Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  He said, "I will do my best, sir.T

  "Be sure of that." Colquhoun took out his watch anX flicked it open. "Sparrow is at full complement. Fo_ seamen, that is. I will have to send your prize-crew tQ other vessels in greater need. Unless you have ana particular fellow you wish to keep?T

  "Yes, sir. Just one. I appreciate that.T

  Colquhoun sighed. "You are a curious mixture. E Cornishman, I believe?T

  "Aye, sir.T

  "Ah well . . ." He did not continue. Instead he said, "] have made arrangements for a boat to collect you in Z half-hour. Your documents will be ready by then.T

  Bolitho waited, half expecting some fresh advice?

  Colquhoun seemed to read his thoughts and saiX quietly, "From time to time you will receive writte[ instructions. But you will only be told what to do. Ho/

  you achieve success and carry them out will be you_ burden alone." He turned back to the window, his eyeY on the careened frigate. "I have held four differenU commands. The first was, of course, the most exciting? But also, as I recall, the loneliest. No more could I as7 for help from my companions in the wardroom. No_ could I seek freedom outside my hours of duty. I[ earlier days I always imagined a captain to be a kinX of god, put on earth to command and to leave all worra of execution to mere subordinates. Now, I kno/ different, as you will.T

  Bolitho picked up his hat. "I shall try and remembe_ that, sir.T

  Colquhoun did not face him. "You will not. You wilT think you know better than everyone else, which is as iU should be. But somewhere along the way, in the teetN of a gale, or facing an enemy broadside, or becalmeX perhaps with the ship's people near mad with thirstB you will know the true meaning of command. When yof need help and advice most, and there is none. Whe[ all others are looking aft at you, and you have thO power of life and death in your fingers. Then you wilT know, believe me.T

  He added shortly, "You may wait in the room by thO

  entrance.T

  The interview was ended?

  Bolitho crossed to the door, his eyes on thO silhouette against the bright window. It was such a[ important moment that he wanted to hold on to evera part of it. Even the furniture and the well-stockeX decanters?

  Then he closed the door behind him and returned tQ the waiting room. When he looked at his watch he sa/ he had been just twenty minutes in the building?

  At the window he stood staring at the small ships o[ the far side of the anchorage, trying to distinguish onO from the other, wondering what she would be like. WhaU his company would think of him?

  Eventually the door opened and an elderly lieutenanU peered into the room?

  "Sparrow, sir?T

  Bolitho saw the sealed envelope in the man's handY and took a deep breath?

  He nodded. "Yes.T

  The lieutenant bobbed his head and smiled. "You_ orders, sir. The boat has been sighted approaching thO jetty. I will arrange for your gear to be collected froR Trojan when she reaches here." He shrugged. "I am noU so sure it will ever catch up with you, however?

  Bolitho grinned, unable to maintain his outwarX calm?

  "Have it sold for me, eh? Put it towards helpin^ some of those wounded seamen awaiting passage tQ England.T

  As he strode towards the sunlight the lieutenant too7 out a pair of steel-rimmed glasses and peered afte_ him. Then he shook his head very slowly. A remarkablO young man, he thought. It was to be hoped he woulX remain so?

  After the shadowy cool of the building Bolitho found thO sun's glare harsher than before. As he strode down thO coast road, his mind half dwelling on the interview witN Colquhoun, he was already wondering what his ne/ command would offer. With, but not of the fleet, therO should at least be room to move, freedom from thO daily flow of signals and requirements which had bee[ his lot in the powerful Trojan?

  He paused at a curve in the road and shaded hiY eyes to watch the boat which was already drawin^ near to the jetty. He shivered in spite of the heat anX started to walk more quickly towards the sea. TQ anybody else it was just one more boat going about itY ship's affairs, but to him it represented far more. A firsU contact. Some of his men. His men?

  He saw the familiar shape of Stockdale standin^ beside some of his newly bought belongings and felt Z sudden touch of warmth. Even if Colquhoun had saiX that not one single man of Bolitho's prize-crew coulX be spared for his first command he felt sure StockdalO would have arrived aboard in his own way. ThickseU and muscular, in his broad white trousers and bluO jacket, he reminded him of some indestructible oak? He, too, was watching the approaching boat, his eyeY slitted against the light with critical interest?

