Arms still. Finger on trigger. Then fire.
It had only been two months since Annabelle Williams was promoted to sailor. Over this course, she had been taught combat by Matthews and Styles. Now, she had to put it into motion. She, Matthews, Styles, Oldroy, Mr.Hornblower, and Midshipman Hunter hid behind a large rock. They were at Cadiz bay, ready to defeat any man that came towards them. As some Frenchmen arrived on the coast, carrying supplies, Mr.Hunter held up his gun to fire but Mr.Hornblower pushed it down.
"Why can't I shoot them?" Mr.Hunter asked.
"Because that is not my plan, Mr.Hunter." Mr.Hornblower said.
"Plan? We're here to fight them, aren't we?"
"No. We're here to defeat them."
Quietly, they all came from behind the rock and went to ground level to capture the Frenchmen. Mr.Hornblower stood above on a hilltop, which caught the attention of all the Frenchmen.
"Bonjour Monsieurs." Mr.Hornblower said.
Everyone held their guns to the Frenchmen, expect for Mr.Hunter and Oldroy. Oldroy knocked out of the Frenchmen and Mr.Hunter held up his gun.
"Hunter." Mr.Hornblower said.
Mr.Hunter lowered his gun. All of the men were able to kill the French and then steal their clothing.
"All right, men. Let's steal this damned ship and return to Indefatigable." Mr.Hornblower said.
"Sir, I refuse to change my clothes in an open area."
"Why?"
"I'm a very private man, Mr.Hornblower."
"Very well, Farleigh. Go behind a rock."
"Thank you, sir."
Annabelle grabbed her set of clothes and went behind a large rock. Where she changed into her clothes. After she finished changing, Styles came to find her.
"Well. Do you believe that I'll pass for a Frenchman, Mr.Styles?"
"Of course."
"I'm so terribly nervous. Passing as a cabin boy and sailor, is simply easy. Passing as Frenchman, is something I can hardly tolerate."
"You still look beautiful." Styles said.
"Well, thank you, monsieur." Annabelle said.
Annabelle kissed Styles on the cheek and they both came out from behind the rock. Pretty soon, the entire crew climbed into the small longboat and rowed towards the French vessel, Le Reve. Pretty soon, a crewman of the Le Reve leaned over the ship and was ready to help his fellow man aboard. He called out to them in French, only to hear...
"It's King George, frog face!" Styles said.
Pretty soon, the entire crew was fighting with the crew of the Le Reve. It didn't take too long for the captain to surrender his ship. Pretty soon, they were sailing back for the Indefatigable. Once they were back aboard, Annabelle went below and laid in her hammock. Pretty soon, she began to feel pain in her feet. She looked down and saw her feet which were still covered with small sores from previous burns. Matthews came below and saw her feet.
"How do they feel?" Matthews asked.
"The doctor said it would take no more than four months for them to heal completely."
"I still can't believe the noble deed you did that night."
"I never regret my nobility, Mr.Matthews."
"I know."
"I just hope I sleep well tonight. How I hate those nightmares i've had."
"I'm sure you will."
Annabelle was running through a dark forest when she saw a man running from her. When she grabbed the man, he turned to her. It was Mr.Archie Kennedy. He was pale and weary, almost as if he were a ghost.
Annabelle sat straight up in her hammock and felt sweat dripping down her forehead. After taking a few deep breaths, she laid back down and fell asleep. The next morning, she realized that the Indefatigable had made port. Curious, she went to see Captain Pellew but he was gone. So, she went to Lieutenant Bracegirdle.
"Sir, we've made port so early. Is everything all right?"
"Everything is well, Farleigh. The Captain and Mr.Hornblower went to dine with the rich and left me in command."
"I see. I'll get straight to work, sir."
Annabelle wondered why the Captain and Mr.Hornblower would be able to dine on land. Maybe they were to meet the Queen or maybe they would meet a Duchess. No, this had to be impossible. Why would Captain Pellew possibly wish to socialize with royalty?