mad and jumped overboard. Dawkins had also been present when his captain had made lieutenant.

In fact he was an oarsman when "Gabe" had been rowed back to Drakkar to inform his brother, Commodore Lord Anthony, he'd passed his exam.

Dawkins was also present that day when Drakkar had defeated Reaper. He'd been wounded.

However, when the ketch Shark went back to England with Lord and Lieutenant Anthony, Dawkins still recovering from a wound in his arm was made part of Shark's crew. Dawkins was no longer fit to be an able seaman. However, he'd learned his numbers and could read and write which was rare for a British tar, and he could perform those duties of captain's steward. He had been pleased by the offer when the captain was given command of SeaWolf and gladly accepted.

Not because he needed the billet. He'd put up enough prize money to retire, but there was something about his boyish captain that drew Dawkins to him. Something he couldn't explain.

He had been to sea more than thirty years and he'd never met another he'd serve this way.

Dagan was talking to the captain. Dagan was a mystery, some said a gypsy sooth-sayer, but he was the captain's uncle, his protector, and he watched over Gabe like a hawk. Dagan stood watch, and acted as cox'n but otherwise came and went as he pleased, without interference from anyone.

Dagan and Dawkins usually dined together, but Dagan was not much of a talker, therefore Dawkins

had learned very little about him beyond what he'd already known from serving together on Drakkar.

The captain was a hard riser. He'd sit on the edge of his chair rubbing his eyes, then run his finger in his hair, take a sip of coffee, then put on a boot. He'd repeat the process for the other boot.

Then before putting on his coat, he would clutch the leather bag fastened around his neck. Some wondered what the bag held, but Dawkins knew. It was a large ruby. How it was obtained was questioned in some circles but Dawkins never questioned it. As he touched the bag every dawn the captain would look at Dagan and say "for luck."