The Charlotte Series: Book 1: The Pirate's Treasure

Chapter 34

Evans most matched the dead guard in height and stature so he was elected to change into his clothes and take his place above deck. Millicent was amazed at the resemblance. The ruse would work form a distance especially in the fading light of dusk. Anyone that glanced at them would see her family walking with their guard following behind. She hoped he wouldn't need to speak!

"We have to be seen on deck before suspicions arise. You have your blades. And Evans will have his cutlass and pistol—"

"No powder." Evans said with disgust as he tossed the pistol aside.

"We don't have a lot of time but we need to get weapons. Millicent, did you see where they took our weapons?" Though Masters was captain James was in charge and no one questioned it.

"No. I was taken to our cabin and I've been mostly locked there under guard. I counted at least nine different men though. And they are all braced for trouble."

"This ship needs at least a dozen to run. The Loxley probably has 30. Assume the sent about half that to run the ship and watch us."

"It's the way I see it too." Masters nodded.

"We'll have to make do with what we have between us." James nodded toward Evans then turned toward Masters. "Masters, Bjoern, you're for deck with me."

"Aye. Bricker find us weapons and bring 'em up." Masters ordered. "Cap'n, we'll be waiting just below deck for the signal."

"Aye." Bricker nodded. "I reckon these pirates are in our hammocks. We can kill the rats in their sleep and we'll have weapons enough."

"Keep it quiet!" Masters reminded him. "We can't risk an alarm going up before we're ready!"

"Stu, you've always claimed you can thread a needle with those guns." James coaxed knowing it was an exaggeration.

Stu nodded solemnly. Millicent remembered him telling he'd been a powder monkey when he was eight since he was big for his age. He's been around them so long, he said, they are like an extra hand. James told her of Stu's skill from some of their adventures with Blakeney. She was glad he was on their side but worried the Loxley might have someone like him...

"Now's your chance to prove it! The Loxley's got us out-gunned and we can't outrun her either. But this is war, so we won't play fair. Now then, Millicent said Loxley's shortened her sails and is trailing back to starboard. Our first volley must take out the port guns before they can splinter us. I won't be able to get you alongside. Do you think it's still possible?"

"Aye. If you can angle us just a mite. I have the heavy smashers toward stern. I can fire two-maybe three shots before they can rally. I can create enough havoc to buy you enough time to crowd sail. With chain shot in our stern chasers I can take out her bowsprit and foremast. It won't stop her, mind you, but it will give us a fair chance to out run her."

"Excellent. Stu, I'll leave her guns to you. Take who you need. The rest of you with Bricker and clear these decks. Make quick work of it. When the first cannon fires I want your sorry asses aloft. We need to make a run for it before the Loxley has time to react or we'll be resting with Davy Jones tonight! "

"James wait!" Millicent stopped them as they started to move. "You and I will be blind up there with only the two blades between the three of us. We need to be coordinated. I say a short whistle from Stu's men says they've cleared below and they're ready to fire. We can start drifting closer to the Loxley and Stu can signal our flight with the cannon."

"Someone's bound to investigate the whistle and that will leave one less for you to manage top side." Masters agreed.

"Alright. Remember the Loxley has eyes on the Charlotte's decks. We can't risk alarm going up before Stu's ready. If you are religious men, I'd say now would be a good time to pray!" He reached for Millicent's hand. "Let's go. We'll fetch Ladd and walk the decks until we get the whistle."