Chase the Morning

‘Open fire …’ I felt a drop of sweat trickle down my back; the hunched black shapes spaced out along the rails took on the look of sleeping cobras, poised to spit venom. The reality of what we were about to do took sudden drastic form. And whether it was the excitement or what, the dinner and the drink chose just that moment to strike, and it occurred to me there was one vital part of the ship I hadn’t cottoned on to.

‘Er – Mall – by the way, where’re the, er, heads?’ At least I’d remembered the proper shipping term.

She pointed in the general direction of the foredeck and the bowsprit beyond. ‘Up there.’

‘Up where? In the foc’sle?’

‘No. Over the rail there, down into the forepeak and out onto the bowsprit. There’s a ladder.’

‘You mean … in the open air?’

‘For health’s sake, aye.’

‘Christ!’ The picture appalled me. ‘Why the acrobatics? Why not just use the rail, long as it’s public anyway?’

‘Cap’n Pierce wouldn’t like it. And just one little flaw of wind, and like as not you get your own back.’

‘I see,’ I said, and stumbled off down the companionway.

It was only as I tottered across the foredeck towards the rail that she shouted after me. ‘There’s always another, mind – in the port foc’sle cabin. That’s mine. By custom for ladies only, but if you’d wish to avail yourself, you being a well-brought-up sort of young man –’

‘Listen!’ I called back as I clambered clumsily over the rail. ‘I appreciate the compliment, but – Here am I, stuck on a ship to nowhere, right? With a bunch of the toughest goons I ever saw in my life! And you think I’m going to go tempting fate and use the ladies?’

A cheer arose from the bowels of the ship.

So that is how we sped heroically into action, with myself crouched shivering on the wooden box behind the bowsprit. As a figurehead I left a lot to be desired, and my only comfort was that if we really were above the airs of earth, the earth was in for a bit of a shock.

By the time I clambered back up the watch below had been called up, and the deck was in a whirl of purposeful activity. Jyp and the captain were up and about; Jyp looked fresh as a daisy, but Pierce was in a filthy mood, and I was secretly glad to see him head hastily for the bowsprit.

‘Any joy?’ I demanded.

‘We’ll know any minute,’ Jyp answered without lowering the telescope from his eye. ‘T’gallants in – sail shortened for the night. We’re overhauling her fast – too fast, maybe. I’d sooner come on ’em after moonset. Has anyone seen old Stryge? Someone roust him out!’

The lack of enthusiasm was so general that I offered to go myself. When I hammered on the small green door I expected anything from a frenzied bout of barking to a thunderbolt, but instead the girl Peg Powler opened the door, gathering her loose black rags about her. She said nothing, only looked at me large-eyed and was beckoning me in when Stryge’s low snarl stopped her.

‘I know!’ he growled out of the darkness behind her, before I’d said anything. Swampy smells drifted out. ‘I can hear! Tell the master he’ll have what he needs – but not to attack before then! At his peril – and yours!’

‘We’ll have what we need?’ enquired Jyp when I took the word back. He looked at Pierce, who’d reappeared. ‘Damfino! Wonder what what happens to be?’

‘He seemed to assume you’d know.’

‘Him? Never! He just likes bein’ cussed, that’s all. But one thing I’ll tell you – you won’t get me attackin’ before he’s done, not at a cannon’s gob. Now, Steve, what’re we going to do with you? You can stay here on deck if you like, but the safest place is always below the waterline where the shot don’t come –’

‘Like hell!’ I snapped, surprised and offended. ‘You think I’m not coming with you?’

‘No,’ admitted Jyp. ‘But I did promise the skipper I’d give you the chance. He ain’t coming either, ’less it’s with a relief party. See, Steve, this is kind of specialized stuff, boarding a ship, specially one a lot higher in the side. And you’re the only guy aboard who’s not done it before – ’cept maybe the Stryge.’

‘I’m a pretty fair climber,’ I said. ‘How many of your lads would shin up an overhanging rockface?’

Jyp glanced at the captain, who shrugged. ‘A fair point, maybe. But you’ll needs be armed, Master Stephen, and I gather you’re not trained to the sword. I can give you a good pistol, but that’s but two shots – if your priming stays dry … And speaking of which, we’ll needs arm soon, volens-nolens!’ He snatched up his speaking-trumpet and roared, ‘Mastheads! Be you buggers all struck horn-blind up there? They’ll have sight of us by now!’

‘A moment more, sir! But a moment …’ You could have plucked the air on the quarterdeck like a taut steel wire.

‘There’s scant science to a cutlass,’ suggested Mall. ‘Just lift, slash and parry, keep a firm hold and let the weight work for you.’