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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
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 31
“I only regret that I had to use those skills on one of our own,” Weyland stated. “Though in the end, I suppose he’ll have suffered no harm as a result.”“Provided, that is, we keep this information to ourselves,” Allison said, looking at the group. “The poor fellow shouldn’t suffer the wrath of his superiors for this, so do keep it under your hats, gentlemen. I’ll mention it to Peele when I next get a chance since it will figure into the conversation I seek to have, though I will never give up its source. Be sure you all do the same.”Everyone agreed to Allison ’s order, when Caldwell turned and looked inquisitively out toward sea.“I wonder who else could be joining us out there?” he said aloud.Everyone turned and looked. There, in the reddening light of dusk, could be seen the unmistakable shape of a British frigate flying its colors at the stern and making its way into the harbor. It exchanged salutes with Fort Nassau as Philadelphia had done earlier.“Someone undeniably senior
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 32
Allison was immediately struck by the amount of comfort offered by the interior of this carriage as compared to the one which bore him from New York to Philadelphia. While the rough-hewn, hard wooden benches of the first vehicle had nearly beaten his hindquarters bloody, here he found only softly upholstered seats covered in attractive fabrics. It was also spacious enough to accommodate the four of them quite easily. They all took their seats before the footman shut the door and walked around to the rear of the carriage where he stepped up and took his place. The man shouted to the driver that all was ready and Allison felt the vehicle begin to roll forward along the waterfront as the driver urged his team forward into a steady, easy gait.After about a minute, the carriage made a turn southward along the wide avenue leading toward Government House known as George Street. There ahead of them, at the end of that thoroughfare, loomed the Governor’s residence atop its signature hill, k
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 33
Allison gave a laugh. “Yes. It seems many others have tried to do just that and failed. My men and I did some asking around and it would appear he has the entire privateering fleet scared witless. He’s a formidable enemy, I think that much can be conceded, but he is only one man with one ship after all. To hear all of the talk, a person might think this region was falling prey to an entire French fleet with more than twenty ships of the line.”“He is what his king, country and fellow Frenchmen need him to be,” Suggs said plainly, “a hero in times of danger and strife. With the Royal Navy’s tightening control of the seas, what better stories could people in the French colonies hear? They’d love listening to tales of a dashing sea captain looking down his nose with disdain at the enemy and then making off with countless treasures and valuables that help support their war effort. Killing British sailors while leaving wreckage and destruction in his wake only adds to the legendary nature
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 34
“It is somewhat irregular to be meeting for the first time here at such an event,” he said after stopping and turning at the stone balustrade, “but I suppose there’s no help for it.” His face turned even more severe before he continued. “Admiral Lord Haig has made it clear to me by way of written orders that you are to be given a wide latitude in the accomplishment of your own mission. Given that I have not been granted the privilege of knowing what that entails, I can only trust that you will be doing your utmost everywhere and at all times to accomplish your assignment.”Semple appeared as though he was being spurned or snubbed by the arrangement as he crossed his arms and looked up into the night sky. He began to pace slowly.“Be that as it may, remember that I am your commanding officer while you are assigned to this region. I expect to be informed of all matters of importance as they pertain to the security of His Majesty’s dominions and the presence of the Royal Navy in this are
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 35
Three liveried servants strode into the room. One of them forcefully shook and rang a bell clutched in his hand as the others placed a small wooden riser in the middle of the floor. Allison recognized the bell-ringer as the man who had announced all of the guests arriving earlier in the evening.“ALL PRESENT, PLEASE STAND AND AWAIT HIS EXCELLENCY THE ROYAL GOVERNOR!” the man said loudly, calling everyone to attention.Conversations amongst the crowd deferentially quieted and all eyes turned toward the door through which everyone had entered that evening. A moment or two later, Governor Tinker walked slowly into the ballroom arm in arm with his wife. When they reached the riser, the Governor stepped up to where he could be more easily seen by all of his guests, while Lady Tinker walked to the side to stand with some of the assembled ladies, fanning herself along with the others. As the Governor looked out over the crowd silently for a few moments, an errant cough or two and the fitful
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 36
Allison ’s expression and aspect didn’t change. “Well one might tend to look this way when he comes to find out he’s been swilling treason by the glassful.”Peele laughed out loud. “Nonsense! This was legally taken from a French ship by our privateers. By the same reasoning you might as well call this informal style of dining we’ve engaged in tonight – the buffet, as it is called when serving oneself – a form of treason, since it is popular in France.”Here Peele raised an index finger to make a point.“However, as I suspect you’ve already guessed from seeing your reaction, there is in fact a great deal of smuggling going on out there.” He indicated the port with a nod of his head. “In fact, some of it happens between your fellow provincials on the mainland and the French islands.”Allison didn’t exactly know why he was surprised. He and Caldwell had come to the conclusion that the preponderance of privateering offered countless ways of enriching oneself given the right amount of dev
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 37
Allison wasn’t certain just how thorough any investigation of that possibility might have been in the end, however he didn’t disagree with any assertion that LaTour was responsible. He simply wasn’t sure if the Frenchman had any help in getting the job done. Seeing how perturbing discussions of the Diligent were to the Councilor, Allison decided he had learned enough on that subject for now.“Well,” he went on, “regardless of what LaTour and the Rapace accomplish, the activities of our own privateers remain at a healthy level.”“They continue on doggedly, that’s for sure,” Peele said, “but I don’t know exactly how ‘healthy’ some of those activities will prove to be for us all before this is over.”Allison thought he knew what he meant, but he stayed silent and listened.“I speak of course about the taking of Spanish and other vessels flying the flags of countries which have remained neutral in this war.”“That’s a more than valid concern, sir,” Allison offered, “and I admit I shar
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