That was the signal Merriman had been waiting for and he and his men surged forward running down the dunes, over the road and into the shipyard. The few guards that there were looking across the river to see what had happened and stood no chance and were dealt with by the marines using their bayonets. Without delay the seamen piled the kegs and other combustible material against the stern and rudder and by the stem of the part built warship, piling timber and anything burnable they could find on top. There was now plenty of light from the blazing frigate and Merriman ordered everyone back to the beach, waiting with the men delegated to set fire to the fuses. That done they raced back into the dunes with the marines taking pot shots back to where the suddenly awoken villagers, workmen and more soldiers or guards were slowly approaching, but they were under orders not to kill anybody unless they tried to cut the fuses.
Once all were over the brow of the big dune Merriman turned and flung himself to the ground and covered his ears. Almost immediately the charges exploded and burning pieces of timber were flung high in the air. Merriman peeped over the ridge and saw that the hull of the part built ship was burning fiercely as was the frigate on the other side of the river. They all ran back to the boats with no casualties except for one man who stepped into a hole and broke his leg. He was dragged into a boat and with lusty rowing from the excited seamen they were soon back to the Lord Stevenage which was clearly seen in the light of the fires and the sparks flying up into the night sky. Moving off shore it was not long before they found Captain Anderson’s ship and together they sailed to find the other ships out of sight of land.
When the senior officers gathered together in the morning, Merriman related the results of the raid paying particular attention to and congratulating Lieutenant Anderson on his part in the action. “Captain Egerton Sir, I hope your report to your superiors will lay emphasis on Lieutenant Anderson’s actions. He played a vital role in our success.”
“Again thanks also to your planning Sir,” replied Egerton to murmurs of agreement from the others. “Maybe so,” said Merriman, “but now we have to see what we can find in Beypore, our next target. After that I think we should return to Bombay. So we must sail northward until we can find Beypore and see if we can do the same as we have just done.” More approving murmurs then he shouted “Peters! Tea and coffee for our guests.” Peters and Tomkins had been expecting the call and very quickly the refreshment was forthcoming after which the officers dispersed to their own vessels.
Cha pter 23 – Mr. Grahame starts enquiries
In Bombay, Grahame in his professed task of investigating the state of the Company’s army and the trading conditions under the threat posed by Tipu was actively involved in talking to the senior army officers. Most were British supported by Indian non-commissioned officers. He had sent a message ahead via the Governor’s office to warn the commanding officer of his arrival and when his carriage drew up at the guardhouse he found a very smart guard company of lancers waiting with a British officer in command of it. The officer introduced himself as Captain Carter and said he had been ordered to meet Grahame and escort him to the headquarters.
Carter mounted his horse and rode alongside the carriage with some of the guard riding behind and some in front. At the headquarters he was introduced to the Commanding Officer, Major William McDowell. The Major apologised for General Stuart’s absence, he had been called away to Madras to meet with the army’s top command.
“Good morning Mr. Grahame, you are most welcome, it is not often that the regiment has a senior representative from the Government amongst them and I confess to being anxious to know why you are here. Sit down Sir, might I offer you a glass of punch?” Grahame declined but requested a cool fruit drink. The amenities settled Grahame began his prepared story.
“I have been asked by Mr. Pitt the Prime Minister to investigate certain matters here, not just about your army but also shipbuilding by that fellow Tipu Sahib who is making a nuisance of himself again. What I am charged to find out is how you feel about your army’s readiness for war and how many men you have under arms. I know Major that you must send regular reports to Calcutta and they in turn send regular reports to London but it is felt that Calcutta only tells London what it thinks London wants to know. Sometimes those reports vary from information we receive from other sources.”
