Rally Cry Read Online Free PDF Page A

back down the ladder.
    "So you finally decided to get up."
    Andrew groaned. He knew he shouldn't think it, but he found himself wishing that Tobias had been swept overboard.
    "Where the hell are we?" Andrew asked, turning to face the captain, who was strolling down the deck toward him.
    " South Carolina , I reckon. I'll shoot an angle on the sun and soon have it figured out."
    "How did we get here?" Andrew asked, unable to hide his bewilderment.
    Tobias hesitated for only a second.
    "Good piloting, that's all," he replied, but Andrew could sense the doubt in his voice.
    "And that strange light?"
    "St. Elmo's fire, but I reckon a landlubber like you never heard of it."
    "That wasn't St. Elmo's, Captain Tobias. It knocked all of us out and we woke up here, and I daresay you can't explain it any more than I can."
    Tobias looked at him, trying to keep up the front, then turned away with a mumbled curse.
    "We've been hulled. I'm going below to check the damage. I suggest we get started straightening this ship out, and I expect your men to help where need be."
    Without waiting for a response, Tobias headed for the nearest hatchway and disappeared below.
    Within minutes the deck was aswarm with men staggering up from below, most of them looking rather the worse for wear. As quickly as they came up, the various company commanders tried to sort them out and run a roll. Spotting
    Kathleen coming out from the captain's cabin, he hurried to her side.
    "You all right, Miss O'Reilly?"
    She looked up at him and smiled bleakly.
    "Long as I live I'll never set foot on a ship again." The two of them laughed softly.
    "Sergeant Schuder told me there've been some casualties. I'd deeply appreciate it if you would find Dr. Weiss and give him your assistance."
    He continued to look at her closely, not wanting to admit that he had been concerned for her.
    "Colonel, sir!"
    Andrew looked up to a private standing atop the ship's railing and pointing off to shore. He came up to his side and looked at the boy, trying to remember his name. The boy was nothing more than a mere slip of a lad, standing several inches below five and a half feet in height. His red hair, freckled face, and cheerful open expression gave him an innocent, almost childlike look. Andrew fished for his name, wondering how this lad had ever gotten past the recruiting sergeant. Then again, army recruiters were simply interested in warm bodies, nothing more. Suddenly the name came back to him.
    "What is it, Hawthorne?"
    Vincent looked at him for a moment, swelling a little with the fact that the colonel knew his name. That was another thing learned from Hans—always know their names, even though too often the knowing in the end would cause pain.
    The boy was silent, still looking at him.
    "Go on, son. What is it?"
    "Oh, yes, sir. Sir, look over there, near that cut in the dunes a couple of hundred yards up the beach. Seems like a cavalryman."
    Andrew shaded his eyes and looked to where the boy was pointing.
    Damn big horse. Looked to be a Clydesdale.
    "Strange thing, colonel—it seems he's carrying a lance or spear."
    Andrew looked around for Tobias, hoping he could get a | spyglass, but the captain had yet to reappear.
    "Son, do you know where my quarters are?"
    "I think so, sir."
    "Well, run quick— there's a single chest there. My name's on the top. Inside you'll find my field glasses. My sword's there as well. Now fetch them quick, lad."
    "Yes sir!"
    Obviously impressed with the responsibility given to him, Vincent jumped off the railing and raced below.
    Andrew leaned over, still shading his eyes, and tried to get a better look at the lone horseman.
    "Stay where you are, dammit," Andrew whispered. "Just don't move."
    "Got something, colonel?"
    Andrew turned to see Pat O'Donald coming up to join him.
    He pointed to where the lone cavalryman sat, half concealed.
    "How'd your men take the storm?" Andrew ventured, while waiting for Vincent to return.
    "It's not the man, it's the