Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  According to Colquhoun's marks on the chart, thO French ship had passed through or around one of thO cays to rest up on the other side of the island. It waY perfect for anyone trying to avoid a skirmish. For o[ this side and elsewhere in the channel the sea bottoR was over two hundred fathoms, and any hope of Z close attack was foiled by the steepness of the island'Y face. Whereas on the other side, within the LittlO Bahama Bank, the water was very shallow and sandyB ideal for a master who wished to careen his ship anX carry out temporary repairs?

  "Was your cutter seen, sir?" Maulby did not look up?

  "Of course not!" Colquhoun seemed angry even aU the simple suggestion. "My first lieutenant was i[ charge. He knows what would happen to him if hO allowed such carelessness." He calmed himself witN an effort. "He saw many lights on the water. The cutte_ pulled through the surf and between two sandbars anX watched the enemy at work. She's big, probably Z forty-gun frigate with some armament removed. MusU have touched bottom and sustained damagO sometime after entering the islands.T

  Bolitho glanced at his profile. Colquhoun was vera excited, there was no doubt about it, despite his effortY to conceal his true emotions. There was a strong smelT of brandy, and he guessed he had been celebratin^ privately the victory already in his pocket?

  He asked quietly, "What do you intend, sir?T

  Colquhoun looked at him searchingly. "I am workin^ on the assumption that the enemy is near finisheX repairs. Now, he will either continue on passage, o_ make for Martinique again if he is badly holed anX needing greater help. Either way, we must act at oncO and avoid another chase.T

  "I would suggest a boat action, sir. We would crosY

  the bar from two directions and cut her out before thea know what is happening. With men and boats from alT three ships we can swamp her defences with darknesY on our side.T

  Colquhoun said mildly, "With you in overall commanX of the boats, no doubt?T

  Bolitho flushed angrily. "Your frigate is too large ba half to be of use in those confined waters, sir! If thO Frenchman makes a run for it, or decides to show fightB you will be needed to present your ship to him anX without delay.T

  "Easy, Bolitho." Colquhoun was smiling gently. "Yof rise quickly to my words. Such haste to speak tends tQ show guilt more than conviction.T

  He turned swiftly before Bolitho could reply. "YouB Maulby, will take Fawn across the bar tonight, unde_ sweeps if required, but I want you in position at daw[ tomorrow." He leaned over the chart again. "If thO enemy is repaired enough to make sail he will nQ doubt hope for one of three possible channels. To thO north his passage could be adversely affected by winX and tide. South is more likely, in which case BacchantO will be well placed to take him as he tacks around thO

  point. But if he is still laid up or careened, you will bO able to rake him there and then. He will see no use i[ firing back at you. Just a few more holes will bO sufficient to render him immovable, or long enough fo_ us to present more drastic measures." He wagged onO finger. "But I know these Frogs. They'll not fight if thO odds are so well laid.T

  Across his bowed shoulders Maulby looked aU Bolitho and shrugged?

  Bolitho said nothing, knowing Colquhoun waY waiting for him to protest. Sparrow was better suited tQ the task as defined by Colquhoun. Her armament waY heavier, and her thirty-two pounders were far morO accurate and deadly than Fawn's lesser battery ob nine-pounders. He knew that any such suggestionB however, would only bear out Colquhoun's earlier hinU that he was greedy for more success and fame, or thaU he was a better man than Maulby for the mission?

  Maulby asked slowly, "Will you send men overlandB sir?T

  Colquhoun still did not look at them. "God in heaven0 Where is all this stuff of combat I have been reading i[ the Gazette? I am beginning to wonder at itY

  substance!T

  Bolitho said, "It is a sensible suggestion, sir. I woulX prefer a boat action by night, but in daylight a force ob men, including your marines, would be able to . . ." HO got no further?

  Colquhoun straightened like a steel spring. "EnougN of this! My plan leaves no room for nervous fumblin^ about the rocks like a lot of damn lizards! ThaU Frenchman is as good as taken, and I intend to sail he_ into port intact and with her cargo or whatever ready fo_ closer inspection!T

  He walked from the table and stared at a half-filleX decanter on his desk. As he reached out for it BolithQ saw his hand was shaking with anger or agitation. HiY voice was equally unsteady as he continued, "And youB Bolitho, will close from the north. Stay out of sight untiT the time of attack and then make contact with me fo_ further orders." His fingers closed around the decante_ like claws. "That is all. My clerk will give you writte[ details of attack as you leave.T

  They left the cabin and walked in silence to thO quarterdeck?