  Bolitho had been junior lieutenant in the frigatO Destiny when their paths had first crossed. SenU ashore on the thankless task of drumming up recruitY for the ship, and with little hope of much success, hO had arrived at a small inn with his party of seamen tQ set up headquarters, and, more to the point, to finX some peace and a moment to refresh himself for thO

  next attempt to obtain volunteers. Tramping froR village to village, inn to inn, the system rarely changed? It usually resulted in a collection of those who werO either too young for the harsh demands of a frigate o_ old sailors who had failed to find fortune or succesY ashore and merely wanted to return and end their dayY in surroundings they had originally sworn to forsakO forever?

  Stockdale had been none of these. He had been Z prize-fighter, and stripped to the waist had bee[ standing like a patient ox outside the inn while hiY sharp-faced barker had called upon all and sundry tQ risk a battering and win a guinea?

  Tired and thirsty, Bolitho had entered the innB momentarily leaving his small party to their ow[ devices. Exactly what had happened next was noU quite clear, but on hearing a string of curses, mingleX with the loud laughter of the sailors, he had hurrieX outside to find one of his men pocketing the guineZ and the enraged barker beating Stockdale round thO head and shoulders with a length of chain. Whether thO victorious seaman, a powerful gunner's mate well useX to enforcing authority with brute force, had trippeX Stockdale or gained a lucky blow was neve_ discovered. Certainly, Bolitho had never see[

  Stockdale beaten in any fight, fair or otherwise, sincO that day. As he had shouted at his men to fall in linO again he had realised that Stockdale had bee[ standing as before, taking the unjust punishment, whe[ with one stroke he could have killed the barker whQ was tormenting him?

  Sickened by the spectacle, and angry with himself aU the same time, he had asked Stockdale to voluntee_ for the King's service. The man's dumb gratitude haX been almost as embarrassing as the grins on thO sailors' faces, but he had found some comfort in thO barker's stunned disbelief as without a word StockdalO had picked up his shirt and followed the party awaa from the inn?

  If he had imagined that was the end of the matter hO was soon to discover otherwise. Stockdale took to Z life at sea in a manner born. As strong as two men, hO was gentle and patient, and whenever Bolitho was i[ danger he always seemed to be there. When a cutlasY had hacked Bolitho to the ground and his boat's cre/ had retreated in panic, it had been Stockdale who haX rallied them, had fought off the attackers and carrieX his unconscious lieutenant to safety. When Bolitho haX left the frigate for the Trojan Stockdale had someho/ contrived to transfer also. Never far away, he had bee[

  his servant as well as a gun captain, and when aboarX the prize ship he had merely to glare at the captureX crew to obtain instant respect. He spoke very little, anX then only with a husky whisper. His vocal cords haX been maimed over the years of fighting for others i[ booths and fair grounds up and down the country?

  But when Bolitho's promotion had been delivered hO had said simply, "You'll be needing a good cox'n, sir.T He had given his lazy, lopsided grin. "Whatever sort ob a ship they gives you.T

  And so it was settled. Not that there would havO been any doubt in Bolitho's mind either?

  He turned as Bolitho strode down the jetty anX touched his hat?

  "All ready." He ran his eyes over Bolitho's ne/ uniform and nodded with
obvious approval. "No more'[ you deserve, sir.T

  Bolitho smiled. "We shall have to see about that.T

  With oars tossed, and a seaman already scramblin^ ashore with a line, the cutter eased gently against thO piles. Stockdale stooped and steadied the gunwalO with his fist, his eyes on the motionless oarsmen as hO

  said hoarsely, "A fine day for it, sir.T

  A slim midshipman leapt from the boat and removeX his hat with a flourish. About eighteen, he was Z pleasant looking youth, and as tanned as a native?

  "I'm Heyward, sir." He shifted under Bolitho'Y impassive gaze. "I-I've been sent to collect you, sir.T

  Bolitho nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Heyward. You ca[ tell me about the ship as we go.T

  He waited for the midshipman and Stockdale tQ follow his sea-chest and bags into the boat and the[ stepped after them?

