HMS Vigilant: A Charles Mullins Novel (Sea Command Book 5)

by Richard Testrake

  “We took her without difficulty and I was appointed to command the prize. Captain Seccombe of HMS Glatton ordered me to accompany the fleet until we made contact with the enemy. Petrel was sent on ahead to reconnoiter the island of Corfu. Captain Seccombe should be with us soon with the rest of his fleet.:

  Chapter Ten

  Commodore Seccombe greeted Mullins cordially and asked his opinion on the claret he served him. After a pleasant hour discussing wines they had sampled in the past, Seccombe got down to business. He told Mullins Admiralty had informed him of Vigilant’s presence in the Adriatic and her purpose. Seccombe disclosed his own orders to harry the French forces present in the area and attempt to construct a base secure from enemy attack. He only had a small force, built around the fourth-rate ship, Glatton and some smaller craft, sloops-of-war and a pair of brigs. He hoped to see some transports arrive soon carrying troops to garrison his conquests.

  Mullins in turn, reported on his activities in the Aegean and recommended some thought be given to building a base on the island of Lissa. He recommended talks with the island’s leaders to discuss the idea and ask for their opinions.

  “The islanders have been receiving undue attention from both Moorish pirates and French forces. At present, they have only a few muskets and a pair of guns to defend themselves, with very little ammunition. I would suggest they be offered British help in exchange for permitting us to construct a base on Lissa. I believe if these islanders are treated with courtesy and respect they will gladly furnish us needed intelligence and assistance.”

  Seccombe nodded. “Since you are on Admiralty orders, I believe I must not take you under my command. However, I would thank you should you transport several of my people to Lissa and begin preliminary negotiations with the islanders. I intend, for the time being, to remain here in this area conducting a blockade of Corfu while I await the arrival of more ships. If my advisors agree that Lissa will make a proper base of operations, we can begin a preliminary off-loading of a limited number of troops.”

  Mullins agreed to return to Lissa but doubted his ability to negotiate properly with the islanders.

  “My problem is, I have no one on my ship capable of discussing complex plans with the islanders. I have been using an Italian seaman as my interpreter, but I expect his understanding of their dialect and my English is not quite exact.”

  Commodore Seccombe understood. “Captain, I have two persons aboard my ship who are fluent with this local tongue. Both have been assigned by the Foreign Office for this endeavor. Miss Anna Benton is one. Born to a British trader and a woman from the locality, she speaks the language fluently. She is not a senior person of the foreign office though, and has no brief to make important decisions.”

  “For that, we must rely on Mister Henry Wilberforce, a career diplomat, also fluent in the local tongues. I cannot allow him to sail with you, however. I must rely on his advice and judgement so must keep him with my fleet.”

  “I can send you Miss Benton. While she has no decision-making authority, she can provide you with accurate translations of any negotiations you may enter into. It must be understood that any agreements you may enter into between yourself and local islanders, will not become valid unless approved by Mister Wilberforce and myself.

  The frigate remained with the blocking fleet off Corfu for several days while the commodore’s staff went over the various logs in Vigilant. Before departing, Mullins took on board a dozen soldiers commanded by a ferocious appearing sergeant. Commodore Seccombe felt the Marine compliment of thirty men aboard Vigilant was far too small for their mission. He hoped the additional Army troops could provide needed support.

  Mullins was not so sure. He would have preferred a dozen seamen in place of the troops, but he was in no position to quibble. He called Lieutenant Baker of the Marines to the quarterdeck and informed him he was getting an Army sergeant and a dozen privates to augment his command. He warned the lieutenant he must attempt to quell any inter-service rivalry that might erupt and show no favoritism to his own Marines.

  Miss Benton came aboard Vigilant just minutes before the ships separated. She came with a storm cloud on her face, definitely not happy to leave her cabin on the flag, to come to this frigate where she must live in a corner of the captain’s sleeping quarters. With her was a grey-faced civilian of mature years who would be her advisor and assistant. Robert Coulter was no linguist but was a career functionary of the Foreign Office, albeit of rather lowly importance. He would not be living in the captain’s quarters but was furnished a space in the petty officers berthing area where he could swing a hammock.

  There was some rivalry between Miss Benton and Coulter. Although Coulter was old enough to be her father, Benton was convinced her knowledge of the local language made her the superior. She declined to listen to any of his advice. The ship’s captain soon became aware that he would not likely be receiving useful information from either.

  Mullins had intended to ask the pair to walk the quarterdeck with him in order to discuss their mission. Benton however, with her nose in the air, made it known she was on this little ship by protest and wished to have as little as possible to do with this captain of no particular importance. The woman disappeared into her screened off corner of the captain’s cabin immediately. Coulter, more flexible, appeared to be willing to get along in his new surroundings but a curt order from the woman brought him to heel and he followed the midshipman who led him below to his berthing area.

  The ship was put before the wind and she showed the other ships how it was done. With a bone in her teeth and the wind on her quarter, she became a living being as she surged northward. Early the next morning the frigate was bowling right along when the lookout reported a sail off their starboard bow. Immediately, the helm was brought over and her sails trimmed. It soon appeared the sail that had originally been approaching them, now appeared to have changed her mind and had come about and was now headed for the Ottoman-controlled mainland.

