by David O'Neil
Martin thought about this for several minutes then answered once more. “I command here at sea. That ship flies the flag of my country’s enemies. It is my duty to stop her and secure her if I am able. Please inform your Russian Captain to withdraw, otherwise I will presume he is sailing under false colors and is actually allied to the French. In which case, I will open fire upon him and his companion.”
Across the water the sound of a single gun could be heard.
The Frenchman stopped immediately, under backed topsails. The gun-ports of HMS Watchet were open and a curl of smoke could be seen above the still waters. Martin waited for an answer from the Ambassador. None came. Both Russian ships returned to Neva bay. The Frenchman came up with HMS Bangor and hove to once more.
“Mr. Morgan I will take a boarding party across to the French ship. Keep her under the guns at all times.”
“Yes Sir.”
The longboat commanded by Midshipman Brown reached the Frenchman quickly. A companion way was lowered to allow them to board. Martin strode across the quarter deck followed by Midshipman Evans and Peters. The bosun assembled the rest of the boarding party along the starboard bulwark.
“Commander Forest-Bowers R N. from HMS Bangor at your service, M’sieu. I have come to accept your surrender. Please have your passengers brought on deck and provide a manifest of your cargo.”
The French Captain spoke. “Sir, I have orders to deliver my passengers to the hands of the Tsar of all Russia.”
“For what purpose, pray?”
“I believe as hostage.
“Who is this hostage? Such an important person and why a French ship?”
“All I know is what I was told. The woman was collected from a a strange ship with her servants. She does not speak my language thus I know nothing of her history.” He waved toward the stair to the accommodation. “See for yourself.”
Martin looked at the emerging group in astonishment. He had not seen people like these before. The men were warriors, obviously. They had long slender blades in scabbards thrust through the sash they wore. They had leather over their shoulders and strange helmets, with side pieces covering their faces. The eyes were strange with a fold over their upper lids.
Behind them came two women in robes, leading a slender woman with a white face and black hair. Her eyes were more almond shaped than the men, and she stepped daintily up to the deck of the ship where she stopped and bowed to the officers standing there.
Martin bowed in turn to the lady. He spoke to her in English. “Madam, whom do I have the honor of addressing?”
The lady looked at Martin directly. “You are not like these other barbarians.” Her gaze took in the group of French officers. “They would have treated us badly, had they dared.”
She stepped forward brushing aside the hands if her two ladies. Close to Martin she said quietly, “I have been passed to the Tsar of Russia because his country borders on mine far to the east. We do not have war but there is no friendship between us. These French think to influence the Tsar, to have him join with them in their war against Britain and Germany.”
“What do you think, Madam?”
The white face lost its impassivity. “Truly, you are not of this time, that you ask a woman for her opinion?”
Martin shrugged.
“Since you ask, I think I would be a curiosity at the Russian court until one of his drunken relations or even the Tsar himself, decides to investigate this body beneath the robes. when they discover that I am just a woman they will use me, and discard me perhaps give me to their soldiers to play with. I do not think I can be used as a trade with my father. I am a woman and of little value in my country.”
“Madam, have your servants gather your baggage. You will be joining my ship for the remainder of this voyage. It will be livelier than this great tub, but the company will be more congenial, I guarantee.”
The lady turned and said something to her servants. They turned and disappeared below.
Martin called Carter. “Go with them below, Carter, and make sure nobody interferes with them or steals from them.”
Carter ran over to the stair and stepped smartly below. Martin turned to the French Captain. “Send two hands to assist the ladies in their task.” The Captain issued the order, before he realized that Martin had spoken in English.
Martin looked at him and said, “We will have things to talk about, Captain. It will while away the hours on the long voyage home.” Turning to Peters he said quietly, “Call the marines on deck. Smartly now.”
Peters stepped to the starboard bulwark and leaned over. “Now, Sergeant. Bring your men on deck at the double!”
The marines had followed their captain in a second boat while the attention of the French was on the negotiations on the quarter deck. They trotted up the companion way and formed up on deck.
Martin addressed the assembled French officers. “Your weapons, gentlemen, please.”
Grim-faced, the French officers surrendered their swords and pistols under the combined threat of the boarding party and the marines.
Martin gave up his cabin to the Oriental Princess. Lieutenant Morgan took command of the Frenchman, with men under a midshipman from the Watchet to reinforce her prize crew.
All three ships set sail for the fleet at the other end of the Baltic Sea.
The Princess joined him at the table for dinner on the first night. Martin discovered that she was well informed and very bright. They had a lively time discussing the state of the world and the situation of women in the modern world.
Her own situation was an unhappy one at present. When she returned she was aware that she would be passed to an old man as a wife or concubine. As a woman she was too old now to merit marriage to a young noble.
On the second night the subject arose once more and she mentioned that, if she had been taken by one of the Frenchmen, she would have been permitted to either stay single or marry an inferior, provided someone suitable could be found to accept a woman despoiled by a European. She bewailed the fact that she would have to accept her fate and suffer the groping of an old man since no European had taken advantage of her.
