Caribbean Sea, 1733

The pirate schooner Henrietta waited, hidden from view in the calm waters off the west end of Grand Bahama Island.

Captain Clifford favored that vantage point; It concealed them from the Florida Straits, and at the same time protected from sudden attack, as the larger “Men of War” were unable to safely navigate the shallows within the island’s reefs.

“Thar she blows, Cap’n! Headin’ south-west!” The lookout spied a vessel sailing on the Straits.

Captain Clifford studied it through his telescope.

“She be a merchant, lads. Make ready! Stand by bow cannon!”

The Henrietta was equipped with extra cannon on both the bow and stern of the ship; Unusual for a fighting vessel. She could fire her cannon while sailing directly at, or away from the enemy, instead of maneuvering into a broadside position before firing her guns. It was an innovation that the Captain happily, took credit for.

Surprise seemed to have payed off, once again.

The slower merchant vessel was no match for Captain Clifford’s seamanship.

“Fire!”

Two cannons blazed, and hit their mark. Smoke billowed from the ship’s stern.

The merchant was disabled.

“Reload!”

The merchant ship hoisted a white flag of surrender.

The pirate crew cheered at the sight. A battle had been won, without casualties.

“Prepare to board, lads.” The Captain ordered. “Pass the word.”

“Cap’n! Vessels approachin’ on the starboard bow.” A seaman hollered from the Crow’s Nest. “They be Men O’ War, Cap’n!”

Two Naval ships had been shadowing the merchant vessel, and now headed directly towards the Henrietta.

Ahead, the merchant ship suddenly maneuvered, broadside.

“It be a damn trap. They be tars.” Captain Clifford cried. “Hard to port!”

Just then, the merchant marine opened fire.

Cannon shot barely missed the pirate ship.

The two Naval craft were rapidly closing on the Henrietta.

“They be Frigate’s, Cap’n. We can’t outrun “em.” The mate sighed.

Naval Frigate”s were built for speed; a deadly adversary of pirate ships.

“We be famous, matey’s.” The Captain grimaced.

The Henrietta had recently attacked, and plundered three other merchant vessels in those very same waters, and the British Government had decided it was time to put an end to Captain Clifford Brown’s piracy.

“We’ll make for Bimini, me hearties. Headin’ south – south west.” The Captain gave orders to the Helmsman. “Those blighter’s won’t nab us afore then… Make ready stern cannon!”

“Aye Aye, Cap’n!” Smithy, the mate replied.