Weigh Hay and Up She Rises (Complete)

Adieu Spanish Lady

"Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies,"

A gust of wind blew our sails, changing our course only slightly.

"Farewell and adieu to you ladies of Spain,"

Someone coughed and was silenced by another sailor's icy glare.

"For it's we've received orders for to sail for old England."

An echo through the mist caused silence to fall. I held up my hand, clenching my fist and listening to the rustle of our sails as they flapped in the cool sea breeze. We moved slowly, hoping the stars would guide us, knowing that the moon couldn't. The night was unusually dark, the moon absent in the twinkling sky. My heart ached, wishing the moon would return. My eyes, like my other sailors', scanned the flat waters around us. I wished once more for the moon, or the light of a lantern. I knew, however, that either of those could cause failure.

The wind fell and we were left on even waters, drifting with the faint current. I strained my eyes, then my ears for any sound. The echo was gone, leaving an uncanny silence. I shivered, an uneasy feeling settled around us.

"Pull in the mainsheet," I called softly, hearing the creak of ropes in reply. Our sail gradually filled and we moved slowly to where I believed the sound came from. "Keep your eyes sharp men, they could be anywhe-"

A shot rang out from the night and something swooped past us. Our ship rocked and I heard a scream. Flashes of light and the loud cannons firing kicked my mind into gear.

"Stations, soldiers!" I screamed, swinging down from the wheel and shoving my men towards the waiting cannons.

The dark boat sailed a circle around us again and I heard two shots. They struck the windward side of my vessel, carrying us perilously close to the waiting rocks.

"Turn!" I screeched, climbing back to the wheel and once more shoving my sailors out of the way. Suddenly, lanterns illuminated the night. My eyes were bombarded by a 35 gun vessel, an old British navy ship. The original british colors were painted over black and red, a red rosed flag hanging from the centermost mast.

My mind whirled. The ship was not nearly small enough to sail circles around us so quickly, I ran to the side and glanced into the water. Our ship rocked as my men fired the cannons. I heard them splinter the large vessel. Extra cannons were wheeled to the firing side and loaded quickly. My eyes scanned the ship for what we were looking for. Of course, they never kept anything of value above deck. I heard wood splinter, my mind slowly processing that the sound came from my own ship.

I shouted as my ship tilted and sent me careening towards the other side of the deck.

I caught sight of a much smaller sailed ship. This ship could be manned by three men, only if they knew what they were doing. It was like a fishing boat, but too small as well. I had never seen a boat that small with a sail, never mind armed. I strained my eyes, trying to catch sight of the captain of the vessel. This small ship ate up the wind, sailing quickly with precision. I watched as a figure swathed in darkness leaned off the side of the boat, feet hooked, holding onto the mainsheet. The boat swung around, two large guns aimed at our windward side. I cursed as the sailor dashed to them, lighting them with quick precision and back to the tiller.

"Fire at that ship! Sink it!" I roared, grabbing one of my sailors by the collar the tossing him towards the cannon.

"Yes, Captain!" the man shouted, scrambling to the cannon. I didn't know why, but a single manned ship rubbed me the wrong way. If that man could sail a vessel that easily alone, what could he do if he got close enough.