Aftermath of a Battle

Chapter 10

James had only managed to hobble a few yards outside the village on his way to the river running a short distance from the native settlement when he noticed, even in his present less than optimal state, the sounds of being followed. He stopped, lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose as he let out an exasperated sigh before turning and facing several of the women that had been so attentive to him last night. Despite the nausea he was feeling and the pounding still going on quite fiercely inside his head, and his less than amicable mood due to those maladies he did his best to address them in a courteous manner. A moment before he spoke the extremely aggravating knowledge flashed through his head that they were not going to understand a word he said and therefore would probably continue to follow him unless he resorted to raising his voice in a most ungentlemanly manner. Something he was loath to do, not only because he prided himself on being a gentleman around the opposite sex at all times, but also because more than likely it would only serve to acerbate the vexatious pounding in his head. Never the less he assumed as much of a Commodore-ly stance as he was able and with a firm expression set upon his face addressed the women, "Please return to the village ladies." he said accompanying that statement with pointing at the ladies and then back at the village. "I do not require any further assistance at this time."

They looked at each other, then back at James without making any move to retreat.

James huffed and shook his head in irritation. 'Well,' he thought to himself, 'You really weren't expecting that to work anyway.' He looked heavenward and mumbled to himself, "I doubt the situation could get any more importunate." The next moment a mordant smile appeared on his face as his bladder suddenly made known it was in dire need of emptying. He glanced heavenward again as he snarked, "Of course it could."

As undignified as it would be to make a hasty escape from the women, to simply take off running, James' bladder was telling him in no uncertain terms something had to be done in the next several moments or it would take matters upon its self and he was indeed going to appear very undignified in the ladies eyes. His eyes shifted quickly from side to side trying to judge which would be the best route of escape when Lu Opi'a Warishe and Guama appeared. Lu Opi'a Warishe shooed the women back toward the village then turned and spoke to James, "Several of the men returned from a small trading trip to the Spanish camp and have brought back some interesting news, and with that news Guama and I have been discussing a plan to get you that Spanish cutter. Come back to the village and we shall tell you what we have come up with while you break your fast."

James, who was practically dancing around with the need to relieve himself absently nodded at the woman as he continued to look around with an almost panicked look on his face. Guama smiled a knowing smile and leaned over and whispered to Lu Opi'a Warishe who gave James a sympathetic but humor filled smile as she pointed off into the trees, "That way will provide you with the most privacy. We will await you back in the village."

With a quick 'Thank you' nod of his head he was off like a flash.

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The lads sat around getting their various injuries tended to and eating as they discussed Steven and David's relating of the circumstances they had found the Commodore in when they had gone to check on him. Even the younger boys, who had been in service long enough to have picked up more of the facts of life than they would have been privy to at their age if they had not been in the Navy had a pretty good idea what the older boys were talking about.

"I'm sure it wasn't what it looked like." Steven said, his tone not quite convincing.

"Why would it look so much that way if it wasn't that way then Steven?" David asked.

"I don't know but the Commodore wouldn't do such a thing David. He is an officer of the British Navy; they don't do things like that, let themselves fall to temptation." Steven snapped back in defense of his commanding officer, although his tone was only a little more convincing than it had been before.

David did not look swayed, "I've been on several different ships in the past few years Steven and in my experience most of the officers would do such a thing if given the chance. Besides it's not going to change my opinion of the Commodore, he's one of the best officers I've served under. I doubt him doing such as that will change the opinions any of the other lads have of him either." Turning to the other lads he asked, "Am I right lads?"

Most of the boys responded affirmatively, however one awed voice from somewhere in the middle of the group said, "Just boosted my opinion of him tenfold, that many women… ."

Steven and David both glared at Midshipman Elliot as Steven cut him off with a censuring, "Really Stewart, that's no way for a midshipman to talk about his commanding officer."

"Sorry." Mr. Elliot replied, although in neither Steven or David's opinion did he look the least bit sorry he had thought such a thought or voiced it aloud.

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Gibbs approached Jack at the wheel and cleared his throat, "The men were wonderin just when we was gonna turn our rudder to this area and make for more profitable waters Cap'n."

Jack half turned and rocked back on his heels, waving his hand about he said, "Mr. Gibbs you may tell the men that these waters are about to become much more profitable."

Joshamee's eyes lit up as he scanned the horizon, "Ya've seen a ship that'd be worth plunderin?"

"Not exactly, no." Jack replied with a slight shake of his head.

Joshamee returned his gaze to Jack, "Then what would make ya say such a thing?"

"Because I have a feeling Mr. Gibbs, a feeling we are going to come across some manner of very valuable vendable sundry in these very waters if we continue upon our present course Mr. Gibbs. Which just so ya know due to the particular feeling I am presently feeling I fully intend on doing."

Mr. Gibbs looked at Jack for a few moments in disbelief, then with a great deal of doubt in his voice said, "And that's what you'd be expectin me ta tell the men, you've got a feeling we're about ta happen upon something? Somehow I'm thinkin their not gonna be very impressed with that Jack."

Jack leaned toward the older man and with a glittering smile and a raised index finger said, "Trust me."

To Be Continued

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