The Watch Dog

[Black Syren]

As the voice hailed her she took her eyes from the twin shadows to look down to see Mr. Pew and Mr. Flint. "Off the Larboard bow Sirs!" She called back knuckling to them both before looking back out and scanning for any sails.

Of course being so near to The Antilles this could be nothing more than merchants, or it could be something far more dangerous.

[Dorian Lasseter]

The QuarterMaster was sleeping soundly when he was aroused by a sharp knocking on his door. With a slight growl, he rolled out of his hammock and padded to the door, puling it open. There stood Nathan Bly who quickly knuckled his forelock as Dorian gave him a not unkind look that said 'what is it?'

"QuarterMaster, sah, Captain wishes to inform ye that there be two ships sighted... they look to be sailing in consort. Captain says there be no need at present for ye to come on deck as of yet, he'll send for ye when the time cimes..."

Dorian's eyebrows went up.

"Thankee Mister Bly... I'll be right up..."

"Aye, sah."

Nathan knuckled his forelock again and turned on his heel and marched back out on deck. Mr. Lasseter yawned and stepped back inside his quarters, threw the sword baldric over his head and adjusted it on his shoulder, clipped his pistol to his belt and stuck his hat on his head. He proceeded out up and out onto the quarterdeck in bare feet. The breeze was slighty chilly, which helped to wake him further. Padding up to the Captain he nodded.

"What news, Cap'n? Two ship, Aye?"

[William Brand]

"Aye. Two ships together." he replied, passing Dorian the ship's glass.

"MISTER CIARAN?" William called up, requesting any additional information the lookout had perceived. Ciaran peered down from the main top.

"SMALLER SHIP, CAP'N! SLOOP MAYBE!"

William and Dorian exchanged a look. While the two ships remained unknown, little or nothing could be done but alter course, but the introduction of a sloop made the matter more interesting. Sloops were fast and they made for good gun boats. William also looked down, noting that the Quartermaster arrived in bare feet.

"Going aloft?"

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Pew]

Mister Flint climbed into the rigging to gather a better look over the white caps. I stood for a moment looking at Siren, and thought...

"Mister Pew, borrow your spyglass, sir?" Bill Flint asked, catching me inattentive to the proceedings. Looking around, MIster franklin had already reached into his pocket for the piece.

"Mister Flint," I replied, handing him the collapsed spyglass handed to me from Eric Franklin. "How large 's th' second ship?" I asked him as he perched above the gunwale.

[Dorian Lasseter]

"Aloft? Nay cap'n, I came as soon as I could wi' little worry fer decorum..."

He stood and looked at his own feet, wiggling his toes as he did so.

"Wot plans have ye now that we're seein' more'n one ship? Might it e'en be a convoy o' merchants? "

He looked through the glass again, barely being able to make out the two vessels.

"Still on'y two... but if it were a merchant convoy, their'll be a gunship as escort... a brig mebee... D'ye think they sees 'r lights yet?"

He turned to William and even being tired as he was he had the look of a wolf on the prowl...

[William Brand]

"Extinguish the lanterns, Mister Lasseter. I'm going forward."

The Captain made his way forward. He passed the Master Gunner, already employed with two gunnery crews. They were busy unlashing the guns of the Larboard gun deck. The Watch Dog was small enough that the guns were kept stowed sideways against the bulwark rail when not in use. This had the advantage of freeing up the main deck and it kept the guns shielded better from the elements.

He reached and ascended the fo'c'sle deck and stood a long while watching the paired silhouettes on the horizon.

"Where are we going...?" he asked the two ships.

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

"Aye............"

Mr. Lasseter stepped aft and up onto the poop, wet his fingers and dowsed the candles of the stern lanterns, he then moved about the upper decks dowsing each light in turn. This made for a slightly more dangerous walk about as there was very little light from the heavens above. The only lights left burning on deck were some pierced tin lanterns, shedding just enough light to allow the cannon crews to work. Stopping at the break of the quarterdeck, he spied Thom Fitch.

