"It is rather beautiful." Annabelle said.
Eighteen-year-old Annabelle Williams gazed on at the open sea with Matthews and Styles.
"It seems to run straight into the sky! It's absolutely endless. Just as this war is."
"It will all be over soon, Annabelle." Matthews said.
"How often I've heard those words. So often I chose to believe them. It's been two years, Mr.Matthews. Now with the Spain become an ally to France. We are fighting a losing battle."
"You can always return to London." Styles said.
"No. This is an opprotunity that I chose to take. I promised myself I would never go back. Not even a war would be enough to trap me in an unhappy marriage"
Annabelle suddenly saw something in the far distance.
"Go find Mr.Hornblower." Annabelle said.
"What?" Matthews said.
"It's a Spanish ship. Go find Mr.Hornblower!"
Matthews went to go fetch Mr.Hornblower. He returned a few moments later.
"What did you see, Mr.Farleigh?" Mr.Hornblower asked.
"I can't speak with certainty, sir. I am sure, however, that I saw a Spanish flag."
"You did the right thing in fetching me, Farleigh. Somebody call for the Captain!"
A man went below to find Captain Pellew while Mr.Hornblower readied a digny to take him and a few more men to get a better look at the ship. Annabelle could only watch from the deck. Captain Pellew came from behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Go to the galley, Mr.Farleigh and leave my tea in my quarters."
"Sir, can I not stay to see-"
"No. It's a direct order."
"Aye, sir."
Annabelle saluted and went down to the galley. She began muttering some rather colorful language under her breath as she began to brew Captain Pellew's tea. As she poured a cup, she suddenly felt as though someone was behind her. She turned around to see Bunting, a seaman who had only recently came aboard the Indefatigable.
"Mr.Bunting, is something wrong?" Annabelle asked.
"My stew. Do you have any left?"
"I can understand that you are suffering from starvation, Mr.Bunting. We all are, but I cannot continue to feed you my scraps of food. You aren't a dog. Besides, we must be sure to keep our rations equal. It's only fair."
"You say that now, Farleigh. What will happen when it's you picking for food?"
"I am not a rat, Mr.Bunting. Nor would I ever wish to be one."
Annabelle lifted up her left arm, showing off her missing hand. She then picked up the cup of tea and returned to deck and went into Captain Pellew's cabin. As she laid the cup down, she began the hear the sound of thunder.
"How very peculiar. It seemed so beautiful this morning." Annabelle thought.
Annabelle shrugged her shoulders and return to deck. She saw two Spanish soldiers leaving. Wanting to know what had happened, she went to Oldroy.
"Mr.Oldroy, what happened?"
"Mr.Hornblower spoke all funny and then the Captain said something and they left."
"They merely left? They had no intentions of an attack?"
"See for yourself."
Annabelle looked and saw that the ship was rowing away.
"Something seems terribly wrong, Mr.Oldroy. Only moments ago. I heard thunder. It was terribly loud. It almost seemed like cannons."
"It's that mind of yours, Annie. It's playing a trick on you."
"Yes. Yes, that must be it."
Annabelle went through most of the day, in hopes she would feel a rain drop of sorts. She never did. It was nearly sunset and there was no sign of a storm. She was beginning to believe that she had become absolutely mad. Thankfully, her belief was put to rest in a mattter of seconds.
Mr.Cleaveland rushed past Annabelle. She went over to Mr.Bowles to see what was going on.
"Mr.Bowles, sir. Is there something wrong?"
"Do not concern yourself with these matters, Mr.Farleigh."
"Sir, I merely-"
"It doesn't concern you, Farleigh."
"Yes, sir."
Annnabellle walked away. She knew something was wrong. She grew even more concerned when Captain Pellew went to Mr.Bowles. She tried to see what they were looking at, but couldn't exactly see. Pretty soon, the Indefatigable began sailing in an entirely different direction. Pretty soon, Annabelle was able to see the remains of a ship. She gasped when she saw at least several corpses floating ontop of the water. Thankfully, there were a few survivors. The survivors climbed aboard the Indefatigable and were wrapped in blankets to keep them warm. Annabelle recongized one of the survivors. It was Captain Foster. Annabelle heard stories about him. Of course, in her eyes, he was quite a legend. Captain Foster was shown to his quarters by Annabelle. He seemed rather unhappy.
