-1. Sampson smiled, not at all discomfited.
-1. “Captain. Can we get this clear? A course to cross the Bay of Biscay by the shortest would have been which bearing?”
-1. “South Sou’West”.
-1. “But you chose South South East.”
-1. “Yes.”
-1. “Why?”
-1. “I have, had, very experienced sailors aboard my ship. The information that they offered, gave me great concern that there would be a heavy storm in the centre of The Bay. Steering South Sou’West of Quessant would have placed my ship right in the middle. What I was told by them was based upon their experience, that of each being far longer than my own. I thought it prudent to act upon it.”
-1. “So, if I understand you correctly, you took decisions to best safeguard not only your ship, but also the message, the vital communication, that you carried. In steering South South East you lessened the risk of both being lost. Am I correct in saying that?”
-1. “Yes. You are.”
-1. “And when the wind became favourable off La Rochelle, what did you do?”
-1. “I set a direct course for Finisterre and clapped on all the sail we could.”
-1. “Thank you Captain. I have no further questions.”
-1. Holdsworth looked at Cheveley, but he was already on his feet. He came to stand almost before Argent, topping him by some inches. His uniform was in the highest order, buttons, epaulettes and buckles all gleaming and the odd thought crossed Argent’s mind that he must have employed half his crew to get it to such a state, but Cheveley soon brought his thoughts back.
-1. “Captain, when you cleared Quessant, what was the wind direction?”
-1. “West to North West.”
-1. “A perfect wind for a fast crossing of the Bay. You would agree? A good wind over your starboard quarter, most frigate’s best point of sailing.”
-1. Argent suddenly felt secure. He had an answer.
-1. “Yes, if that were the only consideration, then, yes, it was a perfect wind to sail directly across The Bay, but any Navy Captain, worthy of his ticket and his title, would know that there are other elements to the decision. The French call The Bay, “The Bay of Storms”, for good reason. I had clear information that a storm was imminent out in, “The Bay”. I ask you, knowing such, why should I take such a risk? Counting myself a prudent Captain, taking all into consideration, I chose the least risk course. My Ariadne is fast. She could make up the time and she did, and we missed the storm and avoided being wrecked! I mean, after all, how often do we sail a direct course to anywhere? We sail to pick up the Trade Winds and any Captain would sail around a storm, if he thought one were there.”
-1. At the back of Cheveley’s eyes, he saw the last point strike home, but Cheveley pressed on.
-1. “And there was nothing else on your mind when choosing that course, merely sea-going prudence.”
-1. Argent’s mind wrestled with the complex truth, but he held to the rehearsed answer agreed with Sampson.
-1. “When the decision was upon me, yes. At that time I chose the least risk course.”
-1. “At that time, Captain. At that time, there was nothing else on your mind, bar a safe course to Figuiera da Foz?”
-1. “Yes.”
-1. “Then justify your pause to take a look into Quessant Bay.”
-1. “The slaver may have been there.”
-1. “The slaver may have been there!”
-1. Cheveley voice rose to a shout.
-1. “The slaver may have been there!”
-1. Cheveley let the words echo around the hall.
-1. “But Captain, mere seconds ago you said that a safe course was your only concern.”
-1. Argent made himself pause and clamped his jaw shut to think, and he took the few seconds.
-1. “Having found Quessant Bay empty, I set about choosing my course. One came distinctly after the other.”
-1. “Was looking into Quessant Bay part of your orders?”
-1. “No.”
-1. “Then time was lost in doing so”.
-1. “Yes. About one bell.”
-1. “So there were other things on your mind when you cleared Quessant?”
-1. “No, its bay was empty. I concerned myself with it no further.”
-1. “But you did take the time to look into the bay! Why go there, Captain, in the first place?”
-1. To Argent’s relief, Holdsworth intervened.
-1. “Captain Cheveley, I do believe that you are straying onto the second question at issue here, that Captain Argent wasted further time trying to close with the slaver. I wish to hear more regarding his choice of course. I am going to call another witness.”
-1. Cheveley bowed and returned to his seat and Holdsworth spoke almost soundlessly to Makeworthy, who then stood.
