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Allison; Taking Control Chapter 19
It was time to open his orders. Allison took the small key from his coat pocket and inserted it into the lock on the wide, deep bottom drawer of his desk. He turned it until he heard an audible click and felt the lock release. After he opened the drawer he remembered just how much trouble it had been to fit the bulging sack and its contents into the space available and it was something of a struggle to dislodge. He heard the tearing of paper as the burden was finally extracted from its place of safe-keeping and Allison realized that some of the wrapping had been ripped away as it was pulled free. It didn’t matter. The moment had finally come to reveal not only the sack’s physical contents, but hopefully a great deal more about the mission with which Allison and his new command would be tasked. He fervently hoped that wonder, speculation, and doubt would find at least some degree of satisfaction and assuagement.He knew the smaller of the two packets was to be opened first, but even
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 20
“Aye aye, sir!” he replied. “Mr. Bannon, attend me, if you please!” he yelled to the midshipman who had just descended from his perch high above. Bannon hurried to follow.Weyland was at his shoulder now, saluting.Allison acknowledged the salute and gave him direction. “Lieutenant, we’ll be maneuvering to deliver a broadside before long. When that happens I want your men where their scarlet coats can be seen by that other ship. The sight of armed marines on deck will no doubt lend a more threatening aspect to our appearance.”Weyland saluted again and moved off to give orders to his sergeant and men. The marines stood at attention with muskets at the ready waiting for the signal to take position.Allison now stood alone near the taffrail for some time watching the brig get closer and closer through his glass. Suddenly, as he suspected, a fountain of spray shot up from the surface of the sea well astern. The pursuer wasn’t in gunnery range yet, but she had probably fired off a long
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 21
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this should be the last direct, written communication you can expect to receive. Further orders or guidance of any kind will be provided by varying means and methods, the nature of which shall be revealed as your assignment progresses. On that note, there are several articles with which you have been provided that will be of specific aid. These items are of great value and should always be stored in the weighted sack provided, for if you should ever find yourself attacked and boarded or taken, you are ordered to make sure by any means necessary that they are cast overboard and sent to the bottom.Do not shun the unorthodox or the irregular, for you will find them both to be fast friends as you go about your purpose. Never underestimate the importance of your efforts, for remember that Britain finds itself endangered and imperiled on all fronts and with ever fewer allies. Though the preponderance of the Royal Navy continues to grow and stifle the e
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 22
For the first time since the ship had put to sea, the wardroom officers of Philadelphia convened together in the cabin of her commander. Caldwell, James , Weyland, Washburn and the surgeon, Deakins, were seated around the small table watching their captain pull a strange looking sack from a desk drawer which had previously been locked. After placing the sack on the table for all to see, the ship’s commanding officer made as if to sit down, but then appeared to feel differently, pushing the remaining chair to the side in front of the desk. With the onset of darkness, all the lanterns hanging from the overhead had been lighted as was the pewter candelabra on the table. The collection of flickering candle flames threw strange shadows on the walls here and there as the ship rolled. The captain walked back to the head of the table and addressed his assembled officers as he stood.“Gentlemen, you are all well aware of the unusual alacrity with which this command was assembled, prepared, sup
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 23
“I come from a military family. My father was a colonel during the struggle over the Austrian succession and he was also involved in some intelligence-gathering in France during Bonnie Prince Charlie’s uprising. Consequently, I learned a fair amount of French and I’ve... assumed a role or two in order to gather some intelligence in my own right. I suppose it’s a family talent.”“Where did this occur?” Allison asked curiously.“Louisbourg, sir. Within the past year.”A collective gasp sounded from the gathering. That was no easy task, and likely quite vital to British efforts in the current conflict. Allison himself could appreciate the importance of any such mission, knowing full well that fortress’ prominence in maintaining France’s hold on her North American colonies.“Lieutenant, that’s quite an accomplishment. Your talents may prove very useful on this voyage.” Allison was beginning to see the connection Admiral Haig had mentioned between this man and Major Maxwell. They appear
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 24
“Well, we’re in plain sight,” Allison said to Caldwell after standing motionless for a time, “and if our presence alone didn’t manage to get someone’s attention, then the salute we fired a few minutes ago certainly should have. I was told there would be a formal reception which we’d be expected to attend sometime after our arrival, but of course I can’t say when. I suppose I’ll call the boat away and go aAllison if we don’t seem to be acknowledged, but the last thing I wish to do is seem presumptuous in front of a royal governor. Simply presenting myself at his door without an invitation might make me appear impertinent. Ah, confound it! What to do?”Caldwell seemed to sense Allison ’s unease. His lack of familiarity with these social particulars was making him anxious, there was no doubt. Though that could probably be said for most of the officers aboard Philadelphia; young men who until very recently had looked to more experienced figures of authority for guidance and for all the
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 25
He thought momentarily about the dangers of tracking and subsequently facing a larger, more heavily armed ship – a topic which he and his officers had already touched upon when they conferred about their mission days ago. While taking and capturing a bigger vessel was not necessarily unheard of, the difficulties and disadvantages were glaringly obvious and, as they had all agreed, could not be overcome by any number of special gifts from the Admiralty. Still, Allison could hardly refuse the mission with which he was being presented. Besides, he was not alone in the Caribbean and other British ships could no doubt be employed in the hunt once some reconnaissance was done.“I shall do my duty and, indeed, all I possibly can to pursue this man, Mr. Peele...”The councilor interrupted him by holding up a hand.“There is more, sir,” he interjected. Allison accordingly sat back and resumed listening to Peele’s story.“About a year ago, a seat opened on the Governor’s Council. The new appo
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 26
Third, there was the obvious question as to whether LaTour’s exploits and Thorpe’s unexplained departure were in any way related. Although he had spoken to only one person so far regarding what had transpired, Allison was inclined to think that many concerned parties believed they were connected without any reservation. Peele’s assertion about inflated reputations couldn’t have been more correct; it was easy to see how the matter of the missing councilor could be so easily associated with an enemy whose notoriety made him appear all but invincible. The reality however, was by no means so simple.LaTour’s status as a privateer endorsed by the French Crown entitled him to legally attack and appropriate the commercial shipping of his master’s enemies. Though it was doubtful his letter of marque extended that privilege in any way toward the forcible capture of enemy government officials. However, in time of war, so long as a potential captive of high standing was afforded the respect and
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