For Love of Country by William C. Hammond Page A

deck.”
    â€œYes. She couldn’t take the recoil without it. I’m certainly not going into the Mediterranean looking for a fight, but I’ll be goddamned if I’m going in there unarmed. We won’t have much, but at least we’ll have something. Falcon will be outfitted as close to a naval vessel as our country has today. And I intend to command her like a naval vessel. With your help, I pray. So what do you say, Lieutenant Crabtree?” Richard forced his voice to sound casual and bright. “Are we shipmates again?”
    Agreen scratched the nape of his neck, his brow furrowed in concentration. He stared beyond Richard, out the window to the few lights visible ashore. When his eyes flicked back, Richard saw sadness and disappointment in them.
    â€œGod is my witness, Richard, I want to do this. I’d sell my soul t’ help you and your kin, you know that. But I’m not my own man the way you are. I work for Mr. Sloane, and he has me bound t’ him like a prisoner to a stake. He won’t take kindly t’ my leavin’ his employ. And he’d make things right nasty for me around here if I jumped ship.”
    â€œIs Mr. Sloane here in Portland?
    â€œHe is.”
    â€œI’ll pay him a visit in the morning.”
    â€œFor what purpose?”

    â€œTo buy out your contract.”
    Agreen shook his head. “He’s a nice enough man, Richard, all else bein’ equal. But when it comes t’ money, all else ain’t equal. Not with him; not by a long shot. Things tend t’ get a mite sticky if he finds himself at the wrong end of a bargain. He pays good wages, I’ll give ’im that. So it’d cost you plenty even if he were inclined t’ release me.”
    â€œIt’s worth plenty to me and my family, Agee, to have you in our employ. Do we have a deal?”
    Agreen snorted. “Not so fast, my friend,” he cautioned. “Not so fast. We’re makin’ progress, but we’re not there yet. We’ve got some serious negotiatin’ still t’ do. Since you’re askin’ me t’ quit my position, I have t’ consider my own interests, t’ do what’s right by me. For starters, there are three conditions that must be met before I could even consider signin’ up with your outfit.”
    â€œName them.”
    Agreen held up a finger. “First, I want t’ stay a spell with you and your family before we sail for Algiers.” He held up another finger. “Second, I want t’ get t’ know your sons better.” He held up a third. “Here’s the clincher, matey, the deal-breaker: I want time alone in your kitchen, without you stickin’ your nose in where it ain’t wanted, t’ sit an’ ogle your wife.”
    Richard maintained a poker face as he pretended to weigh the pros and cons. Then, with a heavy sigh: “Damn your sorry eyes, Agee, you have me in a corner. It goes beyond my better judgment, but I see I have no choice. I accept your terms.” He stood up and offered his hand.
    Agreen stood up and shook it solemnly. Then they both burst out laughing.
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    RICHARD HAD MUCH to relate to his family on his first evening home. That Agreen Crabtree would be joining Falcon on her cruise to Algiers was the most heartening news. The fact that he would be stopping off in Hingham on his return voyage from North Carolina sometime in October added to the family’s pleasure. To Richard’s surprise, given what Agreen had told him about his employer, Peter Sloane had readily agreed to release Agreen from his contract on the condition that he completed two final runs to Baltimore and Wilmington. There was no need to buy out the contract, Sloane had informed Richard once he understood the facts. Eagle ’s fate, he declared, could be the fate of any American merchant vessel—his own included.

    The timing seemed ideal, for it would take another