“Thinking of my last Christmas at home Ma’am, which was the last time I saw my parents. I know Mother may be gone now and I don’t think father would have lived long afterwards. I was also wondering what Helen my wife would be doing. Her father also is not a young man and he may be gone as well.”
“Gloomy thoughts indeed James,” she said “I may call you James may I not. All you young men who serve your country abroad have left parents and family behind but what cannot be changed must be endured.” She signaled to a waiter standing behind her who swiftly disappeared to return moments later with a bottle wrapped in a cloth. “This is one of my own choices James, I hope it will cheer you up,” she said as the servant deftly filled new glasses, “And here’s to you James and your bride. Have you any children?”
“Not as yet Ma’am, we were married only a few weeks before I left but” --- he added with a twinkle, “We were trying hard so I don’t know.” The evening passed in a whirl, there was dancing, more food and wine and conversation, so that they left the party in a gleeful state and made their way back to the ship.
Chapter 38 – To Ceylon, Pirate base discovered
Two weeks later, the Company’s ships, now reinforced by the extra frigate but still under Merriman’s command set sail for the south. Before sailing, Merriman called all the Company officers to his cabin for a final council of war. After Peters and Tomkins had provided refreshments Merriman began his prepared talk. “You know, Gentlemen, that the convoy was attacked soon after we passed the Maldives. We also know that several fishing boats saw us and quickly made off in the direction of the islands from which I infer that the pirates were staying there. They could not have reached us so quickly otherwise. Do you agree with my thinking Gentlemen?”
“Indeed yes Sir,” replied Captain Fitton of the Madras, “And another point Sir is that if this pirate fellow really has got a frigate and other large dhows they could not lie hidden there for long. They are only low lying coral islands with no hills.”
“Quite so Captain, therefore this is what I propose we do. We will leave your brig Hannah behind with the bomb ketch and Captain Oliver. There are still other pirates about and we must not leave Bombay without any naval defences. During the fight for the convoy you were boarded Captain and we now know that the pirates’ main form of attack is to board and overwhelm crews with force of numbers. Do you all have boarding netting?” All signified assent except for Captain Johnson of the Villain, “None aboard at present Captain, but I’ll scour the dockyard for something.” “Very good, and if you all have plentiful supply of boarding pikes aboard keep them well sharpened, there is nothing better for killing and discouraging attackers tangled up in the netting.”
“Finally Gentlemen, I propose that we sail in line abreast with the sloops scouting ahead. We must all sail within signaling distance so if the sloops find anything of pirates or Tipu’s shipbuilding then we can all close in. This expedition could take many weeks or even months because if we turn up nothing along the south coast of India I propose to sail across to Ceylon. So make sure that you have all the supplies you will need. Fresh water can be taken aboard at any suitable place. So there you have it, have any of you anything to add?”
Nobody did and after another toast to the success of their venture they all left, chattering about the dangers to come.
Nothing of pirates or big ship building was seen until they reached Chettuva where it seemed that some desultory efforts had been made to repair the ships damaged during their last visit there. A few dhows flying red flags were seen there and quickly destroyed The squadron moved on to the south round the curve of India until the land was all to the north of them. There they found a secluded bay where they were able to replenish their water casks and whilst at anchor Merriman to opportunity to call all the captains together for another conference.
“What are your charts like of the coast on this side of Ceylon,” he asked. Most of them could only produce sketchy charts showing little detail. “Do any of you know anything about the place or any bays where the pirates can safely anchor?” “I may do Sir,” replied Captain Fitton of the Madras. “I sailed down here in a trading ship before I joined the Marine. There is a large bay protected by long sandbars and small rocky islands. I was only a boy then but I remember that there were several entrances to it, or exits too. I think the captain called it Portuguese bay and it must be about this latitude or near to. That is all I know of it Sir.”
“Then I think we should investigate it further Gentlemen if we have nothing else to go on,” decided Merriman. And so they sailed for Ceylon until one day a sharp eyed lookout shouted down “Deck there, land dead ahead Sir.”