To Martin it was unbelievable that this delicate flower of womanhood should be condemned to such a cruel fate.
“Forgive me suggesting this. But do you need to be raped to qualify for this exclusion?”
“Why, no. For I can claim rape. But I must be able to prove I have been deflowered. I can claim that I protested, but I must have been penetrated to prove my words.”
“Then perhaps it would be possible to solve your problem, without the violence that would come with rape.”
“Why, Captain Forrest. Would I be correct in assuming that you would yourself assist me in this matter?”
Martin found himself blushing, and also extremely embarrassed.
She took pity on him. “Martin, may I call you that?” She hesitated. “Do you think you could help this plain Princess of China with this situation.”
“Princess, you may be many things. Plain is not one of them. Any man would be delighted at the opportunity to enjoy the favors of such a beautiful woman.”
It was her turn to blush, though it was not too easy to see through the white make-up on her face.
With great dignity she rose to her feet. “You should be aware that my name is Mai Ling. If we are to become better acquainted I see no reason why we should stand on ceremony. Would tonight be too soon for our first meeting?”
Martin leapt to his feet, he bowed. “I would be honored.”
The events of later that night were engraved on his mind, and however much he rationalised his part in the events of the succeeding nights, there was no way he could deny that the close association with her beautiful body was an experience he would never forget. The delicate doll-like body had knowledge of pleasing a man that had to have been taught to her during her education as a child.
After the initial pain of their coupling, her enthusiasm grew with each opportunit
y they took to enjoy each other.
When they rejoined the fleet, Martin reported information to the Admiral and informed him of the Princess and her entourage, and how the French had planned to use her. The Admiral decided that the prize be sent back to England. The prisoners were transferred to a ship of the line that was returning to Portsmouth for repair, carrying other prisoners. The prize would leave under command of a wounded Captain with a crew made up of spare men from two of the fleet ships sunk during the action of the past few weeks. Martin was ordered to transfer her when the prize became ready to sail, in three days’ time.
Mai Ling made her tearful farewell privately. When she appeared on deck to transfer to the prize, she was her impassive self once more, thanking Martin for his courteous treatment during her stay on board.
Chapter sixteen
Channel hopping
1802- Peace
An uneasy peace was signed between Britain and France. And despite the vociferous efforts of elements of the Government, a fatal reduction of the fleet and armed forces was averted.
For the fleet, great efforts were made to keep ships at sea wherever possible. For a twenty-two-year-old Commander there was considerable risk of being beached. So for once the association with ‘merely Mr. Smith’ was welcomed.
For most of the year there were agents to carry and people to rescue. This particularly applied to those people who had fled the rule of Napoleon, whose land and property had been abandoned to the mercy of the state.
The truce had guaranteed the safety of the returning émigrés, but the cynical disregard of such promises was ignored by authority. The result was abuse and violent local reaction, where the recovery of land and possessions was attempted.
The year, therefore, was passed in a depressing series of excursions across the Channel to rescue and save people who, in the opinion of many, did not deserve it.
Many of the voyages were made in the guise of smugglers, and this entailed the actual smuggling of goods that possibly, finished up in the household of ‘merely Mr. Smith’ himself.
For the Lieutenants under Martin’s command, the experience they gained sailing in the confined waters of the channel was invaluable. As the year grew to a close the return of the war seemed inevitable. The result of this for Charles Morgan was his appointment to take over command of HMS Bangor while Commander Forrest-Bowers was given command of the frigate HMS Diane of 32 guns, a former French warship of recent construction.
He was joined by Lieutenant Reed. Carter had stood for Masters’ Mate and transferred at his request. He was greeted by the newly rated bosun Patrick Peters whom he had known since his first voyage on HMS Arun. More recently on HMS Bangor Peters had been bosun’s mate.
“Well, Peters, a new rating. How is your mother these days?”
“She is well, sir, and now wed to the Rector and comfortable with it.”
“Good to have you here, Peters. Carry on.” Martin was indeed pleased to have familiar faces about him.
The uneasy peace was finally ended when Britain decided to keep Malta, an island due to be returned to France under the peace treaty.
Napoleon had been furiously preparing to recommence the war and Malta was essential if the French were to re-take Egypt. This was clearly unacceptable to Napoleon. The impasse was resolved with the declaration of war by Britain and hostilities were resumed.
In the period of peace all sort of preparations had been made by the French for the invasion of Britain and the re-commencement of hostilities. The invasion of Germany was undertaken almost immediately. At sea the blockades were re-commenced and defences all along the southern ports were created, in many cases using worn out battle ships as floating batteries in harbor areas.
For the frigates there was always work, and despite the demands of the fleet, ‘merely Mr. Smith’ was able to employ Martin and HMS Diane on numerous excursions to and from the French coast.
