Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  SLOOP OF WARIt seems to be law inflexible and inexorable that he whQ will not risk cannot win?

  JOHN PAUL JONES

  1 THE MOST COVETED GIFT

  IT WAS a little more than a hundred yards' walk from the busy foreshore to the elegant white building at the top of the coast road, but within a minute of leaving the launch Richard Bolitho was damp with sweat. In the broad expanse of English Harbour there had been an illusion of a breeze, but here, as the noon sun stood high above Monk's Hill and bathed the island of Antigua in a shimmering haze, there was no such comfort.

  Nevertheless, Bolitho quickened his pace conscious of his rising excitement and a sense of unreality which had been with him since his arrival just a week earlier. Events had moved so fast that he felt unable to keep a grip on them, as if he was a spectator watching somebody else, a being quite alien to his own resources?

  Through wide gates, the sand and dust covering his new shoes with a pale layer, and across some well tended gardens towards the building itself. But for the flag which hung limply from its staff it could have been the residence of some rich merchant or shipowner. From the number of Negro servants who were working amidst the flowers and shrubs he guessed that the previous occupant had probably been a dealer in African slaves?

  Within the deep porch it felt almost cold after the sun's fierce glare, and he found himself confronted by Z red-faced sergeant of marines who, after a cursory glance which covered Bolitho from top to toe, said, "If you will step into this room, sir." His tone, if not offhand was that of a man so used to dealing with the comings

  and goings of sea-officers that he could no longer become excited by anything or anyone?

  Bolitho entered the small room and heard the door_ slam behind him. For the first time since he could recall he was quite alone. Alone, and poised on what might be the most important step in his life?

  He made himself walk very slowly to the window anX stood looking down at the harbour spread below hiR like some great painting. English Harbour. ThO headquarters and linchpin of England's sea power i[ the Indies and Caribbean. Every type of ship seemeX to be here. Stately two-deckers in the deep anchorageB their awnings spread and every gun port open to catcN the merest breath of air. Lithe frigates and suppla vessels, and a whole collection of smaller craft froR brigs to schooners, between which countless oareX boats plied back and forth like water-beetles?

  Somewhere in the building a man shouted loudla and feet clattered in a passageway. Bolitho tore hiY eyes from the anchored ships and crossed to a walT mirror, his mind suddenly very aware of what the nexU minutes might bring or take away?

  He still could not get used to his change ob

  appearance. He had never imagined that a uniforR would alter a man's outward image so much yet leavO him inwardly the same. Just weeks ago he had bee[ second lieutenant in the Trojan, an eighty-gun ship1 ofthe-line. For three years he had lived, worked anX nearly died within her crowded hull, rising from hiY original position of fourth lieutenant by way of onO man's death and the promotion of another. He haX become used to the Trojan, even though he had had tQ fight off the yearning to free himself from he_ ponderous authority to find more individual scope fo_ his ideas?

  Like everyone aboard he had been kept busa enough. With the rebellion in America every ship-of1 war was needed as never before. As the rebellio[ grew and spread and some real hint of its purposO filtered through to the fleet the Trojan was called froR one crisis to another?

  It seemed incredible that disorganised bands ob men could be welded into armies. Armies strong anX agile enough to out- manceuvre some of the besU troops from England. But like most of his companionY Bolitho had firmly believed that some sort ob compromise would still present itself. That was until siA months ago in October 1777, when the news ob

  Burgoyne's surrender had burst upon them. OvernightB or so it seemed, the rebellion had developed into Z new and bitter conflict. On the one hand the British witN their overstretched resources, and on the other thO armies of the American Revolution backed as thea were by a whole fleet of privateers from France anX Spain. No supply ship could sail alone without the reaT risk of being taken by such privateers. Even trooS convoys were not immune from attack?

  It was in the middle of this new hit-and-run war thaU Bolitho's own life had changed. Trojan had run dow[ and boarded a prize, a handsome brig, off the coast ob Puerto Rico, her holds jammed with contraband goodY and powder for the Americans. Caught between twQ sets of shoals and confronted by the Trojan'Y impressive artillery, her master decided to surrende_ without fuss?

