Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  His scarlet coat faded between the trees and he waY gone?

  General Sir James Blundell lay back in one of Bolitho'Y chairs and thrust a leg towards his orderly?

  "For God's sake get these damn boots off!" HO stared up at a deckhead lantern and added, "I coulX relish a glass of something. I am as dry as dust!" HO cursed the orderly and pushed him in the shoulder witN his boot. "Easy, you damn fool.T

  Foley turned and looked at Bolitho by the door, hiY eyes showing anger and embarrassment?

  "Could you arrange something for the general?T

  Bolitho nodded, and saw Fitch scurrying away fo_ some wine. It was all like part of a dream. A nightmare?

  As the last of the daylight had begun to fade thO soldiers who had accompanied the general haX appeared along the beach. Even Sparrow's seamenB

  who moments before had been skylarking anX chattering while they enjoyed their unusual freedom ob dry land, had fallen still and silent?

  Torn and bedraggled, red coats filthy from forceX marches and sleeping when they could in thO undergrowth, they had shuffled into lines like obedienU animals. Others had followed with pack mules, sQ loaded that it was a wonder they had survived?

  Bolitho had been on the beach with DalkeithB explaining the needs and preparations for this mass ob passengers, and had watched in silence as Foley haX stood with his face like stone while a solitary lieutenanU had lurched towards him, the regimental colourY across one shoulder, his sword dangling from his wrisU on a lanyard. Foley had been unable to speak. He haX merely touched the lieutenant's shoulder and noddeX towards the dull-eyed soldiers along the edge of thO trees before saying to Bolitho, "For God's sake, dQ what you can for these fellows.T

  As the seamen had hurried forward to help thO soldiers into the waiting boats the last reserve haX cracked. Along the swaying lines of red coats men haX dropped like corpses, while others had merely stareX speechlessly at the bronzed sailors, their filthy faceY

  running with tears, hands outstretched like men seein^ messengers of salvation itself?

  It had been pitiful and moving just to watch while thea had lurched into the shallows and the boats. ThO lieutenant carrying his regiment's colours, as he musU have done all the way south from Philadelphia, trying tQ show some last control but his face reversing the lieB the despair and the disbelief?

  Now, as he stood watching the general it was hard tQ connect the two scenes together. Blundell was a rotunX but powerfully built man, and apart from dirt on hiY boots, his uniform looked as if it had been only recentla pressed. His iron-grey hair was neat, and his heavyB florid features must have been shaved within the day?

  So far, he had given Bolitho little more than a cursora glance, and was content to make his needs know[ through Foley?

  He touched the glass of wine with his tongue anX grimaced. "I suppose one cannot hope for too much i[ a craft of this size, what?T

  Foley looked again at Bolitho, his expression one ob physical pain?

  Overhead and deep in the hull the timbers were alivO with thudding boots, the occasional bellow of orderY and the squeak of tackles above the boats?

  The general said, "You should have put those men tQ work, Foley. No sense in letting 'em lie about likO squires of the manor.T

  Bolitho said, "My people can manage the loadingB sir.T

  "Hmm."The general seemed to consider him for thO first time. "Well, make sure that every mule is properla checked. Some careless or greedy fool might bO thinking of stealing their loads. There's a king's ransoR in those packs. So think on these things when yof report you're ready for sea.T

  Graves appeared in the door. "All the soldiers are o[ board, sir. Some of them are in a poor way.T

  Bolitho tore his eyes from the general, the dropletY of wine on his lips?

  "Have the cook light the galley fire, Mr. Graves. ThaU French frigate will not attempt to weigh in the darkB even if the wind gets up. I want those men to geU

  something hot to eat. Rum, too, while they are waiting? Tell Mr. Lock to arrange it.T

  He thought of the staggering men, the falle[ redcoats by the trees. And this was the party of fit men?

  Foley asked quietly, "When will you be raisin^ anchor, Captain?T

  Bolitho saw the anguish in his eyes, the way hO lingered on his question?

  "An hour after dawn the tide will be right, as will thO current hereabouts, according to my information.T

  The general's glass hovered in mid-air, so that hiY orderly allowed the wine to pour from the decanter anX across the deck?

