Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

When the soldier stayed silent he continued, "ThesO same men helped to save two transports which arO needed so badly for the military. They fought and san7 a privateer and helped to drive away another, morO powerful ship.T

  "For which you will receive the credit, no doubt?T

  Bolitho faced him quickly, his voice low with anger? "Thank you, Colonel. I had no doubt you expected mO to say that in front of the others, just so you could makO such a suggestion." He picked up his hat. "Had ] known that the army was already quitting PhiladelphiaB I might have spent more time in harrying that privatee_ than dragging my heels with your transports!T

  Foley smiled. "Well said, Captain. I like a man whQ can still show some feeling.T

  Bolitho slammed out of the cabin and strodO unseeingly to the companion ladder. He could tell froR the way some seamen avoided his eye, the alerU manner with which young Bethune was studying thO flagship, that they could all recognise his fury?

  Had he changed so much? Before he would havO laughed or cursed at Foley's rudeness once his bac7 was turned. Now, at the mention of some criticism, thO merest hint of an attack on his subordinates, anX therefore his ship, was enough to drive away controT and reason?

  Tyrrell came aft and said quietly, "I know thosO waters well enough, sir. Mr. Buckle is a mite botheredB but I can stand by him.T

  "I know. Thank you.T

  He had seen Tyrrell's expression when Buckle haX voiced his concern at the meeting. He had been abouU to make the same suggestion. Perhaps that was wha he had rushed in to defend the master against Foley'Y sarcasm. Foley had already made it clear what hO thought of Americans. Rebels, colonists, or thosO unwillingly caught between the crossfire of differenU

  factions and divided families, any of them?

  Tyrrell turned to watch the gig being swayed up anX over the starboard gangway?

  "Bit of a bastard, that one, sir." He shrugged. "I'vO met 'em before.T

  Bolitho bit back the reproof he should have given? But what was the use? Even Bethune must have see[ the antagonism between himself and Foley?

  "Let us hope he knows what he is doing, Mr. Tyrrell? For all our sakes.T

  The boatswain's mates charged along the gun dec7 and hovered over hatchways as they bawled, "AlT hands! All hands! Clear lower deck!T

  Bolitho said, "I did not get time to discover any newY of your family.T

  "Ah well." Tyrrell tilted his hat to shade his eyes in Z shaft of dying sunlight. "Maybe later.T

  The hatch casing slid open and Foley appeared aU the top of the companion?

  Bolitho said evenly, "I must ask you to leave thO quarterdeck, sir." He saw him start angrily and addedB "Or cover your red coat. It will not help if we are seen tQ be carrying even one soldier with us.T

  Foley withdrew and Tyrrell said cheerfully, "One tQ you, sir!T

  "It was unintended." Bolitho took a telescope anX trained it beyond the anchored shipping. "Our sailin^ must be seen as normal. Spies will have reported ou_ arrival and no doubt will think only of our despatches. ] don't intend to have the news abroad that we are goin^ on some special mission. The world may soon know ob it, but the later the better.T

  He walked to the quarterdeck rail, watching thO seamen being mustered at their stations by the petta officers, but wondering at the truth of his words. CoulX a man like Foley really make him so quick to hit bac7 as Tyrrell believedU

  "Man the capstan!"Tilby was clinging to the foremasU shrouds, his mottled face shining with sweat as hO yelled at the scurrying seamen. "Jump to it, you idlO buggers, or I'll be amongst you with my starter!" CaughU off guard by the unexpected sailing orders, he waY

  showing signs of a recent drinking bout?

  Bolitho looked at Buckle. "Once we have workeX clear of the land we will get the t'gallants on her. ThO wind seems steady enough, but we'll have rain beforO nightfall, I'm thinking.T

  Buckle tugged his hat. "Aye, sir." He hesitated. "I'R sorry I spoke out as I did. I should have know[ different.T

  Bolitho smiled. "Better to speak your doubts beforO you meet trouble. It is too late when you are harX aground, eh?" He touched his arm lightly. "But beforO we draw that close to land we will see what Sparro/ can do under full canvas.T

  He walked away, hoping Buckle felt less worried. IU could not be easy for him either. His first ship aY master, and about to plunge into dangerous waters hO had never seen before?

  "Anchor's hove short, sir!" Graves's voice was louX on the blustery wind?