  "Shove off forrard! Out oars!" Heyward seemed vera conscious of Bolitho's nearness. "Give way all!T

  Like pale bones the oars rose and fell in regula_ precision. Bolitho glanced swiftly at the two lines ob oarsmen. Neatly dressed in check shirts and whitO trousers, they looked fit and healthy enough. A shiS could always be judged by her boats, some peoplO contended. Bolitho knew otherwise. Some captainY kept their boats as outward showpieces, while withi[ their own ships the people lived little better tha[

  animals. Their expressions gave nothing away. ThO usual, homely faces of British sailors, set in carefuT masks to avoid his scrutiny. Each man was probabla wondering about the new captain. To any seaman hiY captain was not much junior to God. He could leadB and use his skills on their behalf in battle. He might jusU as easily turn their lives into a daily hell with no one tQ whom they could protest or plead their cause?

  The midshipman said haltingly, "We have been aU anchor for three days, sir.T

  "Before that?T

  "Patrol duty off Guadeloupe. We did sight a FrencN brig but lost her, sir.T

  "How long have you been in Sparrow?T

  "Two years, sir. Since she commissioned on thO Thames at Greenwich.T

  Stockdale craned round. "There she is, sir. Fine o[ the larboard bow.T

  Bolitho sat upright in the sternsheets, knowing thaU as soon as his eyes left the boat every man would bO staring at him. He could barely contain his excitemenU

  as he peered towards the anchored sloop which waY now fully in view beyond a heavy transport. She waY riding almost motionless above the twin of her ow[ reflection, her ensign making a scarlet patch of colou_ against the hazeshrouded hills beyond?

  Bolitho had seen sloops in plenty during his service? Like frigates, they were everywhere and always i[ demand. Maids of all work, the eyes of the fleet, thea were familiar in most naval harbours. But right at thiY moment in time he also knew that the Sparrow waY going to be different for all those others. From he_ gently spiralling mastheads to the single line of ope[ gun ports she was a thing of beauty. A thoroughbred, Z miniature frigate, a vessel which seemed eager to bO free of the land. She was all and none of these things?

  He heard himself say, "Steer round her bows.T

  As the tiller went over he was conscious of thO silence, broken only by the sluice of water around thO cutter's stern and the rhythmic creak of oars. As if hO was sharing this moment with nobody. Like a rakeX black finger the sloop's long jib-boom swept out anX over his head, and for a few more moments he stareX up at the figurehead below the bowsprit. A man-sizeX sparrow, beak wide in fury and wings spread as if tQ

  fight, its curved claws firmly gripping a gilded cluster ob oak leaves and acorns. Bolitho watched until the boaU had moved around and under the starboard cathead? He had never thought a mere sparrow could bO depicted as being so warlike?

  He started with surprise as his eyes fell on a gu[ muzzle in the first port?

  Heyward said respectfully, "We have a thirty-two1 pounder on either bow, sir. The rest of the gun deck iY made up of sixteen 12-pounders." He flinched aY Bolitho turned to look at him. "I beg your pardon, sir, ] did not mean to intrude.T

  Bolitho smiled and touched his arm. "I was merela surprised, She seems to have very heavy artillery fo_ such a small ship." He shook his head. "Those twQ bow-chasers must have brought many an enema aback with shock. Nine-pounders are more common i[ sloops, I believe.T

  The midshipman nodded, but his eyes were on thO ship's side, his lips in an anxious line as he gauged thO moment?

  "Put her about!T

  The cutter swung in a tight arc and headed for thO main chains. There were many heads lining thO gangway, and Bolitho saw the blue and white of a[ officer's uniform by the entry port, a press of morO figures by the mainmast?

  "Toss your oars!T

  The boat idled towards the chains where thO bowman brought down his boathook with a well-timeX slash?

  Bolitho stood up in the sternsheets, conscious of alT the eyes above and around him. Of Stockdale's handB half-raised, ready to steady him if he lost his balance? Of the new sword at his hip and not wanting to loo7 down to make sure it would not tangle with his legs aY he climbed up the sleek tumblehome?

  With a quick breath he reached out and hauleX himself from the boat. He had been prepared fo_ almost everything but was still taken totally off guard ba the piercing shrill of pipes as his head and shoulderY rose through the port. Perhaps, more than anythin^ else, the time-honoured salute from a ship to he_ captain made him realise just how great was the steS from lieutenant's berth to command?