"Fitch... head below an' let th' marines know that we be runnin' dark topside... no light ta be brought on deck lest th' cap'n or I say... understood?"

"Aye Quartermaster..."

Off he went below to spread the order given. Dorian climbed the stair to the quarterdeck and over to the larboard rail peering out into the darkness.

[William Brand]

William watched a while longer before returning aft to the Quarterdeck. His hands were drumming on the collapsed glass.

"We may need to consider an alteration in course soon. Recommendations, Mister Lasseter?"

[Dorian Lasseter]

The QuarterMaster looked thoughtful for a moment, then pressed his fingers to his eyes...

"Hmmm... we could head farther east, closer ta th' Antilles, but tha' could put us in shallow waters... Or, we let th' current drift us west, puttin' them betwixt us n' th' shallows... Or, we could run wi' th' wind, hell bent fer leather right at 'em..."

He removed his fingers from his eyes and looked to William with a harsh smile which relaxed into a smug look.

"Best would be ta fall off ta th' west, put us in open water n' 'em where we might run 'em aground if need be...."

He spoke in confident tones, as if they were in a squardon of first rate ships heading off after two unruly fishing smacks.

"What're yer plans Cap'n?"

[William Brand]

July 23, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog

Fourth Bell of Morning Watch

William too had considered the possibility of heading into the wind Eastward. This would put them near land and perhaps ports, but it would apply an unnecessary and avoidable strain on the rigging, which already had cost them time and sail. Also, the obvious change in direction might be interpreted as defensive and William had no intention of turning the stern to anyone today.

What remained was an abrupt assault or a less discernible drift in course, and while he enjoyed the tenaciousness in the Quartermaster's eyes, he thought the time for it was not yet warranted. Besides, as the Master Gunner had pointed out all so recently, there were disadvantages to consider.

William smiled. "We will drift Westward, Mister Lasseter. And have the bosun spill some wind from our sails. We will give these possible interlopers a chance to show their intentions. Pass the word among the company. We will drift and discern."

"Aye, Cap'n."

"And Mister Lasseter, please have Miss Smith set out the Spanish colors. We may have to present our alliances soon and tip the scales."

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

"My very thoughts, Cap'n... we also might want ta have th' english merchants colours laid out too, or what's left of 'em... If they be allies, th' Spanish will do... if not, then a rouse wi' th' brit flag..."

Dorian shrugged as if to say, 'what do you think?', and waited for William to respond.

"For the time being, just the Spanish colours, if you will..."

"Aye, cap'n..."

Dorian touched his brow and headed below to fetch Miss Smith, and her the colours requested. Doubting he would get more sleep, he returned to his quarters and dressed himself for time on deck. Stockings and shoes, and his wesket. Once comfortable, he returned to the Holy Ground...

[Tudor MercWench Smith]

Tudor gently pulled out the spanish colours from the chest they were folded and stowed in, along with the various other flags that had been aquired. Setting the requested banner aside, she rearanged the others, laying them flat in their chest once more. But she paused before closing the trunk again, leaving one specific flag on the top of the pile. A black one. She felt that it would be needed sooner then any of the others. If not today, then soon.

[William Brand]

Mister Badger prided himself on his excellent and exact ability to master wind. Rigging and canvas were the puppet strings by which he animated every ship which had ever been given over to his gifts. It was therefore no difficulty for him to put the poor demonstration of such skills to practice. He had to think backwards as he called out orders to spill a little wind here, and lose a little wind there, and the Watch Dog lost a full knot as it plowed through the darkness.

Mister Warren was also actively choosing to man the helm with less applied prudence as before. He allowed the Watch Dog to drift, rather than propel. As a consequence of both men's actions, the westerly current was slowly, ever so slowly, carrying them all Westward.

And still, up almost ahead of them, the two mystery ships kept to their course.

[Pew]

"Two o' you lot, eh," I said to no one in particular. "Hmmm." We now needed to prepare the marines for the possibility of multiple shots, not just a single volley. I left the fo'c'stle deck and made my way aft slowly with one hand on the taffrail moving away from the gun crews when I came upon them and then moved back to the rail. Looking up at our Quartermster I let him know of my intentions and went below to the armoury.

