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

Cobb trudged his way past sailors tending lines and the petty officers minding them. Each giving him glances with a varying degree of both fear and contempt. By the time he reached the helm, Cobb could feel the eyes of every hand on his back. He quickly wheeled about, facing back to the bow only to find the men at their tasks. Am I going mad, he thought to himself while watching the activity aloft. Sailors in the rigging seemed occupied with their minor adjustments, coaxing every bit of speed they could from the Valor. On deck it was more of the same, hands were either absorbed in their tasks or looking out over the bow. “Keep it together lad, you’re cracking up.” Cobb grumbled under his breath.

The wafting pillar of smoke drew nearer and nearer as the Valor cut their way north, the smell of soot and burning wood thickening as they passed the debris field off the larboard rail. Cobb examined the protruding hulk of ship as it bobbed at the surface, its surface spotted with flames and smoke. Even through the hazy field of smoke he could make out the distinct figure carved beneath the protruding bowsprit. Her lovely figure was being consumed by flames gnawing away at the wooden bodice, the face already lost to a blackened char, she was all that remained of the Admiral’s ship the H.M.S Endurance. Cobb felt a presence step beside him along the rail and looked to see the hollow face of Mr. Sladen.

“That’ll be the end of it. A failed rebellion.” Cobb announced, loud enough for crew around him to hear.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Mr. Cobb.” Tim replied with his signature drawl. Cobb turned to face him, irritated by his reproach.

“Cobb! She’s flying a black banner!” the aft lookout called down, just as Cobb was about to berate the American. His mouth froze, still beginning to form words when the cry came down from above. He exchanged a look with Tim and grew more irritated when he found that his alarm was met by a glance of indifference from the American.

“Do you intend to engage them?” Tim asked with a wily grin. Cobb squinted at the question, rubbing his chin and poking in his mind at what the American could be getting at.

“Yes. She is flying a black banner. Of course we are.” Cobb snorted.

“Keeping up appearances?” Tim quipped.

“What are you saying? Just bloody be plain about it! I’ve had enough of your sniveling weasel speak.” Cobb’s grumble grew into a shout.

“I’m only observing. It is curious that a man in the service of the Royal Navy would take so much joy in seeing the Admiral’s ship destroyed,” his tone was elevated and Cobb could sense he was being baited, though he couldn’t see to what end.

“The Admiral was in open rebellion; I’ve told you this.” Cobb rebuked, noting that sailors on deck were beginning to take notice of the exchange.

“And I’ve told you, privately, that pirates were the true cause behind the unrest in Kingston. But you have obviously not informed your crew! What exactly are you trying to accomplish out here? Have you led all these men into a mutiny against their appointed commander for some personal mission of revenge?” Tim’s voice was now raised so every hand aboard could hear. “My only intention is to recover property belonging to the East India Trading Company, as I was hired to. It appears to me that you have some motive of secret agenda Mr. Cobb. These fine men aboard deserve an explanation!”

“What? What are you saying? No, the Admiral was attempting…” Cobb began.

“A what? The Admiral was attempting a rebellion? To what end Mr. Cobb? Stealing gold? Does that seem plausible to any of you?” Tim shouted aloud, gesturing to the sailors looking on.

“You snake bastard!” Cobb hissed under his breath. “Clap him in irons and lead him below!”

A moment of hesitation passed, while the crew of the Valor looked on to the quarreling men, unmoving. Tension mounted through the silence as Cobb looked around to the crew hesitating against his order. His face flushed, growing hot against the wind and his temples began to throb with his racing pulse. Looking around him, Cobb saw confusion in the men instead of resolve.

“I said clap him in irons and lead him below! What in the bloody name of Mary are you waiting for? An invitation?” his voice cracked as sailors gathered around him, seemingly unconcerned with his tirade.

“You’ve forgotten an important detail of maintaining order on a ship Mr. Cobb.” Tim said with a widening smile as the sailors began to circle behind him.

“And what is that?” Cobb stammered.

“Once you mutiny against a commander without good cause, eventually, it will be you next.” Tim said. Cobb didn’t have time to react. From both side sailors approached and seized his arms, preventing him from drawing his weapon. In an instant his head was covered in a burlap hood and only fleeting small glimpses of the outside world were available to his eyes through the gaps between its course threads. An impact along the back of his neck and head shot blinding pain wrapping around his skull, dropping him to his knees. He began to protest, but a second impact struck between his shoulders on his back, sending him sprawling across the hard-wooden deck. Before he could get his hands under his torso to lift himself up his arms were grabbed again, and he was bound wrist to wrist behind his back.

“This man has made mutineers of all of you! Unknowingly, you men trusted his word. But I am here to tell you now that you have been deceived! I’ve told you the truth as I know it and too late it seems to save the Admiral or Lieutenant Pike, but follow me and I will do everything I can to deliver you all from the gallows!” Tim shouted over