* No badgers were harmed in the creation of this blog *

** Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
**

Monday, April 20, 2015

STO'B 5-10: Captain Fitton

Author's Note|First Post|Previous|Next| last episode with Dr M’Mullen GLOSSARY

With the beating of her drum, Badger fell into her rhythm at last.  The forecourse vanished, water and sand splashed onto her deck, and the gun captains raised their fists.  When the last fist was raised Mr South reported that the Badger was ready.

“Mr South, keep us on this heading, but reduce sail.  Put the stem of their bowsprit level with our mainmast.”

Mr South began a volley of orders, taking in the maintopsail and scandalizing the driver, and easing the wheel one spoke.  As the crew began securing the lines, Midshipman Wilkins reappeared at the top of the companion.  “Mister Wilkins,” said Captain Fitton, “fire gun three across her bows.”

“Gun three across her bow, aye, sir,” replied Mister Wilkins, saluting and darting back down the companion.

Philip turned his attention back to the Spanish brig.  She was hoisting a flag.  In the dim light light the colors were difficult to make out, but in the night glass Philip distinguished five horizontal stripes, the middle one wider than the other four.  With a panic he glanced at Badger’s halyard: no colors were bent.  Nor was there a signal midshipman to bend them, Wilkins being busy and Emmet and Adams being aboard the Chasseur.  Gun three fired; Philips insides turned to water.

He grabbed a speaking trumpet from the binnacle and turned it on the Spanirad.  “This is Her Majesty’s brig Badger of fourteen guns,” he announced.  “Heave to or we shall sink you.”

Tengo veinte cañones, English Badger,” replied the Spaniard.  “Si ustéd fire your cañones, we fire también.”

Author's Note|First Post|Previous|Next| last episode with Dr M’Mullen GLOSSARY

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