Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 07:01:17 -0400
From: edcwriter@yahoo.com
Subject: FOR GOD & COUNTRY - 9

FOR GOD & COUNTRY - 9

Copyright 2005 by Carl Mason and Ed Collins

All rights reserved.  Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal
enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without
the written permission of the authors.  However based on real events and
places, "For God & Country" is strictly fictional.  Any resemblance to
actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental.  As in real life, however, the sexual themes unfold
gradually.  If you would like to read other Mason-Collins stories, you
might turn to "Out of the Rubble," "Castle Margarethen," "The Priest and
the Pauper," and "High Plains Doctor" which are archived in Nifty's
"Historical" section.  Comments on the story are appreciated and may be
addressed to the authors at edcwriter@yahoo.com.

"For God and Country" is much indebted to a long out-of-print work titled
"Ask No Quarter" by George Marsh (Sun Dial Press, 1946).  In many ways, it
is an "alternative" retelling of parts of that grand story.  To be sure,
most of the content is unique to this yarn.

This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both
adults and teenagers.  As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the
personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults.  If you are not of
legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you
trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create irresolvable moral
dilemmas in your life, please leave.  Finally, remember that maturity
generally demands that anything other than safe sex is sheer insanity!


CHAPTER 9

(Revisiting Chapter 8)

In the morning, the rest of the crew arrived to be awed, as had the
youngsters before them.  Quickly, the treasure in both locations was packed
up to be moved onto a few wheeled conveyances brought by the crew, several
examples of a variation on an American Indian conveyance that Hugh
remembered from earlier contacts with the native peoples, or onto the backs
of individuals when all else failed.  When they reached the sloop, they
found that the repairs had indeed been completed with great skill, that
stores had been laid in to the extent that the island permitted, and that a
satisfying supper awaited them.  They sailed on the evening tide.

(Concluding Our Story - The Long Voyage Home)

Personally, Hugh bemoaned not being able to stay longer on the island, for
it had to be honeycombed with treasure caches from the beaches to the
hills.  Nevertheless, every instinct within him told him that it was time
to go - and he did not lightly disregard such warnings.


Further, having lost 27 men to the battles with HMS Lawrence and Reynard's
pirate cutthroats - others having been injured, some seriously - he knew he
must immediately replenish some portion of his crew before reentering the
Lesser Antilles.  Stops in Cartagena and Curacao netted only five men who
met his exacting standards.  A conversation with the Dutch Governor of
Curacao, however, was more promising.  Word had reached him of all that had
been done by the Eagle for his brothers on St. Eustatius.  It was his
understanding that a substantial colony of marooned American sailors
existed on the neighboring Dutch island of Aruba and, more, that they had
maintained their discipline.  If Captain Yaller Hair wished, he would
gladly provide introductions to the authorities at Oranjestad (capital of
Aruba), requesting their full cooperation.  In fact, he did everything but
promise that they would receive a warm welcome.

The Eagle sailed into Oranjestad, Aruba, to a welcome that had been
exceeded only on St.  Eustatius.  (Obviously, words had already reached the
island of her coming.)  Essentially, the island was opened to the Eagle and
her crew.  Further, "there would be no fee!"  (Hugh had already come to
realize that among the business-oriented Dutch, this was akin to being
awarded the Holy Grail - maybe TWO Holy Grails!)  At a glittering dinner,
both Jeremy and he were awarded the highest decoration given to foreigners
who had rendered distinguished service to the Dutch Crown and its people.
They were also introduced to Lieutenant Tom Berry who had survived two
weeks in a small boat following the sinking of his brig by a British
frigate.  It seems that the reports that Hugh had received in Curacao were
correct.  Eighteen American sailors - from both naval and merchant ships,
including two boys - were on Aruba.  (In addition, one of the young
sailors, Sandy, had a lover in Oranjestad, Dirk Van Eych, whom he would not
leave on Aruba even if that meant lifetime exile.  The men liked him; the
Lieutenant vouched for him.)  Lieutenant Berry asked Hugh to inspect their
encampment on the morrow.

