A Certain Threat (The Merriman Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

the possessor of bright green eyes, the legacy of some Irish ancestor no doubt.  The two young men had formed a friendship which although never crossing the line separating the ship’s captain from his officers, was nevertheless a close one.
    Merriman dragged his mind back to the present, “ Yes Alan, what is it?”
    “ Morning report Sir, as in your standing orders.”
    “ Of course.  My apologies, my mind was far away.  Anything new?”
    “ Nothing Sir.  The storm damage is all repaired except for the torn tops’l, and that is going back aloft even now.  Seaman Smith’s broken leg is healing well and he’ll be fit to return to duty in a day or two. Oh! and that fool Biggins has been up to his tricks again, making a nuisance of himself round the ship. But apart from that the ship is in all respects ready for action.”
    The man Biggins that the Lie utenant referred to was simple minded and fond of playing harmless but annoying tricks on his messmates.  The crew tolerated the poor fellow and kept him from causing too much bother, indeed he was something of a mascot to them and they helped him with his simple duties to ensure that he did not fall foul of authority.  The livid scar on the side of his head received in some long ago fight with the French probably explained his mental disorder.
    Lieutenant Jones coughed apologetically.  “ Sir, there is one more thing.”
    “ Yes?”
    “ The men have asked if they can fish for shark Sir.  The Bos’n has made some very serviceable hooks and there’s that tub of rotten meat we found yesterday which would make bait Sir,” he continued eagerly.
    “ An excellent idea. All work and no play…….eh!   But we’ll make a competition of it; that should make a welcome break in routine and cheer the men up.  Have our two midshipmen select teams, of what, six or ten men each, to fish from each side.  And of course there must be a prize. Shall we say an extra tot of rum for the men in the team which is first to hook a shark, two tots if they bring it aboard.”
    “ Aye-aye Sir,” said Jones with a huge grin on his face.
    When the details of the competition were announced, an excited chattering broke out on deck as the men clustered round midshipmen Andrews and Dalkeith, hoping to be picked.  Soon all was ready and waiting for Merriman to give the word to start.  He was pleased to see that the strongest men had been selected, as it would take brute strength to haul a struggling, fighting shark aboard.  Knowing it would please the men he made a show of inspecting them.  Looking at the hooks and lines a thought struck him.
    “ Mr Jones, they’ll not catch sharks with this gear.  A shark would bite through the lines too easily. There should be a length of chain lashed between the hook and line.  I’m surprised nobody thought of that.”
    With the chain added and the hooks baited with the stinking, rotten meat Merriman gave the word to start.  The hooks splashed down a lmost together and the teams were running the lines out as fast as they could to the encouraging shouts of their shipmates.
    Looking astern it was obvious that the weight of the chain was insufficient to take the bait below the water and it could be seen sp lashing along on the surface.
    “ Haul them in lads and add some more chain, that should do it.”
    It did indeed do it and the towed bait disappeared below the surface, trailing the scent of putrid meat behind.  It was not long before the sinister fin of a shar k appeared, soon joined by others.  The seamen on the lines spat on their hands and took a firmer grip.  Men were clustered in the rigging and leaning over the bulwarks, eager to watch the sport and see which team would win.  Bets were laid and the air rang with raucous and rude comments about each team’s ability.
    “ Don’t know why you was picked, Jimmy you skinny bugger.  There’s more muscle on a belaying pin” yelled a seaman on the mainyard to his mate in one of the