-1. “Able Seaman Eli Reece.”
-1. Reece stood from the front row, smoothed down his duck trousers, tucked his tarred hat under his left arm and marched forward to come to the attention and salute. Makeworthy came forward, thrust The Bible at him whilst regarding him with great suspicion and Reece was sworn in. Holdsworth began the questioning.
-1. “What is your Service Record, Reece?”
-1. Reece took a deep breath and, carefully, with each word thoroughly spoken, he repeated the story as rehearsed with Sampson.
-1. “I joined the Merchant Navy as a ship’s boy in 1765. I was in the slave trade for 15 years, workin’ The Triangle, before I was pressed into the Antigone whilst comin’ back up Channel. Then I was in the Euryalus, then the Glatton, then w’er’ I am now, Sir, in the Ariadne.”
-1. “Would you say that you were experienced regarding the Bay of Biscay?”
-1. “Yes Sir, I’d say. Crossed it more times than I can remember. Sir.”
-1. “And this ‘herringbone sky” is a cloud pattern?”
-1. “It is, Sir. Yes.”
-1. “And it means a storm in the Bay?”
-1. “Sir.”
-1. “And that is your experience?”
-1. “Sir.”
-1. “You have sailed across The Bay, under such a cloud pattern, and there been hit by a storm?”
-1. “No, Sir. I never was under a Captain as did. When he saw that sky, he went Sou’ Sou’ East, or due West, dependin’ on the wind. Sir. Never full across.”
-1. “And you made that known to Captain Argent?”
-1. “I did Sir. Yes. Me an’ my mate Ben Raisey.”
-1. A few sniggers were heard, but Holdsworth was now looking at Sampson, who made reply to the silent question conveyed by the enquiring look.
-1. “Thank you, yes.”
-1. Sampson stood and approached Reece.
-1. “Stand at ease, please, Reece.”
-1. Reece adopted the agreed pose and adjusted his hat under his arm.
-1. “Did Captain Argent seek this knowledge from you?”
-1. “No Sir. He ‘eard me an Ben talkin’ about it.”
-1. “In worried tones? You were talking in worried tones?”
-1. “Yes, Sir. We was much fearful.”
-1. “What did Captain Argent do then?”
-1. “He asked us for full details, Sir, then he talked to Sailin’ Master McArdle about it.”
-1. “So, how did it seem to you, regarding Captain Argent’s prior knowledge of this “herring-bone sky”?”
-1. “He knew nothin’ about it, Sir.”
-1. “And he then made doubly sure by consulting the Sailing Master?”
-1. “Yes Sir. That’s what he did?”
-1. “You both saw and heard that?”
-1. “Yes, Sir. We was workin’ by the starboard mizzen shrouds. We stayed to finish the job.”
-1. “Thank you, Reece. No further questions.”
-1. Holdsworth looked at Cheveley, who stood and approached Reece, but stopped to maintain a distinct, distasteful, distance.
-1. “At the attention, Reece!”
-1. Eli Reece placed his hat on his head and came to the attention. Cheveley immediately took umbrage.
-1. “You will remove your hat, Reece, in the presence of a superior Officer.”
-1. Reece did so and placed his hat once again under his left arm, but Sampson and Argent noted with satisfaction the look of impatience that came over Holdsworth’s face, but Cheveley was continuing, himself annoyed and treating Reece as a criminal defaulter.
-1. “Reece!”
-1. Reece straightened slightly.
-1. “Does your Captain make a habit of seeking advice from his crew regarding the actions of his ship?”
-1. Reece’s brows kitted together.
-1. “I wouldn’t know Sir. We don’t talk together that often!”
-1. More sniggers and Cheveley’s face darkened.
-1. “But he did ask for and take your advice. Have you ever served under such a Captain before?”
-1. “No, Sir. But Ariadne’s a fine, taught ship, Sir. An’ a fightin’ ship, Sir.”
-1. Sounds of approval came forward, but Holdsworth’s impatience had remained thin.
-1. “Captain. I fail to see where this is going. I am of the opinion that we would do better to now hear from the Sailing Master.”
