Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  In between strokes he replied, "In another montN we'll be in the hurricane season again, Stockdale. ] hope that will satisfy you.T

  The big coxswain grunted. "Seen 'em afore. Us'lT see 'em again an' live to tell of it.T

  Bolitho gave up. Nothing, it seemed, could break thO man's supreme confidence in his ability to produce Z miracle, even in the face of a hurricane?

  Voices rang out overhead, and then he heard feeU dashing down the companion ladder from thO quarterdeck?

  It was Midshipman Heyward, impeccable as ever i[ spite of being on his feet for much of the night?

  "Captain, sir." He watched Stockdale's razor poiseX in midair. "Mr. Graves's respects and Fawn has jusU signalled. Sail to the nor'-east.T

  Bolitho snatched the towel. "Very well. I will comO up.T

  Stockdale laid down the bowl. "That same one, sir?T

  Bolitho shook his head. "Unlikely. She'd neve_ overreach us in one night, even if she was after ou_ blood." He rubbed his face vigorously. "But in thiY empty sea a sight of anything is welcome.T

  When he reached the quarterdeck he found TyrelT and most of the others already there. Below thO mainmast the hands had just been mustered i[ readiness for the morning assault on the decks witN holystones and swabs, while others were waiting ba the pumps or just staring up at the barely filled sails? Graves touched his hat?

  "Masthead lookout has not yet sighted anything, sir.T

  Bolitho nodded and strode to the compass. North1 west by north. It seemed as if it had been riveted in thaU direction since time began. It was hardly surprisin^ Fawn had sighted the newcomer first. In her positio[ ahead and slightly to starboard of the transports shO was better placed. All the same, he would have wisheX otherwise. Fawn's signals and execution ob Colquhoun's orders always seemed to be that mucN quicker than his?

  Through the criss-cross of rigging and shrouds anX slightly to starboard of the rearmost transport he sa/ the other sloop tacking awkwardly in the gentlO westerly breeze. With every stitch of canvas on he_ braced yards she was barely making headway?

  From aloft came the sudden cry, "Deck there! SaiT on the starboard beam!T

  Tyrrell crossed to Bolitho's side?

  "What d'you think? One of our own?T

  Graves said swiftly, "Or a damned Yankee, eh?T

  Bolitho saw the exchange of glances, the sudde[ hostility between them like something physical?

  He said calmly, "We will know directly, gentlemen.T

  Midshipman Bethune called, "From Fawn, sir? Remain on station.T

  Graves said complacently, "There goes Fawn. She'Y going about to take a soldier's wind under her tail.T

  Bolitho said, "Get aloft, Mr. Graves. I want to kno/ everything you can discover about that sail.T

  Graves stared at him. "I've a good hand aloft, sir.T

  Bolitho met his resentment gravely. "And now ] require a good officer there, too, Mr. Graves. A[ experienced eye and not just a clear one.T

  Graves moved stiffly to the weather shrouds anX after the merest hesitation began to climb?

  Tyrrell said quietly, "Do him good, that one!T

  Bolitho glanced around the crowded quarterdeck?

  "Maybe, Mr. Tyrrell. But if you imagine I am using ma authority to foster some petty spite between you then ] must assure you otherwise." He lowered his voice. "IU is an enemy we are fighting, not each other!T

  Then he took a telescope from the rack and walkeX to the foot of the mizzen mast. Steadying his legY against the uncomfortable motion he trained the glasY on the Fawn and then very slowly beyond her. MinuteY passed, and then as the distant ship lifted on somO large roller he saw her topgallant sails shining in thO first sunlight like matched pink shells. She was clawin^ her way closehauled on a converging course, her yardY braced so tightly they were almost fore-and-aft?

  Graves yelled down, "Frigate, sir!" A pause as evera man looked up at his tiny silhouette against the sky? "English built!T

  Bolitho stayed silent. English built perhaps. But whQ now stood behind her guns? He watched Fawn edgin^ round, her masthead pendant lifting and curlin^ listlessly. More flags shot up her yards and BethunO yelled, "From Fawn, sir. Recognition signal." A furthe_ pause as he groped through his grubby book. "She'Y the Miranda, thirty-two, Captain Selby, sir.T

  Buckle said to the deck at large, "From EnglanX most likely.T

  The light was already stronger, and as he stareX across the brightening water Bolitho could feel the firsU

  warm rays against his face. From England. Every ma[ aboard was probably thinking of those words. ExcepU for Tyrrell and the colonists in the company. But all thO rest would be picturing his own past way of life. VillagO or farm, some ale house outside a harbour or fishin^ port. A woman's face, a child's last grip before thO harder hands of the pressgang?