Hugh and Jeremy were welcomed to the encampment as if boarding an American
ship of war.  It was immediately obvious that life had been very hard.
Most of the men worked in the aloe fields or as fishermen; a very few
artisans had found employment in Oranjestad.  They dreamt of little but
returning home and rejoining their loved ones.  The Eagle's officers were
told that each was expected to contribute what he could, each receiving the
bare necessities in return.  Despite their difficult existence, it was just
as obvious that they had retained their discipline...  and their
self-respect.  They had neither become pirates nor habitues of the local
gin mills.  (Over the years, three men had married local girls and left the
group; two others had simply disappeared from the island.)  All things
told, they were a healthy-looking lot, thin but defined, clad in little
more than clean rags, neatly shorn and shaved, a few well-built and
decidedly handsome, most - especially the younger men - open-faced and
lacking in bitterness.  Once the formalities were concluded, all welcomed
Hugh and Jeremy joyfully...and with obvious hope.  Indeed, they crowded
around them like puppies, eagerly seeking their attention and the touch of
someone from home.

Hugh invited the company (plus Dirk and Tijger [Tiger], their pet cat) to
have supper on the Eagle the next night.  The chemistry was excellent, and
the men let it be known that they supported their officers' instinct to
offer them places in the crew given successful interviews.  The bosun
passed the word to Hugh privately that the men liked Dirk (a "manly chap,"
as he put it) and would accept him if the Captain chose to offer him a
berth.  Despite Hugh's honesty about the dangers they would face - and the
fact that they would receive full salaries but much reduced shares in the
prize money - they accepted his offer.  With Jeremy and the bosun's
concurrence, young Lieutenant Berry gratefully accepted a berth as Second
Mate.  He proved to be an excellent officer.  Other than Dirk (the youngest
son of a well-to-do merchant trained as an accountant) and the two ship's
boys, the new crew members were experienced sailors.  By the time they
arrived in Martinique, they were on their way to becoming productive and
congenial members of the Eagle's crew.  Despite Hugh's desire to rid
himself of the drudgery of the ship's books, for instance, he was quick to
recognize that Dirk probably had one of the best "shooting eyes" among the
men who manned the Eagle's batteries.  Circumspect, discreet, and
hardworking, the young Dutchman bloomed in the new environment and quickly
became one of the favorites among the crew.  Besides, while Sandy played a
mean fiddle, he played something called a "French horn" that added much to
the ship's entertainments.  If he had only known how to play something
other than Dutch marches - and a wild hunting song that he insisted on
playing whenever it was time to feed Tijger, the new ship's cat!

Arriving in Martinique without incident - but increasingly concerned about
the priceless treasure that was now aboard the Eagle - Hugh was shocked to
learn that the British had recently evacuated Newport.  It hardly seemed
possible...three years.  In passing, the Governor wondered if Hugh had seen
anything of Le Tonnerre, but the Captain offered no information.  After
extensive discussions with the men, the decision was made to return home
and carry on their war against the British in American waters.  Without
ever unloading the pirate treasure, three years of prize money - minus a
generous percentage, of course - was fully accounted for by the Martinique
authorities and loaded aboard the Eagle.  Hugh couldn't help but feel that
a big target had been painted on the side of his sloop, for there had to be
potentially unfriendly eyes and ears everywhere!  However disciplined the
crew, it simply wasn't the type of secret that could be kept for long!

