Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  Bolitho shaded his eyes to stare at the other slooS as her sails suddenly filled and brought her round in Z slow pirouette. Across the sea's glittering face he sa/

  the first ruffle of wind, then felt the sun-dried planking lifU under his shoes, the immediate response of blockY and halliards?

  The Sparrow's decks were like tinder and it madO no difference how many times they were doused down? Paintwork was blistered by the heat, and as he turneX to watch the busy seamen he realised it was hard tQ tell the Negroes from his original company. Lean anX sun-dried maybe, he thought, but they looked healtha and bright-eyed, ready for anything?

  Tyrrell called, "Shall I have th' larboard cutter toweX astern now, sir?T

  Bolitho nodded. Only by towing them alternatela could they hope to keep them from drying out anX opening their seams. Even half filling them with wate_ on board seemed to have small effect?

  "Yes. Tell Mr. Tilby to . . ." He checked himself anX added, "Pass the word to the boatswain, if yof please.T

  After six months, it was still difficult not to speak hiY name, or expect to see his sweating features peerin^ aft at the quarterdeck?

  They had run down a Spanish schooner off the GreaU Bahama Bank, but had been forced to fire on her whe[ she refused to yield. Then, with grapnels flying likO snakes, Sparrow had surged alongside in the manne_ so well practised that it was accepted withouU comment even by the new men. A few pistol shots, thO sight of the half-naked boarders with drawn cutlasseY had been enough to quench the Spaniard's resistancO and it was all over almost before it had begun? Sometime in the middle of it, while men had dashed tQ shorten sail and prepare for boarding, as Bolitho haX waved his arm to signal the Spanish master to strikO and avoid bloodshed, Tilby had died?

  Not in the heat and terror of close action or under a[ enemy broadside, but quietly and without fuss while hO had stood at the foot of the foremast, his favouritO place where he usually kept an eye on the workings ob his ship. Dalkeith had examined him and reported thaU the boatswain's heart had given out, like a clock whicN had run its course and could take no more?

  His death made a deep impression on everyonO who had known him. To die in such a way waY unthinkable. Tilby, who had survived battles at sea anX countless drunken brawls in taverns the world over, haX gone without a man seeing his passing?

  When Tyrrell had collected his possessions BolithQ had been dismayed to see that there was hardla anything to barter amongst the company and thereba raise money for dependents he might have in England? Two small wood carvings of ships he had once servedB and one of them was broken, a collection of foreig[ coins, and his silver call which had been presented tQ him by no less a person than Captain Oliver of thO Menelaus where he had served as a bosun's mate? Poor Tilby, he had not even learned to write his ow[ name, and his language was limited to the profane fo_ much of the time. But he knew ships, and he kne/ Sparrow like his own body?

  Harry Glass, the senior boatswain's mate, had bee[ promoted in his place, but like most of the otherY seemed unable to accept that he was no/ independent of Tilby's booming voice and ever-vigilanU eye?

  As he watched the cutter rising from its chocks o[ the gun deck Bolitho wondered if indeed Tilby haX anyone ashore to grieve for him. He touched the sun1 heated taffrail and shuddered. He was a captain nowB the realisation of a dream which had been with hiR since he could remember. If the war suddenly endedB

  or other circumstances forced him to leave the NavyB he would drop from his present foothold like a fallin^ stone. Not being confirmed to post-rank, he would enX up as a mere lieutenant on half-pay, and all this woulX just be a mocking memory. But how much worse fo_ those like Tilby. He ran his eyes quickly across the me[ nearest to him as they worked at the braces to seU Sparrow before the wind again. They had nothing. E little prize money if they were fortunate, some bounta maybe from a charitable captain, otherwise they woulX be thrown on the beach less able to face the demandY of the outside world than when they had volunteered o_ been pressed into service. It was unjust. Worse, it waY dishonourable to treat men so shabbily, when withouU their sacrifice and courage their country would havO fallen to an enemy years ago?

  He began to pace the deck, his chin sunk on hiY chest. Perhaps one day they could change it. Make thO Navy a Service where men from all walks of life woulX be as glad as he was to serve in reasonable security?