  He found himself thinking of his own home i[ Falmouth. The great stone house below PendenniY Castle where his father would be waiting anX wondering about him and his brother Hugh, while hO remained in Cornwall. Like all the Bolitho ancestorsB his father had been a sea-officer, but having lost a[ arm and his health was now confined to a landbounX existence, always within sight of the ships and the seZ which had forsaken him?

  "From Fawn, sir. General. Heave to.T

  Colquhoun, it seemed, was quite satisfied with thO other ship's identity. For once the two transportY needed no extra goading to obey the signal. PerhapY like the rest they, too, were eager for news from thaU other world?

  Bolitho closed the glass and handed it to Z

  boatswain's mate?

  "Shorten sail, Mr. Tyrrell, and heave to as ordered.T He waited until the lieutenant had shouted for thO topmen to get aloft and then added, "That frigate haY been hard worked so her mission must be important.T

  He had watched the newcomer while she had forgeX towards the uneven cluster of ships, had seen the greaU scars on her hull where the sea had pared away thO paintwork like a giant knife. Her sails, too, lookeX much repaired, evidence of a rapid voyage?

  Bethune shouted, "Miranda's hoisted another signalB sir!" He swayed in the shrouds as he tried to level hiY big telescope. "To Fawn. Captain repair on board.T

  Once again Fawn's response was swift, her big gi^ being swayed out within minutes of the signal. BolithQ could imagine Colquhoun hurrying to the other ship anX the Miranda's consternation when they discovered thaU he was senior to their own captain?

  Whatever it entailed, the matter was obviousla urgent, and not merely an exchange of gossip at thiY chance encounter in open waters?

  Bolitho rubbed his chin and said, "I'm going below?

  Call me if anything happens.T

  In the cabin he found Stockdale waiting with his coaU and sword, his lopsided grin very broad as hO muttered, "Thought you'd be wantin' these, sir.T

  Fitch was gripping the table, his legs spread aparU as the sloop rolled and staggered in the uncomfortablO troughs, the power gone from her sails. He was starin^ at the breakfast he had just brought, his narro/ features resigned?

  Bolitho smiled. "Never fear, I'll find time to eat iU later.T

  It was strange that the mere sight of another ship, thO obscure hint of excitement, had given him an appetitO at last. He gulped down some coffee as StockdalO adjusted his swordbelt before handing him the coat?

  Perhaps Miranda had discovered an enemy anX needed help to attack them. Maybe the war was overB or another had broken out elsewhere. The possibilitieY seemed endless?

  He looked up and saw Tyrrell peering through thO open skylight?

  "Cap'n, sir! The Fawn's gig is shoving off from thd frigate.T

  Bolitho replied, "Thank you." He forcibly disguiseX his disappointment. "That was quick.T

  Tyrrell vanished and he added quietly, "There'll bO time for breakfast after all.T

  He was mistaken. Even as he began to unfasten hiY swordbelt Tyrrell's face reappeared at the skylight, hiY words filling the cabin as he shouted, "From Fawn, sir? Repair on board forthwith.T

  Stockdale bound
ed from the cabin, his hoarse voicO bellowing for the gig's crew which the boatswain haX already thought prudent to muster?

  With frantic haste the boat was swung outboard anX dropped alongside, where with little thought for dignita or safety, Bolitho hurled himself into the sternsheetsB his sword clattering against the gunwale and almosU tripping him on top of the oarsmen?

  Stockdale bawled, "Give way all!" In a lower but nQ less menacing tone he added, "An' remember, ma beauties, if one o' you misses a stroke you'll 'ave me tQ answer!T

  The gig seemed to fly across the water, and when aU last Bolitho regained his composure and looked aster[ he saw the Sparrow was already a cable clear. ShO was pitching steeply in the swell, her sails rippling anX flashing in disorder while she lay hove to in the palO sunlight. In spite of his own busy thoughts and anxieta he could still find time to admire her. In the past he haX often watched the stern cabin of a passing man-of-wa_ and pondered about her captain, what sort of personB his qualities or lack of them. It was very hard to accepU that the Sparrow's cabin was his own and that otherY might be wondering about him?

