Text 991, 53 rader
Skriven 2005-01-31 00:34:34 av DAVE COBLE (1:123/140)
Ärende: A Tall Ship Tale Chapter 37
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 Chapter 37: A Promise Kept

"Merely turn over two sacrilegious and worthless men, and all freedoms are
yours!" came a cry from one of the Sultan's galleys which had blockaded the
H.M.S. Legume into the port of Jidda. "But while you shelter them, you
shall never leave!" The galley's oars dipped in unison, holding position
with its long bronze ram directed squarely at the frigate's vulnerable
stern.

Sir Hillary and the First Mate, recently returned from a secret mission to
Mecca which had been regrettably indiscreet, consulted anxiously on the
quarter deck. "If the ship were turned around we might get past them. But
the slip is too narrow for turning. And, sailing backwards against those
rams...!" Sir Hillary shook his head.

"We could just shoot our way out," the First Mate suggested. But Sir
Hillary shook his head again.

"You forget that the Captain swore in Chapter 35 that he wouldn't fire on a
Sultan's ship," he pointed out. "At any rate, the Arabs think he did. He'd
never dishonor the Crown by breaking his word."

Just then, Captain Quid emerged from his cabin; and the crafty glint under
his low, heavy brow put heart into the men immediately. "Load two guns at
the stern, and two at the bow," he ordered.

"But, on which side, sir?" the gunner asked.

"Doesn't matter," he grunted, then clarified "Opposite sides. Ax-men to
the lines. Top-men prepare to set sail." When all was ready, he turned to
the steersman. "Stand by to pull the flying lever." He paused to savor the
tension, until the crew wondered if he had somehow fallen asleep standing.
Finally he tugged down the front of his shirt and said "Engage!"

Axes fell, cutting the shore lines. Then the GAG levitation system kicked
in; the Legume popped out of the water and hung dripping in mid-air. Next,
four cannons boomed out in unison; their recoil started the ship spinning
slowly. A nearby warehouse crumpled from the blow, and from it a flock of
magic carpets flapped away in a panic. Another volley turned the ship far
enough for the sails to fill, and it swept majestically over the harbor.
The galleys trailed behind it, their bronze rams useless now, hurling darts
and epithets at the escaping infidels.

The officers gathered by the rail to watch Jidda recede. Its cloud of
panicky carpets promised to make an unusual sunset. "That was fabulous!"
The First Mate enthused. "From now on they'll call it the Quid Maneuver.
How did you know it would work so well, sir?"

Quid modestly filled his pipe, then said simply:

"It was a four-gun conclusion!"
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