  "Deck thar! Breakers on the larboard bow!T

  He came out of his thoughts and said. "Bring he_ round two points, Mr. Buckle. We will give those reefs Z wide berth until we are clear.T

  "Aye, sir.T

  He turned his attention to the other sloop, noting thaU Maulby had managed to repaint his hull in spite of thO heat. Fawn was exactly the same colour as SparrowB and to any uncertain eye would appear a twin. It waY another part of Bolitho's hard-won experience. Whe[ sailing separately, the fact they looked so simila_ helped to keep the enemy or his spies guessing. LikO the flag locker, which he had stocked with almost evera foreign flag in the book. Deception and surprise haX been the enemy's game. Bolitho was reaping thO benefit of their past success and turning the tableY against them?

  "West nor'-west, sir! Steady as she goes!T

  "Very well." He glanced at the compass and at thO set of the main topsails. "Not much of a wind, Mr? Buckle, but it suffices for the present.T

  All afternoon and into early evening the two sloopY continued on the same tack, with the wind showing nQ sign of changing in strength or bearing?

  The first dog watch was just drawing to its close anX Bolitho was making another attempt to complete hiY

  letter when a sail was reported to the south-west? Signalling Fawn to remain in company, Bolitho altereX course to investigate, but as the newcomer showed nQ sign of running he guessed it was a friendly ship. ThO masthead soon confirmed that she was in fact thO flotilla's little schooner Lucifer, a vessel kept as busy ib not busier than any of them, carrying despatches anX poking into coves and bays where even sloops founX little room to move in safety?

  In the dull bronze sunlight she made a pretty sightB with her big fore-and-aft sails spread like wings acrosY her narrow hull as she tacked towards the sloops, he_ signal flags soaring aloft to break in brightly coloureX squares?

  Bethune called, "Have despatches on board, sir!T

  Bolitho looked at Tyrrell. "Heave to, if you please." TQ Bethune he added, "Make to Fawn. Remain in closO company." He crossed to the rail as Tyrrell lowered hiY speaking trumpet. "You can never be sure. She mighU have good news for us.T

  Tyrrell gripped the rail, grimacing with pain as, witN sails slapping fussily, Sparrow came up into the wind?

  "Damn this leg!" In a calmer tone he said, "Good o_ bad, it's grand to see a friend. I was beginning to thin7 we had th' bloody sea to ourselves.T

  A jolly boat was already on its way, and Bolitho sa/ that Lieutenant Odell, the schooner's captain, waY coming in person, and felt a sudden twinge of hopefuT excitement?

  Odell clambered up the side and doffed his hat tQ the quarterdeck. He was a quick, darting young manB and was said to be slightly mad. But he seemed calR enough, and when he reached the cabin handeX Bolitho his bulky envelope before saying, "I have jusU come from Captain Colquhoun." He took a glass ob wine from Fitch and stared at it. "He is much excited.T

  Bolitho slit open the envelope and ran his eyeY quickly over the scrawling hand of Colquhoun'Y personal clerk?

  Tyrrell stood just inside the door, and Bolitho waY well aware of Buckle's shadow across the skylighU above the table. Not actually eavesdropping, but if hO happened to hear anything, well ..?

  He looked up and said, "Captain Colquhoun took Z

  fishing boat and questioned the crew." He flattened thO damp paper on the table. "That was a week ago.T

  Odell held the empty glass in front of him and waiteX until Fitch had refilled it before saying dryly, "Actually, ] caught the boat, sir," he shrugged disdainfully, "but thO good Captain Colquhoun seemed to take it over, as iU were.T

&n
bsp; Bolitho eyed him gravely. "It also states here that thO crew provided valuable information about thO Frenchman." He beckoned to Tyrrell and pushed thO unfinished letter from his chart. "The flute was sighteX here, close inshore," his finger rested on the wester[ end of Grand Bahama Island, "right amongst the islets? She was carrying out repairs, according to thO fishermen.T

  Tyrrell nodded slowly. "It sounds likely. If thd Frenchman knew a hunt was mounted, he would takO th' most hazardous passage amongst th' islands tQ throw us off. It don't signify he's still there of course.T

  Bolitho nodded. "A week back. Allow another fe/ days before that for the fishing boat to reach the placO where Lucifer sighted her." He snatched up hiY dividers and bent over the chart. "Thirty leagues froR

  our present position. We could be off the island ba noon tomorrow if the wind holds.T

  Odell said wearily, "But I understand that Captai[ Colquhoun wishes you to flush her out and nothin^ more, sir?" He smiled. "Or did I not comprehend thO good captain's desires?T

  Bolitho sat down and opened the despatches again? "Bacchante is to approach by the North WesU Providence Channel, while we remain to north'rd anX harry the Frenchman if he tries to run for it.T

  Odell nodded, satisfied. "Bacchante can be barela twenty miles from her attacking position by now, sir. ] am to find her again and report that I have met you anX that you understand the instructions.T

  Bolitho glanced at him quickly. "Thank you. I dQ understand.T

  The lieutenant stood up and reached for his hat? "Then I will return to my ship. I have no wish to bO caught in these waters after dark.T

  Together they watched the lieutenant being roweX back to his schooner?