Upon the berth deck, I moved amongst the hammocks until I found a sleeping Jean Dorleac.

"Jean," I said quietly as I shook his foot in the hammock, "Jean." He woke and rubbed his eyes briefly until he realized it was me.

"Mister Pew, yes sar."

"I need a hand fer a moment Jean."

"Yes sar." He rolled form his suspended bunk and followed me to the armoury.

"Jean, two ships 'ave been sighted aloft. We'll need for th' marines t' 'ave several shots ready."

Jean nodded and followed me to the cabin. Our two guards might a slight slaute, before I could wave them off. I figured to myself that the new position of marine had brought the men a sense of military formality to a ship where formal decorum was not one of necessity, but of respect.

Opening the cabin door, I traced my hand along the bulkhead counting steps in the dark as I had done many times before. "Six," and I arrived at the small desk. I moved my hand to it's top and found the shaded lantern. "Fetch 's a light Jean," I heard him spin about and rummage up the ladder stairs for one of the tin lanterns. He was back in a moment and we then lit the shaded lantern. With a loud pop, the lock came open and we peered into the darkness. Holding the lantern, I lifted it high enough to see the hook where it hung when not on the small table.

"Jean, we need t' make several shots fer th' marines." He nodded as I turned to pull the powder horn from the wall. I pulled from the table the wadding and shot and showed Jean how much powder was needed for each shot, and then how to put them together. We sat and put together nearly 10 shots for each of the marines on watch and then several extra. "Y' got 't lad?" He nodded again, " Should y' 'ave t' do 't alone, could ye find y' way t' do so wit' Thom or Patrick?"

"Aye, sar," was his reply reflecting a bit of bravado knowing he might be in charge of two of his mates. We sat for while still, and I had him put together a certain set with extra powder for those marines aloft. Those were set aside and he was to personally deliver them to Ciaran and Siren. Standing and opening a crate close to the table, I found several small leather pouches and two moth-eaten woolen ones. We loaded the shot into the pouches with the shot containing extra powder placed in the woolen ones.

"Time t' deliver th' goods lad." Jean smiled as we set everything back in it's place, extinguished the lamp and made our way topside.

[William Brand]

July 23, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog

Between fifth and sixth bell of the Morning Watch

The Captain and Quartermaster parroted each other in action with every passing minute. The night progressed with little concern for the three ships who passed each other in question on the sea. The Watch Dog continued to drift by degrees, carried Westward by the current while she made her way Northward at a slow and steady pace. The two ships under their watchful eyes did not alter their course, but this in and of itself did not preclude an altercation, for once far enough East of the 'Dog, these two twins of mystery might come about on a wind more favorable to them.

"Too many questions, Mister Lasseter. Too many questions." The Captain said quietly, watching the other ships by aid of the glass. "At the next bell, we will turn again Eastward. We have gained enough drift and distance to parallel their course for a time."

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Pew]

Jean Dorleac and I arrived on deck with 8 small leather and woolen satchels containing 10 shots each. As he scampered into the rigging in near pitch darkness to deliver the shot to Ciaran and Siren, I passed the remainder out to those marines on watch. Each took the leather belt and wrapped it over their head and hung them low on their hip. I took one and handed it to Eric Franklin still on the fo'c'stle deck. I kept one for myself and told Jean to do the same. A uniform was beginning to appear on each of those crewmen on watch.

[Dorian Lasseter]

"Aye Cap'n... that we 'ave..."

Dorian stepped away from William and over to the helm, looked at the compass and noted in his head their course. He nodded to Mr. Warren,

"We be headin' eastward at th' next bell, be ready fer it."

"Aye Mister Lasseter."

Nodding to the Coxswain, Dorian headed to the silloette of the Boatswain, Mr. Badger.

"Mister Badger... We'll be turnin' eastward next bell... We may put it all back to rights and gain 'r speed back, but th' cap'n hasn't said as much..."

