The Massacre of Innocents: The continuing voyages of HMS SURPRISE by Alan Lawrence

Author:Alan Lawrence [Lawrence, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mainsail Voyages Press Ltd
Published: 2014-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Tuesday 30th December 1823, 5 a.m., aboard the mistico

‘Will you take tea with me, Jason?’ Lord Byron asked. The two men had enjoyed the most cordial of conversation since losing sight of the bombard around midnight, the two crews having continued firing pistols and carbines for another half hour or so in a fruitless effort to maintain contact. The captain had shortened sail so that the following bombard might keep up with the faster mistico.

‘That would be most welcome your Lordship; WAIT!’ Jason exclaimed. ‘Look there, look, over there, do you see it? A ship, larger than the bombard, I venture ... just there.’

‘Keep silent and do nothing,’ ordered the captain, appearing beside them; great anxiety plain in his voice. ‘It is a Turk frigate and he will be near alongside in but a very few minutes. We cannot escape him. Our only hope is to pretend we have not seen him for as long as that is credible, and pray we reach the shallows where he cannot follow. Keep silent if you value your life, and pray to your God.’

With a sinking feeling Jason could not take his gaze from the approaching frigate. Indeed all eyes on the mistico were focused upon it, every stitch of her sail now hoisted, the crew urging every last half knot of speed from the vessel as they contemplated two very different destinies; which one would occur would be made plain in the next few minutes. The Turk frigate was plainly bent on their interception, and swiftly approaching, sailing large, wind astern of her, a creaming bow-froth plainly visible as she swiftly closed on them.

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