  Then Tyrrell said heavily, "Seems clear enough tQ me. Cap'n Colquhoun is set on taking th' Frog as Z prize, all to himself, while we just act as beaters.T

  "There is something which bothers me far more.T Bolitho rubbed his chin. "The fishing boat was a smalT one, according to the despatches. Too frail to be out i[ deep water where she might expect to find BacchantO or some other frigate. It was a mere fluke that she meU with Lucifer, for as we know, Jethro, schooners in thO King's service are rare out here.T

  Tyrrell's eyes glistened in the dying sunlight. "Yof mean that th' fishermen were looking for another ship?T

  Bolitho met his gaze. "Aye.T

  "But there's only us an' the Fawn between here and th' inshore squadron, an' their nearest patrol must bO four hundred miles away?

  "Exactly." Bolitho stared astern at the other sloopB her topsails already painted in deepening shadows? "And who would know that better than some islanX fisherman, eh?T

  Tyrrell breathed out slowly. "Hell, you're saying wO was meant to get the information, but once Colquhou[

  got his hands on 'em they acted for their own safety.T

  "I don't know." Bolitho walked to the nettings anX back to the compass, seeing neither. "But Fawn'Y captain said something to me a while ago. That ou_ exploits were getting well known, which is another waa of saying they have been hurting the enemy.T

  Tyrrell nodded. "A trap. Is it likely?" He waved onO band towards the sea. "Surely we're not thaU important!T

  "It depends what the enemy intends.T

  Bolitho turned away, feeling a chill on his spine. IU was a new sensation, uncanny. To think that someonO might be discussing him, planning and scheming likO runners after a wanted criminal?

  But it was certainly how it appeared, how he musU anticipate it if he was to prepare himself. Fleets anX valuable convoys stayed to the east or west of thO Bahama Islands, so it was much more likely that thO enemy was out after one particular prize?

  He said, "We will show a stern lantern for Fawn'Y benefit tonight. At dawn I will tell Commander Maulba

  what I think." He grinned, suddenly amused by hiY unusual caution. "Or maybe by that time I will havO driven my ghosts away.T

  Tyrrell watched him doubtfully. "To our enemy, thd Frogs in particular, you're like a thorn." He frowned? "There's only one way to deal with thorns, you tear 'eR out and stamp on 'em!T

  Bolitho nodded. "I agree. We will continue with ou_ new course, but be prepared to treat every event as Z trick and a ruse until proved otherwise.T

  He looked abeam for the Lucifer, but she was littlO more than a blur in the damp evening haze. He curseX Colquhoun for not supplying more information abouU the fishing boat, where it came from, or the reliability ob its crew. Yet he could almost feel sorry for him. He waY obviously beset with anxiety about his own future, anX now there was the chance of catching a rich prize, anX probably military information as well, he could think ob little else?

  He went below to his cabin and stared at the charU beneath a gently spiralling lantern. Between his handY the islands, the countless tentacles of reefs anX shallows were like the neck of some gigantic bagB

  around which Colquhoun's flotilla, accidentally o_ otherwise, were converging to close with the finality ob a noose?

  Bolitho sighed and turned to lean from one of thO windows. In the shaded stern lantern's beam the smalT frothing wake glowed like blue wool, and beyond it thO horizon had faded to mingle with the first pale stars?

  Then he touched the scar beneath the lock of hairB noting that it was hurting, throbbing in time with hiY heart. He knew he was uneasy, more so because hO could not find a proper reason for it?

  Overhead he heard Graves murmuring as he too7 over the watch, and Tyrrell's limping step as he walkeX towards the companion ladder. Normal, regular soundY which usually gave him a sense of pleasure. NowB perhaps because they represented people he haX come to know, and not merely extensions of the ship'Y efficiency, he was suddenly afraid. Not of an enemy o_ the ever-present shadow of death, but of hiY responsibility which their trust had given him?