  "What the hell are you talking about?" He struggleX up in the chair. "You can sail now. I heard your me[ saying the time was as good as any for it.T

  Bolitho faced him coldly. "That is true only up tQ point, sir. But if I am to wait for the sick and wounded tQ reach the cove, I must prepare for the next tide." HO hardened his tone. "I have sent my first lieutenant anX forty seamen to aid their passage here. I pray to GoX

  we can save them from more suffering.T

  The general lurched to his feet, his eyes flashin^ angrily. "Tell this young upstart, Foley! There is a[ enemy ship up-channel and no time to be wasted. ] have gone through enough in the last few days, and ] command you to ...T

  Bolitho said, "My orders say that I am in command ob transportation for this mission, sir. They make nQ distinction between gold bullion or men." He pausedB the anger churning his stomach like brandy. "Eve[ those too weak and sick to fend for themselves. Is thaU not so, Colonel?T

  Foley was staring at him, his eyes in dark shadow? When he spoke his voice was different, husky. "It iY true, Captain. You are in command." He swung rounX and faced his astonished superior. "We, Sir JamesB are just so much cargo.T

  Bolitho turned and walked from the cabin. On dec7 the air seemed cleaner, and he made himself stanX quite still by the rail above the nearest twelve-pounderY for several minutes?

  Below he could see figures moving in all directionsB

  and from the galley funnel he caught the aroma of meaU stew. Even Lock must have been too overcome by thO tattered, starving soldiers to restrain the cook?

  He heard Foley's boots beside him but did not turn?

  "Thank you, Captain. From me and my men. AnX those who will owe their lives to your humanity. AnX courage." He held up his hand as Bolitho turned tQ reply. "You could risk your very future because of thiY action, as well you know.T

  Bolitho shrugged. "Rather that than live with a fouT memory.T

  Someone called in the darkness and a nearby cutte_ began to pull inshore?

  "I'd not leave those men behind." He walked towardY the gangway. "If needs be, I'll drop the gold overboarX first!T

  "Yes. I believe you would, Captain.T

  But Foley was speaking to the darkness. And whe[ he reached the side he saw the gig already on its waa to the beach, Bolitho sitting beside Stockdale at thO tiller. He peered down at the gun deck. Where woulX

  Bolitho put all these men? He heard the creak of oarY as the first boat thrust off from the beach. One thin^ was certain. He would find the space somehow, if iU cost him his commission?

  7 TO DARE OR TO DIY

  BOLITHO opened his eyes and stared at the mug ob steaming coffee which Stockdale was holding abovO the side of the cot. He struggled upright, his mind anX vision readjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings, thO awareness that it must already be dawn. He was i[ Tyrrell's small screened cabin adjoining the wardroomB and as he held the mug to his lips he realised he coulX not remember how he came to be there?

  Stockdale wheezed, "You've 'ad a good hour'Y sleep, sir. I was fair loath to wake you." He shruggeX heavily. "But your last orders was to rouse all 'andY afore dawn.T

  Bolitho's aching mind suddenly cleared. He coulX feel the uneven motion around him, the creak of stayY and shrouds?

  "The wind? How is it?" He threw his legs over thO

  wno/ wQ side of the cot, feeling crumpled and unclean?

  "Risin', sir." Stockdale sounded unhappy. "From thO west'rd.Tr />
  Bolitho looked at him. "Damn!T

  With the mug still in his hand he hurried from thO cabin and almost fell across a line of sleeping soldiers? Despite the need to know what was happening hO stood motionless looking at them. Remembering thO long night, the stream of sick and wounded men hO had watched brought aboard by his sailors. SomO would not see another day pass, others were likO skeletons, racked with fever or the agony of woundY gone rotten. He still felt that same cold anger anX shame which he had endured then. The realisation thaU most of the men could have been carried on the muleY instead of being left to stagger further and still further i[ the rear of their comrades. And the general?

  He stepped over the inert shapes and continued tQ the quarterdeck?

  Tyrrell saw him and said, "You know about th' wind?T

  Bolitho nodded and walked to the nettings, seein^

  the bay opening up in the pale early light like ruffleX steel, the dancing cat's-paws against the hull, pushin^ it gently but insistently on the taut anchor cables?

  Buckle came to his side, his face grey with fatigue?

  "We can't set even a scrap o' canvas, sir. We're on Z lee shore an' no mistake.T

  Bolitho was staring along the larboard gangway anX away towards the dark slab of land emerging from thO shadows. The point, around which lay the river and thO deep channel?

