The Seahorse by Michael Aye Page A

them.
    Once aboard he explained, “I didn’t see any need to send another boat to gather them when we could just pull them over.”
    â€œGood thinking. Prepare to get us underway, Lieutenant Wiley. Mr Gunnells, lay us alongside the brig. We may still be of some use.”
    â€œCaptain.”
    â€œYes, Mr Lavery.”
    â€œAs I was leaving the privateer, a man approached. He was not the ship’s captain but he seemed to be in charge. He was the one who agreed to your terms. He asked me,” Lavery continued, “‘Who is your captain?’ Seeing no reason not be honest I told him who you were. ‘I thought I recognized him,’ the man replied. He…ah…he then said…No offense please, Captain.”
    â€œGo on,” Gabe prodded.
    â€œHe said, ‘Ask the bastard how is Faith?’”
    Gabe clinched his fist until the knuckles turned white. “Montique!!! It must be him.”
    â€œAye,” Dagan, who was standing close by said. “I had a feeling.”
    Gabe stood there staring out at the disappearing ship. Dagan laid his hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “His day will come, I promise.”
    ***
    The damage to the little brig was worse than anyone imagined. One mast hung over the side causing it to list. The other mast was completely gone, leaving only a shattered stump. The rails were battered beyond recognition and huge sections of the deck planking were torn apart. Mr Livesey was being helped down onto the smaller ship. A few of the brig’s crew moved around in a daze trying to comfort the few survivors. Gabe and Dagan ducked below for a quick look in the captain’s tiny cabin. It was almost bare. Not unlike SeaWolf’s , Gabe thought.
    â€œNot much here,” Paco volunteered.
    He had entered behind the two. As the three started out of the cabin, Paco stopped suddenly. Movement came from under a piece of bed linen in the corner. Gabe and Dagan stepped back as Paco took a broken chair leg and lifted the cloth.
    â€œA dog,” he exclaimed.
    â€œA puppy,” Dagan corrected.
    â€œA damn big puppy,” Gabe added.
    â€œHe’s been hurt,” Paco said. “Looks like somebody went after him with a blade. Do you want me to finish him, Cap’n?”
    Gabe paused as if in thought. Taking a deep breath, he said, “No, there’s been enough of that sort of thing already. Let’s see if the surgeon can fix him up.”
    The puppy stared at the men, cowering until Paco reached for him. Then the dog bared his teeth and snapped at the man. Clearly startled at the dog’s tenacity, Paco jumped back.
    â€œLet me see him,” Dagan said and stepped around Paco. He knelt down on his knees next to where the dog lay. He whispered softly to the dog and slowly reached out his hand. Continuing to whisper he laid the piece of linen over the dog’s wound and gently picked it up.
    â€œThat’s it. Now take it easy. We won’t hurt you, big fellow. He’s a big one all right.”
    â€œBig and tough as Sampson,” Paco said.
    â€œWhy you’ve named him, Paco. We’ll call him Sampson.” Gabe said.

Chapter Thirteen

    Sir Victor went ashore at St. Lucia but was back within an hour. “We will make sail as soon as possible, Captain.”
    â€œAye,” Gabe replied. “Are we headed back to Barbados?”
    â€œWe are not. We are sailing to Antigua and there you may be relieved of my company,” Sir Victor informed Gabe.
    â€œWhat about Lizard , sir?” Gabe asked. “Does she sail in company or report back to the admiral?”
    â€œI see no reason for her to return. She may yet prove useful.”
    Hearing Sir Victor’s words, Gabe wasn’t sure if the foreign affairs agent felt safer having two ships in company or if he was still looked upon as bait. Either way they were going to Antigua and that meant seeing Faith. Wouldn’t that make Gil