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MacBathory Act One Scene Seven
"Why if I didn't see it with me own eyes..." John Jilkey stood on the main deck of the Bloodhawk ordering the cannons into silence as the spectral, blazing bowsprit of the l'Abattoir broke through the Spanish ship, which was crumbling fast, the bow already dipping below the waves. When the stern followed suit, and the fires had faded so that the strange ship was barely visible, it began to move forward with nary a single sail, and pull alongside the port rails of the 'hawk.
Since the fires had died out, Jilkey wasn't able to see a man on board the decks of the devilish ship, and until he heard familiar voices call out as they came out from below decks cheering, he wasn't sure any of his shipmates were aboard her.
"Captain Pelham!" Jilkey called out upon seeing him, and was filled with relief.
"Captain Jilkey, how fares the Bloodhawk?"
"Not near as bad as she should be, if you hadn't arrived. They were toying with us, and that's why we're afloat still."
"Can you make for Tortuga? I can't see the Governor of Port Royal welcoming you into the dry dock after this little affair."
"Aye! We can get the 'hawk there without difficulty, even should they come looking for us."
The two men shook hands as the ships were made fast together.
"So, I take it you're signing on with l'Abattoir?" Worsley asked, a wry smile on his lips. When Captain Pelham nodded, Worsley introduced himself, "I am, as you no doubt have guessed, the inventor of l'Abattoir, and her master. My former employer saw no reason that his clerk's musings should see light of day; I've been laughed out of the offices of the naval powers. I have seen ships made by the former and those bearing the flags of the latter to the bottom of the sea, and shall continue to do so."
The work aboard was simple, as he sailed the ship himself - man the guns, serving more as marines than sailors. Even shares for all, and that was that. In addition to those who had already served, they took on more crew to bring her to a full complement of sixty men, in addition to the four officers, the captain, and Worsley himself.
As they made the Bloodhawk ready to sail, the first thing they did was raise anchor, and allow l'Abattoir to tow them to sea. Despite the early hour, they could see stirrings ashore, and knew it would not be long before several Navy vessels were sent to investigate, including, most likely, the Alahandra's sister ship. As soon as the 'hawk had sails out, they cut the line and l'Abattoir set out her sails as well, racing from Port Royal before the sun rose over the wreckage of the man o' war.
End of Act I
Since the fires had died out, Jilkey wasn't able to see a man on board the decks of the devilish ship, and until he heard familiar voices call out as they came out from below decks cheering, he wasn't sure any of his shipmates were aboard her.
"Captain Pelham!" Jilkey called out upon seeing him, and was filled with relief.
"Captain Jilkey, how fares the Bloodhawk?"
"Not near as bad as she should be, if you hadn't arrived. They were toying with us, and that's why we're afloat still."
"Can you make for Tortuga? I can't see the Governor of Port Royal welcoming you into the dry dock after this little affair."
"Aye! We can get the 'hawk there without difficulty, even should they come looking for us."
The two men shook hands as the ships were made fast together.
"So, I take it you're signing on with l'Abattoir?" Worsley asked, a wry smile on his lips. When Captain Pelham nodded, Worsley introduced himself, "I am, as you no doubt have guessed, the inventor of l'Abattoir, and her master. My former employer saw no reason that his clerk's musings should see light of day; I've been laughed out of the offices of the naval powers. I have seen ships made by the former and those bearing the flags of the latter to the bottom of the sea, and shall continue to do so."
The work aboard was simple, as he sailed the ship himself - man the guns, serving more as marines than sailors. Even shares for all, and that was that. In addition to those who had already served, they took on more crew to bring her to a full complement of sixty men, in addition to the four officers, the captain, and Worsley himself.
As they made the Bloodhawk ready to sail, the first thing they did was raise anchor, and allow l'Abattoir to tow them to sea. Despite the early hour, they could see stirrings ashore, and knew it would not be long before several Navy vessels were sent to investigate, including, most likely, the Alahandra's sister ship. As soon as the 'hawk had sails out, they cut the line and l'Abattoir set out her sails as well, racing from Port Royal before the sun rose over the wreckage of the man o' war.
End of Act I