He sat there savouring to himself the thought of being a father, then he reached out for the second letter, noticing only then that it was written in a different hand. He tore it open, his fingers fumbling and expecting the worst. “Had Helen died in childbirth? Was she ill? Was the child dead or not expected to survive? His frantic thoughts were set at nought as soon as he read the first sentence, it was written by his Mother’s friend Annie and she was writing herself because Helen had strained her wrist and couldn’t write. The most important news was that he was father of a fine healthy son and both were doing well. Helen’s father Doctor Simpson was ecstatic at being a grandfather ------------------ At that point the let out such a shout that the marine sentry and others rushed in to see if he was all right.
They found him leaning back in his chair, laughing out loud and pounding his hand on the desk. When he could stop laughing he waved the letter at them and said “Gentlemen, I am a father, a boy, and all is well.” All crowded round him offering their congratulations. Word seemed to pass through the ship like lightening and soon the whole crew were cheering him again and again. He found himself on deck surrounded by his men all laughing and cheering. “David, tell the purser to issue a double tot of grog to all and tell him not to object or I’ll have him thrown overboard.” The backslapping excitement seemed to go on and on, men toasting to his health and that of his new family, more cheering until at last he managed to escape to the quietness of the great cabin to laugh and gloat privately over his great good fortune. Now he had to go home as soon as he could, but he realised there was still a lot to be done before he could do so.
Chapter 43 – A great victory, Tipu is dead. The threat is over
The next day all Bombay was like one huge party as Merriman, his officers and Mr. Grahame were rowed ashore to the waves and cheers of the people thronging the quayside. There was a strange, canvas shrouded item in the bottom of the boat but he soon forgot it as they all waved to the crowd. On the quayside the canvas was whipped of to reveal a chair, Merriman’s officers put him in it, the seamen lifted him up and carried him up to the Governor’s residence. He was most embarrassed but he soon realised that he could do nothing about it so he accepted it and was soon laughing and waving to the people. Even the Sepoys lining the way were grinning all over their faces.
Finally it was over and they were in the Governor’s office, relaxing over glasses of punch. Mr. Duncan raised his glass, “Gentlemen, a toast to the new father amongst us and may he and his family prosper!” After the acclaim died away he spoke again. “You all know that we are to have a great feast and party tonight in celebration of your exploits and victories but we decided that the crew of your fine ship should not be forgotten, so there will be oxen roasted on big fires and plenty to eat and drink, all on the quayside. I should also tell you that Captain Fitton has offered the services of his men to get your men back to the ship in the early hours. His own people will have their own celebrations tomorrow. And now with your permission, I should like to visit your fine ship Sir, this afternoon, with some of the senior Company Factors.”
A party of them arrived on the deck of the Lord Stevenage later that day, in awe of the immaculate turn out of the ship and the men. Of course they all wanted drinks and after what seemed like endless conversations and congratulations, Merriman was glad when they finally left the ship in peace. The crew had to be told of the events planned for them and Merriman called for all hands on deck. He stood at the quarter deck rail looking down on their expectant faces looking up at him. “Men, the Governor and Authorities here have honoured you by preparing a great feast for you all tonight. You are all invited and I will let you go but I must insist on certain things. You must all wear your best clothes and you must all behave yourselves and not let me down by bad behaviour. Remember that the town is out of bounds and if you get too drunk to know what you are doing you will be thrown back into the boats by the crew of the Company ships and taken back to this ship. Any man who disobeys my orders will be punished. Is all that clear?” A roar of approval rose and the men dismissed eagerly looking forward to their party.
In the early evening when the main heat of the day had gone, Merriman and his officers and midshipmen wearing their best uniforms, with shoes brightly polished and their swords agleam were taken once more to the Governor’s residence to the same kind of greeting as they had received when they first arrived in Bombay. The magnificent feast was served and Merriman was at pains to ask for advice before trying some of the dishes. Eventually the toasts and speeches began and he wondered if it would ever end. Secretly he longed for the speeches to end so he could take some fresh air. Most of the speeches were almost inaudible in any case as the speakers seemed mostly to be far gone in their cups. Then the Khansamah or butler, shouted for silence for his Excellency the Governor.
Duncan rose to his feet, swaying slightly, seemed at a loss for words then remembered what he had to do. “Ladies and Gentlemen and our esteemed guests of the evening, the officers of the Lord Stevenage and the officers of our own Company Marine. I am not going to speak again about all that Captain Merriman and his ship have done for us, we all know that well enough, but what I am going to tell you is that I am sending a request to our Head Office in London, no dammit, a demand that they give the Captain some sort of award for his valour. I have suggested a special sword Captain and I am sure it will be provided in due course. No, don‘t thank me Captain it is richly deserved.” More applause and Merriman’s own officers and those of the Marine rushed to congratulate him sitting there in a bewildered state. The noise was just beginning to die down when the Khansamah pounded on the floor with his staff and shouted “Your Excellency Sahib, there is a messenger from General Stuart Sahib waiting outside.”
“Well bring him in then,” said a suddenly sober Governor and all sat in silence as a weary cavalry officer, and Merriman was surprised to recognise Captain Carter, crossed to the Governor’s table, saluted and said, “Dispatch from General Stuart Sir, it’s all over, there has been a great battle at Seringapatam, we have won a great victory and Tipu is dead.” Silence ensued for a moment and then the room erupted.
Bemusedly Merriman realised that his orders had been carried out and the threat of Tipu’s navy would be over, and if Napoleon and his grand army crossed Egypt he would find no fleet to help him. The Lord Stevenage could go home.
The threat in the East was over
The Threat in the East (The Merriman Chronicles Book 3) Page 17