  Bolitho looked at Tyrrell. "Get the ship under way, ib you please.T

  He swung round as a chorus of derisive laughte_ burst from deck below. A seaman had caught his fooU on one of the army scout's muskets and gonO sprawling into the scuppers. It seemed to amuse thO soldiers greatly?

  Bolitho added coldly, "With this fresh wind you'lT need plenty of weight on the capstan bars." He let hiY eyes rest on the Canadians?

  Tyrrell grinned. "Right away, sir!" He cupped hiY hands. "Bosun! Put those men on th' capstan!" HO silenced the immediate protests by adding, "Don'U hesitate to start 'em if you find 'em slacking!T

  Bolitho thrust his hands beneath his coat tails anX walked away from the rail so that he could watch thO topmen more easily. He had taken enough insults froR Foley. There was no good reason for his own seame[ to suffer also?

  "Anchor's aweigh, sir!T

  He stared up at the thundering pattern of canvas aY the ship heeled over, free to the wind?

  Once clear of the land's sheltering arm the motio[ became more violent, the waves shorter and the colou_

  of straw in the dull light. Spray lifted and dashed ove_ the busy seamen and pattered across the quarterdec7 like heavy rain. Bolitho felt it on his lips and wet againsU his shirt, sensing the released power as the courseY and then the topgallant sails filled and bellied to thO wind?

  He watched the jib-boom rise towards the scuddin^ clouds, stagger and then plunge forward and dow[ over the next line of crests, the stays and shroudY gleaming like wet ebony. He pictured the angra Sparrow beneath the beakhead clutching its oa7 leaves and acorns, and wondered if the Bonaventure'Y captain had seen it when he had broken off the actionB and would remember it?

  Tyrrell lurched aft, his body angled steeply to thO deck. He yelled to the mizzen topmen before pausin^ to check those working at the weather braces. FitcN scurried past carrying a bucket and Tyrrell called afte_ him?

  Bolitho shouted above the thunder of canvas, "WhaU is it?T

  Tyrrell laughed. "Th' colonel's being sick, sir! E shame, ain't y it.B

  "Terrible." Bolitho turned away to hide a grin? "Especially as it seems to be blowing harder now!T

  Buckle clung to the binnacle and yelled, "Steady shO goes, sir! Sou'-east by south!T

  "Hold her so!" Bolitho removed his hat and let thO wind press the hair against his forehead. We will wea_ ship soon." He walked up the deck and rapped thO half-hour glass beside the compass. "I am going belo/ to inform the colonel.T

  As he swung down the ladder he heard TyrrelT laughing and Buckle's equally cheerful chuckle. It was Z small thing. But it was a beginning?

  6 SCARLET AND GOL_

  BOLITHO entered his cabin and was surprised to seO Foley seated at the table studying a chart. He was fulla dressed, and his features had regained most of thei_ colour. After leaving Sandy Hook he had spent most ob the passage sprawled on the bench seat, unable o_ unwilling to climb into the cot, eyes half closed and hiY face like a wax mask?

  He glanced up and grimaced. "The motion feelY easier.T

  Bolitho nodded. "We are standing into the bay? Cape May lies about five miles off the starboarX beam.T

  "I see." Foley peered at the chart for severaT seconds, his fingers drumming a little tattoo acrosY Bolitho's calculations and bearings. "What is you_ opinion, Captain?T

  Bolitho looked at his lowered head. It was the firsU time he had asked him for his views on anything? Under full canvas the Sparrow had lived up to he_ name, so that on the passage southward Bolitho haX been able to put aside his
apprehensions, if not forgeU them, while he had enjoyed the sloop's vitality anX freedom of movement. Then as they had closed thO land to fix their position a great squall had risenB bleating and moaning with such violence that it haX taken all hands to reef down and gain more sea room? After the untroubled sailing with even the royals set tQ catch the wind it was a severe disappointment. Thea had arrived off Cape May at the entrance to DelawarO Bay precisely as Bolitho had planned, one full day afte_ weighing anchor. Yet even as Buckle had been takin^

  his bearings the squall had swept offshore, flattenin^ the wavecrests and cloaking the distant land morO effectively than night itself. It had taken another dayB beating and clawing round in a great circle, the lanX hidden to all but the masthead lookout by rainsquallY and low cloud?

  He heard himself answer, "The wind has backeX again, sir. To the sou'-west, and it is dropping.T

  He listened to the groan of yoke lines as the rudde_ went over beneath the transom, and thought of TyrrelT and Buckle beside the wheel. He could also imaginO the chart, the great bay opening up on either beam aY the Sparrow, under close-reefed topsails, headeX further and further away from the sea. Tyrrell was Z tower of strength, and seemed to remember thesO waters as if every sandbar and current was imprinteX on his brain?