-1. Cheveley turned towards his seat without looking at either Reece or Holdsworth.
-1. “No further questions.”
-1. Holdsworth looked at Reece.
-1. “Stand down, Reece.”
-1. Reece replaced his hat and saluted, which Holdsworth, surprisingly, returned, then he looked at Makeworthy and spoke quietly, for the latter to then speak up.
-1. “Sailing Master McArdle.”
-1. McArdle rose and walked slowly forward to be met by The Bible held by Makeworthy, who suddenly himself, looked in no small way reduced, now faced by the baleful gaze of McArdle delivered down from his full height and imparting his deep antipathy at being administered an Oath by no “man o’ the cloth.” Nevertheless, as before and in the same place, he held The Bible high and repeated the words as though exhorting the whole congregation within earshot to repent and fall onto their knees before a justly vengeful Lord. The memory of his first encounter with McArdle was still lodged with Holdsworth as they exchanged challenging looks.
-1. “Sailing Master McArdle. Did you hear the conversation between your Captain and Seaman Reece.”
-1. “I did.”
-1. “What happened then?”
-1. “There is little to tell, Sir. Captain Argent asked me if I had heard such and I replied that I had. It was within ma experience. Captain Argent then took his decision, Sir.”
-1. Holdsworth looked across.
-1. “Mr. Sampson?”
-1. “Thank you. I have only one question.”
-1. He leaned upon his knuckles on the table.
-1. “Mr. McArdle. Would you agree that your Captain sought confirmation from you regarding this item of, er, “naval lore”?”
-1. “I would, aye. He gained two opinions from, if I may judge myself as such, two experienced sailors.”
-1. “He did not seek from you an excuse, any excuse, to not set a direct course.”
-1. “No, Sir. In so many words, he asked my opinion of the weather we may well encounter.”
-1. Sampson sat down as Cheveley rose.
-1. “Sailing Master.”
-1. McArdle swung his disapproving gaze towards to Cheveley and, if anything, it intensified.
-1. “What do you think would have happened had you said that you had no knowledge of this cloud pattern presaging a storm?”
-1. McArdle looked at him as though he were an idiot, his air of impatience not being lost on Cheveley, nor Holdsworth, the whole being confirmed by McArdle’s tone of voice.
-1. “How can I be expected to divine that, Sir? Ye’ll have tae ask the Captain himself. Ye’ve been told what happened, the exact story. Nae man can do any more!”
-1. Holdsworth joined in as Cheveley plainly angered.
-1. “Answer the question, McArdle.”
-1. McArdle took a deep breath and answered angrily himself.
-1. “I think any man who ignored such a thing would be a fool, even if it came from only one source. We had a good wind for South South East, and that’s as guid a way to cross The Bay as any I’ve heard. I can only surmise that, had I expressed my ignorance, our Captain would still have used what he was told and would nae take the chance on the storm. If he did make sae foolish a choice and try tae sail direct, it would be the first time I’ve seen him act as such a fool! What he did choose was nothing unusual for any ship I’ve served in, I’ve never made Finisterre yet, without a tack of some kind.”
-1. The forceful words emphasized the silence that followed, but Cheveley had given up the choice of course as a lost cause. It was no longer a stick to beat Argent with, he was now eager to pursue the next part of the charge.
-1. “No further questions.”
-1. McArdle was dismissed and Holdsworth looked at Sampson.
-1. “Mr. Sampson. Do you have any more witnesses that could help us with the first issue of the course chosen?”
-1. “Yes, Sir, I do. Captain Cheveley.”
-1. Cheveley looked angrily across the Court, but to be met with a blank look from Sampson. Broke spoke immediately.
-1. “This is highly irregular, Adjutant General. Is this allowable?”
-1. Manners-Sutton reached across to a paper that lay before Holdsworth. He picked it up and passed it, unread, to Broke, but accompanied by a cold stare.
-1. “The name’s there, on the list of witnesses the Defence wishes to call. Captain Cheveley has received a copy. That makes it allowable.”
-1. He looked at Holdsworth and nodded. Makeworthy gave the order.
-1. “Captain Cheveley, please come forward to be sworn in.”
