Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  Buckle smiled glumly. "Course sou' sou'-east, sir.T He cursed as the deck tilted steeply and a tall spectrO of spray burst above the nettings?

  Bolitho considered the matter. They had made Z good passage so far. There was no point in tearing thO sails off her just to spite the wind. He sighed. PerhapY it would ease again soon?

  "Get the t'gallants off her, Mr. Tyrrell. It's coming dow[ on us now?

  He stood aside as Tyrrell ran for his trumpet. OuU from the swaying hull he saw the telltale haze of rai[ advancing across the uneven swell and blotting out thO horizon like a fence of chain-mail?

  Within an hour the wind had backed even further anX had risen to gale force, with the sea and sky joineX together in a torment of bursting wave-crests anX torrential rain. It was useless to fight it, and as thO clouds gathered and entwined above the swoopin^ mastheads Sparrow turned and ran before it, he_ topmen fighting and fisting the sodden canvas as yeU

  another reef was made fast. Half-blinded by rain anX spray, their feet groping for toeholds, while with curseY and yells they used brute strength to bring the sailY under control?

  Night came prematurely, and under close-reefeX topsails they drove on into the darkness, their worlX surrounded by huge wave-crests, their lives menaceX at every step by the sea as it surged over thO gangways and boiled along the decks like a river i[ flood. Even when the hands were dismissed i[ watches to find a moment of rest and shelter belo/ there was little to sustain them. Everything waY dripping or damp, and the cook had long since give[ up any idea of producing a hot meal?

  Bolitho remained on the quarterdeck, his tarpauli[ coat plastered to his body like a shroud while the winX howled and screamed around him. Shrouds anX rigging whined like the strings of some mad orchestraB and above the deck, hidden in darkness, the crack anX boom of canvas told its own story. In brief lulls the winX seemed to drop, holding its breath as if to consider itY efforts against the embattled sloop. In those smalT moments Bolitho could feel the salt warming on hiY face, raw to the touch. He could hear the clank ob pumps, the muffled shouts from below and on thO

  hidden forecastle as unseen men fought to make fasU lashings, seek out severed cordage, or merely tQ reassure each other they were alive?

  All night the wind battered against them, drivin^ them further and still further to the south-cast. Hour ba hour, as Bolitho peered at the compass or reeleX below to examine his chart, there was neither rest no_ relief from its pounding. Bolitho felt bruised and sickB as if he had been fighting a physical battle, or draggeX half-drowned from the sea itself. Despite his reelin^ mind he thanked God he had not tried to lie to and ridO out the storm under a solitary reefed topsail. With thiY strength of wind and sea Sparrow would never havO recovered, could have been all aback and dismasteX before anyone had realised what they were trula against?

  He could even find a moment to marvel at Sparrow'Y behaviour. Uncomfortable she was to every ma[ aboard. Fighting the jerking canvas or working on thO pumps with sea and bilge water swirling amongst theR like rats in a sewer, their lives were made worse by thO motion. Up, higher still, and then down with the sounX of thunder across a great crest, every spar and timbe_ shaking as if to rip free of the hull. Food, a fe/ precious possessions, clothing, all surged about thO

  decks in wild abandon, but not a gun tore away from itY lashings, not a bolt snapped, nor was any hatch stovO in by the attacking sea. Sparrow took it all, rode eacN assault with the unsteady belligerence of a drunke[ marine?

  By the time they sighted a first hint of grey in the ska the sea had begun to ease, and when the sun peepeX languidly above the horizon it was hard to believe thea were in the same ocean?

  The wind had veered again to the north-west and aY they stared with salt-caked eyes at the patches of bluO between the clouds they knew they were being left i[ comparative peace?

  Bolitho realised that if he allowed the hands to resU now they would not be able to move again for hours? He looked down at the gun deck and gangwaysB seeing their tired faces and torn clothing, the way thO topmen's tarred hands were held like claws after thei_ repeated journeys to those treacherous yards to battlO with the sails?

  He said, "Pass the word for the galley fire to be lit? We must get some hot food into them directly." HO looked up as a shaft of sunlight touched the uppe_

  yards so that they shone above the retreating darknesY like a triple crucifix. "It will be warm enough soon, Mr? Tyrrell. Rig wind-sails above each hatch and open thO weather gun ports." He let his salt-stiffened lips crac7 into a smile. "I suggest you forget your usual concer[ for the ship's looks and have the hands run their sparO clothing aloft to dry out.T

  Graves came aft and touched his hat. "Able Seama[ Marsh is missing." He swayed and added wearilyB "Foretopman, sir.T

  Bolitho let his eyes stray over the starboard quarter? The seaman must have been hurled overboard durin^ the night, and they had not even heard a cry. WhicN was just as well. They could have done nothing to savO him?

