Final Chance by Roberts Michael

Author:Roberts, Michael
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve Fear and Suspicion

I woke up the next morning to the sound of water slapping against the ship and seagulls crying. Sunlight burst through the open windows along with a slight breeze and the smell of briny water. The smells and sounds of the river assailed my senses as if I was outside. I had opened the windows in the back of the captain’s quarters the night before in case I needed to make a quick getaway. If the bottom of the ship was sitting on the sand, the water would still be plenty deep enough that I could jump out and survive the fall.

Taking a few minutes to stretch my muscles, I realized they were sore from the work the two days before. Non-stop hard labor that I hadn’t done in a long time. I grabbed my Tec-9 and did a security sweep of the ship. When I was sure the ship was secured and I was still the only person on her, I began working on the cannons again. It was long, hard work. My back, legs and arm muscles burned with lactic acid, the deep ache from the previous day’s work building until my back screamed each time I bent over. Three days of pulling ropes and moving cannons was harder than I’d first thought it was going to be.

I finished with the second level of cannons by midday drenched in sweat and didn’t think I was going to be able to do anymore work until my muscles had time to rest and recover. I also wanted to head back into the city and see what kind of fruit was borne from last night’s efforts.

I looked a mess with dirt, sweat, and grease caking on my hands, face, and clothes. I made sure my hair was combed over my scar but didn’t clean up or change clothes. My shirt was plastered to my skin, thanks to the sweat that poured out of me and the rising humidity. I had drunk through my water bags again and needed to refill them. I’d been dressing as a British officer the last three days and had to remind myself not to get cocky. With the practice of dressing like one of them, I knew the British would learn many of my habits. Tallmadge knew my British disguise, and I still didn’t trust him. With only my Tec-9 tucked behind my sweaty back and under my grimy shirt and a hand full of coins in my pocket, I left the ship dressed as a common sailor.

As I walked along the beach, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, and no evidence of my encounter the night before. Three small fishing boats and two canoes were tied to anchors on the beach between the HMS Sandwich and the docks. I had seen some fur traders in the city and assumed the canoes must have belonged to them. A pack of dogs ran past me and down to the harbor, hoping for a handout of scraps from some generous person.

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