Stash and Gabriel stood on the deck of the sloop looking across the wharf at a large ship.

"Oy, those Indiamen have allot o guns." Stash declared

"Aye, I doubt we could do to her what we did to that galley"

Stash chuckled "Aye, I think ye be right thare mate. She aint got no oars!"

They stood quietly laughing for a few moments.

"Why are we back in Algiers, Stash.?

"Well first off, we needed supplies. I were in a hurry afore and I didn load up all we need, an it be a long trip back home. An second. Well tha Dey had a reward on that thare corsair feller, I goin ta go collect."

Gabriel watched the water a moment, before going on, but a figure in European clothing called out from the gangplank.

"Permission to come aboard!" The man hollered.

"Granted!" Stash replied.

Gabriel watched as the man came up the gangplank, he wasn't an overly dress man, but his clothing did speak of some personal wealth.

Stash walked up to the man, hand out to greet him. "Cap'n Stash Solstar at ye service, an this here be me first mate John Hellion."

The man took the proffered hands with a look of shock apparent on his face. "Captain John Lesley, sir. I'm the Captain of that Indiaman the Abingdon over yonder. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

"Well wha cin we do fer ye Cap'n, we be at ye service." Stash said with a friendly smile.

"Well I had heard that this ship was European and I thought I'd come over and invite you to dinner." John Lesley paused "I don't mean to insult anyone here, but aren't you lads a bit young to be captaining this ship? I mean no offense, I've heard you've taken a galley that the Dey wanted taken, but I must admit, I'm a bit taken aback."

With a chuckle Stash replied. "Well mate, we do be a bit nonconservative lot here, an aye under normal circumstances we prolly would be seen as too young. But tha situation here wern't even close to being conventional. Here mate, let me show ye bout, get ye a cup o tea, an we cin sit an talk a mite."

Gabriel followed them to the aft cabin. It was small for the three of them, but somehow they all sat comfortably. he only half listened as they talked about the East India trade, of the French and Spanish trade in the area, and of the naval patrols of the respective nations. He could see that Stash was trying to show this captain that they were capable, as well as just being a good host, but none of the conversation really interested him. He drank his tea, nodded at the appropriate moments and answered questions when asked, until Stash and Captain Lesley both stood up.

"Well I'm going to give you boys credit, it does seem like you have a fine ship here." Again Captain Lesley paused, pondering something. "Look, Algiers isn't a place to take lightly. These folk will cut your throat or set you as a galley slave in two heartbeats. If you have any trouble, you hightail it over to the Abingdon. We've got the guns to hold off just about anything they can throw." The look on his face gave Gabriel the impression he knew what he was talking about.

"Well Cap'n, if it do come ta that, ye can guarantee we'll take ye up on that. It always be good ta have a friend in a port like this." Stash shook his hand and they all walked back up to the gangplank to see the Captain off.

At the gangplank the Captain shook both their hands again. "You remember what I said, boys. Any trouble."

"Thank you, Captain." Gabriel said as he walked down the gangplank and back to his ship.

After he had gone Stash piped up. "Welp, I best be off. Cinnt keep tha Dey waitn."

Gabriel gave him a stunned look. "Didn't you hear what he had said? Stash I know you want that reward, to recoup some of what you spent, but shouldn't we just get out of here?"

Stash gave him that infernal grin again. "No worries mate, I know ye keep them safe." Then halfway down the gangplank Stash turned again and smiled up at Gabriel. "Trust me."

Gabriel groaned.

It was a dark moonless night as Gabriel walked the deck. Most of the Glastons and crew were asleep, just the night watch awake and moving. But he couldn't sleep. Stash should of been back hours ago, and he had a bad feeling. He kept thinking about what Captain Lesley had said, and they had the Lord Fitzroy's family on board as well. If one corsair lord could want them, another could. He paced back and forth, checking and double checking rigging, gun mounts, and anything he could think of to keep his mind occupied.

