Sailing Orders

by David O'Neil

  Commodore Nelson stirred in his seat. “Masters?”

  Captain Masters shifted in his seat and looked at the other two board members. He growled, “Having seen the man and read the comments, I can see no need for more time wasting.”

  Martin’s heart sank. He was not going to be tested. He had failed!

  Nelson smiled. “In that case, since we are all agreed, I can tell you, young man, that your ordeal is over. Personally, I am happy to say this appointment was rubber stamped by your conduct over the past year in the Mediterranean, and I would be happy to have you under my command, if fate and their Lordships so decree. Congratulations, Lieutenant Forest.”

  He signed the papers in front of him with a flourish and watched while the two Captains added their signatures.

  Martin was stunned. He had passed. He was promoted. He received the handshake from Captain Avery, who muttered, “Well done, lad. It’s well deserved.”

  Commodore Nelson patted him on the shoulder and smiled up at him. “Back to your ship, lad, she’ll be away without you.”

  Masters grunted. “Waste of time. Should have done it on the quarterdeck. Well done, lad.”

  He was out of the door and on his way even as he spoke.

  Martin took his papers and left the great cabin of the HMS Captain to return to his own ship. As he reached the sally port searching for the boat, a hail from Captain Avery stopped him. “Join me in my boat, Mr. Forest. I’ll drop you off on my way.”

  HMS Arun was running free before the freshening south-westerly wind. For Martin standing on watch on the quarter deck of the frigate it was a thrill he had feared on occasion that he would never achieve. He was not in command, but for the moment the ship was his alone to direct. The Captain and the first and second Lieutenants were all below in the great cabin discussing the fitting-out lists and the program for repairs needed before they would be sent out on their next task, in what was looking like a lengthy war. Now the Spanish had added their weight to the French fleet it seemed possible that there would be more action for the overworked frigates of His Majesty’s Navy.

  The ship had every sail she could carry on this course and the master, when he came on deck, had mentioned that they were making good at least 12 knots. Considering that the hull must be carrying a good quantity of weed, they were doing well.

  “Sail Ho!” The call from the masthead snapped him out of his reverie.

  “Where away?” He called.

  “Starboard bow, about ten degrees, sir. Ship of the line, sir.”

  “Mr. Reed, you will advise the Captain that we have sighted the Channel Fleet, ten degrees off the starboard bow.” The Midshipman, James Reed, touched his hat. “Aye, aye, sir.” and ran below to inform the Captain.

  Martin grinned. The Captain would have heard the exchange with the masthead, but protocol must be maintained. As the junior lieutenant in Arun he was aware that he was still regarded as learning his job. He had been lucky to still be here. Mr. Marsh had found life in a frigate too strenuous and had been happy to seize the opportunity to serve as Aide-de-Camp to the Gibraltar Admiral once more. As Martin had arrived on board the Arun having passed for Lieutenant, Lieutenant Marsh had been transferring his multiple boxes and bags to a shore boat, to take up his new position. Martin had been delighted to find that at least one of Marsh’s boxes of provisions had failed to make it to the land. The gunroom had been able to celebrate in suitable fashion on the three bottles of claret which had survived the move.

  Lieutenant Martin Forest rode to Eastney on a hired gelding. As he entered the grounds to the house he tried to relax, but was only partly successful. He rode round to the stable yard and tossed the reins to Will, the stable lad.

  Before he could brush himself off there was a shriek. As he turned he was struck by a tornado of lace and arms as Jennifer Bowers greeted her brother, as she called him.

  “Hey, give me a chance to breathe, lady.” Martin cried as he swung her in his arms, all tensions gone. From the door Jane Bowers said, “Welcome home, Martin. Jennifer, do let Martin loose so that we can greet him properly.”

  Martin and Jennifer walked arm in arm over to the door where Jane leaned down from the step to allow him to kiss her cheek. Taking his other arm, the three walked through the doors into the house, where they found the Captain seated in the drawing room reading the newspaper. He was dressed informally.