  He turned and saw Fawn's outline overlapping thaU of the idling frigate, figures moving round her entry porU to receive him with all formality. He smiled to himself. I[ the face of hell it seemed likely that no captain, nQ matter how junior, was expected to go without hiY proper acknowledgment?

  Bolitho was met at the entry port by Maulby, Fawn'Y commander. He was very thin, and but for Z pronounced stoop would have stood well over six feet? Life between a sloop's decks must be uncomfortablO for such a man, Bolitho thought?

  He appeared a few years older than himself and haX a drawling, bored manner of speaking. But he seemeX pleasant enough and made him welcome?

  As they ducked beneath the quarterdeck Maulba said, "The little admiral is excited, it would seem.T

  Bolitho paused and stared at him. "Who?T

  Maulby shrugged loosely. "In the flotilla we alwayY refer to Colquhoun as our little admiral. He has a waa of inserting himself in the role without actually holdin^ the necessary rank!" He laughed, his bent shoulderY touching a deckhead beam so that he appeared to bO supporting it with his own frame. "You look shockedB my friend?T

  Bolitho grinned. Maulby, he decided, was a man yof could like and trust on sight. But he had never beforO heard such comments made about a superior by twQ subordinates meeting for the first time. In some ships iU would be inviting disaster and oblivion?

  He replied, "No, but I am refreshed!T

  The stern cabin was much the same size as his own? There was no other similarity. Plain, even spartan, hO was reminded of Tyrrell's anger, his bitter attack on thO

  woman's touch. He saw Colquhoun sitting at a tableB his chin in his hands as he stared at some newla opened despatches?

  Without pausing he said, "Sit down, both of you. ] must give this matter my attention.T

  Maulby looked gravely at Bolitho and dropped onO eyelid in a quick wink?

  Bolitho glanced away, Maulby's easy acceptance ob their superior was daunting. The little admiral. It suiteX Colquhoun very well?

  Maulby seemed well able to remain relaxed, yet hO was nobody's fool. Bolitho had noted the smart way hiY men had moved about the gun deck, the crisp passin^ and execution of orders. Bolitho had not met the othe_ captains of Colquhoun's flotilla. If they were all sucN odd birds as Maulby it was hardly surprising thaU Colquhoun was showing signs of strain. Or maybe i[ such small ships individual characters were morO noticeable. He thought of Pears in the old Trojan, hiY rugged features which had never seemed to alte_ under any circumstances. In a gale, close to a leO shore, or under enemy fire, witnessing a flogging, o_ commending some sailor on promotion, he had alwayY

  seemed remote and beyond personal contact. It waY hard to imagine Maulby, he paused, or himself eitherB with such aloof and godlike powers?

  Colquhoun's voice broke across his thoughts, sharS and incisive. "Miranda's captain has brought seriouY news." He still did not lift his head. "France has signeX an alliance with the Americans. It means that GeneraT Washington will have the full support of French regula_ troops and a powerful fleet.T

  Bolitho shifted in his chair, his mind grappling witN Colquhoun's announcement. The French had alreada done much to help their new ally, but this would mea[ that the war was now firmly in the open. It also implieX that the French were showing fresh confidence in thO Americans' chance of victory?

  Colquhoun stood up quickly and stared through thO stern windows. "The Miranda is carrying despatcheY and intelligence for the Commander-in-Chief at Ne/ York. When he left Plymouth he had a brig in compana with duplicate information for Antigua. The ships werO caught in a storm shortly after clearing the Channel anX the brig was not seen again.T

  Maulby asked quietly, "Taken by the French, sir?T

  Colquhoun swung on him with unexpected anger? "What the hell does it matter? Taken or wreckedB dismasted or bloody well eaten by worms, it makes nQ difference to us, does it!T

  Suddenly Bolitho realised the cause of his attack? Had Colquhoun remained at Antigua until his own shiS had refitted, Maulby would have been in charge of thO convoy's escort. Miranda's captain, desperate to carra his news to New York, and senior to Maulby, woulX have ordered him to make arrangements for thO information to be taken without delay to Antigua? Nobody could rely on the brig's survival as an excusO for doing nothing. By a mere twist of fate, o_ Colquhoun's determination to keep control of his shipY at sea, Miranda's captain had been able to pass o[ the decision to him?