  As the frigate closed on the chase, it became evident this was a ship, heavily laden and flying the tricolor. She showed no sign of complying with their wishes despite several guns fired. Mullins had no doubt they could overhaul this ship, the only question being whether this could be done before entering Ottoman waters.

  Miss Benton now came on deck, demanding the officer of the deck explain to her what was going on. Tongue-tied with this confrontation with a forceful but attractive woman, Mister Howard had difficulty stammering an explanation.

  Not wishing to see one of his officers treated in such a manner, Mullins went to her and explained Mister Howard was on duty and must not be distracted. She should ask the midshipman of the watch for permission to see the first officer if she had any important message to deliver. In her reply, she was short with him, insisting they had no business haring after prizes when engaged in an important diplomatic mission. He should ask her permission in the future if he wanted to deviate from their mission.

  Losing patience with her, Mullins summoned the midshipman of the watch and ordered him to take Miss Benton to her quarters. When Benton resisted, Mullins said, “Now, Mister Drake. If you need help, get one of the seamen to assist. Red-faced, the fourteen-year-old youth took Benton’s arm and begged her, “Please Ma’am. We must go now.”

  Glaring at Captain Mullins, the woman stamped after the lad. Able now to concentrate on naval business, Mullins saw the chase had become closer during the contretemps. Approaching shoal waters, she had slowed, not wishing to run onto rocks. Mullins shared the same concern, so he put his starboard beam on the chase’s stern and fired a single gun. At close range now, the gunner pitched his shot to fall right alongside the ship’s starboard beam.

  Realizing he had no place to go now, the enemy captain put his topsails aback and awaited the frigate. A prize crew was put hurriedly aboard and the two ships made their way gingerly out of the dangerous shoals, hands in the respective ship’s chains swinging their leads constantly.

 
Once safely out to sea, Vigilant came alongside the prize and she was examined thoroughly. She was a well-made ship, rather new, laden with military supplies and small arms. Mullins thought the commodore might well have a use for her.

  In celebration, Mullins ordered an extra tot of grog to the hands and invited his officers and Miss Benton to supper. Benton said hardly a word that evening, eating little also. When the officers left, Mullins bade the midshipman of the watch to remain and told Miss Benton he must have a word with her.

  He started by explaining to her they had an important task ahead of them. There were several hundred islanders living on Lissa and it was of importance the British forces maintained good relations with them. He for one, did not know how they were to do this while their only translator went about with a scowl on her face, ready to take offense at any imagined slight.

  “Miss Benton, I am about to send our prize back to Commodore Seccombe. The ship has quantities of small arms aboard which I am sure the commodore will find good use for. Since you seem unable to maintain an even temper, I believe I must send you back in the prize. I feel I cannot trust you to do your duty to the Crown under the present circumstances. My prize-master will deliver my reasons for your return when he reports to the commodore. Hopefully, the foreign office official on the flag can handle the duties we all hoped you could perform.”

  Benton was outraged at his suggestion. She would report him to the foreign office herself. There was no way he could get away with treating her like she was one of his seamen.

  “Miss Benton”, Mullins replied. “I believe it is yourself who has been treating the others on this ship as your personal servants. I doubt the ship could move at all under your own direction. I would remind you that in order to be successful in our mission, we must all work together. If you cannot abide the rest of us, then you must go.”

  Surprising Mullins and embarrassing the midshipman, Benton began to cry. When she became coherent, she apologized and promised to try to do better. Shaking his head in wonder, Mullins went out on deck. Against his own judgement, he permitted Benton to remain on the ship, where she did seem to make an effort for a few days.

  A day from their destination, they began meeting the open boats the islanders favored for bringing in their catch. One of the first boats they met, they overhauled and came alongside. There was some concern in the boat when they first saw the frigate but one of the crew remembered seeing Vigilant before and hailed them with pleasure.

  Miss Benton came on deck and spoke with the fishermen. There were a dozen men in the boat and they were delighted when the attractive young woman in the British warship spoke to them clearly in their own language. One of the boys in the boat, on orders of his elders scrambled aboard Vigilant and offered to see them to Lissa.

  As they made their way to the island, the new boy spent most of his time in the tops with the younger mids and boys. A fine seaman, even at his young age, he had never before been aloft in such a tall ship. He was soon following the others about in the tops in their games.

  They entered the harbor where they had moored on the previous occasion and hordes of islanders came out to see them. Mullins ordered a table and some chairs set up on the quarterdeck where Benton was seated. He stood behind Benton while some of the older islanders sat and discussed events at leisure.

  Mullins had no idea of what they were discussing much of the time. Occasionally, Benton would stop and translate a few sentences for him. After one lengthy talk with an islander Mullins recognized from their last visit, Benton reported the guns salvaged from the wreck of the pirate xebec were emplaced and were ready for use when needed. They had fired off two rounds from the guns, but were dismayed at the small amount of powder that remained. It seems that many of the islanders now owned French muskets, booty from the aborted landing attempt, and these people all demanded a supply of powder for their weapons. Very little now remained.

