Free HMS Athena: A Charles Mullins novel (Sea Command Book 4) by Richard Testrake Page A

firing the guns with full charges had also caused much of the damage done to the fabric of the brig. Mullins decided she could not safely be sailed to a dockyard capable of repairing her and even if that were possible, it would likely cost more in repairs than she would bring at auction. In the end, he landed all the undamaged stores and equipment from the prize, then stranded her on the beach. The island’s inhabitants were invited to strip her of needed timber and firewood.
     
    Mister Farver took the ship out to sea and they set course for Halifax. Janders, back in English Harbor, had decreed that destination. Mullins did not feel bound by the order. He was under Admiralty orders and felt he was perfectly within his rights to disregard that destination and sail home. Halifax was a logical waypoint though. Anguilla was not overly supplied with ship’s stores and he thought he could more easily replenish his supplies there. Also, there would be little profit in needlessly antagonizing Janders. Halifax, it would be.
    Cruising up the American coast, they met many coastal craft. From a fishing boat off the coast of Delaware, Mullins purchased that boat’s catch. Fresh fish would be a welcome change for many of the crew, whose diet of boiled salt beef and pork was becoming monotonous. The master of the fishing boat informed them of a schooner that had been loitering in the area for the past week. This craft had formerly been a French privateer during the Quasi-War, but now seemed to be a pirate. No longer just preying on France’s enemies, she was now suspected of taking any ship of any nation her captain thought he could manage. Manned by a mixed crew of various nationalities, they seemed to be cruising for unarmed or lightly armed merchantmen. Several American flagged vessels had disappeared under mysterious circumstances recently.
    The fishing boat master reported his own boat had been rummaged, his catch for the day appropriated without payment. Feeling lucky to have his boat released, his crew unharmed, the master had not complained. Mullins thought he had performed his own duty in capturing Reynard earlier. He did not feel it necessary to pull the Americans’ chestnuts out of the fire by haring after this pirate. Of course, should he happen upon her or learn she was molesting British shipping, he would, of course, do his duty.
    Anticipating his arrival in Halifax in a few days, with light winds and a bright day, Mullins decided to heave to and beautify the ship. He had a little paint below in the bosun’s stores, and he decided to use what he had to improve the ship’s appearance.
    Consequently, Athena was motionless in the sea, tops’ls aback, with stages over her starboard beam and men over the side at work painting, when the schooner appeared. Despite the fisherman’s warning, she was not initially seen as threatening. A half-dozen similar craft had been seen along these shores, and this was supposed to be an itinerant trader. After she loitered off their stern starboard quarter for an extended period of time though, suspicions were aroused.
    Apparently, the craft did not recognize Athena as a warship. Her ports were closed, and the port lids newly painted the same color as the sides of the ship. She was flying neither her ensign nor her commission pennant, both having become tattered. When the stranger made up her mind this small ship with no apparent gun ports or commission pennant might be profitable prey, she set her fore and main topsails and trimmed her canvas to the wind. While she was speeding directly at Athena’s stern, Mullins had to make a decision. He quickly realized this was probably a pirate up to no good, He could bring his ship around immediately and fire his broadside as she approached. While he had no fear for his own ship, he really wished to take this pirate. Unless he crippled her though, the nimble craft would likely escape.
    He informed his officers they would wait until she was closer,