08/02/2026 16:21

---

Do you see him,Gundwane? Hal felt the prickle of apprehension on his arms and the cold sweatsliding down his back as he recognized the tall figure standing andleaning back against the tiller arm. His Hat and wig flew from his head,but the ribbons and sash of his rank were gold. Obviouslythe thin wooden bulkheads would be struck when the frigate was clearedfor action, and his cabin would form part of the ship's gundeck. Then Hal stopped laughing as he recognized the man who stood a littlehigher up the beach.

The Gull's crew had snared Ned's fire ship they had lines on it andwere dragging it clear. Althuda had left the five grey horses tethered to a dead tree at thewater's edge. Abruptly the bull became aware of something amiss, of danger lurkingclose at hand, and he stopped and raised his huge black head. Steer her twopoints more to larboard.