“Up you go Mr. Hungerford and tell me what you see.” The youth settled himself into the crosstrees and scanned the coast ahead. “It seems to be a long low land with thick jungle behind white sand beaches Sir.” “Can you see any sign of rivers or bays,” demanded Merriman, “No Sir,” the boy replied ”But I can see what I think is smoke further down the coast to starboard. As the ships approached the land Hungerford suddenly shouted “Shoal water ahead Sir, we must turn to starboard. “Merriman waved to indicate that he had heard as he turned to the Master, “Take us out Mr. Cuthbert, as fast as you can and put a good man in the chains with a lead-line. Mr. Green, signal the other ships to keep off, shoal water ahead.’
“My charts don’t say much about here Sir.” reported the Master “but we should proceed with caution. “Very well Mr. Cuthbert, we’ll proceed parallel to the coast down to where Mr. Hungerford thought he could see smoke.” Cautiously they proceeded until smoke could definitely be discerned above the trees. “That will do, make to, all ships ’prepare to anchor’ Mr. Green.”
The anchor splashed down and the sails disappeared like magic and as the Madras anchored her gig was seen rowing hard for the Lord Stevenage with Captain Fitton in the stern. “Side party Mr. Andrews if you please” called Merriman and the usual honours were given as Fitton climbed aboard. “What is the reason for your haste Sir?” asked Merriman as the other captain settled his sword correctly. “I remember this place Sir, if you look a little to the right of the smoke you can see two of the pointed temple buildings they call a Dhagoba Sir and near there is a good sized village. If you look carefully you can see fishing boats drawn up beneath the palm trees and if I am right the bay we are looking for should be only a few miles north of here.
“That is excellent news Captain, come below and tell me more. Are the people here friendly and do they welcome strangers? “I believe so,” replied Captain Fitton, “but as I told you it is many years since I was here and a lot could happen in that time. I should like to go ashore with some trade goods and your Mr. Gupta. He may have some knowledge of the language.” Merriman stared out of the cabin windows as he thought about it. “Very well Captain, you may go, but take good sized armed party with you. Any sign of trouble and you should get out as fast as you can. Of course what we need to know is have they seen any big ships and where is this Portuguese bay you spoke of?”
Fitton rapidly returned to his ship and very soon a larger boat, filled with marines and armed seamen was pulling for the shore. As the boat grounded Fitton and some of the marines climbed out and onto the sand. As they did so a group of men appeared through the trees, one of them wearing some form of glittering headwear, and stood waiting for Fitton’s approach. There was no sign of hostility even though Merriman could see that some of the men carried swords. Leaving a party of seamen and marines with the boat they all walked into the darkness beneath the trees. Perhaps an hour passed before they returned to the beach and were brought off by the boat which headed straight for the Lord Stevenage.
“All went well Sir,” reported Fitton, “they were suspicious at first but the gift of the trade goods soon calmed them down. I think it was the sight of your union flag that made the difference. They treated us well, offered coconut milk to drink and pieces of stringy chicken to eat after which we started talking. Mr. Gupta c
ould understand a lot of what they said and we were told that a large ship had anchored in a bay up the coast, with many smaller ones. Gupta translated more “Bad mens there Sahib, very bad. Raid village for food and took women Sir. They say that boats carry red flags on their masts.”
“Well done Captain, Gupta, we may well have found Den Bosch and his men, but we cannot do anything until we know more details about the bay and its entrances. It could be very risky taking our ships in there without soundings.”
“I agree Sir, but the villagers said they would take us there and show us, they fish round there all the time and know the waters well.” “That is welcome news indeed, if we could go with them and make a brief survey and a few soundings of the best ways in and out of the bay then we can make a plan.”
Chapter 39 – Planning an attack
The Dutchman Den Bosch was still uneasy. He had taken his frigate and his reduced fleet to Ceylon to anchor in a large secluded bay offering several ways in and out. Nothing had been seen of any other ships, frigates or otherwise and he believed he had managed to find a safe place to stay. He had anchored there many times in the past knowing that his best defence was the shoal waters and reefs forming the seaward boundary of the bay where there were only three difficult entrances.
