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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
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 27
Allison then set off himself, with Caldwell at his side, toward the address Peele had given him. As he had determined earlier, the house was very easy to find and did not take long to reach. It was located only a short distance from Government House itself in a neighborhood which, from its very appearance, suggested that it was not only home to government officials but probably contained town residences of the wealthiest plantation owners in the colony.The house itself was impressive, even if Allison had seen residences that were physically larger. The path of crushed stone that led to the entrance was flanked by rows of squat palms that were slightly taller than a man and surrounded by immaculately manicured grass. The façade of the home was whitewashed to a pristine opalescence and dominated by a wide portico that was actually covered by another level supported directly above it on the second story. The large wooden front door was flanked by two more palms potted in stone urns an
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 28
The lady breathed in deeply through her nose with her eyes closed and then exhaled, appearing to have regained her composure. “Think nothing of it, gentlemen,” she said, walking to the couch and sitting down. She flicked open her fan and began fanning herself, an act which only now made Allison aware of just how warm he had become beneath his wool in the higher temperatures of the local climate.“And I am sorry for anything Amos may have done,” she said, referring to the Nubian giant who had confronted them at the door. “He can be overprotective at times. I fear my husband’s disappearance has had an effect on him as well.”“We’ve endured far worse, ma’am,” Caldwell said, jumping into the conversation with that smile of his showing to full effect. “There was no harm done.”Allison flashed a sidelong glance at Caldwell in annoyance, something neither he nor Mrs. Thorpe appeared to see. He certainly wasn’t going to make an issue of what happened outside while sitting here before the la
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 29
Allison and Caldwell looked at each other dumbly, feeling powerless at that point to offer her any consolation in her grief.“Again, I’m sorry gentlemen,” she finally said, turning back toward the officers after what felt like a long time. “I fear this has just about been all I can bear right now.” Seeing her eyes red and swollen from crying, her guests took the hint immediately.“Of course, madam,” Allison said getting up from his seat and reaching for his sword. Caldwell followed suit. “I believe our discussion has been more than sufficient, and we do appreciate your consenting to speak with us under such difficult circumstances.”“We thank you for your hospitality, ma’am,” Caldwell added. “Most kind.”Just as they were headed out of the room, Allison stopped short, grimacing, as he realized there was one question he had left unanswered. He prayed the lady wouldn’t find him presumptuous for venturing to ask her one more thing.“Mrs. Thorpe, it’s just occurred to me that we perhap
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 30
“Going back to that subject, sir,” James began again, “it would appear that the Councilor’s disappearance has become known to more than a few of the ships that habitually frequent Nassau Port. Speculation that LaTour was responsible has only seemed to enhance the frightful reputation the man has sown amongst the multitudes of sailors.”“With respect to the business o’ privateering being unaffected, one wonders.” Washburn added, “Taken together, it’s a big fleet and they’ve brave men as well as cowards in their ranks, to be sure. But, I had it on good authority from the master on one o’ the brigantines that several ships banded together some months ago to try and find the Frenchie, even if there wasn’t a good profit in it. Well, he said no less than five ships took part in the hunt. Nothin’ was heard of them for more than three weeks, till one day a badly shot up vessel limped ‘er way back to port, barely afloat. Turns out she was the last of the flotilla sent after LaTour that was st
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Chapter 112
“Qui êtes-vous? Parlez, maintenant!” growled the sergeant threateningly, insisting they speak.Caldwell was just about to feign a weak answer when a volley of musketry crackled from a nearby alleyway. Five of the French soldiers immediately crumpled to the ground, while the sergeant and the one remaining foot soldier wheeled around to face whatever it was that just surprised them. All at once a group of yelling, shadowy forms charged through the floating cloud of smoke left by the musket discharge. Seen in the guttering light of the lanterns which had been dropped to the ground, the last standing soldier uttered a disgusting gurgle as the blood-soaked point of a bayonet protruded through the back of his neck. At the same time, two attackers grabbed the reins of the sergeant’s horse while a third pinned the man’s sword arm and pulled him down bodily from the saddle. The third assailant then brandished his own sword and slammed the point into the sergeant’s chest several times before dr
Chapter 111
“Arrêtez!” came the shouted command in French to stop. Before the two disguised British officers could even react, five of the vigilant fellow’s nearby brethren had moved in to surround them. Taken unawares, Caldwell and James instinctively raised their hands. The discovered men were then promptly urged out into the clearing by the soldiers’ bayoneted muskets. The man who had originally discovered them made no effort to interrogate them or to find out who they were. He immediately began to call out to another a short distance away whom Caldwell could tell from the soldier’s address was a sergeant. The men who captured them then began to walk them in that general direction.This was dire. Everything the Philadelphia men had accomplished was about to be brought to nothing by a wretched barking dog. Almost as if to taunt the men it discovered, the vile scrawny creature was still milling about nearby yapping and growling toothily at them while wagging its tail. Both British officers knew
Chapter 110
