The Wrecking Storm

by Ward, Michael

  Petty nodded and looked at Tom. ‘Well, I know of one other who can be completely trusted and counts you as a true friend, and who would be insulted not to be asked’.

  ‘Surely not Barty?’ Tom exclaimed. ‘With all respect, I’m not sure he is equipped for such a business.’

  ‘In my experience this fight will not be a straightforward hand-to-hand combat. He is as capable of putting out a fire or bandaging a wound as anyone else.’

  ‘And that would bring us to ten,’ Ralph said. ‘My lucky number.’ The sardonic tone in his voice was not lost on any of them.

  Tom picked a pile of sawdust off the floor. He poured it on to the counter top, evenly spreading it with palm of his hand, then drew the outline of the warehouse with his finger in the dust. ‘So, how will we defend this building with ten men? There are two entrances, front and back,’ and he drew a small cross in two places. The easiest access for the gang will be the front, which faces on to the yard and the ginnel into Thames Street beyond. They will need to get down the west side of the building from the front to gain access to the back . It’s quite a narrow passage so we can block that .’

  ‘What about landing at the rear by boat from the river?’ Petty added.

  ‘Yes, that’s also possible but I expect it will be a night attack, when such an approach would be difficult. If we have time, we could also place obstacles under water in the dock, but that would be a lengthy and difficult business.’

  ‘Am I right in thinking that, above the wharf where they would land, there is an open hatch on the second floor where you load pepper from the dock into the store?’ Petty asked.

  ‘Yes, it’s directly over the landing stage.’

  ‘Well then, I would forget about hidden obstacles. Block the side passage from the front as you suggest, but then make the rear of the building as welcoming as possible, by mounting burning torches on the wall, out of reach, so they can see the prize from the river.’

  ‘Ah, build a honey-trap,’ Ralph smiled.

  ‘Exactly. Let them see we have a back door that can only be approached by water, and appears undefended. Do nothing when they land. Wait until they gather at the back door to break it down, then start the attack.’

  ‘From the pepper store above?’ Tom asked.

  ‘Yes. You will need something heavier than sacks of pepper, but you can bombard them, and they can’t reach you. With both the back door and the side alley barricaded, they will be bottled up on the wharf, prey to your missiles. They’ll have to give up eventually and will be unlikely to return. Our rear entrance will be secure, leaving us to concentrate our defence on the front.

  ‘And we will have divided their forces during the crucial first assault. By the time they are forced to leave the river and return to Thames Street, we may have sent the rest of the gang packing, with their tails between their legs.’ For the first time in the conversation, he experienced a flicker of hope. The defence of the warehouse - perhaps it could be done!

  ‘Let’s now consider the front,’ Tom continued. ‘We have one aspect in our favour.’

  ‘The ginnel?’ Petty surmised.

  ‘Yes. As we know, the only land access to the warehouse is through the ginnel leading from Thames Street to our front yard. It’s only wide enough to take a two horse cart. Our end of the ginnel would be a perfect point to fight the gang.

  ‘Yes, like the battle of Thermopylae!’ Ralph said. ‘A few thousand Greeks and Spartans blocked the massive Persian army by defending a narrow path which the Persians could only enter two of three at a time.’

  ‘It sounds tempting but I would not advise it.’ Petty intervened. ‘We would need at least three people at this end of the ginnel who would require an escape route back into the warehouse if they were overrun. That could also provide an opening for the pursuing gang. No, we need to stick together, inside the warehouse, behind the strongest defences we can build.’

  ‘Yes. On reflection, we all know what happened to the Greeks and the Spartans in the end, don’t we?’

  The silence that followed Ralph’s question all but extinguished the flicker of light in Tom’s heart.

  Chapter 28

  Tallant warehouse

  Ralph walked briskly into the warehouse and called out for Tom.