Nevertheless he was worried, if that British navy frigate was after him he knew it would not give up the chase so easily and could eventually find the anchorage. Most of his Indian crewmen were sleeping ashore or not sleeping as the case may be. They had captured several native women down the coast and were taking turns with them. Of the original crew of the frigate most had been French and many of them had gone with the volunteers to join Tipu’s army but enough of them had stayed and formed the backbone of his crew.
Moreover, he knew that if it came to a ship to ship battle with a British frigate he was bound to loose. Not enough time had been given to gunnery and ship handling which was his own fault. Although he was certain that his men would fight desperately, knowing their fate if captured, he knew that his ship the ex-French frigate La Marveilleuse, was no match for a better handled ship. What should he do? A thought struck him, if it came to the worst he might, with a few good men, find his way ashore and escape. The natives would not bother them. He therefore resolved to gather together the most easily carried part of his share of the booty, jewelry mostly, and if the British ship showed up, to confide his plan to the few men he thought he could trust, but even that was taking a risk. He strode about his cabin in an agony of indecision, what would be the best thing to do?
Meanwhile two of the more easily paddled canoes from the village; the first with Merryweather and another seaman aboard alongside the native crew, the second with two well bronzed sailors amongst the fishermen, left the village and headed for Portuguese Bay, arriving at the south entrance as dawn was breaking. There they made a great show of throwing out their nets for fish whilst the sailors surreptitiously dropped their lead-lines over board and recorded the results. They were far enough away from the pirate vessels to be clearly seen and made rapid progress with the soundings
The Lord Stevenage and the Marine ships had moved safely out of sight with Merriman trying hard not to show his concerns to the crew. About mid-morning the two canoes, with a load of fish aboard, moved up to the north entrance and slowly continued with sounding the depth of the water. At last Merryweather pronounced himself satisfied and the canoes made their way back to the village. When the ship’s boat brought him back to the Lord Stevenage, Merryweather was keen to show the results of the survey to Merriman. The figures showed ample depth of water even at the estimated low tide, for the frigates at the north and south entrances but the centre entrance showed very shallow water with only a narrow channel weaving its way between lumps of coral. “Very well done Lieutenant, very well done.” Merriman encouraged, “The pirate vessels showed no interest in you, is that correct?” “Yes Sir, I could only see the tips of the biggest ships masts so I don’t think they knew we were there.”
Merriman spent the next few hours planning, and going over the plan time and time again to ensure that he had forgotten nothing, tugging at his ear all the time, and then he called for Merryweather and Gupta. When settled he asked “Do you think the natives will fight the pirates?” “Yes Sahib, they will, they don’t have muskets, only spears and bows but they will fight if you can help them.” replied Gupta. “Good, I want the two of you to go ashore again and tell them what I propose to do, which is-----------------.He outlined his plan and the two men left whereupon Merriman signaled for all captains to come aboard. The four of them arrived in a fever of anticipation to know what Merriman had learned and planned on.
“Gentlemen, I believe I have a sound and workable strategy to engage the enemy forces and if you each play your part as I will lay out for you, then I think we can finish the matter in the morning. Gather round and look at my sketches, this is what I want you to do ----------------------.”
Chapter 40 – Final battle, Merriman is wounded
Long before dawn the two sloops took on the marines from the two Company frigates and creeping slowly through the north and south entrances, or gates as Merriman was now calling them, quietly deposited them on the shore well away from the pirate fleet. Here they were greeted by the local natives armed with bows and arrows, spears and knives, led by Merryweather in the north and Gupta to the south. They crept as quietly as they could until they were surrounding the enemy camp. Then they waited. One or two sleepy pirates roused go in the bushes to relieve themselves but they just disappeared without trace or any warning given.
