‘No need to make an immediate approach,’ Popham said pleasantly, ‘as the initial objective has first to succeed.’
‘Being?’
‘I think it proper that my captains should be made acquainted with what we plan at the outset. We carry them with us, and our approach to Sir David will be that much the easier, particularly since by your golden words his colleague General Beresford will stand persuaded of the necessity of a descent at this time.’
Kydd was beginning to feel out of his depth, but he also knew that in a post-captain such skills were requisite if he was going to progress in his profession. ‘They’ll need some convincing,’ he said, as heartily as he could, ‘evidence of our military resources as will have them satisfied in every particular of the enterprise.’
‘Exactly. So – to work. These papers list our assets and an appreciation of what we face across the Atlantic. You shall be a captain and I shall rehearse on you what will be presented. Then I beg you will say whether or no you are decided.’
‘Well, I’m ready for you, Dasher.’
Popham leaned forward. ‘This is no triviality I’ll have you know, my dear Kydd,’ he said gravely. ‘If you are not agreeable in any wise, for any reason, I shall not proceed. That is, the whole venture to be called off – abandoned. I will not risk men’s lives unless there is good prospect of success. You understand?’
It was unfair: he was being put in a position where his word would be enough to destroy a daring and far-sighted stroke against the enemy – or to send men to their deaths. But then again, wasn’t Popham being scrupulous in his planning, getting a second opinion such that if it went against him the world would never hear of it again?
‘I do. Be certain you’ll hear from me should I feel to the contrary.’
‘Stout fellow! Then shall we begin?’
Popham had pleaded ignorance of military affairs but, if this was the case, it didn’t show to Kydd. Perhaps it was his experience of the Cape Town expedition or even the previous Red Sea joint operation but he certainly seemed perfectly at home dealing with forage for horses, biscuits and rum for the troops and second-run stores for the follow-up, as well as the joint administrative structures to be set up.
Numbers were demonstrably inferior, but Kydd had seen the Highlanders in action. And when Popham produced his trump card, he found it hard not to applaud. It was to formalise what had worked so well at Blaauwberg: that the invading ships would each contribute a proportion of their seamen and marines to form a sea battalion that would increase their effectives by a considerable margin.
‘Considering we have only to make a show against the Spanish, and the natives will flock to our banners, it should suffice,’ Popham said.
‘I hope you’ve something more interesting for us than last time, old bean,’ complained Donnelly of Narcissus. ‘I’ve an important appointment ashore, an’ she won’t wait.’
Popham ignored the gibe from the senior frigate captain and waited for the meeting to settle. At the other end of the elegant table in the flagship’s great cabin sat Kydd, studiously blank-faced, along with the men commanding the other ships of consequence, in all the totality of the rated vessels in his fleet.
‘I’ve called you here for one purpose only. That is to seek your advice.’
This brought immediate attention, for not only was Popham not given to asking what to do but in a flag-officer it was unprecedented.
‘Whatever we can do, sir,’ Downman said loyally. The others kept a wary silence.
‘Then it is in this matter.’ Glancing at each man individually, his manner confiding, persuasive and convincing, he spoke slowly: ‘I’ve recently had an extraordinary intelligence that reveals the Spanish have left their province at the River Plate completely unguarded, sailing as they have done to quell unrest in the north of the country and leaving contemptible forces only to guard Montevideo. Understanding that the French squadrons are now no longer threatening, that Trafalgar has robbed the Spanish of any means to contest us at sea and that we still retain most of the same fleet that succeeded so nobly here at Cape Town – then how absurd would it be to consider a sudden descent on the viceroyalty to achieve a famous victory, one that could well knock the Spanish out of the war?’
There was a stupefied silence, then a sudden eruption of astonished talk.
‘Gentlemen, gentlemen! One at a time, please!’ Like a kindly vicar smiling benevolently on his flock, he allowed the excitement to subside, then calmly said, ‘Captain Donnelly?’