  Seeing Mister Heyward standing nearby, Mullins beckoned him over and asked him to have the gunner bring up two kegs of powder. This would necessarily be large-grained powder for the big guns, but would serve in the muskets, also.

  Mullins asked Benton to inform the elders that negotiations would soon begin. More British ships and men would soon arrive and would ask permission to build a base on the island. Should arrangements be satisfactory, more weapons and ammunition could likely be landed for the islander’s defense.

  Mullin’s supply of wines was now very low, so he sent word to the purser to provide his guests with some seaman’s grog. Actually, the seamen were drinking a very rough red wine which in conscience, Mullins felt he could not serve to invited guests. According, a keg of rum, kept in reserve, was broken out for their guests. The diluted rum, mixed with lemon juice and a little sugar made a satisfactory drink with which the islanders seemed to enjoy.

  Mullins soon had to send word to the purser to dilute the grog still more, since many of the visitors unaccustomed to the drink, were becoming overcome. Before leaving, the senior elder, now in his cups, assured Mullins he was free to set up his base, wherever he liked. Mullins was not sure his brief from the commodore covered such an action, but did send Lieutenant Baker ashore with his Marines and the additional Army soldiers to stake out a tentative site.

  Vigilant remained at anchor for the next three days, but on the fourth day, HMS Gladdon and her flock entered the harbor. The flag immediately began firing off her salute to the island’s leader. Mullins had already briefed the elders and supplied the necessary powder to answer the salute. There was some irregularity with the reply, since the locals had not quite become used to their new weapons, but that salute was eventually fired with no undue embarrassment.

  Vigilant’s landing force had set up a small redoubt near the islander’s own gun emplacement. Stone walls had been constructed with swivel guns mounted all around. Most of the troops built small huts for sleeping, but Lieutenant Baker had erected a tent for himself. After the commodore landed, this became the de-facto headquarters of the ever-increasing landing force.

  The negotiations had now begun in earnest, with the commodore taking a key role in the talks, with Mister Wilberforce of the Foreign Office at his side. Miss Benton had been superseded by the more senior official, who had extensive knowledge of the political situation. Benton had attempted to interject the personal difficulties she imagined she was having into the talks, which Seccombe refused to hear. Rebuffed, she now tried to cultivate some of the younger officers, but could not refrain from her scurrilous comments about Vigilant’s captain.

  The men she was trying to influence were all young and full-blooded, normally very much at the mercy of any attractive woman. These however, were all intelligent officers, knowing full well their futures depended upon the reports Captain Mullins made upon their abilities and character.

  None of Vigilant’s officers were willing to have their careers blighted by unwise discussions with this woman, so she soon became avoided by all but the most uneducated and ignorant hands.

  The commodore brought with him several transports filled with men and supplies, and once the details were worked out, the new British base in the Adriatic soon began to take shape.

  With no further need for Vigilant at the scene, the frigate prepared to make sail. A private discussion between Mullins and Seccombe took place concerning Miss Benton.

  The commodore said, “Benton is a beautiful woman, a delight to look at. She has a good command of the local language and could be of much use to us. But she is poisonous to anyone who she believes is standing in her way. When I had her in my ship before you arrived, she was the cause of much dissention. That was one of the reasons I foisted her off on you. I had hoped that she would have a more productive relationship with you. Apparently that had not occurred. Have you any suggestions for me?”

  Mullins grimaced, “Only that I will be happy to return her to you.”

  “That will not happen, Captain Mullins. Wilberforce and I can work well together. Benton
would be a distraction in any negotiations and I could never trust anything she might have to say. Therefore, when you leave, it is my wish you take her with you and drop her off at Malta or Gibraltar. Let them deal with her.”

  Mullins was dismayed. “Sir, thanks to your garrison’s supply officer, my frigate is well provisioned. I can stay at sea for another three months without difficulty. My orders require my ship to cause as much disruption to French shipping as possible. If I interrupt my cruise to deliver my passenger to Malta or Gibraltar, I suspect I may find myself in bad odor with the Admiralty. Could you not send Miss Benton back on one of your store ships?”

  Seccombe replied, “Think about it, Captain. What if that store ship was taken? What might Benton have to say of our plans to her captors? No, I would rather have her sail with you. I know you would do all that was possible to keep both your ship and Anna Benton safe. Your better option would be to drop the woman in Malta, after arranging passage back home fot her. You could take the opportunity to take on such supplies you will need, then proceed on your cruise.”

  Chapter Eleven

  There was a cold atmosphere in the quarters of Captain Mullins and Anna Benton. The carpenter had long since erected a partition separating the captain’s sleeping compartment into two parts. Benton was given the larger portion, which gave her more private space than any other person on the ship. Always suspicious though, Benton was certain Mullins had influenced the commodore to keep her on the frigate.

  Doing his best to maintain a cordial atmosphere, Mullin took to inviting Benton to supper with him most nights, together with the officer and midshipman coming off watch. Invariably, the officers had learned it was wise to guard their tongues around the woman and mostly kept their silence.