A Bloody Beginning: An American Sea Adventure (The Patriot Sailor Book 1) by Cal Clement

Author:Cal Clement [Clement, Cal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

'Salem Tide'

8 March 1770

44 Degrees 26' N, 61 Degrees 07' W

"My name is Captain Harold Williams, commanding officer of His Majesty's Frigate Allegiance," The officer's voice carried over Salem Tide's crew. He was a thin set man, with deep-set eyes, dark hair and a sharp, almost gaunt face. He paused a moment, seeming to size up the lot of them. "It is the privilege of His Majesty the King to compel certain numbers of his subjects into service when necessary. It is also his privilege, and the duty of those in his service, to ensure that taxes levied in his name are being complied with." The officer nodded to a group of waiting sailors aboard his own vessel. They stormed across the gangplank and made a direct path for the weather hatch leading below. "The Royal Navy is severely under-manned, I will take aboard a score of able-bodied men from your crew for a term of service not to exceed one year. I would advise compliance. I have already been merciful, considering your pathetic attempt to flee, I would have been within my rights to sink your ship outright and leave you all to the frigid water and the crushing depths."

Jack felt the lump in his throat seize. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't speak. Even if he had the use of his voice, he wasn't sure of what he would say. It seemed the impressment was a foregone conclusion. The Royal Navy had boarded and would take their desired number of men and that was all there was to it. It burned Jack's mind with a rage he could barely contain. He felt his face flushing and his hands go cold.

"Twenty men?" Petey protested, "And how are we supposed to get this girl back to port? Twenty men leaves me with naught but a single watch."

The officer turned and faced Petey with a wry smile. "If you hadn't tried to evade us, I was only planning to take a half dozen, and landsmen at that. As it stands, I will have a full score, and I want at least half that number to be capable hands. Men with two or more years at sea. Times are perilous, the king needs his most experienced subjects to ensure the safety and longevity of the empire." He scanned Salem Tide's deck with a inspecting stare. His facial expression shriveled as he surveyed the results, displaying a look of disgust. "Hands, capable or otherwise. We need strong backs at the capstan too." He turned on one heel and departed across the gangplank while navy sailors plunged into Salem Tide's hold and the marines closed in around her crew.

Jack felt like a lamb being led to slaughter. He was shuffled by the press of sailors behind him and then pushed back as marines on the opposite side forced several hands over toward the lee rail where the gangplank extended between ships. It was a mix of anger and anxiety among the sailors. Jack's vision

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