  ‘I’ve been speaking to my contacts. Parliament has set a date for the return of Pym and the four others to the Commons. It’s only two days from now, on Tuesday. They’re forcing a confrontation, to see what the King will do. They received a petition from 1,000 mariners, offering to protect Pym and the others on their return. The Committee of the House has accepted it and asked the mariners to sail up the Thames on Tuesday with guns loaded and primed!’

  ‘That’s all show, surely. They can’t get past the bridge and up to Westminster.’

  ‘Apparently, a fleet of smaller craft is planned, which will negotiate the bridge at the calmest time, on the tide turn. And the Kentish men will be followed to London by marches from Berkshire and Essex. It’s all planned like a military exercise. The Apprentice Boys are unhappy because they’ve been told to stand down. The Puritans don’t want any drunken indiscipline. This is it. The final assault. I’m convinced of it.’

  ‘So they will build up pressure on the streets over the next two days in preparation, to unnerve the King and possibly force a rash move?’

  ‘That’s their plan so far and it’s worked, so why change it? I believe we can expect our visitors either tonight or tomorrow night.’

  ‘It’s time to gather the clan.’

  By early afternoon, most had arrived and were busying themselves preparing the warehouse defences. A wall of furniture, barrels and wood was growing inside the main entrance to the warehouse and all the downstairs windows were boarded up. The attack would be monitored and repelled from the first floor windows at the front and the second floor loading hatch at the rear.

  The rear exit would be secured last, and Tom suddenly heard an unexpected voice from there. Elizabeth entered, followed by two of the servants from her parents’ house, each carrying a large wicker basket.

  She spied the barricade. ‘This is a grim business. You really think they are coming?’

  ‘We are as sure as we can be. We expect more trouble on the streets and, when it happens, it will be their perfect opportunity.’

  She pulled Tom closer and whispered ‘And the map. It is here?’

  ‘Apparently so. Father won’t divulge its location to protect us in case we are captured and they try to extract the information from us.’

  ‘You can claim ignorance but it won’t stop them trying. I believe he wants to be the only one who knows so as to retain his sense of power.’

  ‘I know you have come to mistrust my father, but we are now all in this together. We must stick together.’ She said nothing but he could see she was angry.

  ‘Well, with that in mind I have brought my own contribution to the defence of the Tallants,’ and she beckoned her servants forward with their baskets. ‘Here is enough food and drink to keep you going for a couple of days and here…’ pointing to the second container, ‘I have something a little different.’

  She lifted a cloth and pulled out a tube, wrapped tightly with a long stick attached.

  ‘What is this?’ Tom asked. All work in the room had come to a halt and the others were staring at the tube in her hands.

  ‘The Italians call it a rocchetto, hence the English name rocket. It contains black powder which, when lit, creates enough force to propel it through the air. You’ll have to take my word for that, as I have only had time to make six, so we can’t waste one on a demonstration.’

  He carefully picked up another rocket, examining it carefully. ‘So, is it a form of weapon?

  ‘They’re designed to create fear and confusion rather than injury; to discourage, rather than disable. If you fire them from a first floor window, I am confident they will reach the entrance of the ginnel with a pleasing degree of force. You will need to make a simple
device from two pieces of wood to rest them on and aim, but I can demonstrate that.’

  ‘But how have you done this. Where did you get the black powder?’

  ‘I foresaw you might end up in this situation,’ she said looking around the

  warehouse, ‘and I had access to carbon and sulfur. That left saltpeter which would take time to source, so I started a while ago. As it is, I only had enough to make six and they’re not as powerful as I hoped. However I wouldn’t like to face one fired at me!’

  ‘Where did you get the saltpeter?’

  ‘From the stables at Bolton Hall and my parents’ house. I asked the grooms to keep the old straw when they cleaned out the stalls each day. It is soaked in horse urine and a good source of saltpeter. But it takes a while to process. The quantities are small, but enough.’

  Tom smiled at her. ‘Thank you for this. We need all the help we can and these will give our enemies something to think about. But it will soon be dark, Elizabeth. You must return now to your home. I’m glad you’ve got the servants to accompany you.’