-1. Face reddening from a complexion already liverish, Cheveley stood and Makeworthy, with no apparent emotion nor sympathy, spoke the oath, which Cheveley repeated, albeit through clenched teeth. Sampson waited patiently and then spoke as he approached.
-1. “Captain Cheveley. You were dispatched to seek out the slaver, were you not, and you sailed on the seventh, one day before Captain Argent?”
-1. “Yes to both.”
-1. “And you attempted a passage directly across The Bay, did you not?”
-1. “Yes.”
-1. “And what happened?”
-1. Cheveley took a deep breath and fidgeted, before shooting out his lace cuffs. He answered in a voice as low as he felt acceptable.
-1. “We were severely damaged.”
-1. Sampson stepped back and spoke so loud as to be almost shouting.
-1. “You were severely damaged!”
-1. He paused.
-1. “What by?”
-1. “A bad storm.”
-1. Sampson stood before him, nodding.
-1. “So, in the event, Captain Argent’s choice was a wise one?”
-1. Cheveley nodded, but Holdsworth intervened.
-1. “A spoken answer, please, Captain.”
-1. Cheveley clenched his jaw and spoke.
-1. “Yes.”
-1. Sampson continued.
-1. “And did you get to Cape Finisterre?”
-1. “No.”
-1. Sampson jumped in immediately, so that his first word came as a following rhyme.
-1. “So! Had you been given the despatch, it would never have arrived?”
-1. Cheveley fidgeted some more.
-1. “We’d have got there, somehow.”
-1. “Yes, but with great delay surely?
-1. He paused, no answer came, but he passed on.
-1. “Now, please inform the Court of your Log entry for the day you sustained your damage. What does it say? The gist will suffice, Captain, verbatim is not required.”
-1. Cheveley looked blank, so Sampson immediately responded.
-1. “Remember, plea
se, Captain, that I could call your Logbook as evidence. To save us all the great inconvenience of lost time, please respond.”
-1. Cheveley cleared his throat.
-1. “Course North East. Damage makes it impossible to tack into a headwind now West South West. Can only run before the wind and return to port.”
-1. “So, had Captain Argent followed your course of action, a similar disaster would very likely have befallen him. Yes?”
-1. “It’s possible.”
-1. “One day behind you, Captain, very probable.”
-1. Cheveley made no reply, but Sampson was bent on mischief.
-1. “Captain, you are aware of Ariadne’s record with Captain Argent in command?”
-1. “I am.”
-1. “How does the record of your own Herodotus compare?”
-1. Sniggers came forward from the audience, but Holdsworth jumped in.
-1. “Mr. Sampson. That is wholly irrelevant to the question we are examining! Either make your questions relevant, or sit down.”
-1. “No further questions.”
-1. As Sampson and Cheveley returned to their seats, Cheveley working his jaw beneath a very red face, Holdsworth consulted his watch and then showed it to Manners-Sutton. They spoke softly, and then Holdsworth addressed the assembly.
-1. “The Court wishes to withdraw now to consider the evidence so far and decide on the form in which it will proceed during its next session. This Court is adjourned until 10.00 am tomorrow.”
-1. All rose as the bench rose and remained respectfully in place as the Court filed out; Cinch in the lead and carefully holding his left forearm over the gap of the missing button. Sampson sorted his papers, then he walked the short way to Argent.
-1. “A good start Captain. I think we’ve sunk the choice of course issue, but tomorrow’s the one.”
-1. He grinned at Argent.
-1. “But. A good start!”
-1. “Do we need to meet this evening? To discuss anything?”
-1. “No. I think not. Your seaman Reece and Master McArdle performed very well. I see no reason to over rehearse your First Lieutenant beyond today.”
-1. He looked up, still smiling, evidently very pleased.
-1. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
-1. As Sampson packed his papers in the satchel and turned away, Enid and Emily arrived at Argent’s side, both their faces, Emily’s especially, fluctuating rapidly between anxiety and anger, each emotion flashing rapidly between their eyes and mouths. It was Emily who spoke, more than a little angry. Enid nodded vigorously at each appropriate moment.
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