  Foley looked up, his face grim. "It has already take[ too long. I must know if you think we can proceed." HO laid one finger on the chart. "Here, directly north ob where you say we are now. I estimate it to be about siA leagues. There is a cove." He was speaking quickla and Bolitho could feel his agitation?

  Bolitho leaned over the table. "To the west ob Maurice River?" He paused, visualising the set of thO yards, the weakening wind across the quarter. "It wilT take at least four hours. More if the wind goes.T

  He stood back and tugged his neckcloth. With thO shutters tightly closed to mask the chance of showin^ even a glimmer of light, the cabin was like a smalT oven. On deck, as he had been for much of thO passage, he had not felt either fatigue or strain. NowB he was not so sure, and could even pity Foley's misera during the journey. Outside the hull it was pitch-blackB and once the ship had slipped past the protectivO headland he had felt the same sensation as a ma[ striding blindly into an unlit cave?

  He asked, "How long will your scouts need?T

  "Six hours maybe." Foley stretched his arms anX yawned. He was giving little away?

  Bolitho made up his mind. "In that case we will havO to anchor and wait for tomorrow night before we ca[ leave the bay. There may be enemy ships nearby, and ] can't risk a conflict in these confined waters. Especialla if your scouts fail to find our missing soldiers and neeX one more day.T

  "Handling the ship is your concern." Foley regardeX him evenly. "Well?T

  "The tide is right and if we wait further we might losO the wind altogether." He nodded. "I am ready.T

  Foley stood up and massaged his stomach. "Good? By God, I think I have recovered my appetite.T

  "I am sorry, sir." Bolitho smiled. "For the galley firO has been doused." He added, "Unless you would carO for some salt beef from the cask?T

  Foley eyed him ruefully. "You have a cruel streak? One sight of that muck would render me as weak as Z rat.T

  Bolitho made for the door. "In a King's ship the ratY are rarely that!T

  On deck he had to wait several seconds before hO could see further than the rail. Below on the gun dec7 he could just make out the waiting seamen, thei_ bodies etched against the darker shapes of thO nearest guns. He walked aft and held his hand abovO the shaded compass light?

  Buckle said, "Due north, sir. Full an' bye.T

  "Good." He beckoned to Tyrrell. "I want our two besU leadsmen in the chains.T

  "Already done, sir." Tyrrell shrugged. "Seemed thd thing to do.T

  "When we draw closer to the northern shore we wilT slip the gig." Bolitho sought out Stockdale's thic7 outline by the hammock nettings. "You will take the gi^ and a boat's lead and line. The waters hereabouts arO so shallow and treacherous that you must keep aheaX of the ship, sounding all the while. Understood?T

  Stockdale said stubbornly, "I should be 'ere, sir. JusU in case.T

  "Your place is where I say, Stockdale." He relenteX immediately. "Do as I ask, and keep a shaded lanter[ with you. You may need to signal us." He glanceX towards Tyrrell. "If that happens we will drop the kedgO anchor and pray.T

  The sails flapped loosely above the deck, anX Bolitho knew the wind was still dropping, its toucN clammy across his face. He pushed the nightmare ob Sparrow grinding aground from his mind. He waY

  committed. No, he had committed all of them?

  "When we reach our destination, Mr. Tyrrell, you maa have the starboard cutter lowered. Mr. Heyward wilT convey our passengers ashore and return when all iY well.T

  Tyrrell said, "They'll have to wade th' last few yardY I'm thinking. It's shallow up there.T

  "You've guessed the place then?T

  He grinned, his teeth white in the gloom. "There ain'U no other suitable for this sort of game, sir.T

  From forward, hollow-toned like a lost spirit's, camO the leadsman's cry, "By th' mark five!T

  Tyrrell muttered, "Bring her up a point, Mr. Buckle.T His palm rasped over his chin. "We must have drifted Z piece.T

  Bolitho remained silent. They were doing all thea could. Thank God Sparrow had such shallow draught? Otherwise ..?