‘This is madness!’ he spluttered. ‘Are you proposing an invasion of South America? To attack-’
‘No, sir, I am not proposing anything. I’m merely asking your advice, your views, if you will. And never an invasion. If anything, conceivably the suggestion of some species of move against Montevideo, perhaps to hold it for a space until reinforcements arrive. You see, there is an opportunity – a rare conjunction of conditions – that make it feasible to consider the detaching of the Spanish colonies simply by encouraging rebellion among the indigenes. As you may apprehend, they will never hold their possessions against revolt from within while attacked from without.’
‘I see,’ Byng said, in dawning realisation. ‘This is by way of a gesture against the Spanish, giving heart to the natives to throw off the yoke and so forth. I like it. A lot gained for little risked.’
‘And what precisely will this adventure secure to the advantage of the Crown?’ Donnelly sniffed. ‘If this has any chance of being set afoot, that should be known to us in advance.’
‘Don’t be an ass, Richard,’ Byng said scornfully. ‘Think it to be a hundred – a thousand times bigger than Cape Colony! Under our enlightened rule we show free trade, encourage the market and there we go – a river of gold from selling our manufactures into the place and another from trading, er, whatever they grow to the rest of the world.’ He blinked. ‘Sure to be something or other …’
‘So we’re to acquire another continent for our empire? We lost the last American one by grievously underestimating the costs of such, and foisting them on the colonists, who then loudly objected and threw us out,’ Donnelly said contemptuously.
Downman came in quickly: ‘As you’ve no imagination, Richard. Aren’t you overlooking one thing? The Spanish have been shipping out millions in silver every year since they made conquest. I dare to say that in our hands it will see the administration well served in the article of costs.’
‘And, o’ course, at this moment that silver goes into Boney’s coffers to pay for his war,’ Kydd said enthusiastically. ‘We have a chance to put an end to it.’ There were slow nods around the table as the implications of both sank in.
Popham resumed: ‘Supposing us to be interested, I’ve drawn up some simple lists as will show the relative military strengths, which, I’m obliged to observe, do favour us in the details.’ He passed them around.
‘It says here but four guns! Against an army?’
‘Let me be clearer,’ Popham said patiently. ‘Any descent will obviously be in the nature of a complete surprise. Although the enemy has numbers, these are untrained native militia who’ve never seen a single day of action. Do you truly believe them capable of standing against our formidable Highland troops? No, I thought not. The guns are there merely to provide a whiff of smoke at the right time.’ He smiled grimly.
‘And, again, this is a limited objective only – the reduction of a single stronghold until reinforcements arrive. With undisputed command of the seas, do you doubt our forces can be supplied?’
He allowed an air of weariness to show, then said, ‘For a little enterprise much is to be gained – which must result, with such a bold stroke, in honour and distinction to those involved. In our quiet little station I would have thought the prospect of such would be enough to set the blood astir. Is there none of spirit here willing to take the Dons by the ears and at the same time earn notice before the world?’
‘Dammit, I’m for it,’ Byng burst out. ‘Bette
r’n lying eternally at anchor all winter.’
‘And me,’ Kydd said forcefully. ‘I’d think it no less than our duty to annoy the enemy in any way we can contrive, and I’ve not heard a better.’
‘Hold hard, Mr Fire-eater Kydd!’ Donnelly said impatiently. ‘We’re not voting in some council-of-war, we’re giving our views, and what I need to hear is the position of their lordships in the matter, they giving the order and providing the expedition. It’s not for us to come up with some wild plan and expect them to fall in with it.’
‘Well, that’s easily answered,’ Popham said, a confident smile playing. ‘A year or two ago, after my investigation of the patriot Miranda and secret memorandum to the prime minister himself, plans were set in train to implement an assault on Montevideo, but then the Trafalgar campaign took precedence. Therefore this may be seen simply as the resumption of an existing expedition.’
‘A resumption?’ Donnelly said, exasperated. ‘Then why the devil are we confabulating about it at all? We follow orders as received.’
