all.” Charles said.
“Let us agree that some were made a little more dashing in the telling than they really were.” The Duke said with a smile. “But enough of me. Down to practicalities. Your ship is no good.”
“The Annabel is not yet three years old sis, she is both dry and very seaworthy.” James said defensively.
“She may be all those things, but she is too small. How many cannon does she carry?”
“She does not carry cannon.”
“How many men does she have as crew?”
“We sail with a full complement of 17 souls but we could carry twice that many if required.”
“Not enough. You need a bigger ship that can carry at least twelve cannon and a crew in excess of 120 men. Do you have such a vessel?”
“No Sir.” James said immediately seeing the wisdom of seeking the Dukes advice.
“Can you obtain a sound vessel?” He asked.
James immediately thought of the Etoile.
“There is the Etoile; she is the French brig that we brought in as prize. She has yet to be sold; she lies at the Commissioners Quay in the North Shield. She is heavily built and she handled the weather well when we hit a full North easterly gale.”
The Duke sat back and smiled, he was enjoying this. It reminded him of his early days when as a young officer he had carried out many daring raids such as this and succeeded.
“Here is what I suggest.” He said finally. “Find out as much information as you can about the strength of the enemy. How many men he has and how they are armed. How many guns and how many cannon. Also any ships he has at his disposal and if they are armed.”
“It will take some time; I will have to go to Hull to get that information.” James said.
“Plan in haste, repent at leisure.” The Duke said sagely. “Find out all you can, I will see what is to be done about the brig if she is still with the Commissioners. I am not without influence in that quarter; perhaps we can borrow her for a few months.”
“If we were to use her, both James and I are due a share in her price. We can offer that as our share in the cost of the enterprise.” Charles said.
“Quite so,” The Duke agreed, “I was coming to the cost of mounting such an expedition. We will need funds; canvas all your contacts and see what they are willing to offer for a share in the spoils.”
“But what if we should fail?” James asked,
“We are seeking venture capital; people should only offer what they can afford to lose in such a risky venture. Their contribution may be small, but the rewards will be great if we are successful.
Talk of a pirates treasure should be enough to whet the appetite of the most reticent of your friends. Now off you go before my wife gets wind of this and offers all sorts of objections.”
“Thank you for all your advice Sir.” James said offering his hand.
“You are a true friend to my young nephew here,” The Duke said “Be sure you bring him home safe.”
“I will Sir and thank you once again for both your advice and your hospitality.”
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