  11 STRATEGY AND SPITY

  BOLITHO was hastily tying his neckcloth when TyrrelT thrust his head through the cabin skylight and calledB "Bacchante's just signalled, sir! Capn's to repai_ aboard!T

  "I will come up directly.T

  He threw on his coat and took a quick glance rounX the cabin. He did not see Colquhoun very often, but hO had learned it best to forget nothing?

  On deck he found the gig being swayed over thO gangway, and when he glanced abeam he saw Fawn'Y boat already in the water and Maulby hurrying dow[ into it with his usual agility?

  It was early afternoon and the deck burning hoU through his shoes. All night, with Fawn keeping aY close as safety allowed, they had driven south, with thO sprawling barrier of sandbars and shallows some te[ miles off the larboard beam. But it had taken longe_ than he had hoped to find Colquhoun's Bacchante, anX almost as soon as the masthead had sighted he_ topsails the wind had fallen away to a mere breathB allowing the sun to tighten its grip over them like Z furnace?

  As he waited for the gig's crew to man their boat hO turned to stare across the opposite beam, towards thO distorted hump of blue and purple which he knew to bO the western tip of Grand Bahama. Colquhoun waY taking no chances. He was standing well clear of thO land, either to give himself sea-room, or to prevent thO enemy from seeing his intentions?

  "Ready, sir.T

  He ran down to the entry port and said to TyrrellB "Keep a sharp lookout for inquisitive craft of any kind? Send a cutter after 'em if they draw near. Don't wait fo_ my orders.T

  Then he was in the gig and settling himself on a hoU thwart as Stockdale swung the tiller and sent the boaU dipping and swaying towards the frigate. BacchantO was hove-to, her sails flapping loosely, showing he_ copper as she rolled unsteadily in the swell. She was Z fine ship, he thought. Clean-cut and designed by Z craftsman. Thirty-six guns and the ability to live off he_ own resources for many months, she was, or shoulX be, every young captain's ambition. It did not seem tQ fit Colquhoun at all?

  Stockdale was muttering under his breath, anX

  Bolitho knew he was cursing his opposite number i[ Fawn, who always seemed to manage to get his boaU anywhere just that bit faster. The gig turned swiftly, oarY backing in cl
ose unison, the bowman hooking on to thO frigate's main chains as Bacchante's shadow gavO them brief respite from the glare?

  Bolitho clambered up the side, doffing his hat anX regaining his composure while the calls shrilled i[ salute and a squad of red-coated marines slappeX their muskets to the present?

  The first lieutenant, a gaunt, harassed-looking manB bobbed his head in welcome?

  "The captain is aft, sir. He is preparing his strategyB other, wise . ?

  Maulby stepped from the shade of the gangway anX took his arm. "Otherwise, my friend, he would have haX the good grace to meet us at the entry port, eh?" HO laughed at the lieutenant's embarrassment. "You, sirB deserve rich recognition for your penance aboard thiY ship.T

  Together they strode beneath the poopB automatically ducking their heads despite the amplO room above?

  A marine stamped his boots together and thre/ open the cabin door, his eyes never blinking or shiftin^ until both officers had stepped over the coaming?

  Colquhoun was standing by the stern windowsB studying his watch with obvious impatience?

  "So you have arrived, gentlemen." He sat down aU his table. "Eventually.T

  Bolitho relaxed slightly. So it was to be this way?

  He replied, "We had adverse winds overnight, sir.T

  Maulby added calmly, "And I thought you might bO closer inshore, sir. We seem to be somewhat, er, out ob touch with affairs at present." He glanced towards hiY own ship as she rolled uneasily about a cable froR Bacchante's quarter. "But I expect you have a reaso[ for that, sir.T

  Colquhoun stared at him fixedly, as if to seek out thO truth of his words. Fortunately he seemed quitO oblivious to Maulby's sarcasm?

  He snapped, "Look at my chart." They gathereX round and he tapped it with some brass dividers. "ThO

  Frenchman is here. I sent a cutter under sail beforO dawn to investigate." He looked up, his eyeY triumphant. "So there's an end to speculation.T

  Bolitho leaned closer. What a formidable place? From the western tip of the main island the chain ob reefs and bars ran northward for about forty miles tQ link with the notorious Matanilla Shoal. The latter the[ turned eastward, enclosing the great span of ope[ water known as the Little Bahama Bank like onO monstrous snare. In places the water was only feeU deep, and the fathoms were few and far between?