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“The whole thing was a deception,” MacKim said. “The cannon was to lure us into the bay so Douce Vengeance could trap us here and pound us with her superior firepower.”
“Nearly correct, sergeant,” Maxwell said. “She’s launching a host of small boats. That means she means to board and take us undamaged as a prize.”
Kennedy grunted. “A French privateer taking a Royal Navy sloop! What a coup that would be.”
Maxwell gave a string of orders. “Break out the cutlasses and pistols! Mr Holmes! Man the larboard battery! Let’s give the Frenchies a hot reception.”
As the seamen hurried to obey, Maxwell addressed Kennedy. “I’d be obliged if you’d take your men to the rails, Captain Kennedy, and prepare to repel boarders. Roberval won’t know we have Rangers on board, so that will be a nasty surp
