The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3)

by Roger Burnage

  “Nobody could pronounce the name of the French transport ship we captured and some wag on the lower deck christened it The Fat Frog, the name stuck. I have enjoyed that captain‘s stock of wine ever since. If you want to know more my own officers will tell you.”

  The officers sipped at their wine with several appreciative comments after which Merriman asked Grahame to tell the men what was known about the French intentions in Egypt and beyond. “Thank you James, I have a lot to tell you all but much of it is conjecture and I must find out more to be certain. Napoleon is massing troops and a fleet to invade Egypt, that much is definite, and his ultimate plan is to cross to the south of that land and find a fleet to bring him here to join up with Tipu Sultan in India. Our agents have confirmed all this, but what remains to discover is what Tipu is doing to help Napoleon. Rumour has it that he is going to build a big fleet. That is why I am here Gentlemen, but no word about why I am here must leak out, spies are everywhere.”

  “I also emphasise to you all that what we are about must not pass to anyone else.” There were gasps of shock and a few white faces as the full import of the news struck them. Merriman drew the proceedings to a close, “Gentlemen, I must have some time to absorb all you have told me, as you will about the French. I suggest we meet here again tomorrow morning. If you have any further ideas or plans we can discuss them then. I will show a signal when I am ready.”

  Chapter 11 – Indian guide provided

  The next morning the governor’s carriage was seen on the wharf with Mr. Morgan waving vigorously to attract attention. A boat was sent for him and Morgan was soon on board with another man, an Indian swathed in white robes who was introduced as Gupta. Leaving him on deck where he settled himself cross-legged on a mat in a corner, Merriman and Morgan went below.

  “Now then Mr. Morgan, who is Gupta and why have you brought him here?”

  “He lost his wife, parents and his goods to the pirates, he wants to help us. He says that he knows many of the places along the Malabar Coast where they hide or come ashore to trade. He speaks good English Sir. The Governor thought he may be of use to you.”

  “Thank you Mr. Morgan. I will speak with him directly you have left”

  Morgan recognised the hint and made his way back to shore when Merriman called for the First Lieutenant and for Mr. Grahame. “Gentlemen, you will be wondering who the Indian gentleman is I’m sure. We knew very little about the situation in India which was why he is aboard. The Governor seems to think that he will be useful to us. He knows some pirate hiding places and if nothing else he could be our interpreter.”

  Merriman sent word by the sentry outside his door to have the Indian gentleman come to his cabin. The sentry knocked on the door, “The Indian gentleman is here Sir.” Gupta peered hesitantly round the door then stood in front of Merriman’s desk with his hands together in Namaste, the Indian sign of respect. Merriman decided he had to have confidence in the man so he began quietly, “Will you be happy with accommodation and our food aboard my ship Mr. Gupta?” The man wagged his head from side to side “Oh yes Merriman sahib, all very fine, I have some rice too.” The man spoke English well but with the unmistakable Indian accent. Merriman continued “You will be treated well and should have no trouble with my crew Mr. Gupta?” He wagged his head again “All very good Sahib, no trouble. My name is just Gupta, no need call me Mister.” Merriman studied him again. “Gupta, how do you come to be in Bombay and why are you aboard this ship? I need to know as much about you as I can so that I know how to use you.”

  The Indian shook his head sorrowfully and began, “I was clerk in the offices of the Honourable Company here in Bombay. I learn English at the missionary school when I was boy and we lived in a small fishing village many miles south of Bombay. Two years ago, village was attacked by pirates, my wife and old parents killed and I was dragged away to join the crew of the pirate ship as a slave. I quickly learn what to do or not to do, Captain beat me until I obeyed. He was the man that killed my wife.” He broke off with a sort of sob, and then continued, “I remember where the pirate villages are Sahib and where they keep their ships.”

  All three of them listened attentively to the man’s narrative.