The collection of Alouette, looking exhausted, from the beach at the mouth of the Aber Vrac near the town of Plouguerneau in the Finisterre region of France, caused Martin much concern. Apart from their physical association enjoyed over the years they had known each other, Martin had grown to like and respect her as a friend. Seated by her bunk as she rested after boarding, Martin expressed his concern at her condition.
“Dear Martin, I am but a tool in the armory of the anti-Bonaparte forces. As such I am employed wherever I can do the most good for the cause. This time it was for some time as a prisoner in the local prison. I am afraid I have been damaged more than I anticipated.” She fell back against the pillows with a sigh.
Doctor Corder was not pleased when he completed his examination. His report to Martin made clear his concerns. “I am not a specialist in these matters. The fact that the mademoiselle has been beaten I can attend, but she has been abused savagely by someone and has been infected with disease.” He coughed at this point, embarrassed. “I have done all I can for that damage, though it will take more expert hands than mine in future. The disease will require hospital treatment. I have given her something to make her sleep.”
“Will she recover?” Martin asked anxiously.
“That, I cannot honestly promise.” The young doctor was as good as any Martin had met and had been found for the ship, by Mr. Smith himself.
Martin took his words seriously, thankful that he had the services of such a well-trained man.
Dr Corder continued, “I will keep a close eye on the lady and in the meantime I have dosed her with a recently discovered remedy for her illness. But I cannot guarantee the result. I can only stress that the sooner we can reach a hospital the better.”
The ship was already on course for Portsmouth and all Martin could do was to ensure that they made the fastest passage possible.
Raul Chavet had been the man who brought Alouette to the rendezvous. He could only report his own part in her rescue. “The agent who interrogated her is known to us as a savage. M’selle entered the prison to contact a person held there. There was no question of her supposed crime. It was a sentence of three days to clean and work for the keepers as punishment for being cheeky to the M’sieu le Maire when he groped her in the market. She slapped his face and earned the small punishment. She was able to contact our man in the prison, but attracted the attention of the pig, Portet.
“He called for her interrogation, we learned of it and the Maire had her released when he was told. He could do no more. Portet, the agent, carries a lot of authority in the area and with Paris. He was absent when M’selle was released.”
Martin noted the name for future reference, including it in his report to Mr. Smith.
Alouette survived the journey to Portsmouth and the hospital there was able to continue the work started by Dr Corder, who accompanied her. Martin was called to London for a special meeting after the report had been sent forward.
The ship was ordered to stay in harbor for a two-week period. Martin had been able to visit the house in Eastney, where he was happily received by Jane and Jennifer, who was visiting, knowing that Martin was due to dock in Portsmouth. The Commodore was in London. It was expected that he would be given a fleet command during the next month. The rank of Rear Admiral came with the new command and both women were excited at the news. For Martin the three days he was given before his summons to London were a welcome bonus. When he called at the hospital on his way to London, he was pleased to see Alouette looking better. She said that she was recovering from her ordeal.
When Martin reported to Mr. Smith he had the situation well in mind. “Sir! This man, Portet, should be dealt with. I believe from the attitude of the other agent, Chavet, that Portet has power in the area. Certainly Chavet was scared of him. If we can remove Portet from the position he occupies it will make things much easier for our agents.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you. He has been operating elsewhere, and wherever he has been, he has caused us considerable trouble. The problem seems to be how we go about it. He has a te
am of people around him which makes it almost impossible to get near to him.”
He strode up and down in his office deep in thought.
“Any suggestions you may have would be welcome.”
“I do have one, sir. I believe that there is a move afoot to destroy the invasion boats being assembled on the Channel coast. I think it might be possible to attach an extra party to one of the raiding groups with that mission in mind. I think capture would be the best solution. The man is obviously well informed and could be a source of information of the situation in Northern France.
Mr. Smith stroked his chin thinking. “If you can come up with a plan, I’ll look at it, but no promises, mind. Just now I wish you would check on the preparations of the boats at Boulogne. Don’t take any risks, but I would like your assessment of the capability of the boats there.
“I would expect you to spend at least two weeks on this task, giving you plenty of time. I leave it entirely to your own discretion. If you sail tomorrow, I will expect you here fourteen days later and we can then discuss the suggestion you brought tonight.”
Mr. Smith turned and left the room. Martin stood staring at the picture over the mantelpiece. He thought it was typical of Mr. Smith to leave things the way he had. With a sigh he picked up his cocked hat and left the building to return to the London house where Jennifer was waiting.
Jennifer looked at her husband. At twenty-three he had done well. As Commander, the rank went with the command. He was still some way before post rank, but his association with Mr. Smith had been beneficial to his career. Of that there was no doubt, though Martin’s own talent for the work had been equally helpful.
Her news was difficult to retain, but she was determined that Jane should be present when she announced it. Jane was after all her mother. Much though she wanted to tell Martin it had to wait until tonight, when the Admiral and Lady Jane would be in attendance for dinner, before the party left to attend the Ball at Lady Richmond’s London home.