"Is something wrong, sir?" Annabelle asked.
"This cabin is hardly suitable. I cannot sleep here."
"It's our best cabin, sir. Unless you'd rather rest in Captain Pellew's quarters." Annabelle said.
"That won't be necessary."
Annabelle couldn't help but smirk while Captain Foster had his back turned.
"Lad?"
"Yes, sir?"
"See that I'm given some dry clothes. I am never late for supper."
"Aye, aye, sir."
Annabelle left the cabin and began to giggle. Captain Foster was a rather difficult man, but she couldn't help but laugh at his temper. He seemed a bit solemn, but Annabelle knew she shouldn't make an early judgement. She also began to wonder why Captain Pellew wanted to dine with him. Surely, they weren't friends. That must've meant they were going to discuss the ongoing battle between England and Spain. Annabelle knew she had to listen in. To be sure that everything was well.
When the officers and Captain Foster gathered in Captain Pellew's cabin for supper. Annabelle began climbing alongside the ship so she could see through the cabin window. She knew if she even lost hold on one of the nets, then she would fall into the water. This was extremely hard for Annabelle, considering she only had one hand. Thankfully, by a miracle, Annabelle made it to the cabin window and began listening in. Sadly, she couldn't hear anything. As the officers began to leave the cabin, Annabelle lost her grip and fell into the water. She tried to grab back on, but it did no good.
"Somebody, help me!" Annabelle cried.
Matthews heard Annabelle calling out for help. As he was about to jump in and save her. Styles came and held him back.
"You can't swim!" Styles said.
Captain Foster suddenly reached Styles and Matthews.
"Where's the boy?" Captain Foster asked.
Styles pointed out a drowning Annabelle to Captain Foster. Captain Foster removed his boots and overcoat and then dived into the ocean. He grabbed Annabelle and then helped her towards the ladder. Matthews pulled Annabelle back aboard and wrapped her in a blanket.
"Are you all right?" Matthews asked.
"Yes. I'm all right. I just lost my grip and fell into the water."
Styles pulled Captain Foster aboard.
"Good good, man. What on Earth were you doing?" Captain Foster asked.
"I...I was trying to listen in on the conversation."
"You're lucky nobody saw you. Imagine the charges..."
"I'm sorry, sir. I only feared for the lives of this crew, sir. Please. Take into consideration that I am selfless."
"Indeed. Very well. I shall not speak of this incident. Though, I would recommend listening by the door."
"Aye, sir and thank you for rescuing me. I would've drowned if it weren't for you."
"Show your gratitude. Don't express it."
"Yes, sir. I am at your services, sir."
Captain Foster and walked away. Annabelle sighed and hugged Matthews.
"Thank heaven. I'd thought he'd press charges."
"If it hadn't been him. Perhaps I would be on trial. You know how intolerable Captain Pellew can be after supper. I am only grateful that Captain Foster rescued me."
Mr.Hornblower suddenly stepped out of Captain Pellew's cabin. He was wearing a smile. There was obviously good news.
"Mr.Hornblower, is everything all right?" Annabelle asked.
"Captain Foster said's I am ready for my exam. I am ready to become a lieutenant. I shall take the exam by the end of this very month."
"Congratluations, sir." Annabelle said.
"I do owe gratitude towards Captain Foster." Mr.Hornblower said.
Suddenly, Mr.Hornblower realized that Annnabelle was dripping wet.
"What happened, Farleigh?" Mr.Hornblower asked.
"The water, sir. I fell into the water. Captain Foster rescued me, sir."
"Then I suppose we should both be grateful for the presence of Captain Foster."
"Indeed, sir. Indeed."