  Graves said, "We will have to stay where we are anX hope that Frog has a mind to do likewise." HO sounded doubtful?

  Bolitho shook his head, thinking aloud. "No. ThO Frenchman will have guessed we are about, even if hO does not realise our exact strength. Either way he wilT up anchor soon and make for open water. If he sees uY in passing he will have little difficulty in aiming hiY broadsides.T

  He peered up at the yards where some topme[ were casting away the last of their leafy camouflage? Above their heads the masthead pendant waY

  whipping towards the cove, and he saw the beacN regaining shape in the light, the marks of many feetB the small humps to show where some of the soldierY had been buried within sight of rescue. Rescue. HO rubbed his chin and tried to think more logically?

  Once out in the bay they could make sail and tac7 towards the entrance and open sea. The FrenchmanB on the other hand, already had the advantage of thO wind. Could even anchor if desired and pounX Sparrow to fragments while she lay helpless in thO cove. She would sink with her masts above water. IU was a cruel picture?

  He said, "Break out the kedge anchor, Mr. TyrrellB and then hoist all boats." He looked at the long racks ob sweeps. "We will have to see what those will achievO this morning.T

  Once free of the kedge the hull swung sternwardY towards the beach, the current swirling around he_ stem as if she was already under way?

  The gun deck and gangways were crowded witN men, and he knew that below every space was filleX with exhausted soldiers. He watched the gig risin^ above the gangway before dropping neatly on itY

  chocks between the cutters, the seamen working i[ unusual silence, glancing occasionally towards him ba the rail as if to see his intentions?

  He was able to pick out individual faces in thO strengthening light, and realized he now knew most ob them by name. The reliable and the lazy, thO malcontents and those who were able to accept thei_ calling, enforced or otherwise, with varying degrees ob trust. He remembered that first day, the sea of unknow[ men, with Graves excusing Tyrrell's absence. IU seemed so long ago?

  Tyrrell reported, "Boats secured, sir!T

  Bolitho walked to the rail and leaned on it. The wooX was moist and clammy, but within a few hours would bO like a furnace bar. If it was still above water?

  He said, "You all know of that frigate, lads. She's uS there now, taking her time, as Frogs do in sucN matters." He paused, seeing some of the older me[ nudging each other and grinning at his feeble wit. "Yof can also see that we are unable to loose tops'ls withouU driving ashore. But if soldiers can march all the waa across country to us, I reckon we should be able to geU 'em home again, what d'you say?T

  For a long moment nobody moved or spoke, and hO felt despair rising as if to mock him. Why should thea care? After his displeasure following the fight with thO privateers they might simply see it as a just rebuff?

  Surprisingly, it was the boatswain who was the firsU to break the silence. Bursting from the larboarX gangway, his face glowing like a grotesque heateX shot, he bellowed, "What are we waiting for, ma lovelies? A huzza for the cap'n! An' another fo_ Sparrow!T

  The cheering spread along the decks and up to thO topmen on the yards. To the dazed soldiers below anX in the cramped holds, and wherever a foot or so haX been found for them?

  Tilby yelled, "An' to 'ell with them bloody Frogs!" HO was already cutting the lashings on the nearesU sweeps, pushing men towards them while otherY scampered to open the small ports on either beam?

  Bolitho turned away, seeing Tyrrell's great grin anX Buckle nodding his head and beaming as if they werO already at sea and away under full sail. Even GraveY was smiling, his tired face both dazed and pleased ba the din?

  He said, "Man the capstan." He wished they woulX stop cheering. That Tyrrell would obey and leave him tQ his thoughts. "Run out the sweeps, if you please.T

  Tyrrell shouted the order, and as the helmsme[ stood to the wheel and the capstan took the first slo/ strain, he turned and said, "They'll not let you down. NoU after what you've done for those poor redcoats. NoU now. Not ever, Cap'n.T

  Bolitho could not face him. Instead he stared alon^ the larboard side at the wavering line of sweepY poised above the swirling water like the oars of somO ancient galley. It would take a great deal of effort tQ move her into the bay. With the wind against her anX the dead weight of all her guns and extra passengers iU might prove impossible?

  "Stand by!T

  The sweeps swung gingerly forward, the seame[ clinging to the long looms and gripping the deck witN their bare toes?

