STO'B 6-1: Captain Fitton

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Chapter 6
Badger began to lose speed, falling back from the moon’s reflection.  Aboard the Spaniard a pistol fired, flashing in the darkness but too far away to be dangerous.  “Mister South, take us under her stern.  I want her between us and the moon.”

While the quarterdeck was busy with these orders, Philip stepped to the taffrail and ran their color up the ensign staff, then moved forward  to the step of the quarterdeck and raised his trumpet to the Spaniard, “Rendre!”

Badger ran under the Spaniard’s stern and crept up along her port side.  “Rendre,” called Philip again, then, “Mister Wilkins, a gun through her foresail, please - two guns through her foresail.”

Gun two fired, severing the mainmast’s port shrouds.  A calculating pause, and gun four fired, opening a hole in the Spaniard’s foresail, and Philip heard angry voices on the Spanish brig, seemingly arguing: “¡Están mas fuerte!  Necesitamos rendir,” and, “¡No!  ¡No nos  rendiremos!  Mi hermano-” cut short with another pistol shot.  Then the first voice again, “¡Rendiremos!  Rendre!  England, we surrender!  ¡Por favor, no to shoot mas!”

Philip walked forward and opened the night glass again.  The Spanish crew were busy at the foot of the main mast, reducing sail.  Then they moved to the foremast to do the same.  On the quarterdeck, a man stood with his hands raised.  Philip handed the glass to a sailor and picked up the trumpet again.  “No mujerse,” he said, hoping this was at least close to correct.  “Mister South, bring us alongside.”

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