H.M.S Valor: Treachery And Triumph: A war time adventure on the high seas by Cal Clement (best way to read an ebook TXT) 📗

His tone belied no further illumination on the issue, nor did it leave the impression he would elaborate any further if pressed. But Johnathan Grimes had served at length with Admiral Elliot Sharpe, aboard the same vessels and within the same fleet. The two men were of like mind and though every single sailor may question the meaning of the signals being passed, Johnathan knew Elliot would understand exactly what he meant. It was not tea he was asking about; tea had not been on his mind since he left port in England and tea was not the burning question he desired to ask.

As the two frigates approached Admiral Sharpe let off a single cannon shot sending a massive twenty-two-pound projectile hurling through the air. The cannon shot struck the sea ahead of the northern ship sending a plume of water skyward. Nimbly, the pirates in the ship closest to the impact adjusted their course. Bow chasers of both approaching vessels answered his fire, but their shots were concentrated toward the Valor and accurately fired as Johnathan observed.

“Long nines on their bows. William, we will be in their range before they are in ours.” Grimes said flatly, then silently to himself he wondered if he should sheet his sails and run south to try and gain advantage through maneuver. The Captain shared a tense and grave look with his second in command.

“Sir. We could run up max elevation and range them on their way in. Perhaps even score hits before they can bring a full broadside to bear.” William offered.

“Aye, do that and check if we have a response from the flagship.” Grimes replied.

“We do Sir. The Admiral signals back in the affirmative.” William answered his voice betraying his confusion.

“Very well, don’t concern yourself with it lad. I’ll explain it all later,” said Grimes, “Focus on our situation for now. We may take a few here, but once they’re in range we need to get repeating fire out and quickly. They’ll lose their taste for it. These buggers don’t often have a stomach for a real fight.”

“Yes Sir, I’ll be below then, assisting Mr. Shelton with the gun crews.” William replied as he turned to head below deck.

Elliot has answers, Johnathan thought after hearing the reply to his signal flags. At the conclusion of this engagement he would surely get some answers to the questions that had been nagging him for weeks.

The impact of a cannon shot sent the crew of the Drowned Maiden reeling, Captain James was on the bow and looked in toward the shore through his looking glass. “Bear us off away from those guns,” he called to the helm. The ship they were approaching had turned southward and looked to be making a stand against the coast, guns run out and ready for action. No smoke reported a shot from any of its guns though. James scanned north toward the mouth of the cove they had run by the night before. There were three ships inside the bay. Two frigates and a massive line ship,

“Look at this Chib, likely some lofty Admiral type is sitting on that, powdered wig and all that.” James mused, handing his glass over to his first mate.

“Aye, she’s a big one. Likely fourth rate, maybe a third. Two gun decks. She’s the one who fired, she’ll have big guns. Twenty pounders, maybe even twenty fours. Captain, we’d best steer long clear of that beast and give her wide berth if she makes her way out of the mouth of that bay there. We get caught by one of those broadsides and we are all dead.” Chibs said over James’ shoulder as he was looking through the glass.

“They’re wind locked in that bay Chib, you ought to have figured that before me.” James replied quizzically.

“Yes Captain. But if we get into it with that frigate and they manage to slip out, we’re fit to be tied, by the neck.” Chibs answered, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. He knew his captain and James was not likely to shy away from an engagement. Unless it was spelled out very plainly and even then, it would be difficult to dissuade him.

“We’ll make a pass at the frigate then, Chib. Lay what fire we can on her and see if we can draw her out.” James offered.

“Aye Captain. We’ll make a pass then.” Chibs stroked his white whiskers as if it somehow would soothe his anxieties.

“Chib. Let’s open up with the bow guns on our way in.” James added.

“Aye Captain. That’ll be a good start for it,” Chibs replied. Chibs had the bow gun crews on the Maiden begin firing and soon after the Unholy Shepherd began firing her bow guns as well. Through sporadic smoke clouds from the forward cannons, the frigate ahead grew larger and larger as the distance closed. Each round from the approaching pirates honed in on their target and it wasn’t long before splintering wood signaled their accuracy.

James stood onto the larboard rail and shouted over to the Unholy, “Bear off south and give them a broadside! We’ll follow you up with another!” His shouts were met with acknowledgment and cheers aboard both vessels, cut short by an impact on the Maiden from one of the defending frigate’s guns. Wood splinters flew from the impact on the bow, narrowly missing Chibs but wounding several who were standing near him. The next shot impacted on the Shepherd’s larboard rail and screams from the wounded could be heard floating between both ships. Captain James was bloodied by a large splinter lodged in his right upper arm and another low on the side of his left hip.

The musket fire came next, it started with a volley that swept the decks of both ships but was largely inaccurate. Then a trickle of individual shots followed, intermittent and accurate. On the decks of the Maiden and Shepherd sailors all took cover wherever they could and returned the musket fire with their own. Then