  “A sad tale Gupta, you have my sympathies. My ship and I are here to see what can be done to stop these pirates and privateers so I can see now why Mr. Morgan told me you would be useful. Tell me, how did you escape and how did you get back here?”

  “I was on ship attacking another village and I climbed overboard and swam to shore to warn them but I was too late, all dead except the men and women who had been taken as prisoners. I learn to sail when I was with pirates so when I found small boat I tried to sail to Bombay but was picked up by an Indiaman bound for Bombay. I think they wanted to keep me as crew but again I swam for shore and I found a priest who sheltered me and then brought me back here to Bombay. He told my tale to official Sahib who questioned me and said I must stay with Father Jones until they found use for me again as a clerk. Then Governor Sahib found me and so here I am, at your service Sahib.”

  “So, you know or can remember where some of the pirates lie in wait can you, that should be very useful. Tell me, why you are doing this?” “I told you Sahib, they killed my wife and family so I hate them. And the company has been very good and kind to us.”

  “Thank you Gupta, you can go now. I’ll speak with you later when I have considered the matter more.” The man left the cabin and Merriman said to his companions, “I believe he may be useful to us, so where will you put him David?”

  “Well Sir, I’ll give him a hammock in the midshipman’s berth but he may be happier on his mat on the deck. By the way Sir, I think he is a Christian and not a Muslim or Hindu.” Andrews replied. “Very good David, I think it is time to have the Company officers back here so please fly a signal to that effect.”

  When all were assembled again, with Merriman’s own officers and Mr. Grahame present, Merriman called for silence. “Gentlemen, I have been thinking over all that you told me yesterday and I believe I have put the bones of a plan together. The Governor kindly sent a man to me by the name of Gupta who had been a prisoner and slave of pirates and who knows where some of their ships may be found at anchor. This is what I propose……………………..” Broad grins creased their faces and they left for their own vessels leaving Merriman alone with Grahame to consider their next move.

  “Sentry, pass the word for the first Lieutenant please.” When the three of them were settled Merriman said “Gentlemen, I think the next thing to do is have our Frenchman in here for interrogation. Have him in David, with his guards of course.” A very apprehensive Frenchman stood before the three of them who looked him up and down in silence as though judging him.

  “Gentlemen,” said Merriman, “We must decide what to do with this man, he is French and our enemy but what is worse he is a pirate. Pirates are hanged. Lieutenant Dumont, what have you got to say for yourself?”

  M‘sieur, my parents are very old and I want to see them and France again. We took many small ships but I didn’t kill anybody. I managed to collect nearly enough money to pay my way home but I lost it all when you sank my ship. So now I have nothing.”

  The Frenchman was certain that he knew the English captain and cudgeled his brains to think about where he had seen him. He let out a gasp “Mon Dieu, now I know. He was the Lieutenant who wounded me in my arm all those years ago. So now he is a captain of a frigate, doubtless sent out here to help to control piracy.” He looked directly at Merriman and said “I know you Sir, you must remember, five years ago our ships fought and you wounded me. I thought I was winning but my foot slipped on blood and you nearly killed me.” He touched his arm in memory.

  Merriman nodded slowly, “Yes, I thought we had met before. I remember it now, you fought well and I was lucky you didn’t kill me. But that was all long ago.

  Mr. Grahame what do you think?”

  Grahame nodded, “As a pirate he should dangle on a r
ope, but,” here he paused, “He must know a lot about the pirates, maybe something about Tipu’s ship building and I think that if he will help us we should keep him alive.”

  And you Mr. Andrews, what do you think?” “I agree with Mr. Grahame Sir but if he won’t help or gives us false information he must be hanged.”

  “Dumont, you understand what we have said don’t you, Tell us the truth and it might save you from hanging. You will be kept a prisoner under permanent guard, shackled at night, until we see what you will tell us. If you were still a French officer I would take your parole but you are not. Mr. Grahame, will you be happy to question this man?”

  Grahame looked at the worried Frenchman, “Yes I will Captain, and he will talk if he knows what is good for him.”

