12 Sea Trials (The Fighting Sail Series, #12) by Alaric Bond
Author:Alaric Bond [Bond, Alaric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Old Salt Press LLC
Published: 2019-05-07T22:00:00+00:00
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Two hours later the light was starting to fade although Mistral had closed considerably and all was definitely falling in her favour. The chase, as King now considered the sighting, was hull up and remained in constant sight of the masthead while those on deck could catch the occasional flash of topsails on the darkening horizon. Half an hour before, the midshipman sent aloft with a glass had chanced their quarry to be a single-decked warship; news that had stirred interest in all and almost driven King to a frenzy. There was no such British vessel expected thereabouts and, while a neutral was always possible, neither was it likely. And even when a subsequent report suggested she might only be the smallest of frigates, a jackass or possibly merely a corvette, his interest remained high. Either would be an easy conquest for Mistral and, if she had been part of the original battle squadron, there was a very real prospect of learning more of Aimée â if only they could close before sunset.
But despite the wind continuing to blow hard, the chances for that soon started to fade and, as the sun finally touched the western horizon, it signalled the start of heavy rain that had the air of permanence. As the first drops fell, King forced himself to relent. They had struck the topgallants an hour before, yet were still closing. No one could tell what the next few hours would bring; it was likely his prey would alter course as soon as darkness became complete, although he remained confident that dawn would not reveal a totally empty ocean.
âChase is changing her heading, sir!â This was the masthead once more, and the young midshipman had the entire shipâs attention. âTurning roughly three points southerly.â
King exchanged glances with Croft. The smaller craft would know herself pursued and be keen to shake off the warship that hunted her. And in his haste, the captain may think his ship already invisible so could have been just a little too prompt in ordering a fresh course.
âWeâll keep her as she is, Mr Croft,â he said firmly. Only a fool would reveal the gambit had been noted; far better to let the sun disappear completely, then order Mistral to follow and spend the night in silent pursuit. And even if they did not meet in darkness, it was now almost certain that dawn would reveal the enemy within easy striking distance.
For the first time in what seemed like months, King felt himself relax. The distant warship was unlikely to be carrying Aimée, but at least he might receive further word of her. And, if not, he now had an even stronger reason to remain at sea a little longer. So really things were beginning to pan out rather well.
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