THE REAPER by Michael Aye

Author:Michael Aye
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boson Books
Published: 2010-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Dagan and Bart were at the jetty waiting when Gabe arrived. “I passed!” Gabe shouted jubilantly.

“He don’t look like no ossifer to me,” joked Bart.

“Iffen he is, he’s poorly dressed,” Dagan added, then asked, ‘‘Did they dunk you boy? You look fairly drenched.’’ Gabe ignored the two and made his way into the boat.

Bart then turned to the boatmen. “Look alive, we got us a new officer.”

Several of the men smiled and a few snickered good-naturedly as the boat cast off from the jetty.

“Have ’is own ship soon, like as not,” volunteered Dawkins, the old seaman who Gabe had saved from having his leg crushed in a gun drill those months ago. “I’d serve ’im, I would,” he said, and all agreed with he old salt’s sentiment.

As the ship’s boat approached Drakkar, the sentry called out, “Boat ahoy!’’

“Aye, aye.” Bart’s repy to the challenge said it all. An officer had returned to come aboard his ship.

Anthony and Buck were waiting for Gabe at the quarterdeck. After congratulations were given, Anthony looked at his brother and was proud of what he saw.

“Let’s go down to my cabin for a refreshment,” Anthony said, putting his arm across his brother’s shoulder as they went down to his quarters.

Upon entering the cabin, Anthony called to Silas, “Fetch us a bottle of hock, then be off with you.” When Silas left, Anthony looked at Gabe and said, “Father would have been proud of you, as I am. Now tell me about it.”

Markham returned an hour or so later in a jubilant mood. He too had passed and was heartily congratulated as Gabe had been. Anthony planned a dinner that evening to celebrate Gabe and Markham’s passing the lieutenant’s exam. All the officers in Anthony’s squadron were invited. Gabe and Markham were both very pleased that the commodore was honoring them. However, the celebration was for passing the exam only. That was only the first part. They still had to receive their commissions. Until that time they were still midshipmen. Buck called to the two as Gabe and Markham were heading to change into their work uniforms.

“I hear that of the thirteen mids who went before the board only six were passed.” This was news to the young gentlemen.

“Less than half,” Markham stated.

“Aye,” Gabe answered but added, “That means less competition for any available commissions.”

As the two departed Drakkar for LeFoxxe and LeCroix, Gabe recalled Captain Swift’s remarks about special consideration being given due to who his relatives were. The good captain could say publicly what was politically correct. In Gabe’s mind he was sure connection played a big part in promotions. He hoped a deserving candidate was not passed over just so somebody’s lackey could be promoted. Gabe was sure of his own abilities, but couldn’t help but think of Witzenfeld. Witz should never have been made lieutenant. Witzenfelds’s promotion was proof he had patronage and special interest at some high level. Would his past difficulties with Witz come to haunt him at some point in the future? I shall keep a weather eye, Gabe promised himself.

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