“Well Sir I can’t tell you much about Tipu’s shipbuilding but I do know that he is starting construction of a navy in several places down the coast. However I can tell you what you want to know about the army. Currently we have about twenty thousand men and we are recruiting more every day. We hope to have at least twenty five or thirty thousand before Tipu gets up to his tricks again. They are mostly high caste Hindus and they have taken to their training very well, indeed they equal the best of the British army. They are smart, excellent in the use of the musket and have taken to drill and instruction marvelously. Of course most of them are foot soldiers but we do have a company of artillery Sir. The guns are dismountable for ease of transport on mules. And we also have some cavalry under Captain Carter.”
“I must say you are very enthusiastic about your men Major but have they been under fire?” “Perhaps two thirds of them Sir, we were part of the armies which defeated Tipu in the last wars. All the native officers are as good as you will find anywhere.”
“Very good Major, I hear a lot of shouting outside, is it a drill or are we being attacked?” He said this with a smile and the Major invited him outside to see what was going on. On the parade ground of stamped earth three companies of Sepoys were executing their drill to the shouts of their native sergeants and under the watchful eye of the Subedar-Major, the senior native officer who immediately and smartly saluted the Major. Another company of men was standing watching the drilling companies and from their appearance had only just been fitted out with their uniforms.
“That is the batch of latest recruits Mr. Grahame, but the ones out there are our best, trying to set an example to the newcomers.” The drill appeared to Grahame to be faultless, every command being executed smartly and instantly from simple marching, wheeling in formation and readiness for defence, lined up in three ranks, bayonets fixed and ready to shoot.
“Major, I must say that I have never seen better, they seem to be ready for anything.” “Indeed they are Sir, would you care to inspect them?”
On the parade ground and under closer inspection the men were in perfect lines. Their uniforms were immaculate although covered in dust but the Subedar Major accompanying Grahame and the Major growled a few disparaging remarks to a few of the men as non-commissioned officers have always done and probably would do in the future. The uniforms were a standard military coat worn over short trousers, cross belts across the chest supporting powder and shot and a belt holding the bayonet and a small pouch. Each man wore a turban with a company or regimental badge on it. All men were barefooted and all were armed with a ‘Tower’ musket made in London.
“Major, I have spent some time in a guards regiment and I know what to look for and I haven’t seen better until now. I think I shall have a glowing report for London.”
“Thank you Sir, and now shall we go inside from this ferocious sun. I can see that the rain is nearly here as well.”
As they made a dash indoors the troops were dismissed and they too ran for their billets. The rain came down in torrents until one could hardly see beyond a few yards. “When this has stopped I’ll take you over to the mess for a spot of lunch and to introduce you to some of my other officers.”
“I would welcome that Major but first I have some more questions. Another reason I am here is to investigate spying among the Company staff and workers. It is suspected, in fact it is almost certain that information is finding its way to these troublesome pirates. Captain Egerton of the Marine is sure of it. Have you any thoughts about it or have you seen anything out of the ordinary?”
Can’t say that I have Sir. Of course there are rumours and suspicions but nothing definite.
We have a lot of native staff, cleaners, sweepers and the like and they can go almost anywhere.”
Grahame could learn nothing more and after lunch he left to go back to Bombay escorted by Captain Carter on his horse.
Chapter 24 – More enquiries & Grahame shot at
Grahame had rented a small bungalow with servants and cook in the senior factors area of houses and bungalows; after writing up his notes he then retired to bed planning what he would do on the morrow but before he got very far he fell asleep. Sleep was fitful and the high humidity which was the result of so much rain meant that his sheet stuck to him and tangled round him. After being shaved and in clean dry clothes, a grumpy Grahame sat down to breakfast still trying to decide what his next move should be. Finally he decided to look around some of the Factor’s offices and warehouses. It should not be difficult, the factors knew why he was in Bombay and might be willing to talk to him and show him round their warehouses.
The Governor had lent him a small one horse carriage for his own use and once his servant had made it ready he set off. At each he was warmly welcomed and shown around, several of them even invited him round for dinner. On each occasion after a good chat on the problems of business he asked the Factor if any of his staff were often missing or behaving strangely or if he knew if there were any Tipu’s or pirates spies about. He made sure that he asked that question when junior Factors and clerks were within earshot in the hope of stirring up something helpful.
