Dieter had not had time to complete repairs on the hastily patched starboard gunwale where the cannon had crashed through, and there were still crates and barrels on the deck to be stowed below. But just moments after coming on board, Sheffield gave the signal to depart. Smitty and Flynn untied the lines on the bollards, and as soon as they were back on deck the gangboard was pulled up and stowed.
Harriet ducked when she heard a loud snap. Ruford obviously had no love for Sheffield, but he wouldn’t actually shoot at him, would he?
But it was just canvas filling with wind.
The ship began moving faster, picking up speed as more canvas unfurled and filled. Another ship, a cutter, was moving toward the same narrow channel out of the bay.
“Aye, there be the Polly Ann,” Jonesy said from his