First sailing to the northeast to free himself of the Leewards and then
well to the north, Hugh finally turned towards the northwest.  It was a
long journey home...but, then, there were relaxing moments!  One of the
more memorable was a "gathering" in the Captain's cabin that involved Hugh,
Jeremy, Andy and, at his request made through Andy, Joe.  As the voyage
lengthened, Hugh had begun inviting small groups of the men - usually
mixed...new and old - into his cabin for supper and an evening of drinking
and relatively innocent entertainment.  True the food wasn't much different
than that served in the crew's mess, though there was a little more rum.
Nevertheless, they were the Captain's guests!  The next group was to have
included Jeremy, Tom Berry, and Andy.  Tom begged off on the grounds that
the weatherglass was dropping ominously.  A bit strange...but not
unreasonable for a conscientious officer.  Shortly thereafter, Andy Browne
knocked on the Captain's door.  Obviously, he was somewhat embarrassed,
shuffling his bare feet on the planks until Hugh finally snapped, "Out with
it, Andy!"  "Well, sir," the beautiful kid mumbled, tossing his full head
of brown hair and beginning to sweat, "somehow Joe Lawrence learned that I
was on the guest list this evening.  He asked me...to ask you..."
Collapsing into confusion, Andy just stood there in abject misery.  "He
asked you to see if he could come tonight.  Is that it, Andy?" the Captain
said, putting him out of his misery.  Hugh grinned evilly and continued, "I
must compliment you on your good taste, Seaman Browne!"  If a hole could
have opened in the floor, a hole extending directly into the cold waters
below the Eagle, the crimson-faced youngster would gladly have jumped into
it!  "Tell him that he's invited!" Hugh snapped.  "You might also tell him
that HE has excellent taste!  By the way, how in hell did you get Mr. Berry
to drop out?"  Not giving Andy time to answer, he growled, "Now get out of
here!"  No ship's boy fearing the Captain's wrath had ever scurried to the
door faster!  Actually when the very straight Second Mate had dropped out,
Hugh had been thinking about substitutes.  At least for the time being,
Sandy and Dirk kept quietly to themselves, and Hugh felt that Zeb was still
too young for the evening that he had planned!  Better, the Captain thought
that he "fool around" with his peers for a while longer.


With the striking of two bells at 1700 hours, Mr. Stuart knocked on the
Captain's door and ushered Andy Browne and Joe Lawrence into the inner
sanctum.  All four were dressed simply in clean white shirts and slops.
"These men are cleared until 2400 hours, SIR!" Jeremy barked formally.
"Welcome, gentlemen," Hugh intoned...the last formal words he spoke all
evening!  Seeing the Captain bringing his hand back as if to box Andy's
ears, Joe instinctively threw his arms protectively around the brown-haired
one - whereupon Hugh and Jeremy broke into hysterical laughter.  "Glad
you're here, guys," Hugh chortled and embraced them in a tight bear hug.
Their worried frowns quickly relaxed into weak grins and the evening was
on!  Jean Pierre could do things with pickled beef that no one on land or
sea could duplicate, there was a nice fish, and he had actually found some
bread that wasn't crawling with weevils!  The rum flowed freely and tongues
quickly loosened.  The remnants of supper cleared, Hugh sat back and
brought out a pack of cards.  "I thought you might enjoy a little Whist
[the forerunner of Bridge], gentlemen.  Does that please?"  He just
couldn't keep a straight face when he saw the crestfallen expressions that
crept over Andy and Joe's faces.  His snickers quickly told them that more
interesting "games" had been planned.