“Well, what now?” James asked as he and Caldwell ducked back behind the pile of logs. “We can congratulate ourselves after a fashion for making it here under such horrid conditions, but that alone will serve no purpose. I’m forced to repeat my previous question: how do we determine just who or what is in there?”Caldwell looked as if he was about to reply with something less than definite when providence managed to intervene on their behalf yet again, though it was not at first clear exactly what was happening. Shouts and calls echoing up from further down the narrow road preempted Caldwell’s response. Both men ducked down and silently moved further to their right so as to observe the unfolding scene from the screen of heavy brush.A torch-bearing advance guard of marching soldiers, conceivably a detachment of the large unit which had come toward Saint-Pierre earlier, tramped up the slope. Following behind were even more men, with muskets at the ready, escorting what was clearly a gr
Chapter 109
Caldwell shook his head. “We can’t have more than three hours of darkness left to us at this point... but I’ll be buggered if I simply turn about and run off with our task undone. I couldn’t so much as face the Captain if we did that.” He then lifted his head and looked intently off into the darkness to the East.James grasped his thinking almost immediately and he didn’t like it one bit. “Oh... oh no! Not again! Henry, are you daft? I’d swear our last trip through the rills and ridges out there made me bleed far more than that splinter in the arm ever did!” He held out the still bandaged forearm to which he referred.“There’s no help for it, I’m afraid,” Caldwell told him. “Anyway, I do believe there’s another rise just east of here that will more than suit our purpose. It should be an easier ascent than the first ridge we scaled, at least at initially, and we should be able to move up onto higher ground by concealing ourselves on its southern slope and moving under the trees.” He r
Chapter 108
“Well, this is rather tedious – and distressing, I might add,” Caldwell told him. “Given the time we noted seeing the soldiers outside Le Carbet, which is just ahead, I’m all but certain they should have reached this particular point on the road at least a half hour ago if they were on the same schedule.”“A varied timetable?” James suggested.“I suppose something like that would only make sense,” Caldwell conceded, “unless they were delayed for some unknown reason.”James held his palms up. “Well, then what should we...”“SHHHH! Quiet! Lower yourself down and stay still! Something is coming!” Caldwell rasped, cutting him short.The second lieutenant quickly complied and did his best to listen to the approaching sounds which were just now becoming audible to him.As if in answer to their question, voices were heard echoing in the distance off to their right. Though they were still too far away to make out anything being said, it sounded like a series of shouts or calls being relayed
Chapter 107
“You’ve both performed superbly, as evidenced by the information with which you’ve returned. However, the problem we now face with the two of you being more recognizable to local inhabitants requires a form of mitigation. After some deliberation, I’ve decided that you are in fact quite right about the language difficulty inherent in sending other men. For that reason one of you – that is you Henry – will have to return. I am not unmindful of the dangers this entails, so it would be advisable for you to vary your attire and outward appearance as much as you can manage.”The two officers listened obediently, but their discomfiture with the new arrangement was palpable. Allison expected nothing less, and he went on to address the concerns that he knew troubled them.“William, you are by a wide margin the most experienced and practiced in these matters, but given the additional precautions I have decided to enact, your talents will be needed in a different capacity.”Allison now turned
Chapter 106
“We made use of the man’s almost messianic view of LaTour to draw more useful information from him,” Weyland said. “Incidentally, he told us that LaTour does in fact hold a regular commission in the French Navy. His letter of marque is held only for the benefit of his men, who are employed in an auxiliary fashion.”Allison shook his head. “I need only have you recall the damage those ‘auxiliaries’ caused with a single broadside when we met them at sea off Antigua to reiterate my previous warning. Even so, the facts you give stand to reason and confirm something we’ve all but suspected up to this point. What else?”Caldwell picked up the narrative. “LaTour is a figure who, by all accounts, places great importance upon putting himself in the public eye for reasons he himself might refer to as esprit de corps – morale of the whole. However, much as he purposefully strode along Saint-Pierre’s streets in the past, gifting shopkeepers and citizens with the odd item of value, these activiti
Chapter 105
It proved to be more than many of the knaves and blackguards in that establishment could ignore, and the majority quickly lost interest in the prospect of punishing the strangers so as to fight over their valuable coins. With a loud cacophony of shouts and yells that was horrible to hear, men were suddenly jostling, shoving, swinging and kicking to get at the treasure that had just been dropped before them. Others were rolling on the floor, wrestling and even biting for the chance to scoop up what they could.Brossard and Guiteau wasted no time in bolting for the door. After leaping over the bodies of several men who were wrangling with one another to get at the coins scattered about the wooden floor, they discovered that not quite everyone had been distracted by their desperate gamble. Brossard had to swing his pistol by the barrel and brain one onrushing assailant to get by him while Guiteau threw his shoulder into another, knocking him down to barge his way past. Then the wide door
Chapter 104
The old sailor paused again, looking back and forth from Brossard to Guiteau as though he expected one of them to ask the obvious question he’d left unanswered. When his audience didn’t offer this time, he continued.“Obviously something of importance is being stored up there. Wagons which are always covered, usually with armed men riding aboard, make their way up and down at times, winding along the wide path that switches back on the hillside. I’m told regular army troops are actually posted to keep the place under guard.”“Does it belong to LaTour himself?” Brossard asked.Rougebec shook his head. “People suggested that at first, but then another story started circulating. A friend of mine told me. He said whatever happens up there is overseen by some high-up government official, an aristocrat of some standing from the old country by all accounts.”“And no one knows who this man is?” Guiteau questioned.“Nope, but word is not even Baron de Beauville, the governor himself, interfere
