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  BOSON BOOKS by Michael Aye

  The Reaper, Book One, The Fighting Anthonys

  HMS SeaWolf, Book Two, The Fighting Anthonys

  Barracuda, Book Three, The Fighting Anthonys

  SeaHorse, Book Four, The Fighting Anthonys

  Peregrine, Book Five, The Fighting Anthonys

  THE FIGHTING ANTHONYS

  BOOK FIVE

  PEREGRINE

  MICHAEL AYE

  BOSON BOOKS

  Raleigh

  Michael Aye is a retired Naval Medical Officer. He has long been a student of early American and British Naval history. Since reading his first Kent novel, Mike has spent many hours reading the great authors of sea fiction, often while being “haze gray and underway” himself.

  http://michaelaye.com

  ISBN (paper): 978-0-917990-74-8

  ISBN (ebook): 978-0-917990-73-1

  © 2012 Michael A. Fowler

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, including mechanical, electric, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Published by

  Boson Books,

  a division of C & M Online Media, Inc.

  3905 Meadow Field Lane,

  Raleigh, NC 27606-4470

  email: [email protected]

  http://www.bosonbooks.com

  Cover art by Jan Julian

  Graphic art by Carrie Skalla

  Author’s Note

  This book is a work of fiction with a historical backdrop. I have taken liberties with historical figures, ships, and time frames to blend in with my story. Therefore, this book is not a reflection of actual historical events.

  Dedication

  This one is for Don

  Contents

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  CHARACTERS IN THE FIGHTING ANTHONY SERIES

  PART I

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  PART II

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  PART III

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  EPILOGUE

  APPENDIX

  AGE OF SAIL GLOSSARY

  Acknowledgements

  I continue to be amazed at how helpful Age of Sail authors are when another asks for guidance.

  Douglas Reeman and Kim have never failed to help me out.

  One rainy Saturday I was at a place where I couldn’t go further. Dewey Lambdin answered his phone and answered my questions immediately.

  Jim Nelson has never failed me and I feel like he’s my sea daddy at times.

  Bill Hammond continues to be an inspiration and I appreciate him very much.

  I want to thank Johannes Ewers for allowing me to use his wonderful paintings as cover art. I hope my books justify the use of his art.

  Alaric Bond has become a good friend. His in depth knowledge and willingness to share information about the business has been heartfelt. I’d love to buy you a wet, Alaric.

  Characters in the Fighting Anthonys Series

  British Officers and Seamen:

  Rear Admiral Lord Gilbert “Gil” Anthony – Commands British fleet in the Caribbean. First son of Retired Admiral Lord James Anthony (deceased) and Lady Anthony.

  Captain Gabriel “Gabe” Anthony – Second son of Retired Admiral Lord James Anthony (deceased) and his mistress Maria Dupree.

  Captain Rupert Buck – Admiral Lord Gil Anthony’s flag captain.

  Bart – Long time cox’n and friend to Admiral Lord Anthony.

  Dagan Dupree – Supernumerary on Peregrine. Gabe’s uncle and self-appointed guardian.

  Lieutenant David Davy – Peregrine’s third lieutenant. Gabe’s friend.

  Lord Ragland – British Governor of Barbados.

  Captain Francis Markham – Captain of frigate HMS Dasher.

  Captain Stephen Earl – British naval officer in earlier novels.

  Lieutenant George Jepson – Commander of the small ship, HMS Pegasus.

  Lieutenant Mahan – Commands HMS Rapid.

  Lieutenant Wesley – HMS Rapid’s first lieutenant.

  Nathan Lavery – HMS Peregrine’s first lieutenant.

  Everette Hazard – Admiral Lord Anthony’s flag lieutenant. Lost an arm in previous action.

  Ambrose Taylor – Captain of HMS Lizard.

  Gunnells – Peregrine’s master.

  Jacob (Jake) Hex – Gabe’s new cox’n.

  Silas – Lord Anthony’s steward.

  Dawkins – Gabe’s servant and secretary.

  Josiah Nesbit – A chef and a gentleman’s gentleman.

  Sir Victor McNeil – British Foreign Office agent/spy.

  Lord Skalla – British Foreign Office agent who replaces Sir Victor.

  Mr. Hawks – One of Gabe’s midshipmen.

  Mr. Alejandro a/k/a Mr. Ally – Son of Spanish parents in Saint Augustine. He becomes one of Gabe’s midshipmen.

  Paco – Gabe’s cox’n. Friend to Mr. Ally and his parents.

  Mr. Chase – Midshipman from the captured HMS Drake.

  The Ladies:

  Lady Deborah – Lord Anthony’s wife. They met after pirates had attacked the ship Lady Deborah and her husband were on. The husband was killed by the pirates before Lord Anthony’s ship came to the rescue. The marriage between Lady Deborah and her first husband had been one of convenience. When she and Lord Anthony met it was love at first sight. They later married and had a daughter, Macayla.

