The Seahorse by Michael Aye

run out. They were ready for any signs of treachery on the privateers’ part.
    â€œDeck there,” the lookout called down. “A group o’ ladies, sir, ’as been brought on deck.”
    Everyone who had a glass trained it on the enemy ship. Six women lined the rail. Lieutenant Lavery could be seen as he went over the side and down into the waiting longboat. It was only a few minutes till Lavery climbed through Peregrine’s entry port.
    â€œYonder captain is a black heart, Captain.”
    The group on the quarterdeck drew closer to hear Lavery’s comments. “He has six women and a plantation owner aboard his ship as hostages. He says you have fifteen minutes from the time I reached this ship to set sail or he’ll start hanging the hostages. One every fifteen minutes we delay. Starting with the women first. At least two of the women are related to the gentleman so he’ll have to go through the misery of watching his kin hanged.”
    â€œSurely he knows we’ll blast him to hell if he touches even one of the women,” Sir Victor hissed.
    â€œI said the same. The bastard only shrugged his shoulders and replied, ‘They’ll still be hung.’”
    Looking across at the badly damaged brig, Gabe knew the privateer had the advantage. “Prepare my gig, Paco.”
    â€œIt won’t do,” Lavery said. “Either I’m to return or it’s no good. He said he didn’t like to deal with more than one person at a time.”
    â€œWas anything said about the captured brigantine?”
    â€œNot specifically but I took it he meant they sailed together.”
    â€œThey’ll be dead or worse if he sails off with the women aboard,” Dagan said, speaking for the first time.
    â€œI agree,” Gabe answered. “Lieutenant Lavery return quickly and tell the captain to put the hostages in a longboat and he has my word of honour that when he is over the horizon we will collect the women and release the brigantine.”
    â€œTell him,” Gabe said as an afterthought, “once the brigantine is over the horizon, I will be coming after him.”
    As Lavery climbed down into the awaiting boat, Gabe saw Dagan following. He needed to go to get a feel of the situation, Gabe thought.
    â€œPaco!”
    â€œAye, Cap’n.”
    â€œTake my gig over to Lizard and explain what has transpired. Tell Captain Culzean not to release the brigantine before my signal.”
    â€œIs it necessary, Captain?” Sir Victor asked. “Is there no other way?”
    â€œNone that I can think of,” Gabe answered. “Besides I’ve given my word.”
    â€œNo one would hold it against you,” Sir Victor hissed. “You could blow them away and no one would even know you gave your word.”
    Gabe’s sudden frown and squinted eyes frightened Sir Victor as he hissed, “They would.” Sweeping his arm out and pointing to his crew. “And I would.”
    â€œThey’re lowering a boat, Captain.” This was from Lieutenant Wiley.
    Had he heard the exchange? I don’t care if he did , Gabe realized. Do him good to know how politicians think. Damn them all anyway .
    Gabe then put the encounter out of his mind and watched as the women were lowered into the waiting boat. No sooner had the last woman made it safely into the boat then the man was thrown over the side. He landed next to the bobbing longboat. Two of the oarsman unhooked a boat oar and held it out for the man to latch on to. The sound of laughter was heard about the privateer.
    â€œThinks it’s funny don’t they?” Gunnells said.
    â€œAye,” Gabe replied. “They’ll think it’s funny when we next meet and they don’t have a group of women to hide behind.”
    Watching the two boats, Lavery could be seen tying a rope onto the bow of the hostages’ boat. He then returned to the ship trailing the rope behind