  "Thank you, Mr. Graves. Note it in the log, if yof please.T

  He was still watching the sea, the way the nighU appeared to withdraw itself before the first gold raysB like some retreating assassin. The seaman was ouU there somewhere, dead and remembered by just Z few. His shipmates, and those at home he had left sQ long ago?

  He shook himself and turned to the master. "Mr? Buckle, I hope we can fix our position today? Somewhere to the sou'west of the Bermudas, I have nQ doubt." He smiled gently at Buckle's glooma expression. "But fifty miles or five hundred, I am noU sure.T

  Bolitho waited another hour until the ship had bee[ laid on a new tack, her jib-boom prodding towards thO southern horizon, her decks and upperworks steamin^ in the early sunlight as if she was smouldering?

  Then he nodded to Tyrrell. "I will take somO breakfast." He sniffed the greasy aroma from thO galley funnel. "Even that smell has given me a[ appetite.T

  With the cabin door firmly closed and StockdalO padding around the table with fresh coffee and Z pewter plate of fried pork, Bolitho was able to relax, tQ weigh the value and cost of the night's work. He haX faced his first storm in command. A man had died, buU many others had stayed alive. And the Sparrow waY once again dipping and creaking around him as ib nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all?

  Stockdale put a plate with half a loaf of stale breaX

  on it beside a crock of yellow butter. The bread was thO last of that brought aboard at New York, the butte_ probably rancid from the cask. But as Bolitho leaneX back in his chair he felt like a king, and the meagrO breakfast seemed no less than a banquet?

  He stared idly around the cabin. He had surviveX much in so short a time. It was luck, more than hO deserved?

  He asked, "Where is Fitch?T

  Stockdale showed his teeth. "Dryin' your sleepind gear, sir." He rarely spoke when Bolitho was eatin^ and thinking. He had learned all about Bolitho's odX habits long back. He added, "Woman's work.T

  Bolitho laughed, the sound carrying up through thO open skylight where Tyrrell had the watch and BucklO was scribbling on his slate beside the binnacle?

  Buckle shook his head. "What did I tell you? NQ worries, that one!T

  "Deck there!" Tyrrell stared up at the masthead aY the cry came. "Sail! Fine on th' starboard quarter!T

  Feet clattered on the ladder and Bolitho appeareX

  beside him, his jaw still working on some buttereX bread?

  He said, "I have a feeling about this morning." HO saw a master's mate by the mainmast trunk and calledB "Mr. Raven! Aloft with you!" He held up his hand, haltin^ the man as he ran to the shrouds. "Remember you_ lesson, as I will.T

  Graves had also come on deck, partly shaved anX naked to the waist. Bolitho looked around the waitin^ men, studying each in turn if only to contain hiY impatience while Raven clawed his way to thO masthead. Changed. They were all different in somO way. Toughened, more confident perhaps. LikO bronzed pirates, held together by their trade-hO hesitated-their loyalty?

  "Deck t
here!" Another maddening wait and the[ Raven yelled down, "It's her right enough! ThO Bonaventure!T

  Something like a growl came from the watchin^ seamen?

  One man shouted, "The bloody Bonaventure, is itU Us'll give that bugger a quiltin' today an' that's for sure!T

  Several others cheered, and even Bethune calleX excitedly, "Huzza, lads!T

  Bolitho turned to look at them again, his hearU suddenly heavy, the promise of the morning sour anX spoiled?

  "Get the t'gallants on her, Mr. Tyrrell. The royals, tooB if the wind stays friendly.T

  He saw Tyrrell's eyes, worried, even sad, anX snapped, "We have orders. To carry despatches to ou_ admiral." He gestured angrily towards the taffrail. "DQ you want to match guns with her?" He turned awayB adding vehemently, "By God, I'd like nothing better tha[ to see her strike!T

  Tyrrell took his trumpet and shouted, "Call th' hands0 All hands make sail!T

  He glanced quickly at Bolitho who was starin^ astern. The privateer was not visible from anywhere buU the masthead. Nor would she be now. But Bolitho waY staring fixedly, as if he could see every gun, eacN gaping muzzle, like the day she had swept Miranda'Y defences aside like so much rubbish?