  Faith – Gabe’s wife. They met in HMS SeaWolf where Gabe had survived an explosion but was wounded. Faith and Nanny were walking on the beach and came upon him. They hid Gabe and nursed him back to health. Gabe and Faith fell in love but with her being an American and with Gabe being a British sea officer it was difficult.

  Betsy – Dagan’s love. She is the sister of American General Manning’s deceased wife. She is a young widow who lives with the general. Dagan met Betsy during the time General Manning was being held in Saint Augustine as a paroled prisoner of war.

  Rebecca/Becky – Lord Anthony’s sister. She lives in England with her husband, Hugh, and daughter, Gretchen.

  Maria Dupree– She is Gabe’s mother and Dagan’s sister. She was Admiral Lord James Anthony’s mistress of many years.

  The Americans:

  General Manning – America’s chief negotiator for POW exchange.

  Andre Dupree – Dagan’s uncle. He moved to Virginia years ago.

  Caleb McKean – Physician and surgeon. Gabe’s friend. Loves Kitty Dupree.

  Kitty – Andre Dupree’s daughter who loves Caleb McKean.

  Jubal – Andre Dupree’s son. Still a youngster, he appears to have “the gift” as his cousin, Dagan.

  Kawliga – American Indian who lives with Andre Dupree’s family
and looks after Jubal. Kawliga understands Jubal’s “gift”.

  Ariel – A captive sex slave to privateer Witzenfeld.

  Lum – Slave on Faith’s family plantation. He kills a man attempting to rape Faith. He spends time with Gabe on board ship as his servant, and then when Faith and Gabe reunite, he leaves the sea to be with her and Nanny.

  Nanny – Like Lum, she was a slave on Faith’s family plantation. She was a personal servant to Faith’s mother and has been Faith’s nanny since birth. She loves Lum.

  The Bad Guy:

  Witzenfeld – American privateer blames Gabe and Dagan for the death of his brother.

  PART I

  Final Victory

  The mighty ship entered port

  Her yards set cockbill

  A loyal crew mourned the death

  Their brave captain killed

  The battle had been fought and won

  They fired the last broadside

  As enemy colours floated down

  The good captain died

  …Michael Aye

  Prologue

  “Bloody ‘ell…Deck thar,” the mainmast lookout shouted down. “It’s the whole Frog fleet.”

  “Where away,” Lieutenant Mahan shouted back at the excited lookout.

  “Dead astern, sir.”

  Lieutenant Mahan felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he grabbed a glass and rushed aft. The glare from the rising sun made it difficult to focus but as the breeze wisped away an area of haze the fleet came into view. The lookout had been right. It looked like the whole Frog fleet.

  “Did the Johnny Crapuads leave any ships at home?” Wesley, the ship’s only other officer asked his captain.

  Mahan didn’t answer. He had just been given command of the sloop in March of 1778 and it was just July, of all the rotten luck. Rated a sloop, HMS Rapid, was a snow, a prize taken by his previous command. He had been placed in command of the prize with his captain’s strongest recommendation for command. Lord Howe had in honour of his previous captain made him Master and Commander after determining the vessel a worth prize. Looking down the eighty-foot deck of Rapid, Mahan wondered how much longer he would continue to have a command.

  Looking to Wesley he asked, “Is HMS Haerlem in sight?”

  “No sir,” the first lieutenant replied. He had been the third lieutenant on Mahan’s previous ship and had come over with him.

  They had been friends for several years and had come aboard Rapid together. He hoped they wouldn’t become prisoners of war together…or worse.

  Looking at the French fleet bearing down on them, Mahen gave the only order he could, “Make all sail.”

  “Deck thar,” the lookout called down again. “Ship off the port bow.” Then before anyone could question him further added, “Looks like Haerlem, sir.”

  Nodding to himself Mahan turned to his first lieutenant, “Make signal to Haerlem, enemy in sight. If he doesn’t acknowledge, fire a cannon.”

  “Won’t that give away our position, sir?”

  Mahan answered with a snap, “You don’t think the damn Frogs know where we are, sir? I just hope Haerlem makes it to warn Lord Howe.”

  “Deck thar, signals from the Frog flagship and two big frigates ‘as left formation. They’re bearing down on us, sir.”

  “Very well,” Mahan acknowledged. “Mr. Wesley, you have the deck. Have the men toss everything overboard that they can. I’m going down to my cabin to look at my charts.”

  “Everything, sir, even the cannons?”

  “Dammit, Mr. Wesley, must you question every order today?”

  Seeing the hurt look on his friend’s face, Mahan took a breath and said, “There is little we can do with sixteen six pounders with two big Frog frigates bearing down on us. Our only hope is to gain time to find a likely spot to beach the ship…and burn her.”

  Feeling somewhat foolish Wesley replied, “Aye aye, sir,” and went to do as ordered.

  Mahan then turned to the ship’s master. “Mr. Love, would you join me as I peer over what charts we have?”