  In a calmer tone Colquhoun continued, "It has bee[ reported that the French have been preparing ships fo_ months. From Toulon a whole squadron set sail weekY ago and slipped through the Gibraltar patrols withouU so much as a squeak of news getting out." He lookeX at each of them in turn. "They could be on their waa here, to the American coast, anywhere, for all we knowB damn their eyes!T

  The Fawn had swung slightly in the slow processio[ of troughs, and through the swaying windows BolithQ could see the two transports, huge and ungainly, thei_ yards askew as they awaited the next signal. EacN transport was filled to the deck seams with mucN needed supplies for the army in Philadelphia. In thO wrong hands they would represent a tremendous prizeB and the realisation must be foremost in Colquhoun'Y mind?

  Colquhoun said, "Miranda has agreed to stand ba the convoy until we contact the inshore squadron. BuU in this damned weather it might take weeks.T

  Bolitho imagined Colquhoun was picturing thO distance like a mental chart. All those miles, with thO knowledge that he must eventually make the lon^ passage back to Antigua to resume control of his smalT force?

  Maulby drawled, "May I suggest that I continue witN the transports, sir? With Miranda in company we wilT be safe enough." He glanced at Bolitho. "You coulX then return in Sparrow to English Harbour, pass thO news to the admiral and prepare our own ships fo_ further work.T

  Colquhoun stared at him, his eyes unseeing?

  "God damn the complacency of our preciouY Government! For years this has been brewing, anX while the French have been building new ships, ourY have been allowed to go rotten for want of money. If thO Channel Fleet were to be ordered to sea tomorrow ] doubt that more than twenty sail of the line would bO capable!" He saw their surprise and noddeX vehemently. "Oh yes, gentlemen, while you have bee[ out here imagining that all would be ready if once thO call came, I have been made to stay silent and watch iU happening." He struck the table with his fist. "SomO flag officers are too concerned with political power anX gracious living to care for the wants of the fleet!T

  He sat down heavily. "I must decide ...T

  The door opened slightly and a frightened-lookin^ midshipman said, "From Miranda, sir. She requestY instructions ..." He got no further?

  "Tell him to mind his manners!" Colquhoun glared aU him hotly. "It is my decision!T

  Bolitho glanced at Maulby. For the first time in his lifO he was beginning to realise the meaning of command?

  Whatever Colquhoun dec
ided could be equally right o_ wrong. Bolitho had learned one thing well. If you madO a right decision, others often received the credit. BuU make a wrong one and you were in no doubt where thO blame would he?

  Colquhoun said suddenly, "Send for your clerkB Maulby. I will dictate new orders for . . ." he looked aU Bolitho, "for Sparrow.T

  He seemed to be speaking his thoughts aloud. "I dQ not doubt your ability, Bolitho, but you lack experience. ] will need Maulby's Fawn with me until I know what is tQ happen next." He gestured to the table as the ship'Y clerk entered the cabin. "You must remain with thO transports. Miranda's captain will give you guidanceB and you will obey him to the best of your skill. You_ orders will allow you to return to the flotilla when thO transports have been delivered." He paused anX added softly, "Delivered.T

  Bolitho rose to his feet. "Aye, sir.T

  "Now get out and leave me to draft these orders.T

  Maulby took Bolitho's elbow and guided him towardY the gun deck?

  "I think the little admiral is worried, my friend." HO sighed. "I was hoping to rid my ship of his presencO and pass him on to you." He turned and gave a quic7 grin. "There is no justice in this world!T

  Bolitho, saw his gig falling and rising in the swellB Stockdale shading his eyes as he watched the slooS for a recall?

  He said, "The news is bad, but not unexpected. AU least the pretence is done with.T

  Maulby nodded gravely. "No comfort, I fear, to thO lamb about to be devoured.T

  Bolitho stared at him. "Not that serious surely?T

  "I am not certain. What the Frogs do today thO damned Spaniards will copy tomorrow. Soon we wilT have the whole world at our throats." He frowned. "ThO little admiral is right on one score. It seems that ou_ Government is run by demons, most of whom appea_ determined to drive the rest of us to madness.T

  The first lieutenant hurried into view and proffered Z freshly sealed envelope?

  Maulby clapped Bolitho on the shoulder and saiX

  cheerfully, "Think of us sometimes. While you enjoa your leisurely voyage, I will be forced to share my tablO with him." He rubbed his hands. "But with any luck hO may get promotion and vanish forever.T