  Chapter 12 – First Successful Raid

  Two nights later, after dark, a Company sloop slipped quietly into a small inlet some fifty miles south of Bombay. Gupta had told them about it and shown them where it was whilst the ship had passed by offshore in daylight as near to the shore as possible allowing every telescope aboard to survey the scene. There was a small village of whitewashed houses and a jetty to which three Arab ships were tied up side by side. “That will be a start I think Captain Egerton, but we must sail on as though we have no interest in the place and then come back after dark.” Merriman had wanted to see for himself what the situation was and insisted that Egerton had come with him.

  In the dark the captain of the sloop, one Lieutenant Anderson by name cautiously brought his darkened ship inshore with a leadsman in the chains as close as he dared into the inlet and anchored. The boat being towed astern was brought alongside and a crew of six men with the sloop’s first Lieutenant Clarkson, climbed as quietly as they could down into it with some mysterious bundles and a roll of slow match, then the boat slid away into the darkness using well muffled oars. Those left on board anxiously peered in to the darkness although they knew that at least two hours would pass before anything happened.

  The boat was well into the inlet, now creeping along as quietly and as slowly as possible until they could see the three dhows dead ahead. No lights showed on any of them and the village was feebly lit by only a few lanterns. A larger building at the far end of the place showed more light and Clarkson could hear the sounds of revelry from within, but there was no sign of anybody on shore or ship.

  Clarkson whispered to his crew, “All clear lads, give way slowly towards the middle ship and we’ll do what we came to do.” The boat crept slowly forward until a seaman was able to seize hold of some of the elaborately carved decoration on the prow of the ship then carefully work hand over hand along the gunwale he brought the boat into the darkness between two of the dhows. They waited a few minutes to be certain no alarm had been raised, and then Clarkson slowly raised his head above the bulwark but could see no sign of any guards. It took but a moment for him and two of the seaman to climb aboard with the bundles passed up by the rest of the men. They crept along the deck until they found a hatchway. “Dawkins, you go below, quietly now, and see if there is anybody there.” The seaman disappeared below to appear again almost immediately to report. “Nobody there Sir, They must all be ashore.”

  Quickly the bundles were passed below and arranged as near to the centre of the ship as possible. The bundles contained combustible materials, oil, rags and a small keg of gunpowder which Clarkson arranged in a pile with the keg underneath. Gently he eased the bung out and passed the end of the slow match into the gunpowder, securing it with a bit of rag stuffed in the hole. “Quietly lads, back down to the boat, I’ll deal with this now,” he said, carefully unwinding the slow match leaving a good length lying on the deck away from the powder. Mentally he tried to work out the length needed for the delay needed for them to get clear then he cut it. His flint and steel and a handful of fine kindling soon produced a small flame which he applied to the match. Hastily climbing back to the boat he ordered the men to row away as fast as they could back to where the sloop waited.

  They were well clear, the men rowing as hard as they could, none of them wanting to be close when the powder exploded. Indeed, Clarkson was beginning to wonder if the slow match had gone out when it went off with a great roar and a flash. They could see the deck of the dhow split wide open and pieces of burning wood and other things raining down on the dhows either side which immediately caught fire, their tinder dry wood and tarred rigging blazing up in moments..

  On the sloop the watchers both heard and saw what happened but had to wait until the boat appeared out of the darkness, pulled alongside and Clarkson and his men clambered aboard all with big grins on their faces. “Went like a dream Sir,” he reported to Merriman and Egerton, “I don’t think anybody even saw us and I believe all three dhows are destroyed. Perhaps they will think it was their own careless fault.” “Well done Mr. Clarkson,” said Merriman with relief in his voice. He turned to Captain Anderson “If you would get under way now and get us as far away as possible before dawn, maybe the pirates will not even know we have been here.”

  There was great jubilation amongst the officers, Egerton congratulated Merriman on the success of his plan, “It’s the first time we have been able to hit back Sir, I hope it will not be the last.” “I hope not too, but this was only a mere pinprick in the fleece of the animal Captain. We must do considerably more than pinpricks in future.”

