Free The Ransom by MaryLu Tyndall Page B

articles you put your mark to when you signed on with me,” he shouted above the wind, scanning the mob and noting the faces of two men he’d recently recruited. “We are gentlemen of fortune, not savages. We are out for gold, not blood. Hence, you will avoid unnecessary violence to our dear frog friends.” Bracing his boots on the heaving deck, Alex fisted hands at his waist. “We will take their gold and silver and pearls. And if necessary, we will take them prisoner. But there will be no slaughter. Or you’ll answer to me!”
    Jonas nodded his approval. Larkin crossed thick arms over his chest and scowled. And though groans of disappointment filtered through the crowd, all finally agreed.
    Alex raised his cutlass in the air. “Let us be after our prey!”
    “Aye! Aye!” Shouts followed as the men dispersed to their duties.
    “Extinguish the galley fire. Sand the decks!” Larkin commanded.
    Sails thundered in anticipation of battle. Wind whipped Alex’s shirt as he made his way to the railing to glance at their fleeing prey. He grinned. Within seconds, they’d be well on her weather quarter. Scanning the deck, he found the master gunner. “Run out the guns, if you please, Bait!”
    The one-armed Negro flashed two rows of blinding white teeth at Alex before issuing orders for the gun crew to ready the ten culverins housed at intervals along the bulwarks.
    A flame shot from the hull of the Fluyt, followed seconds later by a shattering boom !
    “To the deck!” Jonas shouted, and the men dropped to the planks. All except Alex, who stood firm upon the quarterdeck, glaring at his enemy. He cared not if the shot struck him. Many a day he had begged for a cannon ball to tear him asunder. He had no fear of death. Forsooth, he welcomed it. At least it would offer a change in his otherwise meaningless existence.
    The shot splashed into the sea several yards from the ship, and soon the men were on their feet flinging curses at their enemy for daring to defend herself.
    “Sweep across her bow to rake her!” Alex commanded, and Larkin marched over the deck issuing commands to the topmen.
    With every stitch of canvas spread, the Vanity swung about, pitching over endless waves. The pop pop pop of musket fire showered them from the Frenchmen’s tops, sending the pirates scrambling for cover. A scream drew Alex’s gaze to one of his men holding his shoulder, blood spilling down his arm. Jonas sped toward him and gazed up at Alex, who nodded his consent for the would-be physician to take him below.
    White foam exploding over her bow, the Vanity creaked and groaned and heaved as she sped across the Fluyt’s stern.
    “Fire!” Alex shouted.
    The air ignited with ten blasts that shook the ship from truck to keelson. The culverins leapt back a good foot beneath the strain as smoke poured over the railing, dousing them in a stinging, blinding cloud.
    Coughing and batting it aside, Alex peered toward their enemy. Shouts of anger and fright ricocheted across her decks as the Frenchmen rushed to and fro assisting their wounded. Above them, shredded canvas flapped, ropes parted, blocks hung, and jagged pieces of wood stuck out from a mizzen mast that wobbled beneath the weight. Within minutes a white flag inched its way up the main truck.
    “They surrender, Captain!” Larkin shouted.
    But another flag in the distance caught Alex’s eye. The Union Jack blowing in the wind from the mainmast of a Royal Navy frigate. And they were heading straight his way.

 
    Chapter 8
     
    Alex cursed under his breath. Where had the Navy frigate come from? ’Twas as if they’d followed him out of Port Royal. That’s three times now that one of His Majesty’s ships had come upon him while he was in the midst of capturing a prize. Such a thing happening in the vast Caribbean was unheard of. He narrowed his eyes upon the approaching enemy, gauging their speed and position. With the direction of the wind, it would take them at least an hour to