 "Well, if I can't talk you into a quiet card game, perhaps you'd rather
try your hands at an old pirate game called 'Walk the Plank'?"  The boys
were all ears!  "Ok," Hugh continued, "we need a brave soul who will be the
first to walk the plank.  I warn you, this game can be dangerous.  It's not
for the faint of heart or weak of arm."  Silence greeted his announcement.
"Oh, come now, lads.  Surely, there is one among us who is not a weakling,"
he continued.  Clearing his throat, Joe said that he would try
anything...once.  "Brave lad!" Hugh murmured.  Immediately, he had them
move the table away from the center of the room and had Joe stand under two
hooks that they could now see were screwed into the ceiling timbers.
Handing Andy a length of black cloth, he ordered him to blindfold his
friend.  That accomplished, he told the brown-haired one to remove Joe's
shirt, tie ropes around his wrists, and fasten them securely to the ceiling
hooks.  "How are you doing, Joe?" the solicitous officer inquired.  From
the lecherous grin that appeared on his lips below the blindfold, it was
more than obvious that Joe Lawrence was getting into the new game very
nicely!  "Very well, Andy, off with his slops!  Watch yourself.  As you
undoubtedly know, Joe has a trigger action that could knock you through the
windows into the sea if he catches you with that donkey dong of his!"
Feigning fright, Andy lowered Joe's slops and threw them onto a chair
beside his shirt.  "Ok, Joe, we are not going to move your legs a short
distance apart.  Once placed, if you move them before I say, 'Stop!' you
will have to walk the plank, MY plank - and it's long and hard!  Get it?"
Slowly, Jeremy and Hugh grasped Joe's heavy legs and moved them about two
feet apart.  "Tell me when you're ready for the game to begin, Joe," Hugh
ordered.  Determined to restrict his amorous activities to "his Andy," Joe
growled to himself that he wouldn't move his legs a millimeter!  (The
Captain - and his "plank" - would just have to wait for another evening!)
"I'm ready, sir," the young giant ground out between his teeth.

The three young men stood back, enjoying a glorious spectacle.  There was
just enough pressure on the blond's smooth upraised arms to show off their
heavy muscles to full advantage; his broad, deep chest was rising and
falling with increasing excitement; thigh and calf muscles were already
twitching; the incomparable genitals were visibly swelling.  Needing no
command, Jeremy and Andy joined Hugh in quickly removing their own clothing
and awaited instructions.  Relishing their effect on the sweating giant who
stood before them, Hugh told them simply, "You can use your tongue, your
hands, your fingers, your cock...whatever...to induce Joe to move those
damned tree trunks that he calls legs!  Andy, you'll work on his front.
Jeremy and I will attack from the other side.  Go!"

Joe was in deep trouble from the moment that Andy inserted his tongue into
his ear - but it only got worse!  When the youngster began to suck on his
neck - one of Joe's most erogenous zones - his cock suddenly erected to its
full, terrifying size and hardness...right into the pit of Andy's stomach!
With a deep grunt, Andy suddenly fell backwards onto his rump and sat
gasping on the floor.  "Andy!  Andy!  Are you ok?  Oh, God, what have I
done?" Joe called out in fright.  "I'm ok, Joe," Andy puffed, "but you sure
as hell are going to get yours now!"  With that, Andy got up and promptly
began to work on Joe's nipples, scarcely less sensitive than his neck.
Meanwhile, in the hinterlands, Hugh and Jeremy were using their highly
educated tongues to titillate Joe's triceps, traps, delts, and lats in ways
that they had never before experienced.  The action kept moving lower and
lower as Joe's passions rose in like measure.  It all came to a head when
Andy first brushed his thick mop of brown hair against his friend's
genitals - a trick that ALWAYS worked - and then determinedly attacked the
seat of all power.  Tickling Joe's frenulum with the tip of his tongue, he
soon moved to moving his lips over Joe's inflamed glans in a munching
motion that nearly drove him out of his mind.  Still, the brave youth MIGHT
have resisted even this most nefarious attack had it not been for the
"official" action going on to the rear.  As Andy attacked his dripping
glans, Hugh and Jeremy managed alternately to insert their tongues well
into the blond giant's rectum.  With a cry that had to awaken the dead, Joe
completely lost it, exploding with a force that he had never before felt
grip his body.  When Andy was finally forced to remove his mouth from the
blond's cockhead - lest he be drowned - Joe continued to spurt for a good
20 seconds.  With a convulsive jerk, he tore his loosely bound arms down
from the hooks above, grabbed Andy, and fell heavily to the ground, rolling
over and over, kissing his boy wildly, and crying out his thanks.

