“Aye. The crew will vote if you stay. And for how long. Or if you go and when. Were it left to me, you’d be leaving at the first opportunity. The sooner you are off my ship, the better for all concerned.”
* * * *
By the time Quinn returned to the deck, the wounded from the battle had been treated, and the remaining crewmembers of the Delmar had been gathered and lashed together around the main mast of the Scarlet Night. Climbing into the rigging, Quinn swung over the gap between the ships to drop onto the decks of the Delmar. His quartermaster, Thomas Bellamy, stood with boatswain, Clyde Jessup, and Henry Robbins, a swivel gunner.
Bellamy shook his head. “Been below, Capt’n. Ain’t ne’re seen the like of it. Stacked like cordwood. More than seventy dead or beyond hope of ever seeing another day.”
Jessup spat upon the deck. “Whole ship reeks of death.”
Quinn’s lip curled at the smell. He was right. The stench was almost overwhelming. “What of the survivors?”
Bellamy hitched his chin toward the bow of the ship. “Brought ’em up into the light of day and be giving them food and water.”
“How many?”
“’Bout twenty. Five be alive, but hangin’ by a prayer. Sick ’ave been moved.”
“Good.” Quinn rubbed his jaw. “Jessup, you and Robbins, take the rest of the captives and get across to the Night. Bellamy, you and I have business with Rasher’s crew.”
Back on the ruby decks of the Scarlet Night, Quinn approached the mangy remnants of the Delmar. “Gentlemen, good news, you’re free to go.” Bellamy started to object, but Quinn held up a hand. “Mister Bellamy, release these men, and see they return to their ship. Unharmed.”
“This be some sort of trick?” One of the men narrowed his eyes at Quinn.
“No, no trick.” He turned back to Bellamy. “See they have food. Water, as well. Two day’s worth should be enough. Give them time to see to the dead aboard.”
“Two days? We’re more ’an two weeks from the closest port.”
Several of Quinn’s men approached. “Sir, stripped the Delmar of every inch of sailcloth, like you ordered.”
“Good men, thank you.”
“Ye pinched our sails? Ye be maroonin’ us on a ship of bloated bodies. We all be dead ’fore we get te land.”
Bellamy shoved the man toward the traverse ladders. “You’re the smart one, I ken tell. Get movin.’”
“Wait.” Quinn stopped the last man. “The women from the Olivia Grace. Where are they?”
A sneer crossed the man’s filthy face. “Capt’n took his pick. Crew got the rest. Weren’t nothin’ but shark bait ’fore they got ta me. Some be greedy pricks.”
Disgust burned in his gut. It took all Quinn’s control not to snap the man’s neck. “Get off my ship.”
After the transfers were made and the sails set, Quinn scanned the crowded deck.
“Ne’er agreed te take on slaves.” Jessup grumbled at Quinn’s elbow. “How we gonna fill twenty more bellies.”
“Shut that gaping hole ye call a mouth.” Bellamy ordered him away. “I hate agreeing with Jessup, Capt’n, but he has a point.”
“I’m aware of the situation.” Quinn propped his hands on his hips and looked into the blue of the sky. “We’re two weeks away from the African coast. Less if we keep at full sail. Until we reach port, nothing goes to waste. Lines in the water for fish. Ale and mead ‘til it’s gone. Ration the water for the sick. Catch the rain. If need be, there’s water in the ballast. Swap it out for sea water if we must, and hope the wind stays with us.”
“What about the woman?” Bellamy asked.
“Call all hands. The men have a decision to make.” Quinn took to the quarterdeck as the order shouted throughout the crowded deck. The verdict was out of his hands. Alice Tupper’s fate would now be put to the crew. Gavin paused as the last men assembled. Having lived his life at sea with clear and concise boundaries, he was suddenly wary of not having the control. All things aboard ship were put to the vote. What if the decision went against her? Would he fight his men if they chose to kill her or offer her up as a spoil of the battle?
“Men, you all earned your shares today defeating the Delmar. With victory comes duty to those few slaves we were able to rescue.” He outlined the plan regarding food and water as he had with Bellamy. “And there’s a vote to be had. We’ve a woman aboard. Given our articles, it poses a question.”
“No question,” shouted one man, “toss her over.”
“I’ll take care of her fer ye, Capt’n,” shouted another. Laughter and lewd jibs followed.
Quinn waited. “Some will recognize her name. She’s known to those who served aboard the Scarlet Night under Captain Jaxon Steele. Her name is Alice Tupper.”
The men all spoke at once. “Blimey, Alice Tupper?” “Looked familiar, she did.” “Wild chit what saved Capt’n Steele’s neck?” “One in the same.” “Swings a cutlass like no woman I e’er seen.” “See the shiner she give Cole?” “Killed a duke. What was the bastard’s name? One did in Cookie Burrows, remember?”
Appreciative murmurs ran through the crowd. Several regaled them with the tale of her daring in Port Royal. Others told what they’d witnessed on the Delmar. The fierceness with which she fought. Still, while those men sang her praises, there were a few who argued the curse of women aboard ship. Was this woman the exception? Sure as hell didn’t fight like any woman they’d seen.
Debating continued until Quinn called for the vote. Majority ruled. Alice Tupper was free to stay. A cheer rose. Above the noise, Quinn added, “Any man lays a finger on her will answer to me.”
Talk of Mistress Tupper continued even after the crew had been dismissed back to their duties. Quinn could pick out those men who had served on the Scarlet Night for many years. Jaxon Steele had been a popular captain among them.
The day Jaxon tracked him down at that tavern in Port Royal and turned over the ship seemed like a scene from a play. Quinn served for years under Captain Steele, but he’d left large boots to fill. The responsibility wasn’t something Quinn took to lightly.
Some had grumbled about the shift of power, but the majority agreed. The crew voted Gavin Quinn as their new captain. Most who objected still had the sense to pledge their loyalty, but as a show of respect, Quinn gave each man the opportunity to re-sign their agreement to the ship’s Articles.
A handful left the crew. Given the abundance of ships in Port Royal, it was easy for them to gain new positions on another. Replacements were not hard to find. The Scarlet Night had a fierce reputation. They were a force of strength in the Caribbean, and men were eager to join her.
Crewmen like White, Jessup, Summer, and Finch. Robbins, of course, and Bellamy had been aboard for years. They were old hands at how to get every ounce of power and speed out of the ship. When it came to battle, they fought like the very devil. Gavin was pleased they stayed.
Still, they respected Jaxon Steele and his years as captain. Alice Tupper made a name for herself with these men, and they’d never forget what she did.
Quinn moved through the crew. He could also spot those who cared little if Alice was a saint or a slut. She was a woman, and women weren’t allowed aboard under any circumstance. He’d keep a close watch on those. Jessup in particular.
The man hadn’t stopped grumbling since the vote. He marched up deck holding Bump by the scuff of his neck. “Now we git te deal with a woman? It ain’t