“I see M’sieur. You convict yourself out of your own mouth. You speak excellent English which seems to get better the more you talk. Why is that?”
“Ma mere est Anglaise M’sieur, she taught me some English, but my father is French.”
Merriman frowned, “Now I have to consider what to do with you M‘sieur. The other two men we rescued, what do you know about them?”
“Both are good seamen but both are torturers and killers, I know no more Sir.” Merriman was in a quandary, this man could tell him a lot about the pirates but he would have to be alive to do it, hanging him would not help. Rapidly he made up his mind. “Marines, take this man back below to where he was and keep him there.” When they had gone he turned to Lieutenant Andrews, “David what do you think? All three deserve to be hanged but the Frenchman could give us a lot of information and he could be useful. As for the other two I am minded to hang them immediately unless they could be of use, they are seamen.”
“No Sir, I think they would only be trouble and we don’t need them. I say hang them.” “Very well then. Have the bos’n rig two nooses at the main yardarms and have the crew on deck to witness.” That done, the two pirates were brought on deck and when they saw the ropes they knew what they were done for and fell on their knees babbling away in their own tongue as the nooses were put over their heads..
Merriman addressed his crew, “Men, you all know the penalty for piracy is death by hanging. We killed all those others and it is only fair that these two are sent to join their friends. The third man was an officer and can give us plenty of details about the pirates so I will keep him alive for now. Bos’n, do your duty.” Two teams of sailors rapidly hauled the two men aloft where after several minutes of violent, desperate kicking and struggling they died. They were cut down and plunged into the sea where the fins of sharks quickly appeared to dispose of the bodies.
Merriman spoke quietly to his Lieutenant, “Very well David, have the Frenchman released from his shackles, and only temporarily mind. Have him fed and given water to wash himself but have him accompanied by two marines at all times. He may be allowed on deck twice a day but if he tries to escape when we reach Bombay he will be shot. Make sure he understands that.”
Chapter 7 – First sight of Bombay
Merriman’s first task on arrival at Bombay would be to report to the Governor of what was known as the Presidency, and talk to the senior factors or agents of the East India Company. As his ship glided gently under tops’ls and jibs between the islands and into the bay he ordered most of the sail off and he saw other warships at anchor, obviously those of the Bombay Marine because they were all showing the East India Company’s own flag of red and white stripes with a small red St George’s cross overlying the blue saltire of Scotland at the peak. A frigate, The Bombay, was the largest with five smaller ships close by, two small brigs, two sloops and what was known as a bomb ketch, a shallow draught two masted vessel with a mortar placed in front of the mainmast. All appeared to be smartly kept and Merriman was pleased with his first impressions. Many merchantmen including two large Indiamen were scattered at anchor.
He was so deep in thought that the crash of cannon startled him. Of course it was the usual salute fired as a ship arrived and Merriman grinned as he pictured the gunner walking along the gun-deck reciting the old ritual “Number one gun - fire. If I wasn’t a fool I wouldn’t be here. Number two gun - fire. If I wasn’t a fool…………… all intended to keep the correct timing between each cannon shot. As he finished the salute the cannon in the forts high on the hillside replied in kind.
Mr. Andrews, “I’ll have the anchor party ready and prepare to back the fore topsail………..” He shut his mouth and cursed his own inattention as he saw that Andrews had already done this and at his order the crew began to haul on the sheets and bowlines to swing the fore topsail yard and sail through the eye of the wind, the sail flapping before the wind pressed it against the mast to face the light breeze to act as a brake. That done most of the way came of her and as she stopped and began to move backwards Andrews shouted the order to drop anchor. Once it was down and cable paid out and stopped, Andrews and the Master took bearings on dominant features ashore to ensure that the anchor was holding. Once certain, he reported to Merriman that all was secure. “Very good Mr. Andrews, have the awnings spread again.” Bombay was a sprawling town covering several islands; most of the buildings whitewashed with a few in colour and with the bright sunlight sparkling off the small wavelets it was all an eye squinting glare of light.
