H.M.S Valor: Treachery And Triumph: A war time adventure on the high seas by Cal Clement (best contemporary novels txt) 📕

off their prize. Chibs handed the bottle to James and climbed up beside him onto the rail. James took a drink for himself and Chibs held his hands up in the air. The crowd of sailors cheered and shouted all the louder. When James had finished his pull from the rum bottle he handed it back to Chibs and drew a long pistol out of his waistband, he cocked the piece and held it up firing into the air over the side of the ship. After a moment of the shot echoing through the cove and the smoke clearing away in the gentle breeze, the crew finally began to settle, quieting enough for their Captain to be heard.

“We have a vote to call tonight! But first, we have a ship to name!” James shouted out with a show of fanfare. The crew cheered again in a frenzy of shouts, but this time as the Captain started to resume speaking, they quieted in turn. “The slave ship was named ‘Carolina Shepherd’, which is too fine a name for the lot of us!” The sailors went wild shouting and cheering, clanking together mugs and slapping shoulders. Several shots rang out into the air from pistols in the crowd. Chibs stood and raised his voice to meet the chaos, “The Captain has seen fit to name the prize himself! She will be the ‘Unholy Shepherd’!” This sent the whole crowd into another fit of cheers and shouts which lasted several minutes until Captain James raised his voice again.

“Now we will hold our vote for the Shepherd’s Captain. Whoever hopes him or herself a Captain of the Unholy Shepherd, to command and sail her from the hour you set foot on deck until your death, step forward and be considered.” James commanded. The reaction for the crew was much quieter, a murmur of chatter among them and two sailors stepped up toward the quarterdeck. Trina, the woman who had taken to teaching Lilith the ways of seamanship stepped forward. Immediately after her was a very large African man known as Big Bob who had been on the crew of the Maiden as long as Captain James, his stature was massive as he was broad of shoulder and stood a full head and a half taller than everyone on board. Big Bob was a name given to the large man by Chibs himself when they found his native name quite unpronounceable. James and Chibs looked over the two who had approached for the crew’s consideration, a silent nod of approval was shared between Captain and Quartermaster.

“Both these sailors would prove good commanders; they carry the approval of the Captain and myself. All in favor of Trina as Captain raise a hand and hold it high.” Chibs said, hands arose all through the crew. It was an obvious majority though Chibs went through the measure of counting each hand in the interest of thoroughness. “And all in favor of Big Bob.” Chibs continued, counting through the show of hands, though every man and woman aboard already knew the outcome. Chibs, leaned over to Captain James and muttered something. With a big smile James stepped back up towards the rail and announced, “Cheers for Captain Trina! Step up here Captain and name your First Mate.”

“Big Bob will be First Mate on the Shepherd. It’s only fair to keep him on the quarterdeck, there’s no way the giant will fit below deck!” Trina announced, jesting at Big Bob with a broad smile. The crew cheered and laughed, Chibs smacked Big Bob on his massive shoulder in congratulation. Drinking and song carried on throughout the remaining evening and well into the night while the Captains and both First Mates withdrew to Captain James’ cabin to begin making plans to present their respective crews in the morning.

H.M.S Valor

15 Aug 1808

44 Degrees 10’ N, 18 Degrees 9’ W

All crew were assembled on the main deck of the Valor as the last bell signaling the hour of noon was struck. A watch crew of marines and sailors ensured the ship remained on course and kept a sharp watch for sails on the horizon. Captain Grimes walked onto the quarterdeck with Lieutenant Pike at his side, both looking magnificent in their full formal uniforms. William called the crew to attention and Captain Grimes read aloud the articles of war. William could feel his legs tighten and feet ache as the process drug on, the articles were exhaustive but regulation and tradition demand they be read aloud once per month and before all disciplinary proceedings aboard ship. It took the better part of half the hour, but each article was read aloud outlining disciplinary infractions and their subsequent required punishments. When Johnathan began reading the article dealing with cowardice, misbehavior before the enemy or refusing to engage an enemy when ordered, a chill shot up William’s spine. Captain Grimes gave no emphasis or significance to the article as he read it and continued to the next when he finished. A surprising number of the articles were punishable by death, but William’s mind was stuck on misbehavior before the enemy. His mind raced, wondering if Grimes was about to hang Midshipman Shelton, if not, why had he asked for a noose to be hung? Why had he asked for the cat of nine to be on hand? Would he flog a man and then hang him?

At the conclusion of reading the articles Captain Grimes paused momentarily, looking out over the assembled crew.

“Master at Arms bring forward Lieutenant Cobb.” Grimes commanded. His tone belied no emotion, no hint of pride or sadness or grief under the protocol of military bearing. Lieutenant Cobb was escorted in up in front of the crew, facing the Captain, a petty officer at each shoulder. “Lieutenant Alexander Cobb, you are hereby brought forth under my command as Captain of the H.M.S Valor under the charge of falsifying testimony against a member of this crew. The officer in question was accused by