  ‘Yes, and there’s another guarding the carriage up on Thames Street. But Tom, remember - this situation - it is only a map. It’s not worth dying for. I understand why you wish to resist any attempt to steal it, but there are far more important things to live for’ and, moving forward, she kissed him tenderly on the lips.

  They embraced and looked into each other’s eyes. ‘I will be with you again, soon. Give my love to mother and Ellen.’

  ‘Do not worry. They are safe at our house. God protect you.’ As she moved away, Tom could see in her eyes that she knew what was coming.

  But it didn’t. Not that night.

  Barty had been the last to arrive, half an hour after Elizabeth left. He said the streets were full, more with noise and bluster than real menace. Tellingly, the Apprentice Boys were out in force making their drunken presence felt.

  Nevertheless, they manned their stations: Tom, Sam and Isaac at the front first floor windows; Ralph, Dirck, Mark and Petty behind the barricade at the front entrance; while Henry Tulloch and Andrew readied themselves on the loading bay on the second floor overlooking the rear entrance. Barty was held in reserve to pass on information between the outposts and help with any emergencies.

  At ten o’clock they reduced the lighting inside the warehouse and ate Elizabeth’s food, before settling down for the night. Pairs took it in turns to keep a watch at the front and back while the others tried to sleep wherever they could lay their heads.

  There was a brief alarm at midnight when Henry Tulloch reported a small boat afloat on the fringe of darkness surrounding the warehouse. Tom and Ralph ran to join him in the second floor pepper store but by then the vessel had disappeared from view and all was calm.

  Slowly the constant shouts and whistles from the streets lessened and he began to relax. An attack without the cover of chaos in the city was unlikely, but they couldn’t drop their guard and sleep proved elusive.

  Clever, Tom thought. The longer we are constantly on guard, the more tired we will be when they eventually attack. Whatever the outcome, he wanted it over now. Then he realised what that could mean, shook his head and redoubled his concentration.

  As dawn broke, the team of defenders stirred from their makeshift beds to discover snow had fallen overnight. Cold and aching, they huddled around a fire lit by Isaac in the parlour, extracting what warmth they could from the sulphurous sea coal struggling to ignite. Sharing Elizabeth’s bread, cheese and ale, there was a companionable ruminative silence while they digested both their sustenance and situation.

  When all had broken their fast, Ralph stood up. ‘Thank you, everyone, for standing guard last night. We were not needed, but I am now more certain than ever the attack will be tonight. If not, we will have to rethink our approach. Thankfully, we should know, as the day wears on, whether tonight will see the resumption of the riots. If so, I feel sure our ‘friends’ will come calling.

  ‘So, for one more day, I would ask you to stand guard. While it is light, some of you may wish to attend to business elsewhere but I would urge you not to travel too far and return immediately if you see any trouble. Otherwise, I will call another meeting at four o’clock, as the light fades. By then we must all be here, at our stations. Any questions? No? Then thank you once again. The Tallants will never forget your loyalty.’

  The day dragged on, punctuated by news arriving, all of it ominous. Barty reported many reformist MPs were describing the King’s attempt to arrest Pym as a ‘traitorous design’. Of greater impact to Tom was the news that Philip Skippon, a skilled soldier and campaign veteran had been appointed by Parliament as major-general of the trained bands.

  Petty said men from Northamptonshire and Leicestershire were joining others from Kent, Berkshire and Essex, carrying petitions of complaint for Parliament. Divisions were appearing among merchants about the impact of the trouble on trade, with both King and Parliament held responsible. Meanwhile Isaac reported that the talk in the taverns was of the Queen and her attempts to make the King and the country Catholic. Everybody, it seemed, had their grievances and villains, and all were spoiling for a fight.

  As darkness set in, news arrived of barricades going up across the city, chains stretched across streets and pans of boiling water prepared to pour on to the heads of passing cavaliers. Tom could sense the moment was approaching.

  To confirm his instincts, Ralph sent Andrew – their fastest runner – to travel the short length of Thames Street up to the Tower, to see what was happening. He returned fifteen minutes later, hammering on the back door. Tom let him in and he stood, bent over, hands on knees, gulping for breath.

