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Allison; Taking Control Chapter 55
“Attacks by British privateers on Dutch ships have happened in the past,” he began after a few moments. “As you said, it’s generally known that they carry trade goods for the benefit of the French colonies in this part of the world. Even if the Empire isn’t at war with the Dutch, there’s a definite logic to such an occurrence.”“Quite so,” Allison agreed, “but it heightens our chances of pushing another nation toward allying with our enemies.”“Indeed it does, sir, however it’s a common belief that the Royal Navy can withstand and overcome any challenge on the seas of the world.”“You don’t find such a thought to be a product of overconfidence?”“I suppose it’s only so if we ultimately fail, sir, but a victorious outcome would surely be in greater doubt if we acquire more enemies. Much depends on the temperament of the Dutch. The Spanish have suffered even more from attacks by British privateers on their commerce, and yet they remain neutral,” James said.“True,” Allison replied, “
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 56
Troubled though he was, the transit was mercifully straightforward and uneventful. It felt as though hardly any time had passed at all when, the next morning, forward lookouts reported sighting land on the south coast of St. Martin, or Sint Maarten, as the Dutch would have it. They controlled the southern portion of the small island, maintaining their plantations and other affairs under the auspices of the West India Company. The northern part of the island was actually French territory. The very existence of this divided colony was testament to the fact that although the two nations had found common interests in the present conflict, historical relations between their peoples were by no means always so cordial.Even so, the shared border was of great potential use to both sides during this war, and to not avail themselves of the opportunities it presented made little sense. Given the mercantile arrangements between the two countries, it would be an easy matter for the Dutch to have n
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 57
“Ah,” he said after his deep guffaw, “you must please excuse our gunners at the fort. They are still quite – how would you Englishmen say it? Ah, yes, they are still quite green and inexperienced. Fortunately, that means they are also still somewhat... inaccurate as well.” A tight-lipped smirk crossed his face after that statement.“Oh, I see,” Allison said, smiling ingenuously and not believing a word. Those shots were well-placed and meant to accomplish precisely what they had. “Patriotic fervor can test the restraint of anyone who seeks to protect their country’s interests, I suppose.”“Yes, quite true, Lieutenant Allison . Oh, and if I may ask, just what is this act of kindness you mentioned?” De Bruyne asked.Allison held out a hand to indicate where the Doctor had just led a still tired and hollow-eyed but sufficiently ambulatory Gespers up the ladder to the deck. De Bruyne’s glance at the man didn’t indicate any form of initial recognition.“This is Mr. Gespers, sir. A sailor
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 58
Allison had all but surmised that much on his own. If he didn’t know who Van der Voorde was dealing with on Martinique, questions about who might have pursued him – outside of assuming general retribution on the part of the French – were useless. For the same reason, he also decided against any mention or implication of involvement on the part of LaTour. He tried to press De Bruyne for other details.“Do you know what the Valk carried?”“I could never say precisely what was in her holds at the time without the benefit of a full manifest, but the types of goods she commonly carried between here and Curaçao are not things I can reveal.”Allison did his best to hide his disappointment. This was going nowhere.“What was her next port of call? Can you tell me that?”“Van der Voorde made infrequent stops here after doing business in the South; he usually made port in Sint Maarten upon his return from Curaçao. However, in this case I happen to know we weren’t expecting to see him for quite
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 59
Later, as Philadelphia made her way closer, he was even further gratified to learn that Suggs and the Mollusk had managed to travel the final leg of their journey without mishap. He could see the little cutter sitting at anchor amongst other ships in the harbor a few miles ahead with jack and ensign flying. After exchanging salutes with Fort James on the northern headland, Philadelphia carefully maneuvered past the nearby shallows and obstructions, once again thanks to the Admiralty’s charts, and found an anchorage of her own near her sister ship. It wasn’t long after that when Samuel Hardin began to excitedly announce that Mollusk was signaling.“It’s a signal from Mollusk, sir!” the boy shouted out. “Two pennants, red over black!”“Which means?” Allison asked him expectantly, already knowing the meaning himself but insisting upon a proper report from the young gentleman.The boy hurriedly grabbed for the list and quickly looked it up and down. It was a few seconds before he found w
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 60
Allison was taken off guard. “Well, that certainly is... strange... and rather generous,” he replied, not able to help the obvious strain in his voice. So, Suggs’ earlier observation about his command might not have been a passing joke after all. How could it have been? His laughing at his own implication, no matter how genuine it appeared, was probably just a courteous way of letting his fellow captain out of an awkward situation. He could have simply said nothing, of course, but in addition to things like Philadelphia’s plentiful complement of officers and her marine detail, how could he now ignore her captain’s seemingly random decision to make a trip to St. Martin against orders and now this mysterious correspondence from an Antiguan official?“Strange indeed,” was Suggs’ only reply.Suggs looked him in the eye for a few moments before he spoke again.“See here, Captain,” he began, “I don’t know what other obligations you might have or with what else you find yourself engaged, bu
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 61
Allison ’s first instinct was to snap at the old man, but as he fought the urge down, he realized that Alex was correct. He calmed himself down and held out a hand for the plate.“You’re correct, of course, Alex . My thanks.”The steward handed him the platter and utensils then hurried away, shouting back.“Be back presently, sah! I’ll find ye somethin’ teh sit yerself on!”True to his word, Alex was back in less than a minute with a small wooden stool for a seat and an empty cask to serve as a makeshift table. With another word of thanks, Allison sat himself down to eat near the taffrail while the steward, satisfied that he had done his duty, respectfully retired.Alternating between mouthfuls of beef and biscuit, Allison watched as the swing of Philadelphia at her anchor made a changing montage of the view. The waterfront of St. John’s slowly gave way to Fort James on its promontory, then the open sea was visible for a time through the mouth of the harbor before the western Alli
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 62
He knew the island’s climate was always quite dry, but the more humid air over the surrounding sea had produced an almost surreal ring of haze which framed the scene before him in a curtain of gray-white. As the master of the Phoebus stood beside the rail he peered through the wispy vapors toward the low sandy coastline. There he saw the last of the lighters being loaded with sacks for return to his vessel. The gangs of laborers would begin embarking soon after that. He had made this same journey for salt between Bermuda and Grand Turk Island several times in the past, each one seemingly more profitable than the last. However, it was certain that nothing he had done before would be able to compare with the success of the current voyage. It was almost too good to be true.With his new larger ship, built of sturdy durable Bermuda cedar, he was able to haul more of the precious crystalline commodity back to his home port. Obtaining enough of the ‘white gold’, as he loved to call it, to f
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