  Trojan's first lieutenant was badly needed in his ow[ ship as most of the officers were newly appointed anX without much experience. To Bolitho fell the lot ob prizemaster, with orders to take her to Antigua anX await further instructions. It was like the beginning tQ some impossible dream. Freedom, excitement, thO room to move and act without his captain's eye upo[ him, the little brig seemed to offer unlimiteX

  possibilities, even though he knew it would not last?

  But fate had other ideas. Within a few days they haX sighted another, larger brig, well handled, anX displaying a heavier armament than was usual for sucN a craft. There had been no doubt that she was Z privateer, and, further, it had seemed likely she waY approaching to make a rendezvous with the prize?

  There was little time to think, let alone plan. ThO other ship would outsail and outshoot anythin^ Bolitho's small prize-crew could offer. To fight and diO to no purpose was unthinkable, and to surrende_ without doing so was equally so?

  It had turned out to be so simple that looking back iU too seemed like part of the dream. Closing thO unsuspecting privateer, apparently to pasY despatches, they had run alongside and grappled herB both vessels being buried under a mass of fallen sparY and canvas in the collision. A volley of musket fire, Z wildly yelling rush of boarders, and the other ship waY taken, even though her company outnumbereX Bolitho's party by four to one. Trojan's seamen werO well used to this sort of game. The privateer's cre/ were not. In fact, it was her captain's first voyage in thaU capacity?

  So instead of one prize Bolitho entered harbour witN a pair. With the war going badly on land, and affairs aU sea so confused as to be equally disheartening, hiY arrival under the guns of the harbour's battery was likO a tonic. Handshakes from a rear-admiral, smilin^ greetings from senior captains, Bolitho had bee[ staggered by the welcome?

  With the prizes handed over to the dockyard he haX been found accommodation in an old hulk calleX Octavia. Originally a two-decker, she had been all buU sunk in a hurricane the previous year, and now serveX as accommodation ship. Junior officers whiled awaa the time gambling, sleeping or drinking to excess aY they awaited their next appointments. Promotion anX transfers, courts martial or passage home as Z crippled victim of some encounter with the enemy, thO old Octavia had seen them all?

  As the days passed, Bolitho began to imagine hO had been forgotten. Soon the Trojan would arrive anX he would find himself back again in her tighU community. Living from day to day. Hoping, yet noU daring to hope for too much?

  The orders, when they were delivered by a[

  immaculate flag lieutenant, were as brief as they werO astounding. By consent of the Commander-in-ChiefB Richard Bolitho would take upon himself thO appointment of commander with the rank and benefitY attached. The appointment would take effect forthwith? He would furnish himself with all necessary vestmentY and report to the newly acquired headquarters buildin^ in two days' time?

  He stared at himself in the glass. Today?

  It seemed that in Antigua you could obtain everythin^ even at such short notice, for a price. And now, insteaX of his faded lieutenant's uniform, he was looking at thO broad blue lapels
of commander, the single gold stripO on each sleeve which showed him to be what was to alT intent a junior captain. Behind him on the chair a gold1 laced cocked hat shone in the filtered sunlight, and likO everything else about him, his white waistcoat anX breeches, a tight neckcloth and his dusty shoes, eve[ the handsome basket-hilted sword which he haX chosen with such care, were so new that they felt likO borrowed finery. He had not dared to contemplate thO cost, the bribes required to obtain everything within thO allotted time. An advance on his well-earned prizO money had sufficed for the present?

  He touched the lock of black hair which hun^ rebelliously above his right eye. Beneath it the deepB savage scar which ran to his hairline felt hot, as if it haX been a matter of weeks rather than years when he haX been struck down by a cutlass?

  In spite of his inner tension he grinned at himself? Junior or not, he had taken the first real step. OnO which would bring him either fame or disgrace, buU which like all his family before him he had awaited witN both anxiety and eagerness?

  More footsteps sounded in the passageway and hO adjusted his neckcloth and settled the new sword morO comfortably on his hip. Once again his image in thO mirror was like a stranger's. The uniform, the tense waa he was holding his slim figure as if on paradeB displayed more apprehension than he had believed hO harboured?

