Where Cannons Roar

By R.W. Winton

"You can't believe a letter of marque from a rebellious colony will be considered legal. You will be no better than a pirate."

Miles Dunn has sailed the seas his entire life it seems. The moment he was old enough he learned the operations on his father's fishing ship, and as a youth he joined his father on a privateer that harassed French trade. Now he commands his own whaling vessel out of Nantucket and lives a comfortable life in Dunnstown, a town he and his family have built through the spoils of generations of smuggling and piracy. Miles is an honest man, though, and has no desire to engage in the smuggling so many on the coast are increasingly involved in as bitterness grows over taxes and British laws made so far away from the American lives they involve.

That changes for Miles with the outbreak of war between England and the colonies. Miles is faced with a choice to relocate to England with his employer, or to become unemployed in the midst of a war that might soon end, or that might drag on for years. The timely meeting with a merchant whose family's wealth has been tied to the smugglers and pirates of Miles's own family presents Miles with a third option. It is an option that, once accepted, changes everything for Miles. It renders him a traitor to his king and the British navy's most wanted criminal. It sends him on his way to New York to locate an old friend in the service of the Royal Navy, and to incite a mutiny on a British ship of war.

REVOLUTION is a queer historical fiction series set during the American Revolution in which all protagonists find happiness at the end of their harrowing journeys, regardless of whether or not their stories include romance or of which side of the war they are on. SERIES CONTENT WARNINGS: war and violence, 18th century social norms and prejudices (including those regarding gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality)

BOOK SPECIFIC CONTENT WARNINGS: mentions of whaling (no actual whaling scenes), mentions of sexual assault (no actual assault), one scene of torture (whipping - navy punishment)

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.W. Winton
• Release date: Jul 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005109158

R.W. Winton

R.W. Winton is a history lover from Western NY who has always had a fascination with 18th century history. Revolution is the first in multiple historical fiction series planned.

Book preview

Chapter One

They were three days from home when the British Royal Navy ship signaled them. Captain Miles Dunn knew his crew wanted nothing more than to return home after their months at sea filling the hold with whale oil, spermaceti, and blubber still to be processed. They would dislike the delay in seeing their families and getting their pay, but he gave the order to slow the ship. He had few other options, and none of them meant getting his crew and cargo safely back to Nantucket harbor in a proper and timely manner.

His Majesty's ship was larger than the whaler, a great frigate with nearly thirty guns, Miles noted. Miles's crew assembled on the deck before he called them to. All of thirty-four of them watched the larger ship as it came alongside the whaler.

Who is your captain? an officer called to them.

Miles stepped forward. I am, sir.

And your name?

Miles Dunn.

There was a moment of hesitation, then another question. Who owns the ship?

Isaac Cobb, of Sherburne, Nantucket Island.

You have papers?

I do.

Very well. Assemble your crew and we will need to see those papers.

Miles turned to the crew. You heard him.

The crew was quieter than they ever were as they arranged themselves in an orderly group on the deck. The first mate, Clark, wore a concerned expression, but said nothing as he made certain the two who were most in danger during such a situation were playing their roles thoroughly.

Minutes later, the larger ship had put a small boat into the water and it was rowed behind both ships. Miles sent two of his crew to lower the ladder and assist with tying off the boat to the rail. When the visitors joined them, Miles took a long look at the man who had addressed him. There was no mistaking Asher Sands, even in an older form and wearing a navy lieutenant's coat. There was even a hint of a smile on his sea-burned face when he looked to Miles.

Your papers, Captain Dunn? he asked.

Miles nodded. This way, he said, and led him to the cabin. He took his ship's papers from the wooden chest on his desk and set them out before the officer. Lieutenant Sands, is it?

The officer looked up and smiled. Then he carefully closed the door of the cabin. I wondered if you would recognize me.

Miles chuckled. Older, certainly, much as I am. I see your father's money has benefited you.

Asher continued to smile fondly. When all I talked about after returning home was the adventure I'd had on Captain Dunn's crew, he'd assumed the best he could do for me was to send me into the navy at his considerable expense. Or so he reminds me.

And does it suit you? Miles wondered aloud.

Asher glanced at the door behind him, then shook his head, all traces of his smile gone. "Not one bit. Far too many rules and expectations. This captain is both cruel and cowardly. I was forced to flog a man for falling sleep on deck because he wanted to watch the stars three nights ago. The blessed stars. He wasn't even on watch duty. He stopped what was possibly to become a rant and shook his head. I don't know why I'm telling you this. It has been years since we sailed together."