‘Ah, it’s not quite so simple. Our conquest of the Cape was rapid and complete, taking days only, and no doubt fresh orders for our deploying are being drafted as soon as they may. However, time and tide wait for no man and so forth, and so it is in our case. The whole River Plate is open while their forces are called away, and additionally the French squadrons have been destroyed or have retired to regroup, and at this season in the south there is little mischief to be expected locally. This is a precious opportunity that may not recur for a long time.’
‘Pardon me for being so slow in stays,’ said Donnelly, barely hiding his incredulity, ‘but isn’t this saying you’ve intentions of sailing without orders, mounting your own expedition, starting your own war? Why, it’s – it’s-’
Popham’s easy manner fell away, his eyes suddenly steely. ‘I have your views, sir. And I say we can’t wait – do you propose remaining in idleness while the opportunities pass us by until such time as orders can reach us from six thousand miles away? I do not! I’m minded to reconstitute the Cape Town expedition as the Montevideo expedition and, on sailing, to send word directly to Mr Pitt that the previous plan is now going forward. I shall request that the agreed reinforcements do meet us in the River Plate, by which time I’m utterly confident we shall have made a first foothold on the continent.’
There were surprised but approving murmurs around the table. Bold, decisive moves were wanted in this war, which was on a global scale like no other.
Honyman had not yet spoken but now pronounced, ‘And Billy Pitt will see his chance and send out an army. It’s a capital idea, Dasher.’
‘Liberators of South America! Ha! The world will hear of us then.’ Byng chuckled. ‘I’m not doubting it’ll mean parades in London, kneeling before His Nibs in the Palace, a medal or two …’
Suddenly the prospect became not impossible. ‘Show us those figures again,’ Honyman said, animated. ‘I’ve a notion we should do it.’
Kydd caught the sudden gleam in Popham’s eyes. The magic word ‘we’ had now been been uttered.
Discussion became general. Popham played it very carefully, allowing suggestions to take root, following objections and taking notes. The sentiment of the meeting was rapidly moving towards an urging of Popham to take action with a full-blooded acclamation of the possibilities. Within the hour he had what he wanted.
‘Very well,’ Popham declared expansively. ‘I shall take our conclusions to the governor and I’m sanguine he’ll approve an immediate call to arms. I’ll suspend this meeting in the trust that the next shall be in the nature of a full-scale planning for our Spanish Surprise.’
As they rose he called down the table, ‘Er, Mr Kydd – if you’d be so good as to remain? I’ll need some assistance in the readying of a presentation to Sir David, and as you’re junior present … ?’
It was neatly done. Kydd’s regular presence at the flagship would not now be remarked on.
As the last captain filed out of the cabin, Popham turned and, with an audible sigh, collapsed into his armchair by the window. ‘Such a hard beat to windward,’ he murmured, ‘you’d think it a forlorn hope I’m contemplating. Donnelly has the spirit I’d expect in a town beadle, and some of the others … Still, I do believe they’re with me – don’t you?’
‘They are, as so they should.’
‘If General Beresford shows willing, he’ll make sure Baird comes in. So I suppose I must possess myself in patience until you’ve made your play. Have you any idea how you’ll do it?’
‘Renzi, old fellow, are you not well?’ Kydd said in surprise, seeing him crouched by the stern-lights. There was no movement and Kydd crossed to him in concern. ‘Are you all right, Nicholas?’
There was a muffled groan. ‘I just can’t get started,’ Renzi mouthed. He heaved himself up and into a chair. ‘Tom,’ he croaked, ‘it doesn’t fadge – nothing works, it’s coming out too … too wooden, if you catch my meaning.’
‘You mean your novel?’
Renzi gave him a withering stare. ‘And what else, pray?’
Kydd sat down. ‘That is, your hero is not, as who should say, a satisfying enough cove.’
‘No, not just that,’ Renzi said wearily. ‘It’s that … Well, you’d never understand.’
‘As I’ve not the headpiece of an author?’ Kydd said tartly. ‘Look, m’ friend – you’re going to have to face it. It may be …’
‘May be what?’ Renzi said, with unease at Kydd’s tailing off.