  He looked up and smiled when he saw Martin. “Found your new uniforms, I see.” He put his head on one side. “Can this man be the lad that saved my family, I wonder?”

  “Oh, father. Please don’t tease.” Jennifer scolded. “Martin has to return to Portsmouth in four days. You should be pleased he has time to come home and see us like this.”

  Bowers looked at the two young people in front of him. Jennifer still childish in some ways, but now taller, was showing the signs of the beauty she would become. Martin was now near six feet tall, looking more mature, the confidence in his stance confirming the way he was settling into his rank of Lieutenant. “Welcome home, Martin.” hHj held out his hand to Martin. “Please do not allow these women to cosset you too much. You will find it impossible to readjust to the ship otherwise.”

  “Really, Charles. You would be treating the house like your quarterdeck if we allowed it. Take no notice, Martin. Come change your clothes and relax.”

  Martin looked at Charles Bowers who smiled and nodded. He realized that he had indeed come home.

  The days passed all too fast. On his return to Portsmouth he had to concentrate on his work as the ship was being refitted for her next cruise. He felt that now he had a home once more, he would like to spend more time there if it were possible. It would be some time before the ship was ready for sea. Hopefully he would get the chance to visit again before they sailed.

  The ladies came to Portsmouth when Giles arrived to re-join his ship. The Captain was unable to join them, so the party dined in the Rose Inn where the ladies were accommodated. The two young Lieutenants in uniform accompanied by the lovely Jane and Jennifer in her first grown-up gown made a cheerful family party. The summer evening was mild and still light when they rose from the table and strolled along the quay, Jane with Giles at her side, and Martin with Jennifer. As they walked and chatted a voice called a greeting. Martin turned to see a familiar face in the uniform of a Commander approaching. Uncertain at first, he realized that he did know the face, “Why, it’s Lieutenant, I beg your pardon, sir. Commander Graham, is it not? From the Victory?”

  The Commander, Robert Graham, no longer unsure said, “Forgive me, Lieutenant Forest? I have never had the chance to buy you that dinner I promised. Oh, do excuse me, Miss. I have not seen your escort since Toulon.”

  “May I present Miss Jennifer Bowers, Commander Robert Graham.”

  Graham bent over the extended hand held out by Jennifer. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Bowers.”

  Jane and Giles had returned to join them. “Why, Commander Graham. How nice to see you again.” Jane extended her hand to Graham. “And this is my brother, Lieutenant Giles Masters. He is passing through Portsmouth to join his ship.”

  Graham smiled. “I am here to find my new ship. The captured corvette, Le Corbeau, now renamed HMS Racer. I have you to thank for my new command, Martin. According to the gazette, she was one of your prizes, I believe?”

  “Well I…I was there.” Martin said lamely.

  “According to the Gazette you were in command at the time, so you were more than just there. In my mind that means you did it, so no excuses. You can explain it all to me over the dinner I owe you.” He turned to the others. “Ladies, and you two gentlemen, please accept my apologies for interrupting your promenade.” He swept a bow and took his leave.

  Jennifer squeezed Martin’s hand. “What was that all about. I knew nothing of it. You are a hero?”

  “Oh, it was no great thing. Others have done better than I.” Martin said uncomfortably.

  “I rather like the ide
a of marrying a hero.” Jennifer said calmly.

  “Wha…what do you mean, marrying?”

  “Oh!” Fluttered Jennifer “Did mother not tell you? I decided to marry you after we first met, when you saved us on the coach.” She looked at him innocently. “Of course, if you would rather not, then I will understand.”

  Martin looked into her laughing eyes. “Miss Jennifer Bowers, if you are not careful I will insist you carry out your threat.”

  She suddenly became serious. “You will be very welcome, I’m sure, Martin Forest.”

  Martin was suddenly conscious of the electricity between them. “We will speak again of this but meanwhile please keep this between us.”

  “Of course, Martin.” Without warning she reached up and brushed her lips against his. And Martin realized that he was lost.