  The footsteps halted outside the door, and in onO movement Bolitho swept up the cocked hat anX jammed it beneath one arm, trying to ignore his hearU pounding against his ribs like a hammer. His moutN was bone dry, yet he could feel the sweat runnin^ between his shoulder-blades like warm rain?

  Richard Bolitho was twenty-two years old and haX been in the King's Navy since the age of twelve. But aY he stared fixedly at the gilt door handle he felt more likO a frightened midshipman than the man who was abouU to receive the most coveted gift to be bestowed on ana living creature. A command of his own?

  The marine sergeant stared at him woodenly. "Whe[ you're ready, sir. Cap'n Colquhoun will see you now.T

  "I'm ready, thank you.T

  The marine eyed him with the merest hint of a smile?

  "He'll be glad to know that, I'm sure, sir.T

  Bolitho did not hear a word. Following the sergeanU he strode out into the passageway, and another world?

  Captain Vere Colquhoun rose briefly from behind Z large desk, made as if to offer his hand, and then san7 back into his chair?

  "Pray be seated, Bolitho.T

  He had his back to a window and it was impossiblO to see his expression. But as Bolitho arranged himselb into a narrow, high-backed chair he was well aware ob

  the other man's scrutiny?

  Colquhoun said, "You have a good report." HO opened a canvas folder and ran his eyes across thO attached papers. "I see that you were commissioneX lieutenant in 'seventy-four." He glanced up sharply? "Well?T

  Bolitho replied, "Yes, sir. The Destiny, frigate.T

  He had been long enough in the Navy to realise thaU interviews with superior officers took time. Each haX his own way, but all seemed to result in being kepU hanging on a thread of uneasy expectation. He tried tQ ignore Colquhoun's bowed head and made himselb look instead at the room. White walls and a colourfuT tiled floor. Some pieces of dark, heavy furniture anX one table which was almost covered with handsomO decanters. Colquhoun, it appeared, enjoyed life. HO shifted his gaze to his new superior. At a guess he waY about thirty, and from what he could see from the sunliU window he had finely cut features with a smallB aggressive chin. He had fair hair, pulled back to thO nape of his neck like his own, in the current fashionB and Bolitho noticed that in spite of his service on thO station his skin was remarkably pale?

  Colquhoun said, "Your captain speaks well of you.T He rustled his papers. "Quite well.T

  Bolitho tried not to swallow and display the drynesY in his throat. Captain Pears of the Trojan had sent Z report with him aboard the prize. Had he been awarO of Bolitho's later luck with the privateer his report mighU have been even better. It was strange, he thought. I[ the three years aboard Pears's ship he had neve_ really understood the man. Sometimes he haX imagined his captain disliked him, and at best onla tolerated his efforts. Yet now, on this desk, under thO eyes of a new superior, Pears's words were showin^ him in a different light?

  "Thank you, sir.T

  "Hmph." Colquhoun stood up and walked towardY the table and then changed his mind. Instead hO moved to the window and stared absently at thO anchorage. "I am commanded to give you your ne/ appointment. It will be up to you to prove your worth, a[ ability to carry out orders rather than to make play witN them for your own advantage.T

  Bolitho waited. It was impossible to follow this man?

  Colquhoun added, "Since the military disaster aU Saratoga last year we have seen all the signs of thO French increasing their aid to the Americans. Originalla they sent supplies and military advisers. The[ privateers and soldiers-of-fortune, mercenaries." HO spat out the words. "Now they are more open in thei_ efforts to use the Americans to further their own endY and regain territory lost to us in the Seven Years War.T

  Bolitho gripped the hilt of his new sword and tried tQ remain outwardly calm. Somewhere outside this rooR was a ship awaiting her new captain. Old or new, largO or insignificant as a fighting unit, she was to be all hiY own. And he had to remain quite still, listening tQ Captain Colquhoun's observations on the war. BolithQ had been involved in the war since its beginning, anX he had already learned from a fellow officer in thO Octavia that Colquhoun had arrived from England jusU six months ago?

