Thunder On the Sea: A Tim Phillips novel (War at Sea Book 11) Read Online Free
Author: Richard Testrake
to their front, two were found dead, while one was still alive after being struck by two blasts from shotguns. Badly wounded, it appeared that he was not long for this world.
Behind them, the man Phillips had wounded was alive and groaning in pain from a bullet in his side and a broken arm from the fall from his horse. He too would likely die sooner or later, since a wound from a large caliber weapon in that part of the body would invariably kill the man. Gangrene was almost a certainty in such a case, Phillips had learned that from visiting ship’s cockpits after a bloody battle. A badly damaged arm or leg could be removed, with a decent chance of saving the man’s life, but a shot in the trunk was usually fatal.
The men were standing there, cooling down, and examining their options. They had two dead bodies, two with deadly wounds, a woman and two infants. They should take the downed bandits to the nearest magistrate, but how was this to be done?
CHAPTER THREE
As they were mulling over the problem, they were startled by the sound of hooves on the hard-surfaced road. A band of horsemen had come up from behind the coach and surrounded them, a dozen men, in all. None carried anything more deadly than small swords and riding crops.
Few explanations were necessary. All were local landowners coming back from a party. They were well acquainted with the highwayman problem in this part of the country. When Phillips said they needed to get these people to a magistrate, but there just was not enough room in their coach, one elderly gentleman sniffed and said he was Sir Andrew Harkins, the magistrate for this locale, and the event could be said to be duly reported.
Two riders were dispatched to ride ahead to obtain a wagon from the next property and take the bodies, living and dead, into town. Apprised of the escape of one man on horseback, the magistrate announced every man with a horse was expected to meet next morning, in front of the livery to pursue the man. Dogs were also to be brought, if possible.
Phillips had his driver take the coach to the next village’s inn where they stayed overnight. There was only one bed, so they would have to share. The guard and driver were going to sleep in the stable, and if Phillips declined to do that, his only other recourse was to sleep in the coach. Mary made no objection when he inquired about the possibility of sharing the bed with her. She acted surprised, as if she thought sharing a bed was the most natural thing in the world.
In her shift, the young woman was appealing, but the two infants between them made a most formidable barrier and Phillips slept soundly that night.
Next morning, he was roused by the noise from the square. Those men intending to pursue the wanted bandit had gathered there and were making an infernal noise.. The magistrate had a huge hound that he was sure would take them to their man. A dozen other dogs were present, but Phillips was told privately that they were just there to lend their voice to the chase. The judge’s big hound would be the one to find the fellow. The judge offered him a good horse to ride, and Phillips accepted.
All of the men were armed, mostly with light fowling pieces. Considering the rifle to be too unwieldy to carry on horseback, he tucked the pistols in a sash he wound tightly about his middle and borrowed the blunderbuss of the driver. He would have liked to take the eight-bore gun of the hired guard, but that wish was refused. The guard and driver said they would sit here in the inn and sample the local ale.
Phillips rode quietly beside the judge out to the scene of the ambush. Magistrate Harkins told him he knew what mount the fellow was riding. “Fellow by the name of Fletcher owns her. He used to ride her every day whenever he had to go someplace. When she got a little old and stiff, he put her out as a brood mare and usually gets a good foal from her every year. She has a strange shape to one forefoot, and
Behind them, the man Phillips had wounded was alive and groaning in pain from a bullet in his side and a broken arm from the fall from his horse. He too would likely die sooner or later, since a wound from a large caliber weapon in that part of the body would invariably kill the man. Gangrene was almost a certainty in such a case, Phillips had learned that from visiting ship’s cockpits after a bloody battle. A badly damaged arm or leg could be removed, with a decent chance of saving the man’s life, but a shot in the trunk was usually fatal.
The men were standing there, cooling down, and examining their options. They had two dead bodies, two with deadly wounds, a woman and two infants. They should take the downed bandits to the nearest magistrate, but how was this to be done?
CHAPTER THREE
As they were mulling over the problem, they were startled by the sound of hooves on the hard-surfaced road. A band of horsemen had come up from behind the coach and surrounded them, a dozen men, in all. None carried anything more deadly than small swords and riding crops.
Few explanations were necessary. All were local landowners coming back from a party. They were well acquainted with the highwayman problem in this part of the country. When Phillips said they needed to get these people to a magistrate, but there just was not enough room in their coach, one elderly gentleman sniffed and said he was Sir Andrew Harkins, the magistrate for this locale, and the event could be said to be duly reported.
Two riders were dispatched to ride ahead to obtain a wagon from the next property and take the bodies, living and dead, into town. Apprised of the escape of one man on horseback, the magistrate announced every man with a horse was expected to meet next morning, in front of the livery to pursue the man. Dogs were also to be brought, if possible.
Phillips had his driver take the coach to the next village’s inn where they stayed overnight. There was only one bed, so they would have to share. The guard and driver were going to sleep in the stable, and if Phillips declined to do that, his only other recourse was to sleep in the coach. Mary made no objection when he inquired about the possibility of sharing the bed with her. She acted surprised, as if she thought sharing a bed was the most natural thing in the world.
In her shift, the young woman was appealing, but the two infants between them made a most formidable barrier and Phillips slept soundly that night.
Next morning, he was roused by the noise from the square. Those men intending to pursue the wanted bandit had gathered there and were making an infernal noise.. The magistrate had a huge hound that he was sure would take them to their man. A dozen other dogs were present, but Phillips was told privately that they were just there to lend their voice to the chase. The judge’s big hound would be the one to find the fellow. The judge offered him a good horse to ride, and Phillips accepted.
All of the men were armed, mostly with light fowling pieces. Considering the rifle to be too unwieldy to carry on horseback, he tucked the pistols in a sash he wound tightly about his middle and borrowed the blunderbuss of the driver. He would have liked to take the eight-bore gun of the hired guard, but that wish was refused. The guard and driver said they would sit here in the inn and sample the local ale.
Phillips rode quietly beside the judge out to the scene of the ambush. Magistrate Harkins told him he knew what mount the fellow was riding. “Fellow by the name of Fletcher owns her. He used to ride her every day whenever he had to go someplace. When she got a little old and stiff, he put her out as a brood mare and usually gets a good foal from her every year. She has a strange shape to one forefoot, and
Readers choose
Cathy Glass
Louis Auchincloss
Eva Joly
Catherine Cookson
Linda Francis Lee
Elizabeth Peters
Deila Longford
Walter Jon Williams