"They're going to be at it for a while," Jeremy giggled as he pushed his
love towards the bunk.  "Besides, your 'plank' needs me more than it needs
Joe!"  "Yeah," growled his superior officer, turning to join him.  As he
did so, his eyes passed across the windows.  Somehow the three of them -
Eddie, Zeb, and one of the new boys...probably Pat Riley - had climbed down
the stern of the ship and were looking in with a wide-eyed concentration
that they rarely brought to their hormone-riddled duties!  As their looks
of carnal passion turned to guilt...mixed with no little terror...Captain
Yaller Hair glared at them with a look that told them a horrible death was
near at hand.  Slowly, he pointed his index finger at each of them before
drawing it across his neck from side to side.  Then he jerked his thumb up,
leaving no doubt whatsoever that they had to get the hell off the stern of
the Eagle NOW!

All in all, it was a fitting beginning to an evening that only got wilder.
As Hugh and Jeremy again turned towards the bunk, for instance, they
glanced back only to see Andy hanging onto Joe's neck for dear life, his
legs gripping his champion's hips.  Joe, his donkey dong buried deeply into
Andy, leapt around the room, giving "his boy" the ride of his life.
"Kids!" Jeremy giggled, pulling Hugh down on top of him.  "Let me show you
how wrong you are," his Captain growled.

(Ruins and Revenge)

Arriving off Rhode Island at night in the early spring of 1780, Hugh took
the Eagle up the West Passage of Narragansett Bay, i.e., the passage
between Conanicut and the western mainland.  Not only was he fully aware of
Newport's history of predatory "duties" and other taxes, he wished to
protect both his men and the treasure until he was assured that all was
well.  Soon he was at the dock of an old privateer who had returned from
the West Indies a wealthy man - and some claimed (though never proved) from
the East Indies where he had engaged in piracy.  Now a "gentleman planter,"
he lived in a fine mansion on Conanicut - not exactly the hero of
Government officials, but trusted...even idolized...by the common sailor
and younger officers.  Said to have "bought off" the British and having
known Captain Coffee, he quickly sized up and welcomed Hugh and his Mates.
The Captain of the Eagle was given leave to bury his treasure on his large
estate.  Under cover of nightfall, the deed was done and concealed guards
were posted in the area.  (A substantial amount of gold coin was kept
onboard.)

In the morning, the Eagle circled Conanicut and entered Newport harbor, the
great American flag floating majestically in the light breeze.  The Newport
lads who had left their homes three and one-half years before could
scarcely believe what they saw.  Where beautiful schooners and trade ships
laden with exotic treasures had crowded the wooden docks, where the crown
jewel of the Colony (indeed, one of the crown jewels of all colonial
America) had stood, and where over 9000 proud inhabitants had dwelt and
made their comfortable livings, they saw little but ruination.  Many of the
wharves had simply...disappeared.  (In the absence of trade, they had
become more valuable as firewood over several strenuous winters.)  Other
than a few small fishing boats, there wasn't a boat or ship in sight!  To
Hugh's practiced eye, it looked as if a good third of the buildings were no
more - nor did he see trees or much sign of activity in town.  In fact,
between Tory flight, citizen fright, and a horrendously punitive
occupation, barely five and a half thousand inhabitants remained - and most
of them had not lost of the habit of staying inside shuttered buildings out
of harm's way.

Anchoring and placing the Eagle under the command of Mr. Berry, Hugh and
Jeremy were rowed to Long Wharf.  Making their way to the former Parade
Ground (that many now referred to as "Washington Square"), they found
little other than a "reign of solitude" only interrupted by groups of idle
men standing with folded arms at the corners of the streets, houses falling
to ruin with rags stuffed in broken windows, miserable shops that presented
nothing but a few coarse goods and other articles of little value, and
weeds growing in the Square.  Entering the White Horse Tavern that once had
welcomed the richest merchants and other powers of the town and the Colony,
the two muscular twenty year-olds stood shoulder to shoulder as Hugh boldly
proclaimed, "I be Hugh Allen, Captain of the Rhode Island privateer
Narragansett Eagle back from buggering the British in the warm seas.  At my
side stands Jeremy Stuart, First Mate.  Can someone tell me what in hell
has happened to our town?"  What had been a rather dispirited gathering,
well into its cups despite the early hour, suddenly erupted!  Well dressed
men who would not have spat on the likes of the two young men just a few
years before embraced them with tears in their eyes and pressed drinks into
their hands.  As the word spread, other men of similar dress and demeanor
pushed into the Tavern - and a fast-growing crowd gathered outside.