  ‘Get that back door locked, master. The Tower is surrounded, with more joining by the minute, lighting fires on the green. They’re pouring up Thames Street from the City, and over the bridge from Southwark. Hundreds and hundreds of ‘em!’

  ‘Could you see any Apprentice Boys?’

  ‘Not one.’

  Without another word, Petty and Dirck dragged the barricade back to secure the door and everyone took up position. The waiting began once again, ten men now resolved, no longer uncertain.

  Chapter 29

  Tallant warehouse

  ‘Fire! I smell fire!’ Two hours had passed when the first warning came.

  ‘Keep to your stations,’ Ralph shouted as he ran up the steps to the first floor, two at a time. Tom was leaning out of a window, looking to his right.

  ‘There’s smoke coming from the stable. Thank God I sent Meg to Bolton Hall. They must have broken in. How did we not see them coming down the ginnel? Isaac, have you seen anybody entering?’

  Before Isaac could answer, Barty ran into the room, breathless. ‘The row boat has gone.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve watched the ginnel like a hawk Master Tom. Seen nothing,’ Isaac replied.

  ‘It’s Henry,’ continued Barty. He thinks a group of men have moved the Tallant wherry off the wharf into the water, at the far end of the dock. It’s hard to see but he’s sure it’s gone…’

  ‘Is the fire taking hold?’ Ralph butted in.

  ‘Should I change my position?’ Isaac asked, looking gloomy. ‘Maybe my eyes aren’t sharp enough to be on lookout up here.’

  A loud voice interrupted them, ‘Well, our evening has only begun, and already our enemies have the upper hand.’

  All turned to see Robert Petty who was standing at the back of the room, surveying the scene.

  ‘The gang has planned and prepared the ground well. I suspect they entered the yard today when our guard was down and hid in the stable, probably the hayloft, waiting for darkness before getting to work. The fire was meant to distract us while they took the boat. We should have used it to buttress the barricade down the side alley. It would have been of more use there.

  ‘They’re sending a signal – no escape. Trying to disorganise and unnerve us and, from what I can see, they’re succeeding,’ P
etty warned. ‘Many a battle is lost through confusion. We must keep our heads and only communicate what is necessary, when necessary. And we should assume that a number of the gang are now outside our walls, and following their plan to hit us at different points, probing for a weakness.’

  The silence that followed Petty’s assessment was broken by loud cheering from the street and chanting of ‘No Papists! No Papists!’‘You’ve all heard what Robert had to say?, Tom shouted out. ‘Back to your stations and let’s see these whoresons off the premises!’.

  He approached Petty. ‘Well said, Robert. I am glad of your experience.’

  ‘My experience did not prevent them slipping in today, did it? It could be a long night. Pray for more snow, and a clear sky. We’ll have a better chance of spotting them in the moonlight against the white ground.’

  ‘Still no movement at the ginnel, Isaac?’ Ralph called out.

  ‘Nothing I can see,’ Isaac replied, sounding downcast.

  ‘Well that’s good enough for me. You had the sharpest eyes on board when we sailed together, even better than mine,’ and he winked at Tom.

  ‘What’s that sound?’ Petty put up his hand and leaned out of the window. Instead of looking forward, he shifted his gaze directly below him, trying to make out possible movement.

  ‘Well, the little bastards…’

  Petty signaled Tom to join him. ‘I’m glad we barricaded both inside and outside the front entrance. There are two of them, behind the ship’s timbers piled in front of the door, trying to move them. They’re creating a clear run at the door for their mates waiting in Thames Street.’

  ‘With a battering ram?’

  Petty nodded. ‘ I suspect so. Let’s warm things up for them, shall we? Sir Ralph. If you are returning to your station guarding the front door, could you ask Dirck to join us? I have a job he will relish.’ Tom’s father smiled and patted the mound of cobbles in the corner of the room as he walked past.