Mr. Badger just nodded silently to the QuarterMaster and continued to scan the sea of canvas above. Dorian did the same, looking skyward into the darkness and then down to the decks. He noticed some activity and stepped closer to the break in the quarterdeck and was barely able to make out the form of one of the powdermonkeys heading into the shrouds, and the form of Mr. Pew and Mr. Franklin heading to each of the newly assigned marines, handing off something to each. As they stepped closer to a light, he saw they now wore a cartouche box on a sling. Now all the marines were armed with a quanitiy of shot and powder. He smiled at the efficiency of the Master-at-Arm's work. He saw Mr. Pew heading aft and called out quietly.

"Mister Pew... fine work... now we be ready fer wot might come, aye?"

In the darkness he knew the man smiled as he shook his fist up at him in a gesture of brovado.

"Goode man..."

[William Brand]

Ciaran turned his attention from the distant ships for only a moment as Jean reached the main top.

"What have you for me, Mister Dorleac?"

Jean always smiled when referred to as 'Mister' and this was no exception.

"Gifts from th' Master-at-Arms."

Ciaran welcomed Jean to the main top with a quiet smile, accepting the powder he had brought with a nod. He traded the pouch for the spyglass and showed Jean where to look to find the ships in the dark. The ships were almost dead ahead of them now, crossing from East to West, and Jean had no trouble finding them there.

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

Mr. Pew headed foreward and Mr. Lasseter turned away, heading to the lee side of the quarterdeck. He walked to the familiar spot next to the Captain and raised up a foot, placing it on the carriage of Blackwood. He stood in this manner for a time while William continued to stare at the ships in the distance. He thought of the possibility of battle, and this reminded him of the broken carriage of Havoc, one of the starboard side great guns in the bow. Pushing off of Blackwood he approached William and spoke in quiet tones.

"Cap'n... I may have forgotten, an' I know not if ye read th' notes in the logbook... The starb'd side great gunn, Havoc, has a bad crack in 'er carriage... Mister Youngblood n' I agree that she shouldn't be shot 'less truly necessary... All others are fit fer service... My apologies if I had not said as much when we found 'er in such a way, but th' import of it got put aside when we set sail to r' present destination..."

Dorian felt slightly embarrased, and felt he had been derelict in his duty. It had been noted in the logbook, but he should have informed the Captain directly.

[William Brand]

July 23, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog

"Not to worry, Mister Lasseter." William said, though his face demonstrated the opposite. With too few gunnery crews to man the great guns, the potential loss of any cannon was unwelcome news. William stood a moment looking at the deck while he pressed his mustache back with a thumb and forefinger. Once, twice and three times he rubbed back the edges of it while he pondered on the problem. A cracked carriage might be strapped with iron or mended with wood and pins, but any effort to sure up the carriage would created noise. For the present, the wind was carrying most of the sound Westward. They could no more be heard aboard the other ships at present than they could hear them, but caution was the watchword for the present.

"Bring up the Master Carpenter and Blacksmith. We'll present them with the task...but hold off on any hammering for the present."

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

"Aye Cap'n... but ye know as well as I, that I will worry 'bout it... even though she be th' most for'rd o' th' great gunns... an' hard pressed to use fer a broadside... As you had order'd, on'y half th' gunns 'r bein' readied fer a fight fer lack o' crews fer 'em... "

He ran out of words for a moment, and instead of trying to pick up the conversation again, he let out a quick breath and touched his brow in salute, turned and headed off to find the Carpenter and Blacksmith....

[William Brand]

William made his way forward to the damaged gun. He and Mister Youngblood threw an oiled tarp over the gun carriage, so that they might employ a lantern underneath the makeshift shelter without fear of any light shining out beyond the 'Dog. The knelt under the canvas and took note of the cracked wood which ran along the grain in the gun carriage.

"I think the Carpenter and strengthen this without too much worry."

"Aye." Petee agreed. "She might fire once or twice, mending or no. The other side seems void of any flaws."