Miles shrugged. I see nothing wrong with watching the stars.

Asher chuckled and shook his head. "What I wouldn't give to be back on your father's privateer, the joyful Golden Laurel. Your father was a good man and a great captain. Only two rules."

'Treat each other with dignity and respect, and respect my command', Miles recited. It certainly wasn't time to tell a member of the British Royal Navy just where else his father had employed those same rules, outside of his fishing and privateering ventures. I've used those simple rules since I acquired my own crew, though I've found the need to become more strict in the details.

That seemed to recall Asher to the papers before him. He read them quickly. "The Abigail Cobb. Owned by Mr. Isaac Cobb. Very good."

Why the press gang? Miles questioned. Why the concern over the ship's owner? Is there someone taking whaling ships again?

Asher sighed. It's war, he said quietly. There was sadness in his clear blue eyes. The American colonies have been in rebellion for a year now.

Miles sighed, unsure how to feel. He had been dismissing the thought of war since he'd heard of the fighting. It gave him too many ideas.

The previous April, the British forces within the city of Boston had marched on the town of Concord. Miles had heard they had intended to arrest certain men who were outspoken against British laws, and to confiscate certain arms that had been collected there. The Lexington militia had given resistance to the soldiers as they made their way, starting a night of fighting that had left several on both sides dead and the British once again confining themselves to Boston. Miles knew nothing of what had happened in the eleven months since, but had wondered if the affair would be forgiven very easily by either side.

We had heard rumors before leaving last June, that things were not going to be resolved after the battles outside Boston as we had all expected, he said to Asher. We've been at sea since then, whaling in warmer waters. You are impressing sailors, then?

Not whalers, Asher explained. The English whale oil industry is as important as ever. Isaac Cobb swore his entire fleet to the English whaling industry, we were told. Others have done the same. You will be free to continue to Nantucket with your full crew. Others who have not done as Mr. Cobb has are to be pressed into the navy or the British whaling fleet.

Mr. Cobb never discussed this with myself or my crew, Miles declared, concerned. What is he expecting of us?

Asher shook his head. I'm sure he will inform you. If you didn't know this, he's likely waiting for your return.

This was certainly news that wouldn't sit well with the crew, just as it wasn't sitting well with him. He glanced at the locked cabinet where he kept his father's journals, and his grandfather's. A war meant he may not need to join the British whaling fleet at all. It was the very idea he'd been trying to keep from his mind for months. He turned back to Asher.

Your part in this war is to patrol for American ships to impress their crews? he asked.

"The Spar is bound for New York, Asher replied. For what purpose, I still don't know. Our orders will depend on what we find there."

Miles nodded thoughtfully. I wish you well then.

Asher seemed surprised, but nodded to him. You as well. He took a deep breath, then grimaced. Your ship smells terrible.

Miles chuckled. I've gotten so accustomed to it I hardly notice anymore. You should be aboard when we have the tryworks lit. It's preferable to have them extinguished when we reach port or the people of Nantucket get rather unhappy with us.

I can understand why. He handed Miles his papers. We'll get off your ship so you may deliver your catch.

Miles returned the papers to their box, then led him out of the cabin. One of Asher's men was eying Liza suspiciously. She was half hidden behind Thayer, the surgeon, who was telling the man, That one has been ill for days. You don't want 'im. Haven't any idea what it is that's got 'im.

A call came then from the Spar, Is all well, Lieutenant?

All is well, Captain, Asher called back. The ship is owned by Isaac Cobb.

Very well. Return with your men.

The others moved back toward their little boat. Asher, meanwhile, took a closer look at Liza, then shook his head. He turned back to Miles with half a smile, but said nothing when he nodded to him and followed his men. One of Miles's crew, Caleb, tossed the rope back down to the party in the boat, then hauled up the ladder.

Well, everyone, back to work, Miles declared as the Spar pulled away from them a few short minutes later. Unless you want to spend another week away from home.

As the crew rushed to set the sails again and Mallory returned to the helm, Clark approached. The first mate had the given name of Jonah, a name Miles refused to even consider him by out of fear that the next great sperm whale they hunted would devour him and he'd lose his first mate.

You were in the cabin quite a while with him, Clark said quietly. Something we should know? Crew's uneasy. Most of them knew they were facing impressment.

