Woodcuffe gave the master Gunner his order and a volley sailed into the rock face and exploded in a shower of scree that peppered the water like a driving rain. They reloaded and waited as the Captain scanned the damage with his spyglass.

"Nothing. Nothing but confounded cliff. This is idiotic. They heard another volley from Barlow's ship and Woodcuffe slammed his glass shut and handed it to his first officer.

"Make sail, Mister day."

"Aye, sir."

Woodcuffe bumped a closed fist against his lips. This will be a very bad scene back in port.

"Set the tops"

"Aye, sir." The wind began to stir and fill the sails as the Bold Sea started to come about.

Barlow watched his sister ship turning back toward them and he screamed for his signalman.

"Order them to belay that move." Barlow snatched his spyglass from his first officer and searched the ship for the captain. he could see Woodcuffe on the bridge and his teeth ground together.

"No reply, sir."

He watched as the ship closed on their position and he moved to the larboard side to hail them as they approached. Woodcuffe drew alongside and called across before Barlow could speak.

"I am formally refusing this command and returning to Hispaniola. The Governor will be informed of this insanity as will the Admiralty."

Barlow raised a fist and screamed back that Woodcuffe would be in irons and even hung on Gibbet's Row for treason and his screams continued as the Bold Sea filled sail and moved away.

******

"What do you make of that, Skipper?"

"My instinct says the Master of the Bold Sea has chosen not to take part in the shelling of the island's topography."

"Skipper?"

"The rocks, Mister Braggs, the rocks."

"Aah..."

"It appears the other ship is disengaging as well. In about an hour it will be dusk. I think we should take the opportunity to return our two guests."

"Two?"

"Miss Francorte and Cafferty. We'll set them off in the dory from Dolphin Point. Cafferty can row them to land from there."

"What about the two that remain hard-nosed about joining us?"

"Can't let them go, they know where the cavern entrance is. We could have court decide."

"Who would defend?"

"We'll choose several good men and then draw lots. That's for later, right now ready the Bright Star to take our guests home."

******

Woodcuffe stood at attention across from the governor while Barlow ranted and raved about his mutinous behaviour. Francorte listened until the accusations petered out and asked Woodcuffe if he had anything to say.

"Mister Barlow-"

"Lieutenant Barlow, Mister Woodcuffe." Barlow snapped.

"Orders were issued that were clearly based on the frustration of a military man and not those of a competent seaman, sir. I obeyed the initial command and witnessed the absolute futility of the result and chose to disengage."

"In spite of your commander's orders." Francorte said.

"Your pardon, sir, but because of those orders. The action was irresponsible, ineffectual and extremely wasteful. Lieutenant Barlow had no idea where the pirate haven was. Instead of hastily abandoning his marines to save himself, he would have marked the location as any responsible ship's captain would."

"Is that why you ordered the shelling of the entire north coast, Lieutenant?"

Barlow clenched his teeth and stared straight ahead. "My orders were to find your daughter, sir. That is precisely what I was trying to do."

"Sergeant!" Francorte bellowed. The office door opened and a Marine Sergeant popped inside, saluting.

"Accompany Lieutenant Barlow to his quarters and see that he remains there."

"Sir." The sergeant moved behind Barlow and eased him forward.

"This is an outrage! I'm an officer in the British Marines, you can't-"

"Sergeant!"

Barlow was hustled out with little regard for his rank.

"Captain Woodcuffe. I am putting you in command of the ships Dark Pride and Bold Sea. You will continue where you left off your search for my daughter and the pirate haven. I expect results, sir. Results worthy of an established seaman."

The comment wasn't lost on Woodcuffe and he nodded acceptance and stated his terms for the mission.

"I don't really care how you get it done. Just do it." Francorte waved him out.

Darkness had settle over the port and as he made his way down to the ship, Woodcuffe couldn't help but shake his head at the irony of the Governor's last remark, considering Barlow was doing exactly what was expected.

