Donland in Uncharted Waters by Comer Perry

Author:Comer, Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Paccom
Published: 2020-05-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Donland came on deck at four bells of the morning watch. He shaded his eyes for a moment as the sun peeped between the heavy clouds scudding across the sky. He clutched the railing as Oxford rolled violently to larboard. The sea was like a roiling cauldron.

A quick check of the sails showed that the mizzen had been repaired, and all sails were set. They were on a north by west heading.

Lieutenant Malcolm was supervising the repairs to the starboard railing. Others were busy repairing rigging and holystoning the drying deck. The pumps were manned, attempting to pump the nearly four feet of water out of the hull.

Powell looked as haggard as any man Donland had ever seen. “Mister Powell, did you not sleep?”

“Aye Sir, a bit,” Powell answered with a twisted smile and rubbed his bristled chin.

Donland was about to send Powell below but the lookout hailed, “Ship on the starboard bow! No sails!”

“One of the Portuguese?” Powell asked.

Donland pulled a glass from the rack and put it to his eye. The heavy rolling sea made focusing difficult. He only managed a quick glimpse of a bare mast as she rose up on a wave. “Sloop,” He said. “Perhaps one of theirs, we’ll not know until we are closer.”

“Are we to alter course?” Powell asked.

“Aye,” Donland answered and turned to Winslow. “Three points to starboard, Mister Winslow, if you please.”

“Aye, Captain!” Winslow answered.

“Beat to quarters?” Powell asked

The question brought a smile to Donland’s lips. He answered, “No, Mister Powell, I dare say whoever is aboard that sloop will be pleased to see us. We’ll not need to beat to quarters for they’re already beaten. However, I would have Lieutenant Sharpe and his men on deck and the swivels manned. The marines will dissuade anyone aboard that sloop from mischief.”

“Aye, Captain!” Powell answered and called “Mister Hornsby pass the word for Lieutenant Sharpe, if you please!”

“Aye, Captain!” Hornsby replied.

Donland kept watch on the sloop. She did not raise a sail or attempt to signal. Whoever was in command would surely know Oxford was drawing near to intercept.

“She appears to be a derelict,” Hornsby stated.

Oxford slowed closed the distance to within a quarter-mile. Donland studied her but was unable to discern movement on the sloop’s deck. He chose not to comment. Others, he knew, would be speculating. The rumor that she was a ghost ship would circulate below deck like wildfire.

Sharpe was standing nearby. He asked, “Captain, shall I station my men?”

Donland lowered the glass from his eye. “If you please, Mister Sharpe.” He then called to Andrews who was in charge of the poop, “Prepare the swivels,” Mister Andrews.

The lookout called down, “Men on the deck!”

Donland lifted the glass to his eye then lowered it. “Mister Winslow, alter course two points. We will pass her on the larboard beam.”

“Aye, Captain!” Winslow answered and ordered the course correction. The helmsman replied and pulled on the big double-wheel.

Donland turned to Powell, “Mister Powell send two more up the mast and have one take a glass.

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