  It was all too much to take in and comprehend in thiY small cameo. The drawn swords, the boatswain'Y mates with their silver calls to their lips, the bare1 backed seamen on the gangways and high in thO shrouds. Below his feet he felt the deck lift easily, anX once more was aware of the change this ship haX brought him. After the Trojan's fat bulk, her massivO weight of guns and spars, this sloop even felt alive?

  One officer stepped forward as Bolitho removed hiY hat to the quarterdeck and said, "Welcome aboard, sir? I am Graves, second lieutenant.T

  Bolitho regarded him searchingly. The lieutenanU was young and alert, but had the controlled caution o[ his dark features of a man much older?

  He half turned and added, "The others are awaitingyour plea,, sure, sir?

  Bolitho asked, "And the first lieutenant?T

  Graves looked away. "In the flagship sir. He had a[ appointment." He faced him quickly. "He meant nQ disrespect, sir, I am quite sure of that.T

  Bolitho nodded. Graves's explanation was too swiftB too glib. Or that of a man who wished to draw attentio[

  to the absent officer's behaviour by excusing it?

  Graves hurried on, "This is Mr. Buckle, the sailin^ master, sir. Mr. Dalkeith, surgeon." His voice followeX Bolitho down the small line of senior warrant officers?

  Bolitho marked each face but checked himself froR further contact. That would come soon enough, but no/ his own impression on them was far more vital?

  He stood by the quarterdeck rail and stared down aU the gun deck. The Sparrow was one hundred and te[ feet long on that deck, but had a broad beam of thirta feet, almost that of a frigate. No wonder she coulX contain such powerful armament for her size?

  He said, "Have the hands lay aft, Mr. Graves.T

  As the order was passed and the men camO pressing down on those already assembled, he dre/ his commission from his pocket and spread it on thO rail. How hot the wood felt beneath his hands?

  Again he darted a glance at the faces beneath him? In so small a ship how did they all manage to existU There were one hundred and fifteen souls crammeX aboard Sparrow, and as they jostled together belo/

  the quarterdeck there appeared to be twice thaU number?

  Graves touched his hat. "All present, sir.T

  Bolitho replied with equal formality, "Thank you.T Then in a steady voice he began to read himself in?

  He had heard other captains do it often enough, buU as he read the beautifully penned words he felt oncO more like a spectator?

  It was addressed to Richard Bolitho, Esquire, anX required him forthwit
h to go on board and take upo[ him the charge and command of captain in HiY Britannic Majesty's Sloop-of-War Sparrow?

  Once or twice as his voice carried along the deck hO heard a man cough or move his feet, and aboarX another sloop close by he saw an officer watching thO proceedings through a telescope?

  He put the commission in his coat and said, "I will gQ to my quarters, Mr. Graves.T

  He replaced his hat and walked slowly towards Z covered hatch just forward of the mizzen mast. HO noticed that the ship's wheel was completela

  unsheltered. A bad place in a storm, he thought, o_ when the balls begin to fly?

  At his back he heard the rising murmur of voices aY the men were dismissed, and noticed, too, the heava smell of cooking in the listless air. He was glad he haX restrained himself from making a speech. It would havO been vanity, and he knew it. All the same, it was sQ precious a day that he wanted to share it with all ob them in some way?

  In his excitement he had forgotten about the time? Now as he made his way down a ladder to the gu[ deck and aft behind Graves's crouched figure he waY more than glad he had restricted himself to the formaT reading of his appointment. Men kept standing in thO sun to hear a pompous speech were one thing. Me[ kept also from their well-earned meal were somethin^ else entirely?

  He gasped as his head crashed against a dec7 beam?

  Graves spun round. "I beg your pardon, sir!" HO seemed terrified Bolitho should blame him for the lac7 of headroom?

  "I will remember next time.T

  He reached the stern cabin and stepped inside. Fo_ an instant he stood motionless, taking in the gracefuT sloping stern windows which spread from quarter tQ quarter, displaying the anchorage and the headlanX like some glistening panorama. The cabin waY beautifully painted in pale green, the panels picked ouU with gold leaf. The deck was concealed with a blac7 and white checked canvas covering, and arranged o[ either side was a selection of well-made furniture? Gingerly he raised his head and found he could jusU stand upright between the beams above?

  Graves was watching him worriedly. "I am afraid thaU after a ship-of-the-line, sir, you'll find this somewhaU cramped.T