They sailed on. The Ancient One taking some readings to make sure they were on course.
   "If everything is on time," he said "the way it is supposed to be, tomorrow morning we should spot the convoy.  When we do we'll lay off, keep our distance, and watch for the pirates. They should appear a little after noon, and begin their attack, concentrating on the men of war, trying to take them out before they go after the merchantmen.  In case things don't go quite the way they're supposed to, history is often inaccurate, we'd better deploy the main gun.  Be ready for any action."
   "Aye sir!"  The Ax Man snapped.
   "Second shift,"  he screamed, "On the deck!  Expose the main gun.  Prepare it for action!"
   With incredible precision the crew went to work. A derrick was erected with block and tackle. A section of the deck opened, a big gun hauled out, swung around, and fastened to the mount.
   "Whoa!"  Durga cried, "That is one big cannon!"
   "A sixty pounder!"  The Ancient One explained.  "There's none other like her on any ship anywhere in the world, and won't be until The Civil War.  She was forged in a secret foundry which also makes her ammunition.  She makes a very lasting impression!  She's got some very special rounds.  A single shot from this baby can shower a ship with ball outside of the range of anything they've got.  She's been a nasty surprise to many a British man of war, when they've tried to interfere with our business.  I don't know why they've never tried to put a gun on one of their ships to match her.  Maybe they just think she's some kind of fable."
   "One nasty fable!"  Durga remarked.  "One DAMNED nasty fable!"
   "Cover her up, gentlemen!"  The Ancient One ordered. "Doesn't look like we'll meet any foul weather."
   "What makes the cannon so effective?"  Durga asked.
   "It's the turret," The Ancient One explained.  "We can rotate her around and fire from many different angles, and both sides of the ship, Combined with her range, it makes her lethal.  Let's get some sleep.  I want to be ready for anything tomorrow."
   They all bedded down.  The Ancient One rose early and went up on the mast. The sun had been up about an hour when he cried "Sails ho!  I count two, three, six, eight, nine!  That's all of them.  Seven merchantmen and two frigates.  The Chinese are supposed to appear from the north.  Let's position ourselves so that we're in position to greet them before The British."
The North Wind pulled back and took up position  A couple of hours later one of the British ships dropped back.  Flashes of light began to be seen on her deck, then signal flags rose.  The Ancient One took out his glass and read them.
   "Who are you?" he announced.  "Run up flags!"  he ordered.  "American merchantman heading for China.  Is that your destination?"
Their vfags had been up a few minutes when the flags on the British ship went down, and new ones rose. The Ancient One read them.
    "Yes. That is our destination. What is your cargo?"
   "Run up this," The Ancient One ordered. "Powder and standard shot.  Thought we might find a buyer."  He waited and a few moments later the British signaled back.  "Very possible. Stay with us. These waters dangerous."
   "Answer 'will do'!"  The Ancient One ordered.  "There! " he told Durga, "That will satisfy their curiosity for now.  After the fight they'll be far too busy to worry about our little deception.  Just glad we were here!"
   "For a person that worships the truth," Durga commented, "you lie awful easily!"
   "Who's lying?"  The Ancient One answered  "Our cargo IS powder and shot, a great deal of powder and shot!"
   "Sail ho!"  a man in the mast cried.   "To the north.  Three ships.  Chinese vessels coming fast.  Wait....no four!"
   "A little bit early," The Ancient One remarked, "but not too."  He took his glass and checked the British ships. "They've seen them too," he snapped.
   "Another ship,"  the voice from the mast cried, "ahead of us, some distance, another Chinese vessel coming in!"
In an instant The Ancient One was flying up the mast, his glass trained on the approaching vessel, and he studied it for some time.
    "She's got rocket launchers on her deck!"  The Ancient One snapped. "I'll bet they're no primitive gunpowder jobs, but sophisticated guided missiles, probably short range.  While the warships are engaged they're going after the merchantmen.  With those rockets they'll blow them apart.  Spread our skirts.  Put on everything she'll hold!  We've got to cut them off, keep them from those merchentmen!"
   "Can those missiles reach us," Durga asked, "before we can get in range?"
   "Good question!"  The Ancient One snapped.  "Ax Man, can you summon your blade?"
   The Ax Man extended his hand and his ax appeared.  "Give it a throw!"  The Ancient One ordered.  "See if you can control it."
   The Ax Man threw his ax. It sailed away, swung around, came back, and he caught it. 
   "Good!"  The Ancient One snapped.  "Stand by. If they launch any missiles at us, take them down before they reach us."
   The Ax Man went forward and positioned himself.   "Load Brunhilda!"  The Ancient One cried.