After visiting several businesses he returned to his bungalow to escape from the heat of the day and to consider what little he had learned. All except one seemed to be straightforward businesses, some dealing in spices, pepper, cloves, nutmeg and such. Others dealing in tea, rice, and opium and more with hardwood and various textiles, or indigo dye. In every case the Factors bemoaning the fact that they had too much stock stored because of fear of pirates. The only strange one was Mr. Goldberg. Of course it might have been because Goldberg associated him with Captain Merriman who had pointed out his ships’ failings and cost him money, but even he was more affable when Grahame pointed out that he had been a mere passenger and nothing to do with the navy. Grahame did notice that one of Goldberg’s clerks sidled closer when spies were discussed, maybe only by coincidence but he did not believe in coincidences. That man could bear watching he thought. Later in the day, after the regular rainfall he visited more people using his little carriage but saw or heard nothing suspicious. He accepted one of the Factor’s invitations to dinner and spent a pleasant few hours with him and his family along with two other Factors and their wives.
Arriving back at his bungalow he handed the horse and carriage over to his servant and mounted the steps leading up to the verandah. Suddenly from the shadows a shot was fired, the ball passing close to his head and smashing into the doorpost. Immediately he rushed inside and in the dark he found his own pistols then waited for anything else to happen. Nothing did until his servants cautiously entered with lamps to see what had happened to the Sahib. He reassured them and told them to close the shutters before he went to bed with his pistols beside him. His thoughts covered the events of the day from first to last, and the attempt on his life. Despite the attempt on his life he felt rather pleased with himself. ‘Must have upset somebody somewhere today with my questions about spies,’ he thought ‘I wonder if that clerk of Goldberg’s had anything to do with it. Perhaps I should tell the Governor and see if he can tell me where I can hire a bodyguard.’ He fell into a sound sleep, not wakening until his servant appeared with his morning coffee.
Chapter 25 – British Agents return to Bombay
Merryweather, his small crew and Gupta made slow progress northward towards Bombay. The weather was not always kind to them, the rains repeatedly soaked them and the winds not in their favour. Occasionally they saw other boats and made a show of putting their nets out but the other boats kept well away from them. “Just as well Gupta, perhaps they thought we were pirates,” said Merryweather. Gupta had spent much of the time trying to teach him simple Hindi but Merryweather was finding great difficulty with it and to add to his irritations he was sure he was developing a cold.
In the afternoon of the seventh day at sea a ship was sighted. Hastily they put the nets out pretending to fish and hoping the ship would ignore them. When it came closer they realised it was the sloop Villain that had dropped them off at the start of their adventure and they waved vigorously to attract attention. “Welcome aboard Mr. Merryweather,” Said Lieutenant Johnson, captain of the ship, “We have been cruising up and down this part of the coast looking for you. You all look as though you need a good wash and a haircut, we can provide both but only a shower under the wash deck pump. Mr. Williams, would you arrange that, Mr. Merryweather can use my razor.”
“Thank you Sir, these lice are the very devil. Perhaps I could have a shower now and these clothes, sorry, rags, be thrown overboard. I hope you still have my own clothes below. May I ask that you take our little dhow in tow, we might need it again?”
Two hours later Merryweather appeared on deck, washed, shaved and wearing his own clothes. His head was fully shaven to get rid of the lice and their eggs and he had started to feel more like his own self.
“I hope you are feeling better Sir. Your companions have all been washed down and shaved. Your own transport is being towed astern but if the weather gets too bad I’ll have it brought aboard,” said Johnson. “And now I’m sure you will need a meal and something decent to drink, I have a passable wine bought from one of the traders in Bombay to where we are making our way.”