A older man of commanding presence, probably a Quaker merchant, pushed his
way to their side and introduced himself as Jacob Goode.  (Before the day
was out, Hugh would discover that he was one of the two original owners of
the Eagle.  The other, the last of his line, had died two years before.)
Goode commanded silence and suggested that one-half hour be devoted to
bringing Hugh and Jeremy up to date on what had happened during the British
occupation.  In turn, they would provide the briefest account of their
adventures.  The meeting would then be adjourned until that evening when
the officers of the Eagle would meet with the town fathers...  and other
responsible parties...at the Colony House.  And so it went.

As Hugh and Jeremy departed to return to the sloop, Jeremy's parents and
Hugh's foster parents rushed up to embrace them.  Their reunion had to be
brief, but they promised that they would see them again in the nearest
future.  Both sets of parents were dumbstruck.  Two teenage boys had left
them three years ago.  Now, before them stood a formidable ship's captain
and his first mate.  All the way down the Square and down Long Wharf, the
little party, arms clasped around each other affectionately, passed between
jubilant crowds.  The good people of Newport finally had something to cheer
about!

During the remainder of that day, the crew was briefed on Newport
developments and informed that unless there were unexpected developments,
lads not from the area would begin a one- month leave, beginning the next
day.  Reminded of the faith that the Eagle has put in them, they were asked
to return after that time to pursue the Revolution to a successful
conclusion.  Each left with his salary, an unexpectedly generous pouch of
gold, and a horse.  Mr. Berry would leave the next day by stage, dropping
the two new ship's boys off at their homes that lay not too far from his in
the Boston area.  They, too, were treated with great financial generosity.
(With but three exceptions - two seamen and one of the ship's boys - they
returned on time.)  Sandy's lover, Dirk, remained onboard to help with
financial accounting, and Sandy stayed by his side...along with Tijger.
Zeb also refused to leave.  Shorter (but frequent) leaves for the local men
and boys would begin the next afternoon according to new watch schedules
announced by the bosun's mates.  These men also went home with their
(considerable) salaries and down payments on their shares in the treasure
in gold.  Not one failed to return.  In truth, it was bad enough seeing
Newport from the harbor.  When they saw it up close and heard stories from
loved ones and those old friends who remained, they thirsted for revenge!

That night at the Colony House, Hugh - flanked by Jeremy and Tom -
presented lists of men and boys currently on the Eagle and those who had
given their lives for their new country during the three and one-half years
they had been absent; requested a new warrant from the Government to pursue
the war against the British off the American coast (a request that was
taken under advisement); presented a more complete report on their
adventures (though he omitted mention of the treasure that lay buried on
Conanicut); and answered questions.  The Eagle's officers felt that it was
a reasonably successful meeting.  During the month that followed,
agreements were reached with regard to the taxes owed Newport and Rhode
Island and Mr. Goode's (considerable) interest in the treasure, and the new
warrant was issued.  (The old "privateer" on Conanicut proved to be a
worthy advisor.)

>From mid May through the winter of 1780-81, the Eagle was often at sea,
cruising the waters from Newfoundland to the Chesapeake.  British outposts,
especially along the Maine coast, were pounded; a daring raid on Long
Island saw the destruction of a major British supplies and stores facility;
several prizes were taken and sent into Newport; two packets with messages
for the British military were taken and relayed to General Washington.
Although the remnants of the Continental Navy were being swept from the sea
as were ships commissioned by the states, the Eagle seemed just as elusive
as she had in the Caribbean.  Once again, British merchantmen demanded
protection.  Increasingly, British naval caution grew as the French fleet
began to assert itself in the western Atlantic.

