"The Powder Monkey" by Alan Dwight

[Rutabaga]

Found here.

This tale, set in the early 19th century, follows the path of a young orphan boy named Zachary who, after some harrowing experiences, finds himself aboard a US warship serving as a "powder monkey" -- one of the young crew whose job it is to ferry powder from the stores to the cannons while the ship is engaged in battle.  Needless to say, more harrowing experiences follow as the ship sails to north Africa.  But fate leads him to a wonderful finish.

Good read.

R

 

[Cole Parker]

As is everything Alan sets his pen to.