After the surprisingly good meal during which neither of them spoke a great deal, Johnson asked if he could be told what had happened and what Merriman had found out. “A lot Mr. Johnson, a lot. We explored many small rivers and inlets but found nothing until we reached Bhatkal where we found some larger ships being constructed and at Mangalore, which is a hive of activity, with a lot of ships being built, mostly frigates I think but with some bigger ones, two decked, each one probably capable of carrying seventy guns or so.”
“By Jove, our captains will be glad to hear that Sir. And now you may have my cot to sleep in, I have turned one of my lieutenants out of his berth so we can sleep comfortably. You look as though you need it.”
Chapter 26 – Planning an attack on Beypore shipyard
Merriman’s little squadron was making good time heading for Beypore, the weather had been kind to them and apart from the heavy rains which were welcomed by the crew and which cooled everyone, nothing happened, not even the odd trading dhow had been sighted or even a small fishing boat. Merriman had made a point of getting to know all the officers, Captain Egerton had invited him aboard for dinner on two occasions and as a result he now knew every one of them. He had taken Egerton’s offer of a tour of his ship the Bombay and whilst not as smart as the Lord Stevenage she was nevertheless a competent fighting ship.
When they reached the approximate latitude of Beypore the ships hove to out of sight of land and Merriman left his ship in the capable hands the First Lieutenant and boarded Anderson’s sloop. As he had explained to Egerton, “I must have a good look at the place in daylight before we attack. The sloop will be seen but it should not seem to be unusual, just on a normal patrol.”
Lieutenant Anderson was delighted to have Merriman aboard again and eagerly asked him what he had planned. “We’ll cruise along as close inshore as we can, from the south, slowly, and all your officers and as many others as you have telescopes for can study the place as we pass. I need to know everything that can be seen and then you can take me back to my ship.” The entrance to the Chulika river was very wide and obviously navigable well upstream as some large vessels maybe frigates, could be seen anchored on the starboard side and a busy shipyard and port on the opposite side. Anderson pointed out a fort built on a small headland overlooking the river. Not a very big fort but with the noses of what appeared to be heavy cannon poking out of the embrasures and commanding the river. So
me men were visible wearing red turbans.
“A tempting target Mr. Anderson, I must give it some thought. Carry on northward and out of sight before we turn to find our other ships.” Merriman questioned the other men to hear if they had seen anything more. One thing that Merriman had missed was what appeared to be an encampment on the slopes behind the shipyard. “Maybe some of Tipu’s soldiers Sir, we know that he has overrun most of this coast and will want to defend the harbour.” said Anderson, “although there did not appear to be soldiers at Chettuva when we were there. But after we deal with this one the whole coast that Tipu controls will be alive with soldiers Sir. ”
“I believe you to be right Mr. Anderson, I shall make plans accordingly.” Back aboard his ship, welcomed by all the usual ceremony, he sat in the great cabin thinking about the best way to attack. Peters came and went with coffee and then a meal all of which passed unnoticed by Merriman, his mind was so busy. Unable to sit longer he went up on deck where everybody moved over to the lee side to give him room. He paced up and down, frowning and as was his habit, unconsciously tugging at his ear.
“I know that look,” said Lieutenant Shrigley to the little Midshipman Green, “when he frowns and tugs on his ear like that he is devising some plan.” Suddenly Merriman paused, looked about him and up at the sails but all was perfect, he found nothing wrong nor did he expect to with the officers knowing he missed nothing. His thoughts were further interrupted by the big rain clouds and the beginning of the usual deluge. Once back in his cabin he decided he was hungry and shouted for Peters. When the man appeared Merriman demanded to know why he had had nothing to eat since breakfast. “But you did Sir, I brought coffee and food Sir but you ignored it so I took it away Sir.” Seeing Merriman’s angry face the poor man was in fear that he would receive some punishment, but Merriman’s face cleared and he said “I’m sorry Peters, that was very unkind, it was my fault, and I was too deep in thought to notice. Now you must find the Master, the First Lieutenant and Captain St. James, present my respects and ask them to be kind enough to join me and you can tell the officer of the watch to signal for all captains to come as well.”
The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3) Page 11
