Lines and braces were being doubled, so that if some were shot away the others would allow the ship to sail. Bedding and blankets, soaked in water, were lashed along rails and bulkheads to protect against flying splinters. The entire deck was washed down repeatedly, soaking the dry wood to reduce the danger of fire. In the midst of all this, Enders came up. “Lookout’s just reported, Captain. The warship is gone.” Hunter was stunned. “Gone?” “Aye, Captain. Gone during the night.” “It is not in sight at all?” “Aye, Captain.” “He cannot have given up,” Hunter said. He considered the possibilities a moment. Perhaps the warship had gone to the north or south side of the island to lie in wait. Perhaps Bosquet had some other plan or, perhaps, the pounding by the saker had done more damage than the privateers suspected. “All right, carry on,”
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