  They caught up with Giles and Jane, and continued their walk back to the inn.

  As Martin said goodnight, Jennifer reached up and kissed both of the young men on the cheek. Jane also, but she looked at Martin with keen interest before releasing his hand. “You will not forget your home, please?”

  Martin whispered back, “How could I?”

  There was a certain complication in Martin’s present situation. Seated in the great cabin of the Arun, the hammers silent, now the shipwrights had knocked off for the night, Bowers explained to Martin.

  “There are qualifications entailed in the promotion to Lieutenant that include time served.

  “Like most of my colleagues I entered my son for Midshipman years ago in the expectation of our being thus blessed. Fate has decreed otherwise, though the entry remains. You have not served sufficient time to take your place in the gazette lists for four more years.”

  He stopped and thought for a moment then continued. “I am not trying to coerce you into doing anything against your will. But if you become a member of my family, you automatically will qualify for the service as my son, albeit adoptive, and take your place in the staff list based on the twelve years accrued since I entered my son.”

  He stopped and looked keenly at Martin.

  “But was not the entry based on a name at the time?”

  “No. We had not yet known that Jennifer was a girl, so I entered the name, James. I am, of course, aware that you have no family now, so this is what I propose. I assure you the rest of my family approve. I ask that you will join my family, legally, and become my adoptive son. It will mean the addition of James to your fore-names and Bowers to your surname. It would automatically qualify your seniority, and you need look no further for a home to which you would have a legal right.” Bowers stopped at this point and poured two glasses of wine. He handed one to Martin. “You do not need to make your mind up immediately. I assure you that my house will be your home regardless of your decision today.”

  Martin was stunned. He sipped his wine without noticing what it was, and made no immediate reply.

  After a few moments both started to speak at once. Captain Bowers lifted his hand and pointed to Martin.

  “Sir, I don’t know what to say. You and your family have been so kind to me. I look in the mirror and hardly recognize myself. What you propose takes my breath away. Are you sure you would want me within your family?”

  “Martin, it would be difficult for me not to notice the affection with which you are regarded by my wife and my daughter. They have both urged me to do what I have proposed before I had mentioned the possibility. You are assured of an enthusiastic welcome to my family legally and physically. So, what do you say lad?”

  “Then, sir. I accept wholeheartedly. I would be honored to carry the name James Bowers in addition to my own.”

  Charles Bowers rose to his feet and held out his hand. Martin took it in both of his, feeling his eyes smart with the emotion of the moment.

  The two travelled home in the Captain’s carriage. Giles had sailed the day before but he had joined in the party the night before in celebration of Martin’s promotion and adoption into the Captain’s family, confirmed legally in the lawyer’s office the day before. The return to Eastney was for the weekend and would be the last for some months. The ship was tasked to go to the West Indies as part of the force taking the overseas colonies of the French and the Dutch.

  At the house Martin was greeted by a curiously restrained Jennifer, and the welcoming arms of Jane, who smiled and said, “Martin, though I am now your adoptive mother, I would be happy to be called Jane, if you will. I think you will need to discuss matters with Jennifer privately.”

  Charles looked at Jane in enquiry as Martin went off to find Jennifer.

  Jane said, “I fear, my love, that our daughter thinks of Martin as other than a brother. Her love for him, is as future husband I suspect.”

  Charles looked surprised. “But she is only fourteen, and he fifteen?”

  “My darling, nearly fifteen is only just over one year before sixteen. We were wed when I was sixteen and three months. So is it so strange?”

  Charles looked thoughtful for a few moments. Then reacted as Jane suspected he would. “Well, I cannot think of a better suitor for her, can you?”

  Jane smiled. “He is a fine man. So, let us see. As a son-in-law, he would be welcome. Otherwise as a son he is equally welcome. Tell me, would there be any legal problem if they do wish to marry? ”

  “None at all. The lawyer mentioned it knowing we had a daughter.”

  Not knowing whether to be pleased or not, the matter was dropped for the moment between them. But Charles knew that he could depend on Jane to do the right thing, however it turned out.