Knowing what his captain would want, Merriman’s cox’n Matthews had his barge in the water almost before way was lost, with the boat’s crew dressed all alike as their captain insisted. Indeed those clothes had been provided at Merriman’s own expense to create a good impression on whoever was watching. Merriman’s own father, a former frigate captain, had impressed on him the need to present as smart an impression as possible. It also bespoke an efficient and competent ship.
“Matthews, I want to pass as close as possible to that frigate, we are here to fight alongside it against pirates so I must see how wide awake they are.” As they passed an officer showed himself on the quarterdeck and raised his hat in salute. Merriman raised his own hat in acknowledgement and took in the ship’s details with a critical eye. The boat quickly reached the quayside and Merriman, Andrews and Mr. Grahame stepped ashore on some stone steps leading up to a wharf. The oppressive heat had them sweltering in their heavy coats as they looked about them with interest. Merriman instructed Mathews to take the boat back to the ship and wait for his signal.
A smart carriage with an Indian driver was waiting and a man came forward to greet them. “Good afternoon Gentlemen, I am the Governor’s secretary, Morgan by name but I assure you that I am not related to that notorious pirate.” he laughed at his own joke and then continued “We saw you arrive and the Governor sent me with his carriage to meet you.” On the drive they looked around them in astonishment at the curious sights of an Indian town and the miscellany of people, from women in bright coloured saris walking with servants following, half naked and barefoot coolies busy unloading trading vessels and doing menial tasks such as brushing the roadway and carrying all manner of boxes and bundles of trade goods. Scruffy urchins held out their hands for money, and in every corner, or so it seemed were beggars, blind or maimed in some way pitifully holding out their hands for the small coins that the better off of the passers-by might be disposed to throw to them. A mass of humanity all going about their own business with the hotchpotch of smells from market stalls and cooking fires barely concealing as it did the smell of rotting food, humanity together with the stench of human and animal waste.
As the carriage approached the main fort they could see cannon poking out of the embrasures on the top of the walls and as they passed through the gates in the defensive walls guarded by native soldiers who saluted smartly. They saw bigger buildings which appeared to be as solid as could be found in an English town although with Indian ornamentation. Behind those buildings could be seen the bungalows of the senior factors and merchants. And beyond and outside the wall could be seen the lesser houses of the company clerks, and the shacks of the native population, again built inside another wall.
The carriage pulled up under the large portico of a big building which Morgan told them was Government House, the Governor’s residence and office. Once inside, Morgan ushered the three men into a large cool room decorated in Indian style with large wide open windows covered by jalousies to keep the sun out. Two large punkahs or fans operated by unseen natives by means of thin string kept the air stirred about. The Governor rose from behind a huge desk and came forward to welcome them. “May I present Captain Merriman, Lieutenant Andrews Sir, of His Majesty’s ship ‘Lord Stevenage.’ and Mr. Grahame. Gentlemen, Governor Jonathan Duncan.”
“I can’t tell you how delighted I am that you are here Gentlemen, though I confess I had hoped for a three-decker at least, Morgan, pleas
e call for refreshment for our guests. Sit down gentlemen and take off your heavy coats if you wish, in this heat we don’t stand on ceremony too much. As they thankfully removed them the Governor continued, “And now please tell me all the news from home in England. Did you have a good voyage and what is your role in all this Mr. Grahame?
“Uneventful Sir,” said Merriman, “but slow, except that we had a brief encounter with some pirate vessels. We sank two and the others fled. Also we found the wreck of a small trading ship off to the north of the Seychelles islands, upside down with only a boy clinging to the keel. Unfortunately he died before he could say more than they had been attacked by a French pirate ship. I am sorry to bring you such bad news and I’m sorry to disappoint you Sir but my ship was all that the Admiralty could spare. Of course you know that we are still at war with France and the fleet is stretched to the limit with blockade duty, escorting convoys from the West Indies and seeking out our enemies in so many places.”
