The pirate captain of the Sea Serpent, René Blanc, had not sailed last week as planned. Instead the Water Snake had used his ship and crew to help Captain Hawk defeat their mutual foe. It was evident to Jared, from viewing confiscated official papers and using his intuition, that the British were plotting assaults on the Gulf states. Mobile and New Orleans were vital ports, and the British must be prevented from taking them so they could reach America’s vulnerable belly. It was common knowledge that Andrew Jackson had defeated the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend in March and that he was steadily making his way down the Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers to head off a possible invasion at Mobile, which, according to American agents, was targeted for attack within the next few months. Jared could not allow the British and their sympathizers to stock up on supplies and become more prepared for battle than the Americans. As Jared was hurrying upstairs to see Maren, Dan called out to him and asked if he would wait until the employees were checked out so they could talk.
