A Short Story from The Fighting Anthony’s Series

’Hit were like a roaring inferno

The fires ’o ’ell so bright.

Flames leaping upwards

Like fireworks in The night.

’Hit started on the main deck

Quick like it climbed the mast.

The sails be ablaze now

The flame ’as spread so fast.

’Hits set a course for the flagship

Less some ’ow it’s turned.

The only choice Jack tar ’as

Is jump ship or burn.

…Michael Aye

‘Cap’n, Cap’n, wake up Cap’n…God, Cap’n please wake up.’ A very excited and frightened midshipman Lancaster cried. ‘Wake up, Cap’n.’

Hearing the excited midshipman, Lieutenant Gabriel (Gabe) Anthony commanding HMS SeaWolf, a brigantine of eighteen guns, tried to clear his head and focus on the youth who continued in his urgent attempt to awaken him.

After years of continuous service at sea, Gabe was used to being called from a deep sleep at all different hours, for whatever needed the ‘Captain’s’ attention.

However, after being wined and dined aboard the admiral’s flagship until the wee hours was making it much more difficult to rouse himself. Finally Gabe was able to clear the fog of too much drink and too many cigars from his brain and rise up from his bed focusing on the alarmed Lancaster who was almost comical in his exaggerated movements.

Holding up his hand to halt the boy’s blabbering Gabe said, ‘Stop, take a deep breath. Now tell me what’s happening.’

‘Mr. Lavery’s compliments, sir, and could you please come on deck, it’s a fireship.’

‘Fireship!’ Gabe roared.

‘Aye,’ the nervous Lancaster replied, ‘It appears to be headed at the flagship.’

‘Damme,’ Gabe exclaimed, snatching up his breeches and putting them on quickly, then putting his boots on bare feet not wasting time with his stockings. He grabbed a shirt as he left his cabin almost bowling over the marine sentry who stood guard at the door.