"Things must have changed on shore," Asher stated. He looked to Miles. "What do you suggest?"

Miles glanced at the other large ship in the harbor, and the smaller ones, some of which were also flying Royal Navy flags. "Will those ships follow if you left the harbor under pretense of chasing a schooner?"

"Not unless we signal them," Asher replied. "We'll need to make a show of it, as they may be watching."

"What of your captain?"

Asher gave a humorless laugh. "That poltroon avoids conflict as often as he can. He'll wait for us to return."

Miles nodded. He walked quickly to the rail and called out to James, still waiting alongside, "All is well here, but we need to make our escape. I want you to run home and we'll follow. They'll think we're chasing you."

James nodded to him. "Gladly."

"And don't be alarmed if we fire," Miles added. "We will aim not to hit you. There must be no question as to what is happening."

"I won't forgive you if you sink my ship," James replied, but gave the order to get the schooner quickly under way.

"Is there anything you will forgive me for?" Miles questioned.

James simply responded with a rude gesture.

Miles turned to Asher. "Follow. Shoot a time or two, but not directly at the ship. That's my brother and his schooner. And have someone guard me until we are safely away."

Asher nodded. "Very well." He pulled a pistol and pointed it at Miles, an amusing touch, Miles thought. "Mr. Bartly, Mr. Caswell. Hold this man under guard on the quarterdeck. Our sister ships must think we are having a situation we can quite control."

Two men pulled Miles toward the rear of the quarterdeck as Asher gave orders to get the ship under way, orders that were quickly followed by the small crew. The ship lurched forward as all sails unfurled and the helmsman turned the ship toward the departing schooner.

"Fire two shots," Asher ordered. "But don't hit her."

Miles imagined the city was surprised to hear the echoing thunder of the two guns that fired in the general direction of James's schooner. He was certain James was cursing his name and the name of Levi Finley.

Miles took a look at the two men lightly holding his arms. One was certainly in his late teens, the other at least fifteen years more than that.

"I see Lieutenant Sands trusts that you won't kill me," Miles observed. "Should I trust him?"

The older man smiled at him. "Nearly any man on this ship would rather protect than kill you now."

"He mentioned most were American and not serving by choice," Miles replied. "Is that accurate?"

The man nodded. "Right enough. Some of us aren't American but have grown tired of the navy. Myself among them. Nathan Bartly, quartermaster. Mr. Caswell there is a midshipman."

"It isn't what I expected it to be," Caswell told him.

"Good friend of his threw himself overboard not too long ago," Bartly explained quietly. "No one knows why, or won't say. Happens sometimes. Boy's changed since it happened. What better way for us all to leave the navy that caused us so much misery?"

Miles nodded. "We'll make this ship our own, and I hope you will all be happier."

"Most will be just from leaving the navy," Bartly informed him. "There's one or two here who will choose to leave us, though."

"Will they be trouble before they are sent off?" Miles asked. "I have a plan to take our first prize, but it will require some precise timing. It will be more than a week before they can be released as I promised."

Bartly was thoughtful. "I'm not certain. They will need to be watched to ensure they have no opportunity to be difficult."

Asher approached and smiled. "We've got our stern to the harbor, so we shouldn't need to continue doing more than appearing to chase the schooner."

Miles nodded to Bartly and Caswell when they released him. "Let us hope the ruse did what it needed to." He did wonder if the other ships had heard much of the crew's cheering prior to the escape and what they would think of it, but perhaps they wouldn't connect events until the Spar was safely away.

"Is that schooner manned by more of your crew?" Asher asked.

"It's my brother's ship and crew," Miles explained. "The rest of my crew is continuing our ruse at Nantucket, making it appear as if we intend to depart with Mr. Cobb for England once he is prepared to be on his way." And, he hoped, not endangering them by telling their families too much. "We need to continue to follow James. He'll lead us home. I would like to see what you have on board for supplies and provisions. Then perhaps some sleep will be in order before acquainting myself with the crew."

Asher nodded. "Of course."