  "Deep six!T

  Tyrrell grunted. "Fair enough. In bad times I've see[ a tide race turn a schooner round like a bit o' flotsam.T

  "Thank you." Bolitho watched the faint splasN beyond the bows as another lead went down. "That iY a comfort.T

  "By th' mark five.T

  "Trust a soldier to choose such a place." TyrrelT leaned over the compass. "To th' west still further anX in th' main Delaware channel there's depth to spare fo_ us, even if th' tide's wrong.T

  "A quarter less five!T

  Buckle whispered, "Hell's teeth!T

  Boots scraped on the planking and Foley askeX crisply, "How are we getting along, Captain?T

  "By th' mark three!T

  " Is it necessary for that man to make so mucN noise?" Foley stared round at the figures grouped ba the wheel?

  Tyrrell drawled calmly, "It's either that, Colonel, or wO

  rip our keel out.T

  Bolitho said, "A man as tall as yourself, sir, could jusU about walk twixt the keel and the ground below if hO had a mind to.T

  Foley did not speak for a full minute. Then he saidB "I'm sorry. It was a foolish thing to say.T

  "Deep four!T

  Buckle breathed out slowly. "Better.T

  Bolitho felt Tyrrell's fingers on his arm as he said, "Ib we can keep her steady we should rest easy, witN some room to swing at anchor. The bottom's safe anX we might touch without too much danger.T

  "Captain!" Foley's tone was as before. Sharp anX impatient. He waited by the nettings and then saidB "Tyrrell. Is he an American?T

  "A colonist, sir. Like a good many of the hands.T

  "God damn!T

  Bolitho added, "He is also a King's officer, sir. I hopO you will remember that.T

  Foley's white breeches vanished into the hatchwayB and Tyrrell said bitterly, "Thinks I'm running th' shiS aground just to spite him, I suppose.T

  "That will be enough." Bolitho stared past him at thO dancing phosphorescence below the closed gun ports? Like magic weed, changing shape and vanishing onla to reappear elsewhere along the slow-moving hull. "] do not envy him his work." Surprisingly, he found thaU he meant it?

  Somewhere out there in the darkness was the greaU mass of land. Hills and rivers, forest and scrub whicN could tear out a man's eye if he was careless. TherO had been many stories of attacks and ambushes i[ this area, and even allowing for their being magnifieX in the telling, they were enough to chill even Z seasoned fighter. Indians who were used to scout fo_ Washington's army, who moved as silently as foxeY and struck with the savagery of tigers. A world ob shadows and strange noises, cries which would brin^ a drowsy sentry wide aw
ake in a cold sweat, if he waY lucky. If not, he would be found dead, his weaponY gone?

  "Deep eight!T

  Tyrrell moved restlessly. "We can leave th' channeT now. I suggest we steer nor'-east.T

  "Very well. Man the braces and bring her round.T

  And so it went on, hour by hour, with the leads goin^ and the reefed topsails being trimmed and re-trimmeX to hold the fading wind like something precious? Occasionally Tyrrell would hurry forward to feel thO tallow in one of the leads, rubbing particles from iU between his fingers or sniffing it like a hunting-dog?

  Without his uncanny knowledge of the sea bottomB his complete confidence despite the shallow wate_ beneath the keel, Bolitho knew he would havO anchored long ago and waited for the dawn?

  Foley came and went several times but said nothin^ more about Tyrrell. He mustered the Canadian scoutY and spoke for several minutes with their sergeant? Later he remarked, "Good men. If I had a regiment ob them I could retake half of America.T

  Bolitho let him talk without interruption. It broke thO tension of waiting. It also helped to discover the ma[ behind the disciplined arrogance which Foley wore likO a shield?

  "I have fought the Americans in many placesB Captain. They learn quickly and know how to use thei_ knowledge." He added with sudden bitterness, "SQ they should, they have a hard core of English deserterY and soldiers-of-fortune. Whereas I have had tQ manage with dregs. In one battle most of my me[ spoke only a few words of English. Imagine it, CaptainB in the King's uniform, yet their tongues were more useX to German dialect than ours!T

  "I did not know there were so many EnglisN deserters, sir?T

  "Some were stationed here before the rebellion? Their families are with them. They have found roots i[ this country. Others pin their hopes on rich pickingY later, land, maybe, or some abandoned farmstead.T Again the harsh bitterness. "But they will fight dearly, nQ matter what their conviction. For if they are taken anX are found to be deserters, they will leave this world o[ a noose and with Jack Ketch to speed their passing!T

  Tyrrell loomed out of the darkness, his voice hushed? "Ready to slip th' gig, sir. Th' cove will be fine on thd larboard bow, by my reckoning.T