  Accustomed to be treated as part of the family though he was, Martin still found it just a little strange to begin with.

  Because Jennifer had disappeared after their greeting on arrival, he went looking for her.

  Finding her in the upstairs sun room, he went eagerly forward to take her hand, and share his joy at becoming part of the family, her brother in reality.

  She was quiet and withdrawn at first, before quietly starting to cry. Devastated, he urged her to tell him what the problem was, finally getting her to explain in halting words what was upsetting her.

  “If you are now my legal brother, then we cannot marry.”

  The simple words struck him as funny, but in time he realized that she really believed what she had said. Gravely, he said, “You realize that when you are old enough to marry, you may not wish to marry me?”

  “I will. I will want to marry you. I have told you already. Nothing will change my mind. After all it is only two years to wait.” She started to cry once more. He kissed her eyes.

  “Stop crying, Jennifer. If what you think was true, I would not have joined the family in this way. In fact since we are not blood related we can marry if we please, and provided you still wish it, at that time we can discuss things with your... our parents. Come now, no more tears. Let us join the others and celebrate my new family properly.”

  He took her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. She rose and kissed him. “Oh, Martin. I do love you.”

  To his surprise Martin kissed her in turn and said, “And I you, Jenny. And I you.”

  Hand in hand they went down stairs to join the others.

  Chapter six

  Caribee

  Lieutenant James Martin Forest-Bowers, known as Martin to his friends paced the deck of His Majesty’s Ship Arun. The sun was high in the sky, and the water was the sort of blue only encountered in this part of the world. The dolphins keeping pace with the frigate, sliced white paths through the water. Away to starboard the two schooners attached to the command of Captain Bowers, raced along, a fine sight with all sail set.

  The island of Guadeloupe lay along the horizon to port, the destination of the three ships. They were ordered to take the French frigate that was reported to be lying in the harbor at Pointe de Pitre.

  The three ships approached the island from the south. The Island of Marie Galante lay to starboard beyond the two schooners. In the dist
ance it was possible to see the buildings of the settlement at Pointe de Pitre, and as the ship approached Martin sighed with relief to see the masts of the French frigate, lying behind the shelter of the islands in the mouth of the harbor.

  Captain Bowers was frustrated by the lack of movement from the Frenchman, identified as L’Orgueil (Proud) a frigate of 36 guns. Guessing that she was not coming out to challenge them because of the two schooners, Bowers sent them both to cruise the islands to the south.

  There had still been no reaction from the French frigate. Her captain probably thought that the schooners were lurking out of sight ready to intervene as soon as he left the shelter of the harbor. It was not until the Arun encountered a schooner full of wine from Bordeaux bound for Guadeloupe did any reaction occur. The capture had been simple and in full sight of the watchers from the shore. The American crew were put ashore, so the word went round the island about the failure of the L’Orgueil in preventing the capture.

  There followed signs that the French ship was coming out, and it was with grim satisfaction that Captain Bowers assembled his officers to discuss the plan of action for tackling her.

  “I propose beginning the engagement as the ship clears the outer island. There is a reef extending from the island out to the south for near a quarter mile I am informed.”

  The Master nodded and in his deep Devon burr added, “If the tide is where we estimate it to be, he will be forced to tack to clear the reef.”

  The Captain resumed. “The gunner has prepared a raft with some whizz-bangs. We will position it inland of the reef itself, where we estimate he will need to tack. If it goes well it could put him off a bit at a time when he will need to be careful, could even cause him to run aground.

  “He is a big frigate and I expect he will have at least 300 men. We have a smaller crew though we are better trained, so I want all guns prepared before we commence. Mr. Forest will take the long-boat and position the raft. You will set off the explosives on my signal.” He looked at Martin. “With the boat crew you will have extra men, with arms in case the opportunity comes to board the ship. Otherwise you will lie off until the action is over, or a suitable chance comes to re-join this ship. Is that understood?”