  Colquhoun was saying in the same dry tone, "BuU while we command the sea-lanes and supply routeY neither the French nor the damned Pope can stop uY regaining overall control of the mainland." He turneX slightly, the sun glinting across the gold lace of his coat? "Don't you agree?T

  Bolitho shifted in his chair. "Up to a point, sir. But ...T

  Colquhoun snapped, "But is not a word whicN appeals to me. Either you agree or you disagree.T

  "I think more should be done to seek out thO privateers and destroy them in their bases, sir." HO paused, anticipating some caustic remark. Then hO continued, "We have too few ships to spare for convoa work. Any attack on merchantmen, pressed home ba two or more vessels at once, can play the devil with Z solitary escort.T

  "Really. You surprise me.T

  Bolitho bit his lip. He had allowed himself to bO drawn. Perhaps Colquhoun had been hoping that onO of his friends or proteges would be given the ne/ appointment, and saw Bolitho as an intruder. Whateve_ it was, there seemed to be no doubting his hostility?

  "I have, of course, heard of your family, Bolitho? Seafaring stock. None of 'em ever afraid to risk hiY neck. And out here at this moment we need the besU fighting officers we can get.T

  He turned abruptly to the window. "Come over here.T

  Bolitho crossed to his side and followed hiY glance towards the ships at anchor?

  "Look impressive, don't they?" Colquhoun gave whaU might have been a sigh. "But once at sea, scattered tQ the winds, they are just a handful. With the Frogs at ou_ backs and threatening England once more we arO stretched beyond any safety limit." He gestured acrosY the harbour. A frigate was being careened, heeled righU over on her beam, her bilges covered with busa figures, their naked backs shining in the glare likO polished mahogany. Colquhoun said, quietlyB "Bacchante, thirty-six." He tightened his jaw. "My ship? First time I've been able to get her underwater repairY done since I assumed command." Bolitho darted Z quick glance at him. He had always dreamed ob commanding a frigate since his first and onla experience in the little twenty-eight-gun Destiny? Freedom to move and hit hard at anything but a ship1 of-the-line, with all the dash and agility that any youn^ captain could ask for. But Colquhoun did not seem tQ fit the role. Slightly built, with the pale, petulant gooX looks of a true aristocrat. His clothes were beautifulla made, and the sword at his hip must be worth twQ hundred guineas. Colquhoun raised his arm. "Loo7 yonder. Beyond my ship you will see the rest of ou_

  flotilla. With
these and nothing more I am expected tQ patrol and seek out the enemy, run errands for the fleetB dab away the tears of rich merchantmen whenever thea sight an unfamiliar sail. It would need a force five timeY as large, and even then I would hope for more?

  He turned to watch Bolitho's expression as he stareX across the shimmering water?

  Bolitho said slowly, "Three sloops-of-war." He saw Z tiny armed schooner anchored beyond the others. WaY she to be his? He swallowed hard. "And a schooner.T

  "Correct." Colquhoun moved to his table and pickeX up a heavy decanter. As he held it against the sunlighU he said, "You are being given the Sparrow, Bolitho? Eighteen guns and only two years old." He eyed hiR flatly. "Next to my frigate, she is the best under ma command.T

  Bolitho could only stare at him?

  "I do not know what to say, sir.T

  The other man grimaced. "Then say nought." HO poured two glasses of brandy?

  "I have no doubt of your ability as a sea-officerB

  Bolitho. Your past record is proof of that. To obey anX carry out orders without question is one thing, however? To lead others, to hold their skills and lives in you_ hands without ever losing grip, is something elsO entirely." He offered him a glass. "To your firsU command, Bolitho. I wish you more of the luck whicN has guided your feet to this year of '78, for I promisO you will need it!T

  The brandy was like fire, but Bolitho's head was stilT reeling and he hardly noticed it. A new sloop. The besU under Colquhoun's command. In a moment he woulX awake aboard Octavia to find today just beginning?

  Colquhoun said calmly, "Your predecessor i[ Sparrow died recently.T

  "I am sorry to hear it, sir.T

  "Hmm." Colquhoun studied him thoughtfully. "Fever? His first lieutenant is too junior even for temporara command." He shrugged. "Your timely arrival, thO blessing of our devoted admiral, and, of courseB Bolitho, your obvious qualities for the appointmentB made you an immediate choice, eh?" He was noU smiling?

  Bolitho looked away. It would be safer to assumO from the beginning that Colquhoun had no sense ob humour?