  The sloop sailed back into Bombay two mornings later and anchored, Merriman and Egerton were then rowed back to their own ships. Down in his cabin he slumped wearily into his chair and was nearly asleep when his servant Peters came in, “Breakfast Sir? Coffee maybe?” his cheerful voice grating on Merriman’s ears when all he wanted to do was sleep. “No, blast you, I must go to sleep” Merriman snarled. “Very good Sir, your cot’s all ready for you Sir,” replied Peters, not at all put out by his master’s bad temper. Merriman staggered across the cabin to his sleeping space and collapsed face down on his cot. The last thing he knew was that Peters was taking his shoes off.

  Chapter 13 – Next attacks planned

  Next day as the dawn’s early light crept across the harbour, Merriman sat looking out of his cabin’s great stern windows sipping at a mug of black coffee. Peters was hovering in the background, also with a fresh mug of the hot dark brew.

  “Peters, pass the word to the marine outside for all officers and Gupta to report to my cabin in half an hour, then you can shave me once I have finished this coffee.”

  At the end of the half hour all were assembled to find a freshly washed and shaved Merriman sitting at his desk with a large chart spread out in front of him.

  “Good morning Gentlemen, I’m sure you are all desperate to know what happened the other night and what more we can do to deter the pirates.” Merriman recounted the details of the action and that three dhows had been destroyed and continued, “Our friend Mr. Gupta said it was a place where pirates landed to trade their booty with local traders. Of course it may be that not all the dhows were pirate ships but even so a blow has been struck against the pirates and those who profit from their activities. It was only a small but effective raid but it will be the first of many.”

  “Do you think that they know who it was that attacked them Sir,” asked Lieutenant Weston. “We hope not, nobody was seen there and possibly they thought it was someone’s careless fault that caused those ships to burn. Now then, our next raid must be far away from this one and hopefully the pirates will not connect the two.”

  Pleased smiles spread over the officer’s faces at the thought of some action and little Midshipman Small piped up asking “Will it all be small raids Sir or will it be action involving this ship?”

  “Maybe small raids to begin with I think, but heavier raids in future to destroy as many pirate ships as we can. We know that there is at least one frigate with them somewhere and some Frenchmen. These are most likely to be privateers but the pirates have many bigger craft than we have seen so far.”

  “I hope my marines will h
ave an opportunity to show what they can do Sir, they are itching for something more than drill,” said Captain St. James the marine officer.

  “I’m sure they will Edward, but they will have to wait a little longer. So, that is all for now Gentlemen, you may all return to your duties except for you Mr. Cuthbert, Mr. Andrews and Gupta.”

  “Now we must discuss where our next raid will be. We need to find another small place which Gupta will take us to but well away from our first raid in the hope that the pirates will not connect the two.”

  “I know place Sahib, lot of days sail further south from last time, bigger place and more ships will be there.”

  “Very well Gupta, we’ll try it. Can you pick it out on the chart? Mr. Cuthbert, are your charts as up to date as possible?” The master spread a chart over Merriman’s desk and all leaned over it. Gupta, not really very good at looking at or identifying items on a chart took several minutes before he pointed with his finger “I think it is that bay and river Sahib, but there are many bays and rivers and small inlets there.”

  “David, signal to the Marine ships if you will. All captains and senior officers to be here in half an hour.”

  While waiting, Merriman’s brain was working feverishly going over various plans for swift and silent attacks, which ships to use and how many.

  When all were assembled in his cabin, Merriman said “Gentlemen, I believe we have our next target. Gupta has identified a harbour well south of here. It would take perhaps three or four days to get there keeping well out offshore. It is a place called Karwar, well south of here. Do any of you know it?”

  “I have sailed in that area Sir, on patrol as it were, but I cannot recollect seeing anything suspicious there,” commented Captain Egerton.