[Flying Dutchman 03] - Voyage of Slaves by Brian Jacques

Author:Brian Jacques [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

A Dangerous Freedom

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155

cally. A brawny deckhand severed the thick anchor rope

with half a dozen blows from a broad-headed axe. Men

scrambled nimbly through the rigging loosing sail, whilst

some on deck hoisted extra canvas. Abram leaned on the

big brass-and-mahogany wheel, bringing the vessel onto a

starboard tack. Eli stood at his side, judging their perilous

situation.

“We need to catch the wind and clear the bay, before they

get a chance to smash us against the rocks on the point. That

big ship looks to me like she’s set on a collision course!”

The White Ram began pulling away sluggishly; she was

having difficulty catching the wind. Eli looked over the

stern, to where they had moved about a cable length away

from the small boat. He could see Al Misurata sitting with

his arms folded, smiling triumphantly as he watched the

huge Sea Djinn closing on the White Ram. The old man

took the wheel from Abram, holding their course as he

whispered instructions to him.

Ben heard the footsteps pounding by the cabin door.

Swinging the door open, he saw Abram leaping down a

flight of stairs. Joshua pushed past Ben into the alleyway,

shouting, “Ben, Ned, come on!” All three dashed into the

lower hold. Abram was crouched beside an older man, who

was manning one of the brass cannons. Joshua joined

them, shaking with excitement.

“What’s going on, are we going to fight now?”

Abram called to Ben, “Keep him out of the way, all

three of you stay back there by the stairs!”

As Ben pulled the younger boy back, he heard Abram

talking to the older gunner. “Just sink it, Caleb, don’t blow

it to smithereens or kill anybody aboard. Can you do it?”

Caleb’s weathered face creased into a broad grin. “Aye,

if that’s what our cap’n wants. Leave it to me!”

Al Misurata watched his ship arcing in toward the White

Ram. He waved encouragement to Ghigno, who was stand

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