Free 1633:The Danish Scheme by Eric Flint

instead of his original estimate of two weeks.
    Joris stood next to the dock master, watching his ship rise out of the water. The last hectic week, emptying the ship of all cannon and stores to lighten it to reduce its draft, had left his crew exhausted. Now, the critical point was fast approaching. He yelled at the crew on the ground, holding the lines to the mast tops. "Steady on those lines! Keep them taut!"
    This was the critical point in the effort. If the lines weren't kept taut, the ship could topple in the dry dock. Everyone was struggling to use the last of the tide to pull the ship clear of the water. Their breaths steamed in the late fall afternoon. Two more turns of the capstan brought the ship as far up the slipway as it could go. Immediately, dockworkers swarmed around the dripping hull, setting braces to stabilize the ship. When the foreman yelled that it was secured, the ship's crews on the lines eased off and let out a cheer. Van den Broecke just let out a long sigh. He'd been holding his breath from the tension.
    The dock master leaned over the side and pointed to the site where they had struggled throughout the journey to stem a leak. "See there, Captain? You were lucky to have made it here. It looks like you took a hit as you rose on a wave. The butt ends are sprung and the frame member is damaged. It's going to be at least a month before we can finish this properly."
    Van den Broecke wasn't happy. "I've got to report to Tjaert. He'll want to know how long until we can sail again." He fixed the dock master with a hard stare. "You're sure it's going to be a month? A lot of lives could be in jeopardy if you run longer."
    Huetjen bristled at the comment. "Captain, I know my business. With your crew to help, we'll be done by the new year. I commanded a ship once, too, before I lost my leg." He slapped his peg leg for emphasis. "I know what you're going through, watching it stuck on dry land. It’s like losing a child. I'll hurry the work as fast as I can." He paused, pointing at the damaged planking. "You'll get it back when that's as good as new! I have family here and we need both your ships if we're to survive."
    The captain chuckled. "Very well. I'll leave my child in your care, doctor. Get her well soon." He swung himself over the side and carefully slid down a rope. When he reached the ground, he proceeded to slowly walk around the ship, surveying the newly exposed damage before he set off in search of Tjaert to let him know that he would be sailing alone on his planned cruise after Christmas. Joris wasn't too concerned. In these waters, even one Dutch  fregätte  should be more than a match for anything she met. If she wasn't, a whole fleet probably wouldn't be enough.
    * * *
    In preparation for the council of war, Tjaert de Groot had spent the previous two weeks surveying the fortifications around New Amsterdam. He had even sailed the  Friesland  up the river as far as he could safely take her to "scout out the territory" as he told von Twiller. Tjaert then met with a few key members of the colony to learn more about the Dutch settlements further upriver. He wanted to lay the groundwork for his future plans.
    During his discussions, Tjaert had learned that the debate over how to proceed had settled into three factions amongst the settlers. Some of the leaders weren't sure if there really was a threat and certainly didn't want to spend any more money paying workers to strengthen the fort's defenses. Von Twiller led this group. Others wanted to abandon New Amsterdam and return to the Netherlands immediately. The rest wanted to stay and fight, if they had to, to protect their lands. The council had been called to decide what the colony would do. When it came time for Captain de Groot's turn to speak, he surprised everyone.
    "I agree with the Director General. I don't think we should spend anything on the fort  here  ."
    In the outcry that followed, only van Rensselaer noticed the slight emphasis on