The Black Crow had been at sea for three days. Sandbags now lined the rails. Many of the crates they had loaded, marked as provisions, had held bags of sand. As soon as The Black Crow was at sea, the crew opened the crates and placed the sandbags along the rails. The Gatling Guns were still in their cases protected from the salt air. The Mountain gun was in position and sandbagged in place. Ready, they watched the sea and waited.
On the morning of the fourth day, just as the sun was breaking over the horizon, the lookout called down from the crow"s nest.
“Sail ho,” shouted the lookout in the crow"s nest.
“Where away,” called the first mate.
“East of starboard, coming" out of the sun!”
Crow, Bodkins, and Earl each stood with a glass to his eye. The sun was coming up fast, and the light