  “Aye, Captain,” Love responded. He could see the despair in the young captain’s face. What bad luck, he thought. Damn the Frogs to hell.

  Returning on deck, Mahan saw the wind was from the southwest. With the ship’s anchors, cannons, and all supplies thrown overboard to lighten the ship a small advantage was gained for an hour or so. But the French held a more favourable position with the wind at their backs and it was soon realized the advantage once held was diminishing fast.

  Mahan called the crew together. “Men we have done all we can to outrun the French. It’s obvious now that they will soon be within cannon range. According to the charts we are close to Assateague Island. The wake is deep then shoals very fast. I intend to run the ship aground under full sail then set fire to her. That way she will be of no use to our enemies. Get what little is left aboard that we can use to get a good blaze going. You’ve been a good crew and Rapid has been a fine ship. I wish you all the best.”

  After finishing his speech, Mahan turned to the bosun. “Dismiss the crew.”

  Turning toward the quarterdeck, he was surprised when a cheer went up. “Huzza, huzza, for the captain.” Will they cheer at my court martial, he wondered. Well, I’ve kept her from the French, he thought as he heard the report of cannon fire.

  “Make an entry, Mr. Wesley, fired on by the enemy. Make that by the French.”

  “Aye aye, sir.”

  Assateague Island was now just off the larboard bow.

  “There appears to be several American vessels at anchor,” Wesley volunteered.

  “I see them,” Mahan replied. “I’d rather be an American prisoner than a French one. Now fire the ship, and then have the men find something to hold on to as we run aground.”

  “Aye aye, sir. Captain?”

  “Yes, Mr. Wesley.”

  “It’s been a pleasure, sir.”

  Chapter One

  Lieutenant George “Jep” Jepson stood in the shrouds amazed at the sight of the approaching fleet as it approached Sandy Hook, New York. It was something to behold…even if it was French and their arrival could mean death before the sun set this day of our Lord, July 11, 1778. As he continued to watch from his vantage point, he could see Lord Howe’s tiny line of defence…seven vessels – five sixty-fours, one fifty, and an armed store ship. Black Dick knew his business though.

  When the ships were anchored, springs were placed on the ship’s cables so that they could swing to rake any ship coming up the channel. They would also be able to face the French broadside to broadside if the Frogs succeeded in forcing a passage. This gave Jepson a shiver.

  The French fleet was made up of one ninety-gun ship that carried Admiral Comte d’Estaing’s flag, six seventy-fours, three sixty-fours, and one fifty. The French held a superior firepower such as Jepson had never seen before, and only the Lord knew what yet lay over the horizon. It was as hopeless a situation as he had ever encountered.

  Climbing down the shrouds, Jepson was careful not to get any tar on his new uniform. Hell, he thought, all my uniforms are new. So new in fact they still held the sheen of new fabric. He’d only worn the uniform of a British navy officer for a few weeks. He’d been promoted to lieutenant from master by his Lordship Vice Admiral Anthony after they’d beaten a French squadron in the Caribbean. His Lordship had then surprised Jepson even more by offering him command of the brig, HMS Pegasus.

  Pegasus was the winged horse of Greek mythology. She was not a big ship, only one hundred feet long with a beam of twenty-four feet. She mounted fourteen six pounders, seven down each side and two four pounders for bow chasers. The Americans who had built and armed her had definitely planned to use the ship as a commerce raider…a privateer, as she was also fitted out with twelve swivels. She might be small but she was his.

  Chomping down on a cigar he retrieved from his senior midshipman, Joseph Bucklin, he looked about his ship. Never in all his days in the navy had he
expected to command a ship. Yet here he was with the Frogs bearing down in such a belligerent and hellish manner. Well they’d have a hard time taking his first command and that was no error.

  “Mr. Parks,” Jepson called to his first lieutenant.

  “Aye, sir.”

  “I’m going below to break my fast. Call me if anything further develops.”

  Parks watched as “the captain” made his way down the small companionway to his cabin. He had to be the oldest junior officer he’d ever laid eyes on. I’ll bet my date of rank is at least six months senior to his…maybe a year. However, one didn’t compare dates of rank with one’s captain. Not that the captain didn’t know his business. Parks had never sailed with anyone who knew the elements or how to get the most out of a ship better than the captain. No sir, the only thing lacking that he could see was polish. He knew the sea, but knew very little about the finer things in life. Taking a deep breath Parks gave a sigh. Right now he was glad the captain was an old salt. With the French fleet bearing down he’d put his money on the captain any day rather than some popinjay from Cambridge.

  * * *

  A knock on the door and the sentry announced, “First lieutenant, zur.” Jepson had been looking over the ship’s books and was glad for the interruption. He was trying to make sense of the purser’s, Burford’s, ledgers. How could it be that two plus two made four one time but five the next? Learned his trade well, he did, but I’ll let him know I know the ways of his kind and I’ll be watching…watching closely. Looking up at Parks he offered a glass of something cool.