One after another the two Company frigates crept through the northern gate, making hardly a sound they drifted down towards La Marveilleuse and the attendant dhows desperately trying to maintain the element of surprise. Suddenly, somebody, a guard maybe, roused himself to shriek a warning to his fellows. But it was too late. Both frigates rounded too and opened their gun-ports and as one the ready loaded cannon released a hail of death and destruction on the anchored pirate frigate. Screaming men taken by surprise and woken from their drunken haze ran here and there not knowing what they were doing but some men, probably the French, were more organised and quickly sent some others aloft to loose some sails and others for’ard and aft to cut the anchor ropes. Another broadside crashed home from the two company ships before the enemy frigate managed to move in the direction of the southern gate, seeking escape. The small dhows scattered some trying to reach the middle gate but bleary eyed and confused by the noise and the half-light their crews ran them aground on the sandbanks and coral.
The two frigates passed by and loosed broadside after broadside as fast as they could into the helpless craft and screaming crews and then followed the pirate ship down to the southern gate.
On shore, as the groggy pirates were woken by the noise they found their comrades transfixed by arrows coming out of the seemingly impenetrable jungle. Some tried to organise a fight, shouting “This way, this way, we can escape here.” or similar cries of encouragement but they were quickly dealt with and fell with several arrows sticking out of them. Then the marines charged; their uniforms and flashing bayonets striking fear into the enemy. Merryweather and Gupta kept out of the way, not wanting to be confused as enemy by the enraged natives who slaughtered them all and began to hack and mutilate the corpses. Merryweather called to the marine officers, suggesting that it would be a good idea to press on southwards to see where their ships were. After some resistance by some of the marines who wanted to carry on looting the bodies, they began their march leaving the natives to their gruesome work.
Aboard the Lord Stevenage they heard the sounds of battle coming closer and they soon saw the shape of the French frigate emerging from the smoke. Lord Stevenage was just where Merriman wanted her to be, like a cork in a bottle preventing the French frigate finding an easy way out to the sea. One of the Company frigates was following but held back on seeing Merriman’s ship and knowing what would happen next. Merriman
’s first broadside smashed into the frigate, lethal splinters flew everywhere and the foremast simply crumbled. But some determined souls with fight left in them managed to get some guns working and as Merriman ordered his ship alongside they fired. A blast of iron and lead crossed Lord Stevenage’s decks and men shrieked in agony as they were cut down. Merriman dragged his sword out and ran forward shouting for boarders to follow him but there were still too many pirates opposing them. “Fall back, fall back men,” cried out Merriman, almost sobbing as he saw his men cut down like so much wheat. Now the boot was on the other foot and Merriman and his men were forced back and back until with a huge explosion the forward carronade fired, sweeping the decks clear of enemy resistance. “Forward men” bellowed Merriman and his men poured after him as they felt a big thump and a shudder go through the pirate ship as the frigate Madras ground alongside the enemy ship. It was soon over, Merriman cut down a maddened man who ran at him with a sword raised above his head with no attempt at defence. Merriman stared round him in a daze. Screams came from all sides as the remaining pirates were cut down. He saw Biggins, whose hatred of the French was legendary, pull his cutlass from the belly of a French pirate and shout “Got you you bugger, got you.” He looked round for another victim but there were none. He saw Merriman and grinned “We got ’em this time Sir, didn‘t we?” Merriman felt the strain easing away then suddenly Captain Fitton was there in front of him. “Congratulations Sir, congratulations, your plan has worked perfectly. These devils will attack ships and murder the crews no more. We have won a famous battle.”
“I think we have but at what cost? I have lost many good men today, ones I could not spare so far from home.” He swayed and then found his cox’n Matthews supporting him on one side and Biggins on the other. “Dammit, I can manage, let me go.” They did so upon which he promptly collapsed on the deck, a fierce pain striking his leg. He looked down to see his left trouser leg sodden with blood, “I didn’t feel that” he said and promptly passed out as a wave of searing pain struck again. The next thing he knew was waking up in the orlop with Doctor McBride leaning over him and Lieutenant Andrews anxiously leaning over the other side.
The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3) Page 15