******

Hollick handed Alicia down to Cafferty in the dory. Their fingers lingered together in a tacit message of what had been shared between them. As the dory pulled away, he held up a hand then let it fall. Darkness had obscured the boat.

"Bring her about, Mister Braggs, we're heading back."

"Captain! A British frigate!"

"Where away, boson?"

"Starboard bow, sir!"

"We can't make sail, Skipper. I can't turn past her."

"Prepare for boarding! No cannon fire!"

"What if she rams us, sir?"

"That's not going to happen. Look."

The frigate approached and drifted broadside to the bright Star. On the bridge a marine in full military regalia hailed for the captain and crew to throw down their arms and surrender or be blown out of the sea where they sat. To emphasize the demand, the cannon hatches all along the side were raised and the cannons rolled forward. Hollick knew they had no option and he ordered his crew to obey and not resist. They would watch instead for any opportunity to reverse their situation.

******

The marine grinned from ear to ear as he made his report to the Governor. This would be a boost to his career, being the one to carry the long awaited news about the pirate Terrance Hollick.

"He's here, in custody?"

"Yessir. Our patrol frigate spotted the Bright Star sitting off Dolphin Point and immediately cut off their escape and captured a crew of nine plus Hollick and his first mate, Braggs." The words spilled out in excited gasps and Francorte held up a silencing hand.

"What were they doing off Dolphin Point?"

"Uhm... I don't- I didn't- they won't say, sir."

"Take me to them."

"Aye, aye sir." The grin returned. Wait until those other monkeys see me with the Governor.

The military prison was slightly more amenable than the port cells for those being held. At least the cells were dry and not dripping with moldy smelling dampness. Governor Francorte waited while a jailer unlocked the cell then with a marine guard, stepped inside and stared at the man who was his long time nemesis.

"So, the infamous Captain Hollick, scoundrel, pirate and kidnapper. Where is my daughter, sir?"

Hollick pushed off the wall from where he was leaning and smiled. "I would imagine at this time of night, tucked into her bed, Governor."

Francorte stepped forward and attempted to strike him but Hollick grabbed his wrist. The crew all stirred as one and Francorte shouted to the guard to shoot the first man that moved.

Hollick released his grip and waited, primed.

"Your smart mouthed response will simply make hanging you all the more pleasurable, Captain Hollick. Now I ask you once more, where is my daughter AND if you don't want one of these scum shot, you'll answer carefully."

"Your daughter was sent ashore in our dory, accompanied by an honest seaman who had been in irons aboard the Contender under the captaincy of your man, Barlow."

"When was this?" Francorte scowled.

"Just prior to our unfortunate arrest."

"If I find this is a delaying tactic, sir, I assure you there will be no delay in stretching you neck from the arm of your own ship." Francorte turned and nodded to the guard to open the door and they left, the loud click of the key the only sound in the cell.

******

Alicia ran to her father's arms the moment he entered the door. They hugged and both said silent prayers.

"Are you alright, Alicia? Did that- did he do anything to you?"

She tipped her head down and shook it. "No, father. I was- I was treated very well."

"Well, that's more than I can say for your ex host. He'll spend his last night in the military jail and in the morning we'll watch him swing from his yard arm."

She looked up, gaping. "He's in jail! How? When?"

"Don't concern yourself, dear, his kidnapping days are over."

"No! You don't understand. He's not what you think. He's trying to stop the slave trading, he-"

"What nonsense is this?" Francorte grabbed her arms and held her firmly. "The man's a scourge on the sea. He attacks and plunders innocent merchants, not to mention what he did to you."

"Father, you have to listen. The plunder, it is distributed among the needy in Hispaniola and the other islands around the Caribbean. I've seen what he does-"

"Stop this moment! I won't have my own daughter defending the likes of that scoundrel. I think it best you go to your room and gather your senses."

A few more futile attempts at explaining fell on deaf ears and Alicia fled the room and up the stairs to her chamber.