‘It could be … that you have to be born to the craft, the same as prime seamen, brought up in it from a younker.’
‘It could be that authors have it inside them all the while, awaiting release.’
‘And you all this time at it and no headway?’ Kydd said sadly. ‘I don’t think so, Nicholas.’
Renzi said nothing, but his frustration was pitiful to see. Kydd softened. ‘Look, why don’t you think again? It’s about a well-born chap who has all these adventures. Isn’t that you? Why don’t you write about yourself directly? If you’d care to, o’ course.’
‘No, no. I can’t do it. To write is to expose yourself to the world, to let everyone see into your … well, all of you. I could never allow that.’
He pulled out a crumpled sheet. ‘Just listen to this, though. “I walked into the salon, the duchess looked at me and I had to think of something to say but I couldn’t!” How can you get a novel from that?’
‘Well, I’m not the one to ask it, but have you thought about Curzon? He mingles with the nobs, possibly knows an author.’
Renzi bristled. ‘No one is to find out what I’m writing!’
‘No, of course not. I’m sorry to say I’m at a loss, Nicholas. You might have to admit-’
‘Thank you, Tom, you’ve made your point.’
‘Well, I have to go. There’s divisions at eleven.’
Renzi shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Kydd’s talk of authors being born to it was a worrying bar; if anyone could be such, why wasn’t the world filled with authors? It was not a pleasant conclusion. He’d worked damned hard, and he was no further forward than he had been at the beginning. The plot was logically perfect, the hero’s name and character replete with fascinating and subtle classical nuance, the factual material impeccable. Why then did it read so heavily, so … so dull to the eyes?
It was lacking something. He was no stranger to words but they were simply not playing out as he so ardently wished they would. Was Kydd right in suggesting he write about himself? No! Putting aside the embarrassment of exposing his inner self before the public, this was to be a work of fiction and his own experiences had no right to appear.
Wearily he got up and went down to his cabin to put the day’s work in order. The balled-up paper, the scribbled sheets, the endless crossed-out notes – he just didn’t have the heart. He sat down and let his eyes roam over the tightly packed bookshelf above his tiny desk. They were the work of authors, of course, the b
lessed, the favoured, the felicitous. Would he never join their august band?
As ever, his eye softened at the row of poetry volumes. The tight crafting of precise and numinous meaning from shining words had always given him satisfaction and comfort and he reached for the first and oldest, from the time of Francis Drake, a work by Sir Philip Sidney, that turbulent and gifted Elizabethan. He opened it at random.
And the words leaped out at him:
Thus, great with childe to speak, and helplesse in my throwes,
Biting my trewand pen, beating myselfe for spite,
Fool, said my Muse to me, looke in thy heart – and write!
He blinked and held his breath. A rising feeling of giddiness overwhelmed him, for that was exactly the problem and the solution! In a heightened state of mind, he felt a supernatural thrill – that down the centuries this man was speaking to him, giving of himself to deliver a fellow scribe from the thrall of stasis.
His mind cleared. He had treated the whole thing too logically, too much in the abstract. Was it possible to look into a man’s heart from a distance? To generate sympathy at arm’s length? No. But the solution was there as well.
He must look into his own heart and write about what caused pain to him, gave joy and grief, stirred his deepest emotions, caused his darker, detestable self to reign – and he could do it, for it would be a release. He could at last speak of those years of blind, youthful extravagance and meaningless existence, which had ended with the epiphany in Venice that had sent him back to confront the moral imperative which had changed his life utterly.
Yes! He’d do it! And he could see how – both passionately and as a detached observer: simply tell the tale from the outside, knowing the inside. He snatched a sheet and his hand flew over the paper.
In his regimental dress, the pipe major looked both barbaric and splendid in the massed candlelight as he passed slowly between the tables. No allowance was made for the modest enclosed space of the Castle of Good Hope’s banqueting hall and the volume of sound was visceral. Kydd revelled in it, however, for there was nothing like this sense-numbing martial wail to be found in a man-o’-war’s wardroom.
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