In March of 1781, the Eagle was in port when Washington visited Newport to
confer with Rochambeau.  (In July of 1780, French aid had finally arrived
with the appearance of Count Rochambeau and his 6000 troops.)  Newport
almost seemed Newport again.  The town was brilliantly illuminated with
candles in windows and fireworks in the sky.  Hugh and his officers were
invited to a glittering reception and banquet at the Colony House on the
second night of his stay.  Presented to the General, Washington fixed them
with a piercing look and said, "Ah, yes, Captain Allen, I have heard of you
and your men.  Our Dutch allies - and the French, too," he added at a nudge
from the highly decorated French Commodore standing next to him - "tell me
that no ship in the southern waters has shown the American flag with such
honor...and success...as has the Eagle.  When we meet again, may it be in
final victory!"  With that, the legendary, normally reserved figure shook
hands with Hugh and, to their amazement, with Jeremy and Tom as well.
Bowing and passing on, Captain Yaller Hair and his two Mates received such
compliments from the assembled guests that they finally retreated from the
affair with no little embarrassment.  The crew demanded - and received -
several repetitions of Washington's words of thanks.  'Twas a raw night in
March of 1781, but the men of the Eagle justifiably felt a great warmth.

(Yorktown)

When the French fleet sailed for Chesapeake Bay in early March, the Eagle
undertook two other missions before fate inevitably drew her to Yorktown.
First, she sailed north, harassing British shipping off Halifax in Nova
Scotia.  Then, under orders, she crossed the Atlantic to France in order to
secure and deliver much needed money to General Washington.  On her return,
she was accompanied by two powerful French frigates.

Clearing Cape Henlopen, they sailed directly into the lower Delaware Bay.
On being signaled, the Eagle docked at the tiny and very old port of Lewes.
As soon as the money had been transferred to a stage, it and its strong
guard of French Dragoons left.  Hugh rejoined his sailing companions,
making his way back into the Atlantic and down the long peninsula to the
mouth of the Chesapeake.  Rounding Cape Charles at its southern tip, the
three ships quickly made their way to the vicinity of Yorktown.  Hugh and
his Mates were excited to find not only the French fleet from Newport but
also the powerful fleet of the Comte de Grasse that had recently returned
from the Caribbean.  After having fought an inconclusive battle (the Battle
of the Capes), the British had "retired" to New York.

As September neared its end, the Eagle served in the blockade of the
Chesapeake and joined fast French frigates in sentry duty further offshore.
In early October, the Eagle was honored by being invited to join the French
line that hammered British positions relentlessly from the sea.  On October
19, General Lord Cornwallis surrendered.  While some sea action continued,
the British Government decided that it would no longer pursue its attempt
to subjugate the American colonies.

At a gala reception that followed the surrender, Hugh found himself once
again approaching the American Commander-in-Chief who was standing next to
the heavily bemedaled Admiral de Grasse.  (Musing that there was more gold
displayed in the great hall than lay buried on Conanicut, Hugh gave silent
thanks to Jeremy for convincing him to wear both decorations awarded by the
Dutch Government.)  "Here is the young privateer captain whom I mentioned
to you earlier, sir," Washington said to his companion with obvious
pleasure.  "Ah, mon general," De Grasse answered, "we know of this young
man.  When I was in the Caribbean, I heard endless tales of his exploits.
For some weeks here in the Chesapeake, he has taken his deserved place in
the destruction of our common enemy."

Washington actually smiled...slightly...at Hugh and said, "Well, young
Captain, we meet again - and in victory.  Together, we have done good
things for God and Country.  Thank you on behalf of all our countrymen."
Though he wanted to let out a wild shout of joy, the twenty year-old
maintained his poise, first bowing to the Admiral and then turning to the
General, bowing, and saying softly, "All America is beholden to you, Sire.
Yes...together...for God and Country."


                             THE END