Monday, 28th March 1667

We arrived at Nevis mid-afternoon on Monday to find two of the King's ships in the anchorage, and as soon as we had settled, Captain went to visit the larger of them. Not half an hour later, while I was up on the quarterdeck enjoying the hot sun, I sighted his boat returning. What new information this time? Would they have served him tae? Should I fetch some in case not? Yes, even if they served, he said we must drink more than usual in the heat.

A few minutes later, when I returned to the great cabin with a pot and a small basket, Captain was at the chart table, and I said, "I have brought tae and some confections, sir."

"Oh, so thoughtful of you, Boy. They served me none, and I was about to bid you fetch some. Serve us both here, and I will show you what I have learnt."

After savouring a sip, he placed a finger on the chart. "We are here, Boy, on the last of these islands still in our possession. Across the channel northward is Saint Christopher, and beyond it lies Saint Eustace. Here, to the southeast is Monserrat, and here to the northeast is Antigua, all of them taken from us by the French and the Dutch these past months."

"So, we are surrounded by the enemy."

"Indeed, Boy." He tapped the chart. "And here in Guadeloupe, the French have a large force. And here to the south of it, a larger one still in Martinique."

"What will we do, sir?"

"Disrupt the enemy's trade."

I smiled and nodded. "By taking prizes."

"Aye, and with us appearing as Dutch ships, we will be ignored." He tapped the chart. "And here, within a day's sail across the wind, the approaches to Tortola offer us the most lucrative possibilities."

"And bring the prizes here." I paused for a moment to ponder. "With so many French ships all around us, and with this being the only island not captured, they will surely attack here."

"Indeed, but we are assembling ships to bolster the defences here. Aboard Coronation two days past in Barbados, Captain Berry told me the Governor is compelling armed merchantmen to join the fight."

"Armed merchantmen? Like us?"

"Aye, Boy. But not so well armed as us nor so well disguised. While we pluck Dutch prizes and tow them here, we will watch what unfolds. Captain Berry said he will sail here as soon as they have assembled sufficient ships."

"And when he arrives, we will all raid the French and the Dutch."

"Nay, Boy." He shook his head. "Nay, knowing their attack is inevitable, if we do that, we leave Nevis unprotected. It is better the ships remain here and learn how best to defend."

Wednesday, 30th March 1667

We weighed shortly after four bells of Tuesday's forenoon, and in the afternoon, when well away from land, the gun crew practised with the swivels [1] and the main guns. Watching this allowed me to more vividly picture the tales Captain had told me, and my mind wandered to memories of them. Will I soon have tales of my own to tell? But tell to whom? Captain and the crew will know them, and I have no other ears to listen. Nor have I other tales to tell.

On Wednesday morning, as I walked forward to fetch Captain's breakfast, a call came from aloft, "Sails, sir. Broad the starboard."

After listening to the watch officer's acknowledgement, I wondered whether this would delay breakfast. No, of course not; the sails are just now sighted, still well beyond the horizon.

A while later, as I set his plate and tae in front of him, Captain said, "The ship flies Dutch colours from her masthead, Boy." He paused to take a sip of tae. "Now showing three masts and headed westward."

"Toward Tortola, sir?"

"Aye, so it appears – we may well have our first prize. I have ordered Dutch colours hoisted, and we have come to a course to close them."

"How long will that take, sir?"

"They are now about sixteen miles broad our bow, so a bit above two hours."

"Oh! Are we making less than eight, sir? From the look and feel, it seems well above ten."

"Aye, Boy, near eleven. But think of what would happen were we to sail directly toward them."

I pondered this for a while until I realised. "Oh, of course! We must sail similar to how we did when stemming the current in Bessie. Keep them on a steady angle as we approach."

"Exactly, Boy."

"And Delfe? Will they join us in the capture?"

"It is still too soon to assess the situation, but I have signalled them to follow in our wake."

"Signalled, sir? How?"

"We have devised a system of flags to convey information between us."

"Oh, I must learn this."

Captain chuckled. "I will show it to you after we have breakfasted."

"I had mine with the forenoon watchmen, sir. I have learnt to eat with the watch about to go on duty, that I be free to serve you and clean after."

He held a bite of ham short of his mouth, pursing his lips and nodding; then, after a pause, he pointed at the table. "You may take your meals here with me, Boy. I have missed your companionship these past weeks."

"But what of the necessary separation [2] you had explained, sir?"

"It remains essential with the officers and crew, but I see it as no longer needed between you and me."

"This pleases me, sir. I shall inform Cookery Mate to adjust the pannier – or would it be better if you told him?"

"No, you do it, Boy. You have gained his respect and trust."

"Oh! How do you know this, sir?"

He chuckled. "The mates report both the good and the bad to their officers, and the officers report the important matters to me. Because of the separation, I cannot know such things directly, so I am kept informed."

I nodded. "And the same between the officers and the mates. And between the mates and the hands."

"Indeed. Though they are separated socially in different messes and accommodations, intercourse between the ranks fosters a happy ship with a willing and obedient crew."

Notes:

[1] Swivels, or more formally, swivel guns, were small cannons mounted on a swivelling stand or fork, usually along the ship's bulwarks and in the bow and stern. Their wide range of movement, both horizontally and vertically, allowed them to be easily aimed.
[2] To maintain authority and focus, a ship's captain doesn't fraternise with the rest of the ship's company. The role can be a lonely one.