Miles met his concerned gaze. Later. They'll be even more uneasy if we hide away in the cabin the moment the navy has left us.

Clark nodded. Understood. He gave one last glance at Miles, then went off to continue his duties.

Miles walked the ship, ensuring everything was in order and considering how each crew member he passed would respond to the news he'd just been given. It was a useful thing to consider. There were very few he thought would be very happy with the idea of taking their catches to any port in Britain. It would mean more time away from their families.

He took one last thoughtful look at the horizon and the Spar as it continued on its course away from them.

Clark joined him in his cabin that evening. He didn't ask a single question. Instead, he sat silently on the other side of the table, waiting and watching Miles. He knew Miles would be honest with him and that any questions he had would be answered before the conversation was over. Miles had always made certain he was an honest and good captain to his crew. It was something he'd learned from his father.

It so happens that lieutenant who visited us was an old friend of mine, Miles explained. We sailed together on my father's privateer.

Is that what saved us from impressment? Clark asked, leaning back in his chair.

No, Mr. Cobb did. It appears the skirmishes that were happening when we left for our hunt have turned into a full-out war. Mr. Cobb seems to have taken the side of the British in the conflict and has sworn all of this ships and crews to serve in the British whaling fleet. Had that not been the case, we would have either been taken into the navy or forced to become British whalemen.

Clark rubbed a hand over his face, then scratched at the bristle of an incoming beard he would undoubtedly shave that evening. What does that mean for us? Half the crew has their families in Sherburne or Dunnstown. How will they see them again?

Miles shook his head. I don't know. I don't know anything other than what was told to me by Lieutenant Sands. He couldn't possibly know Mr. Cobb's plans for us or our families. I can do nothing but speculate. Which is why it would be best if the crew wasn't told any of this until I've spoken to Mr. Cobb. I don't want them to experience undue worry or anger.

Clark nodded. Understandable. Nothing would be gained by telling them yet. We will wait for your direction, as always.

I appreciate the understanding, Miles replied. I trust you'll ensure the other mates understand as well.

As always, Captain.

Chapter Two

When they reached the bay of Nantucket, Miles ordered the Abigail Cobb anchored away from the docks. The crew did as they were told, but they clearly had questions. They'd had questions since the day Lieutenant Asher Sands and the other Royal Navy men had visited them, but they had not asked any of those questions within Miles's hearing.

After the ship was anchored, Miles gathered the crew on deck.

No one leaves the ship, Miles ordered, which earned him even more questioning looks from the crew. Nothing is offloaded. I'm going ashore to speak to Mr. Cobb regarding what I was told by the navy lieutenant when he visited. I will return this evening and I will address all your concerns, I assure you. You will be able to ask any of the questions I know you have, then. For now, I need him to answer my questions before I can answer yours. Mr. Turner, see that you and misters Davis and Mack keep things in order.

Turner nodded to him. Of course, Captain.

Mr. Clark, if you will assist me in rowing to shore, I would greatly appreciate it.

Clark echoed Turner's nod and assent. He did not speak further as he and Miles took one of the whaleboats to shore, where they tied it at one of the most out-of-the-way docks. Then he made his way to the office of Isaac Cobb, trusting Clark to remain with the whaleboat and not seek the gossip of the town as nearly every other member of the crew would have. Given the rumors of war and the navy's visit to them, the crew could only resist their need for information for so long. Miles was determined to bring the truth back to them, not rumors and gossip.

Miles was relieved not to find the town overrun with soldiers, nor did he find a town full of frightened citizens talking about the state of things. Indeed, it seemed to Miles as if nothing in the world had changed and daily life continued unimpeded in Sherburne. There was an odd bit of tension in the air and he noted some shops that appeared to be closed, but it was nothing that made him think that the war was the greatest concern for those living there. People still bustled about the town as usual, enjoying the mild weather. Perhaps it wasn't as serious as Asher had been told. Perhaps, by the time his ship had been dispatched to New York word was just arriving in London that the conflict was at an end. It took months for word to travel between the colonies and England, after all.

When Miles was shown into the office of Mr. Cobb, he noticed it was tidier than usual, with fewer maps on the walls and papers strewn across the desk. Isaac Cobb was as neat as usual, however, which was typically a stark contrast to the state of his office. He wore a suit of coordinating blues and a perfect white wig, slightly out of fashion for everyone except himself.

Oh good, Captain Dunn, Cobb said in greeting. "I've been expecting