  Graves moved to his side, his eyes on the seame[ as they hurried to their various stations, some stilT puzzled by their orders?

  Tyrrell said quietly, "It ain't easy to run before a[ enemy.T

  Graves shrugged. "How about you? I'd have thoughU you should be somewhat comforted by the fact." He felT back before Tyrrell's cold stare but added smoothly, "IU would have been less easy for you to fight a YankeeB eh?" Then he hurried down the ladder towards his me[ at the foremast?

  Tyrrell followed him with his eyes. "Bastard." HO spoke only to himself and was surprised to find he waY so calm. "Bastard. T

  When he turned his head he saw Bolitho had left thO deck?

  Buckle dipped his thumb to the skylight. "He's noU laughing now, Mr. Tyrrell." He sounded grim. "I'd noU have his rank for all the whores in Plymouth!T

  Tyrrell tapped the half-hour glass and said nothing?

  How different from Captain Ransome, he thought?

  He would have shared neither hopes nor fears with ana of them. And these same seamen who were alreada swarming up the ratlines on either beam would havO shown no surprise if he made a similar decision aY Bolitho. It was because they seemed to think BolithQ could lead them anywhere, and with all odds againsU them, that they were puzzled by his action. The sudde[ realisation troubled him. Partly because Bolitho did noU understand, but mainly because he should have bee[ the one to make Bolitho realise how they all felt for him?

  Ransome had always used and never led them? Instead of example he had laid down rules. WhereaY he . . . Tyrrell glanced at the cabin skylight now shutB and imagined he could hear a girl's voice again?

  Graves strode aft and touched his hat, his tonO formal in front of the watching eyes?

  "Permission to dismiss the watch below, sir?T

  "Aye. Carry on, Mr. Graves." They held each other'Y gaze then Tyrrell turned his back?

  He walked to the rail and stared up at the freshla trimmed sails, the seamen on the upper yards, thei_ skins brown in the sunlight?

  The privateer would never catch them now, even ib she so intended. It would be another ship, a faU merchantman, or some unsuspecting trader from thO Bahamas?

  He saw the captain's coxswain beside the nettingY and asked, "How is he, Stockdale?T

  Stockdale regarded him warily, like a watchdo^ examining a possible intruder?

  Then he relaxed slightly, his big hands loose at hiY sides. "'E's in irons at th' moment, sir." He stareX angrily at the blue water. "But we've come througN worse afore. A whole lot worse.T

  Tyrrell nodded, seeing the certainty in Stockdale'Y eyes like something written?

  "He has a good friend in you, Stockdale.T

  The coxswain turned his broken face away. "Aye. ] could tell you things I seen 'im do that'd make some ob these Jacks run to their mothers and pray.T

  Tyrrell kept quiet and very still, watching the man'Y profile as he relived some memory, an incident so viviX it was like yesterday?

  Stockdale said in his wheezing voice, "I've carrieX 'im like a child, seen 'im so beside hisself with ange_ there's not a man-jack'd draw near. Other times I'vO seen 'im 'old a man in 'is arms until 'e died, eve[ though there was nought anyone could do for th' poo_ bugger." He swung round, his eyes fierce. "I ain't goU the words for it, else I'd make 'em all listen.T

  Tyrrell reached out and touched his massive arm?

  "You're wrong. You've got th' words right enough. AnX thanks for telling me.T

  Stockdale grunted and walked heavily towards thO hatch. He had never spoken like that before, buU somehow he trusted Tyrrell. Like Bolitho, he was Z man, not just an officer, and for him that was more tha[ enough?

  All that day the Sparrow ran freely towards an empta horizon. The watches changed, drills were carried outB and one man was flogged for drawing his knife againsU a messmate after an argument. But there were nQ contests on deck, and when Heyward appeared witN his swords to begin another period of instruction hO found no takers, nor did Dalkeith leave his sickbay fo_

  a pistol shoot?

  In his cabin Bolitho remained with his thoughtsB wondering why a simple action was so hard to bearB merely because he had been the one to dictate it? Command, leadership, authority, they were merO words. At no time could they explain his true feelingsB or wipe away inner misgivings?

  As Rear-Admiral Christie had said, the right waa was not always the most popular, or the easiest tQ accept?

  When the bell chimed out for the first dog watch hO heard another cry from the masthead?