  "Anchor's aweigh!" Graves came running aft abovO the seamen and yelled, "She's paying off, sir!T

  "Give way all!" Tilby threw his own weight on thO aftermost sweep, his bulging muscles showin^ evidence of the strain. "'Save.! Come on, boyos, 'eave0 Agin now!T

  Rising and failing, the lines of sweeps thrust anX slashed at the water to hold the Sparrow's drift towardY the beach, and then very slowly, painfully brought he_ under command and towards the bay?

  Bolitho called, "Mr. Buckle, take the wheel!" To TyrrelT he added, "Every officer and man on the sweeps0 Everyone!T

  As the anchor was catted home and Graves led hiY own party to the sweeps others slithered dow[ backstays or ran from their stations elsewhere to givO weight to the stroke?

  Bolitho tried not to watch the point, green and brow[ now in the light. It was stationary and the sloop waY hardly making headway. Yet already the men werO gasping for breath, and only Buckle and himself werO not helping. The wind was too strong, the current toQ insistent?

  Tyrrell's voice carried like a trumpet. "Heave! Heave0

  An' one more, lads!" But it was no use?

  Buckle called softly, "We'll have to anchor again, sir0 They'll be beat in a moment!T

  Several seamen missed their grip and almost fell aY a voice shouted above the plunge and creak ob sweeps?

  "Quickly there! Spread yourselves out with thO seamen!T

  Bolitho stared with disbelief as Foley emergeX below the quarterdeck, and following him, two by twoB some limping, others blinded by bandages, came thO remnants of his company?

  Foley looked up. "The 51st have never been know[ to fail in showing up the Navy, Captain!" He steadieX one of his men who was groping past him beforO adding, "You spoke earlier of miracles. But sometimeY they, too, need a little help." He turned away and puU himself beside a master's mate on the end of a sweep?

  Bolitho gripped the rail, wanting to hide his face froR them, but unable to tear his eyes from their combineX efforts?

  Buckle called huskily, "I've got steerage way, sir? She's answering now!T

  Bolitho said sof
tly, "The colonel told me he coulX take half the continent with the right men. With me[ such as these he could conquer the world.T

  When he looked again he saw that the point waY slipping across the starboard quarter as with greaU care Buckle eased the helm over and watched the jib1 boom pointing towards deeper water?

  Here and there a man fell exhausted from a sweepB but the stroke barely faltered?

  When the full rim of sunlight eventually broke abovO the distant hills, Sparrow was well out into the bay?

  Bolitho shouted, "Topmen aloft! Stand by to makO sail!T

  The jib cracked and flapped angrily, then hardeneX into a firm crescent, and as the long sweeps werO withdrawn from their ports the deck tilted to a small buU satisfying angle?

  "Lay her on the starboard tack, Mr. Buckle. As closO to the wind as you can. We will need all the rooR

  possible to weather Cape May.T

  Tyrrell came aft and stood beside the compass, hiY eyes fixed on the hazy shoreline. He looked strangela contented. Reassured?

  He saw Bolitho watching him and remarked, "It waY a good feeling to get ashore again. But then I guesY you feel th' same about England.T

  Bolitho nodded gravely. Maybe Tyrrell had bee[ tempted after all. But he had come back, and that waY what counted?

  He said, "You did well, Mr. Tyrrell. You all did.T

  Tyrrell gave his lazy grin. "If you'll pardon th' libertyB sir, you ain't no hoof-dragger yourself.T

  "Deck there! Sail on th' starboard quarter!T

  Bolitho looked at Buckle. "The Frenchman is after uY sooner than I thought. Get the t'gallants on her, if yof please." He walked up the slanting deck and shadeX his eyes. "We'll give him a run for his money.T

  Tyrrell was still grinning. "For th' general's moneyB you mean!T

  Bolitho glanced down at his stained breeches. "I'R going to shave." But the mood persisted for him also? "In case we have visitors this morning, eh?T

  Buckle watched him go and then said, "Nothing eve_ seems to worry that one.T

  Tyrrell was peering up at the topmen, his eyeY critical. He recalled Bolitho's face when the woundeX soldiers had staggered on deck to help man thO sweeps. For just those few moments he had see[ beyond the brittle composure, the mantle of commandB to the real man beneath?