William nodded. The iron pins which went down through the top of the carriage might be enough to keep it from splitting, but a gun, weakened as this was, might jump when fired. The barrel might come right off its mounts, and with so little room for movement aboard the 'Dog, an able seaman or two might get crushed or maimed by a lose cannon. The deck might be stove in by a cannon flipped over on its back. Sparks and splinters had to be considered.

"We must consider the gun lost for the moment, unless the carpenter and blacksmith can say different.

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

Dorian headed foreward, quietly grumbling to himself in search of Mister Hawks and Miss Rummy. He found them at their duty post and relayed what the Captain's wishes were. They both stood for a moment in deep contemplation then they headed under the forecastle deck to where Willaim and the Master Gunner had gone. Mr. Lasseter stood and watched them go, then proceeded aft to the Holy Ground. As he was mounting the stairs, the word was passed foreward that it was now six bells of the morning watch. The word was passed out of necessity at the moment as they were running dark and as quietly as possible. Upon hearing this he quickened his pace and headed to the wheel.

"Mister Warren, make our course East-north-east, a quarter east..."

"East-north-east, a quarter east, Aye..."

"Mister Badger... tis time..."

"Aye Sah..."

All orders were given in a subdued tone, as if they were a ship of ghosts. Everything was done quickly and quietly, the sails were trimmed up with barely a flap or flutter. All the while Dorian kept a steady eye on the possible prey ahead...

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY~

23 July, 1704 Aboard the Watch Dog

Six Bells of the Morning Watch

[William Brand]

Ciaran asked Jean to stay aloft for awhile yet while he took one last, long look at the two ships. The larger of the two was not a large craft at all, not much larger than the 'Dog in fact. It was hard to discern her finer points, but she had a taller stern than the frigate and what appeared to be a long bowsprit. The other ship was smaller, and now that she was ahead of the companion vessel, he could see that she carried considerable sail. A sloop, he guessed, for she was rigged for and aft, and was most likely coastal or Bermuda built. This did not bode well, for it was likely that she was superior in speed to the 'Dog.

Ciaran said all of this aloud, but softly, watching Jean to see if he took all it in. Then, before sending him down the rigging, he handed him the glass and asked him to take another look.

"What do you see, Mister Dorleac?"

Jean took it and confirmed all that Ciaran had seen and said, almost verbatim, adding only small observations, many of them nothing more than reasonable guesses.

"But what do you see, Mister Dorleac?"

"To tell the truth, sah...very little. It is quite dark over th..."

"Exactly. Please inform the officers of all I have said. Then inform them that our neighbors are running dark and silent. I've not seen so much as a spark since the first sighting."

~LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY

[Dorian Lasseter]

Mister Lasseter continued to monitor the ships in the distance off and on. It was time to take another reading of their position and speed at the turn of the watch, however since they changed ther tack it should be done now, so he called foreward for Mr. Brisbane, Whiting and McCormick to fetch the logline and take three readings for their speed and one for any drift they might be making while he took sightings with the other instruments. He had just bugun to set the Astrolabe when Young Dorleac appeared beside him with a nervous grin.

"Aye Jean, what is it?"

"Beggin' yer pardon sir... I come down from the crows nest, wit word from Mister Ciaran... He wanted me ta say that th' ships off out bow are running as we are... darkly... an' that the one looks ta be the same size as the 'Dog, and the other a smaller fore an' aft rigged ship, a sloop or the like... an' the bigger ship has a taller poop than the 'Dog... And..."

Dorain clapped a hand on the boys' shoulder.

"Thankee J, hmm.... Mister Dorleac... Th' Cap'n's in th' Fo'c'sle, go now. tell 'im all ye told me... now."

The young man almost bolted off the deck, stopping at the top of the stair to turn and knuclke his forehead at the QuarterMaster. He flew down the stair into the waist and made some of those still setting cannon to right startle as he bolted past. Dorian saw as he got to the berthing and gun deck foreward. He shook his head sharply once.

"Hmmm.... So.... are we th' hunters 'r th' hunted?"

He mused aloud... walking back to the rail and extending his glass, peering out into the void at the dark shapes looming ever closer.

"We are the hunter... the Dogs o' War.... with freshly sharpened teeth..."