He was passing the sea side of the ship when a head popped over the side, a distinctly NOT European head. Quickly he looked up and down the railing, there were men clambering over the rail. Kicking the man in the face he hollered at the top of his lungs.

"TO ARMS! TO ARMS! WE ARE BEING BOARDED!"

Pulling his cutlass, he slammed into another man before the other man could get his footing, sending him back over the side with a splash. Pulling his pistol out, he shot another that had a nastily looking sword. Moving to engage another he could hear the rest of the Glastons and sloops crew entering the fray, staggered musket fire and battle cries piercing the air. Slashing his adversary, he took a moment to glance over the side. To his astonishment, the side of the boat was packed with small boats, each filled with men.

Falling back from the edge as a musket ball smashed into the railing near him, he quickly headed to where the Lord and his family was. Throwing open the door, he could see that they had all been awaken by the commotion on deck.

"Your Grace, we have to get you out of here. I'm not sure we can hold the ship. There is an Indiaman near by, we'll get you to them." The lord simply nodded and gathered his family.

Gabriel lead the way out of the cabin and on deck, the battle wasn't going well. Men were swarming over the sea side railing, and the sloops men were being pushed back. They were heavily outnumbered. He quickly grabbed Lexel and two other Glastons and told them to get the Lord and his family to the Indiaman and let them know they were in trouble. With a nod Lexel picked up the Lords daughter and led the way down the gangplank. Gabriel watched a moment to make sure they got down the pier far enough to be out of danger, then turned back to the battle.It wasn't going well. He watched as Culhan was helping Kaichee out of the fray, Kaichee bleeding from a wound to his leg. Dismas was leading a small group on the fore deck in an attempt to retake it, but was being pushed back himself.

"Fall back! Fall Back! Everyone off the ship and head to the Abingdon!" They couldn't fight the mob that was still climbing over the rail and he wasn't about to see all his friends killed.

Cutting down a boarder with a pike, he ran down the gangplank, the last one off the ship and ran down the pier. He could hear the attackers close behind, momentarily stunned by the sudden retreat but now in full pursuit. The mob ahead of him running just as fast as he was. He watched as the man feet from him was hit by musket fire and fell into the water alongside the wharf. Turning down the pier that the Abingdon was docked he grabbed up a wounded sailor, helping him make the final run for safety.

"IF YE BE ENGLISH, DOWN!"

Gabriel dropped to the deck, dragging the sailor down with him as a coordinated volley of musket fire came from the direction they were headed. He could hear the men behind him scream and fall. He drug the sailor back to his feet and continued his flight for the friendly fire. he could see musketeers heading his way from ahead, firing at targets behind him as they came. Two grabbed the sailor and helped him back the way they had come. Another man came up and ushered him to the ship, falling back with the remaining musketeers behind him.

Getting to the top of the gangplank, Gabriel saluted. A bit shocked as it was kicked into the water as soon as the last of the musketeers were aboard. Grimacing Captain John Lesley looked over Gabriel.

"Ye alright boy?" Nodding to Gabriel's nod he continued. "Well lad, your safe now. my business here is done, and I was going to set sail in a day or two anyhow. Might as well make it now."

Gabriel could see crew cutting lines, and unfurling sails. The captain put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't you worry lad, there isn't a corsair that will take on the Abingdon. Your truly well and safe now. You'll be back in England before you know it. Did your Captain make it?"

Gabriel just looked at the deck and shook his head.

"Ah. Well go over with the rest of your mates lad."

Gabriel wandered over to where the other Glastons sat. All of them panting and exhausted from the fight. Many of them bleeding for one or more wounds. But they all were there. All but one.

"What about Stash, Gabe. We can't leave him behind." Lexel panted.

"Stash is dead. He should of been back hours ago. The only thing I can think of is that they found out we had the Lord still on board, and they wanted him. They wouldn't of let Stash live while they attacked us."

The Glastons were mumbling and a few were crying as Gabriel walked to the railing on the aft deck. From there he watched the rest of the night, as Algiers slipped into the dark.