Thunder On the Sea: A Tim Phillips novel (War at Sea Book 11) Read Online Free Page B
Author: Richard Testrake
flapping around on his back and took off on a run.
As Phillips watched the rider handle his mount, with the cloak streaming behind, it brought him back to the scene at the coach. He assured the judge the robe seemed to be the one worn by the highwayman. This was enough information for the magistrate. He rode under the tree and shouted up into the branches.
“Time to come out of the tree, young man.”
The voice from the branches said, “You’ll just hang me.”
“Well, there is that, but if you don’t, we’ll shoot you.”
With no answer coming from the treetop, Sir Andrew held up a finely engraved light fowling piece and said. “Last chance, young man.’
The magistrate spent a few moments fussing with the lock of his piece, adding a pinch of powder to the pan. When the weapon finally discharged, there was a yelp of pain from up in the tree, then a body came tumbling out. For a moment, it seemed it might lodge across a pair of small branches, but these broke loose and the body fell head first to earth with a dull thud.
Phillips dismounted and went over to the body. It had taken a charge of small-shot in the upper body and had suffered a broken neck from the fall. Their suspect was now dead.
A heavy pistol was lying on the grass beside him. A closer inspection revealed it to be the type of weapon issued to heavy cavalry. It had recently been fired and Phillips could find no extra charges with which to re-load the gun.
The magistrate, when handed the pistol, assured the band that this was definitely their highwayman, and now they could enjoy a stirrup-cup before they returned to town to hang up the other two bandits.
The men enjoyed their drinks, and when they were finished, went back down the path a mile or so to a farmer’s pub, where arrangements were made to have the body retrieved and sent into town. While they were there, it was decided they might as well have another round of drinks in the pub, and it was a very jolly band of men who rode home that evening.
There was no need now for an inquest and a trial, because both of the wounded bandits had expired soon after the party had left that morning. Phillips checked on his horses and found them in good condition, so made plans to leave early the next morning.
It was just a short drive to his estate, but as they drove through the little village, Phillips became aware of a commotion. Villagers were dancing in the street, the church bell was peeling and some youths were attempting to build a bonfire. Bidding his driver to pull up, Phillips inquired as to the reason for the festivities.
A middle aged man in a craftsman’s smock told him the post had just brought word the war was over. Napoleon of France had abdicated and the world was now at peace. This, of course, was intriguing news. Phillips knew there would be dismay among many naval officers who might soon be losing their livelihoods. He himself, was not concerned. He had thousands in prize money invested safely and he knew the estate was capable of supporting itself.
The driver took the coach to the estate and all went inside. The staff was well aware of the news and Phillips soon learned it would be difficult to get anything done around the place that afternoon and evening.
He took his new employee around the building, showing her where everything was and getting her opinion on where to place the nursery. He introduced Mary to the other servants and reminded everyone that she was in charge of the infants and would make any necessary provisions for their care. He was beginning to learn Miss Ferguson was not quite the person he had thought when he had hired her.
He found that she had the rudiments of an education, at least what little most young women of that era were offered. She could read, write and do her sums. In addition, she had some knowledge of the Spanish language. She found herself in her present straits when her father died two years before. Her mother had passed when she had been a
As Phillips watched the rider handle his mount, with the cloak streaming behind, it brought him back to the scene at the coach. He assured the judge the robe seemed to be the one worn by the highwayman. This was enough information for the magistrate. He rode under the tree and shouted up into the branches.
“Time to come out of the tree, young man.”
The voice from the branches said, “You’ll just hang me.”
“Well, there is that, but if you don’t, we’ll shoot you.”
With no answer coming from the treetop, Sir Andrew held up a finely engraved light fowling piece and said. “Last chance, young man.’
The magistrate spent a few moments fussing with the lock of his piece, adding a pinch of powder to the pan. When the weapon finally discharged, there was a yelp of pain from up in the tree, then a body came tumbling out. For a moment, it seemed it might lodge across a pair of small branches, but these broke loose and the body fell head first to earth with a dull thud.
Phillips dismounted and went over to the body. It had taken a charge of small-shot in the upper body and had suffered a broken neck from the fall. Their suspect was now dead.
A heavy pistol was lying on the grass beside him. A closer inspection revealed it to be the type of weapon issued to heavy cavalry. It had recently been fired and Phillips could find no extra charges with which to re-load the gun.
The magistrate, when handed the pistol, assured the band that this was definitely their highwayman, and now they could enjoy a stirrup-cup before they returned to town to hang up the other two bandits.
The men enjoyed their drinks, and when they were finished, went back down the path a mile or so to a farmer’s pub, where arrangements were made to have the body retrieved and sent into town. While they were there, it was decided they might as well have another round of drinks in the pub, and it was a very jolly band of men who rode home that evening.
There was no need now for an inquest and a trial, because both of the wounded bandits had expired soon after the party had left that morning. Phillips checked on his horses and found them in good condition, so made plans to leave early the next morning.
It was just a short drive to his estate, but as they drove through the little village, Phillips became aware of a commotion. Villagers were dancing in the street, the church bell was peeling and some youths were attempting to build a bonfire. Bidding his driver to pull up, Phillips inquired as to the reason for the festivities.
A middle aged man in a craftsman’s smock told him the post had just brought word the war was over. Napoleon of France had abdicated and the world was now at peace. This, of course, was intriguing news. Phillips knew there would be dismay among many naval officers who might soon be losing their livelihoods. He himself, was not concerned. He had thousands in prize money invested safely and he knew the estate was capable of supporting itself.
The driver took the coach to the estate and all went inside. The staff was well aware of the news and Phillips soon learned it would be difficult to get anything done around the place that afternoon and evening.
He took his new employee around the building, showing her where everything was and getting her opinion on where to place the nursery. He introduced Mary to the other servants and reminded everyone that she was in charge of the infants and would make any necessary provisions for their care. He was beginning to learn Miss Ferguson was not quite the person he had thought when he had hired her.
He found that she had the rudiments of an education, at least what little most young women of that era were offered. She could read, write and do her sums. In addition, she had some knowledge of the Spanish language. She found herself in her present straits when her father died two years before. Her mother had passed when she had been a
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