“I’m sorry in my turn Captain, I meant no disrespect but the situation here is getting worse and I don’t think a three-decker or even two would be too many to deal with these damned cutthroats who are preying on our ships, they even land ashore and go far inland in search of loot and slaves.” He broke off when an Indian khitmagar or servant appeared with a tray of tea and biscuits which he placed on a small side table. After serving them he disappeared and Morgan sat with them eager to hear their news.
“Well the news could be better Sir, Bonaparte’s armies are crushing all opposition before them in Europe and seem impossible to defeat. We are holding our own at sea but on land we seem to be in a hopeless position. Napoleon wanted to invade Britain and the navy was all that stopped him. Mr. Grahame, perhaps you will relate to the Governor what we know about Napoleon’s plans for India.”
Grahame did so, a shaken Duncan, his face going paler and paler as the news unfolded, gasped “What a diabolical plan, one must admit that this fellow Napoleon is something of a genius and a persistent threat to us all. As Shakespeare said about Caesar, ’He doth bestride the world like a Colossus.’ If he is as good a military leader as we have heard I think that we in India would be hard pressed to stop him, even if we could gather all our troops together and various maharajah’s armies. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”
“There is another serious matter I am to investigate Governor,” said Grahame.
Even back in England we have heard rumours that Tipu has determined to construct a large fleet in massive dockyards along the Malabar Coast but we don’t know which they are. We know, as you will know Sir, that Tipu, the ruler of Mysore has managed to subdue all the petty kingdoms in the south west of the country which gives him access to and possession of all the best ports and dockyards there.”
“Yes, we know that he is still trying to expand his lands and we do know that he has ports in his hands Mr. Grahame, but I know nothing about a fleet although as you say, rumours are flying about. I considered them to be nothing more than the usual native gossip but from your news it will have to be taken seriously,” replied the Governor. “I have spies everywhere Sir, mostly unreliable I must admit. They have told us of Tipu’s conquests but nothing about a fleet.”
“Well with all we know it seems that Tipu is bent on another war, in spite of having been beaten in three wars already,” said Grahame, He paused, “Another item I must report back to London Sir. What your directors in London are desperate to know is the capability of the Company’s army, how many troops you have got and how well trained they are, will there be any serious interruption of trade and is there any likelihood of Bombay falling to Tipu’s forces.”
“As for other news Sir,” broke in Merriman. “I know almost nothing. As usual Parliament is talking and arguing without deciding anything. I believe our country’s saviour there is the Prime Minister Mr. Pitt. Some of them are even talking of arranging an armistice with Napoleon, almost treason if you ask me. The country probably needs my ship in the Mediterranean as much as you need it here to defeat the pirates. Another point Sir, frigates can take to shallower waters than a three decked ship could and I do know that the seas around Oman are quite shallow.”
“Very well Captain, we must make the best of what we have. May I propose that we meet again tomorrow, with the captains and officers of the Bombay Marine ships and the leading factors of the company to talk through the possibilities of what can be done. I think it would be best in the evening when the heat has abated somewhat and I will entertain you all to dinner and we can talk afterwards. It will enable you to meet everybody that matters here and to form your own opinions about our Marine officers.”
“Thank you Sir, that will be ideal, but before then are you able to supply my ship with fresh water and food? I have kegs for water and plenty of well-scrubbed barrels for meat. If you can supply the ship with cattle, sheep and pigs my men can butcher them and salt the meat down. Oh, can you supply salt for that purpose?” Merriman considered what else would be needed to keep the ship independent of the shore for as long as possible. “Also we shall need flour for bread making, hard biscuit and plenty of oranges and other fruit to keep my men healthy. Salt fish perhaps and fresh vegetables, eggs and some live chickens. Can you supply all of that Sir?”
“Indeed we can Captain Merriman and I will issue orders immediately so that the work may commence at dawn tomorrow. We can supply rice also and several different herbs and spices if your cooks can use them. Come to think of it you could send one of your cooks to my kitchens to learn about what I imagine your crew will call funny foreign food. If you can bring your ship alongside the wharf the work would be easier done. The harbourmaster will show you where.”