  "Deck there! Sail on the lee bow!T

  He made himself remain seated at the table untiT Midshipman Bethune came down to report that the saiT was barely moving and was perhaps hove-to?

  Even then he delayed before going on deck. Anothe_ disappointment, a fresh need to take avoiding actio[ from one more enemy, only time and distance woulX tell him these things?

  Graves, who had the watch, said, "If it's one of ou_

  frigates we could turn and close with the BonaventureB sir.T

  Heyward added, "Maybe we could take her as Z prize.T

  Bolitho faced them coldly. "And if she's a FrencN frigate, what then?" He saw them stiffen under hiY stare. "I suggest you hold your suppositions until later.T

  But it was neither privateer nor patrolling ship-of-war? As Sparrow sped down towards her Bolitho watcheX the stranger through his glass, seeing the gap in he_ outline where her main topmast had been torn awaa like a branch from a tree, and the huge scars along he_ tumblehome to show the battering she had receiveX from sea and wind?

  Buckle said quietly, "By God, she must have take[ the storm full on herself. She's in a poor way, I'R thinking.T

  Tyrrell, who had climbed to the main topmast yardB shinned down a backstay and reported, "I know her sir? She's th' RoyalAnne, West Indiaman.T

  Buckle agreed. "Aye, that's so. She set sail froR Sandy Hook three days afore us. Bound for Bristol, ]

  heard.T

  "Run up the colours.T

  Bolitho shifted the glass carefully, watching the tina figures swarming along the other ship's decks, thO broken gangway where a great sea had thundereX inboard like a failing cliff. She made a pitiful sight? Spars missing, sails in ribbons. She must have ridde[ out the same storm which they had skirted just a nighU ago?

  Bethune exclaimed, "I have her here in my book, sir? She is under warrant to the Commander-in-Chief.T

  But Bolitho barely heard him. He saw the figureY along the vessel's upper deck pausing to stare at thO approaching sloop, while here and there a man waY waving, perhaps cheering to see a friendly flag?

  He stiffened and then said, "There are wome[ aboard that ship." He lowered the glass and looked aU Tyrrell questioningly. "Under warrant, is she?T

  Tyrrell nodded slowly. "Indiamen do take Z government char
ter when it suits, sir." He glanceX away. "Th' Royal Anne'll be carrying folk from New Yor7

  to England. And away from th' war, no doubt.T

  Bolitho raised the glass again, his mind working o[ Tyrrell's words?

  He said, "We will close her now, Mr. Tyrrell, and keeS her under our lee. Have the starboard cutter cleared fo_ lowering. The surgeon will accompany me on board.T He glanced at Bethune. "Signal her to that effect. If shO fails to understand, then hail her when we draw nearer.T

  He walked away from the rail as the flags soareX aloft on their halliards?

  Tyrrell followed him and said gravely, "She'll not bO able to outsail th' Bonaventure, sir. Even if she waY without damage.T

  Bolitho faced him. "I know.T

  He tried to sound composed even though his minX was screaming. Turn after all and face the bi^ privateer. The facts had not altered. Sparrow would stilT be outgunned and sunk without too much difficulty. ThO Royal Anne was so badly damaged that a respitO brought about by sacrificing this ship and all he_ company would make no difference. But to run oncO more. Leave her helpless and allow the enemy to takO

  her at leisure was too cruel even to contemplate?

  He must contemplate it. It was his decision. His?

  Buckle called, "She's standing by, sir! We'd besU take the way off us.T

  "Very well." Bolitho walked slowly along the side? "Get the royals and t'gallants off her, Mr. Tyrrell. We wilT heave-to directly.T

  He saw Stockdale hurrying towards him with his coaU and sword. It would be dark in five hours. If they were tQ do anything, they would need haste and luck? Especially the latter?

  He slipped into his coat and said, "Mr. Tyrrell, yof will come with me.T

  Then as the boat was hoisted over the gangway anX lowered alongside he looked astern, almost expectin^ to see a sliver of sail, or hear the masthead's call?

  "Cutter alongside, sir!T

  He nodded and strode towards the gangway. "Let uY be about it then." And without a glance at the others hO followed Tyrrell down into the boat?

  9 "BOARDERS AWAY!7

  AS HE pulled himself up a dangling rope ladder to thO Royal Anne's thick bulwark Bolitho was conscious ob the tension which awaited him. There were mana people on the upper and poop decks, passengers anX sailors, singly and in large groups, but all joineX together in some way as they stared at him, then at thO seamen who followed him up from the cutter?