Noble Duty

7. Pursued

After breakfasting, I ascended to the quarterdeck for a better look, greeted by the watch officer as I arrived, and I replied, "And a good morrow to you. Mister Martin. What are your thoughts on the ship in our stern?"

"No changes, sir. Except her bow wave is now steadily above the horizon. I estimate her to be between five and six miles astern."

"Have you identified her?"

"Not yet, sir. She flies no colours, and with her masts aligned, I cannot determine how she is rigged."

"How do you account for her riding high in the water?"

"A slaver, sir. The cargo cannot be as densely packed as crates of sugar cones, kegs of rum or hogsheads of tobacco." He pointed across the port bow toward Chesapeake. "Likely bound for Point Comfort to sell, as had been our destination before foundering in the storm."

I winced at the thought of foundering, though even more at the idea of people being regarded as cargo. "With the wind close to our stern, we should smell them by now."

Martin sniffed the following breeze, shaking his head. "None of the horrid stench I recall, sir."

"Aye, that always announces the approach of one, often before they are sighted." I tilted my head toward the ship. "Why else would she be lightly laden?"

Before he could answer, the bell rang eight, and seeing Evans approaching, I said, "After you turn over the watch, bid all officers and mates to assemble here, and we will continue this discussion."

"Aye, sir. All officers and mates to here."

While Martin turned over the watch, I listened, pleased with how his thoroughness and attention to detail had improved. Now better capable of standing on his own.

A few minutes later, when all had gathered, I turned their attention to the ship in our stern. "Take a minute or two to observe, noting to yourselves her details and characteristics. Then, we will discuss what these might mean."

When I had given them sufficient time, I said, "She has been in our stern since yesterday afternoon – not unusual to see such with the growth of trade in this area. And with our decreased sails, nor is it unusual to have her slowly gaining on us. What is unusual about her?"

I was pleased all noted she was high in the water and that most thought this strange for a merchantman. After three dismissed her being a slaver because of the absence of putridity on the wind, I asked, "If not a slaver, what cargo might she carry that is light for its bulk? Sugar, molasses, rum, timber, tobacco and pelts all pack dense and heavy, the lading always limited by the safe submergence of the hull."

Martin shrugged. "She might have discharged her cargo down the coast, sir. Heading north to take on more."

"A ship makes no money sailing unladen – in fact, it loses because of crew and victualling costs. Every port in the colonies is begging for ships to bring them what they cannot produce and carry away what they can."

He snapped his head around to examine the ship. "Pirates?"

I watched the others nod. "Aye, a distinct possibility."

"What will we do?"

"With no proof, we have no option but to await their challenge, Mister Martin."

He pointed over the port bow again. "Might we seek protection among others in Point Comfort?"

Evans shook his head. "Nay, with the distances involved, she will be upon us before we reach it, and once in the bay, our manoeuvring options would be few."