Chapter 8 – A desertion
Dawn was only just breaking with its customary rapidity when the crew was already hard at work unloading casks and barrels onto the wharf with the aid of tackles rigged to the yardarms. Mr. Duncan was as good as his word and coolies were there with carts ready to help. A watering party set off to where fresh water was available with a reliable petty officer in charge and the carts loaded with the empty casks. As they left, more wagons and carts began to arrive on the wharf loaded with tubs of various sizes containing flour, salt, rice and bundles of herbs and vegetables and sacks of fruit. The Purser, Mr. Grummage, took charge of the loading, counting everything that was taken aboard, with an officer and petty officers keeping their eyes open for thievery and bad quality. Tomkins the clerk kept his own notes and totals.
A messenger arrived to say that the livestock was assembled for slaughter behind the town. So again a working party set off with knives and axes, salt and barrels. The Purser’s mate was in charge of them as he would have to keep a record of everything.
Mr. Morgan appeared on board as Merriman and Grahame finished their Spartan breakfast. He climbed down the companionway, crashed his head on an overhead beam and told the marine sentry who he was. As he rubbed his head the marine sentry announced him. “Mr. Morgan Sir.”
“Good morning Captain, the Governor sent me Sir, he knows that you will have a lot of questions about affairs here in Bombay and the pirates and I am to do all I can to help you.”
“Well Mr. Morgan, first of all I need to know more about Bombay before we talk about the pirates you are troubled with. I do know that it was a Portuguese and then a Dutch trading post and that the company moved here from Surat in sixteen sixty four or five I think it was and the fort was built in sixteen sixty five. The French had great influence out here with their own East India Company but I believe that has closed down.”
“Yes it has, it was liquidated by the French Committee of Public Safety about six or seven years ago. We heard that some of the Directors and deputies were executed for bribery and corruption. But French influence has been on the wane for years although many Frenchmen stayed here and intermarried with local women and of course we have had frequent reports of pirates and the occasional French frigate in the Indian Ocean. On both the Malabar coast and the Coro
mandel coast but nothing recently.”
“As you heard from the Governor there is trouble brewing inland in Mysore where the ruler Tipu Sultan who calls himself The Tiger of Mysore, has an army trained by the French. He was always a keen ally of the French and indeed some of the French officers are still there as I understand. We have had three wars with him and beaten him each time but I think there will soon be another. We know that Tipu is trying to make treaties with other rulers around his lands to encourage them to make war against the British, indeed he has virtually taken over control of most of the coast and lands south of here.” He paused for breath, “We hope that the Company armies with a stiffening of British regiments can deal with them.”
“I saw soldiers on guard at the gates, are they company employees?” asked Merriman. “Yes,” replied Morgan, “we have our own army of grenadiers and light infantry. We call the ordinary soldiers Sepoys and the higher ranks have different names such as Naik or corporal, Havildar or sergeant, up to Subedar or Major. Most of them are higher caste Hindus. All the officers are British, trained at the Company’s military academy in England. They are really very good. We are trying to recruit and train more here in Bombay because of the Tipu’s warlike noises but if necessary we can call for soldiers from further away. ”
“Mr. Morgan, I believe that Bombay is called a company factory, do you manufacture anything here besides using it as a trading port?”
“No, nothing is actually made here; we call it a factory because the principal merchants and company officers are called junior and senior Factors. Below them are the clerks or writers who keep all the records up to date. I am also a Factor Sir, I have some small ships trading up and down this coast. My main warehouse is here in Bombay but occasionally I travel to deal with Indian traders. We do congratulate ourselves on having a fine Church, St. Thomas Cathedral which was built at the beginning of the century and it fact it was the first Anglican Church here. We have also, two newspapers, the Bombay Herald and the Courier, tho’ they are less than ten years old.”
The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3) Page 4