  Maulby spoke first. "It should be your doing, Dick. ] agree with you about trying to cut the enemy out, buU either way, it is your right to lead if Colquhoun intendY to stand offshore.T

  Bolitho touched his shoulder. "I wish you all successB but you know that. You are more than due fo_ promotion, and I hope this will bring it for you.T

  Maulby grimaced. "I'll not deny that I'd relish thO chance. But I would wish it done with less bitterness.T He glanced aft. "That man will be the death of me witN his bloody moods.T

  Bolitho bit his lip, trying to find the right words?

  "Look, John, take good care. I know Colquhoun iY desperate for this victory, but I do not share his scor[ for Frenchmen. They fight well, they fight with courage? They are not given to empty gestures, even in thO cannon's mouth.T

  Maulby nodded, his eyes grave. "Have no fear. If thaU Frenchman decides to match gun for gun with me I wilT haul off and await support.T

  Bolitho forced a smile. Maulby was lying to ease hiY troubled mind. Lying as he would probably do unde_

  similar conditions. Before and after a fight at sea therO was always room for recriminations and counter1 proposals, but once joined in battle there was usualla only one thought. To fight, to keep on firing until thO enemy broke or the tide turned against you?

  "Boats alongside!" The first lieutenant greeted theR with a tired smile. "Is it done, sir?T

  Maulby held up his written orders. "Aye. Done.T

  The lieutenant sighed. "I have made a small sketcN which may be of some help for you, sir. The tide-race iY bad there, and the surf no better. But if the FrencN could enter, then you should have less hardship.T

  The two gigs were hooked on to the chains, anX Bolitho said with sudden urgency, "I will be making saiT directly if I am to take station by dawn." He held out hiY hand. "I wish I was coming with you.T

  Maulby returned the clasp. "I, too." He grinned. "BuU at least you will be spared the sight of Fawn as shO makes Colquhoun both rich and famous in one blow.T

  Stockdale stood up in the gig as Bolitho descendeX the frigate's side, his eyes puzzled?

  As the boat shoved off and the oars picked up thO stroke, he hissed, "Then we're not fightin', sir?T

  Bolitho sighed. Secret orders, plans of battle, meanU nothing to the lower deck. Stockdale had not left thO gig, but he and probably every Jack in the flotilla kne/ what was happening?

  "Not this time, Stockdale.T

  He had already forgotten Colquhoun's snub, thO calculated attempt to drive a rift between him anX Maulby. He was thinking of Fawn's task, the chances ob success without prolonging the attack so thaU Colquhoun could blame Maulby for the delay?

  "It ain't right, sir." Stockdale was muttering from thO tiller?

  Bolitho glared at him. "Just attend to your work! ] have had a bellyful of strategy for one day!T

  Stockdale studied the captain's squared shouldersB the way he was gripping his hanger so that the fingerY showed white through his tan. It ain't no use you blowind off at me, my lad, it still ain t right, an' wot's more, yof knows it0

  With his secret rebuff held firmly in his minX Stockdale eased the tiller bar and headed straight fo_ the Sparrow?

  As the bowman hooke
d on to the chains BolithQ turned abruptly and said, "But thank you for you_ concern.T

  Stockdale stood and removed his hat while BolithQ reached for the sloop's side?

  He grinned broadly at his back. "Thankee, sir!T

  Tyrrell was no less ready to speak out. "But that's Z strange choice! Commander Maulby's a fine officerB but ...T

  Bolitho swung round. "Prepare to get the ship unde_ way. Rig the royal yards as soon as we are unde_ command, for I want to make all speed with what winX there is!" He relented again. "Just do as I ask, Mr? Tyrrell, and let us have no more of it.T

  Buckle ambled across the deck as Bolitho hurrieX below to rid himself of his heavy dress coat?

  "What d'you make of it, Mr. Tyrrell?T

  Tyrrell frowned. "That damn Colquhoun! I never too7 to th' man. Like bloody Ransome, his eyes are slits fo_ the Devil to peer through!T

  Buckle shook his head. "Cap'n's worried, there's nQ doubt on that.T

  "Not for himself." Tyrrell watched the men hauling aU the boat tackles as the gig bobbed above thO gangway. "That is equally certain.T

  Bolitho's voice rose sharply through the skylight? "When you have finished, gentlemen, I would bO obliged if you would attend to my orders!T

  Buckle looked at Tyrrell and grinned sheepishly?

  "That's more like it! Our Dick's not the one to brooX too long!T

  Within the hour Sparrow was ghosting slowly to thO northwest, her yards alive with canvas, as with all saiT set she left her consorts further and still further astern?

  The wind rose very slightly, and by the time the firsU stars appeared above the raked masts they haX logged nearly fifty miles back along the same coursO they had used to join Colquhoun with such haste thO

  previous night?

  But there was nothing anyone could do about it, anX there were some who were inwardly pleased to bO spared Fawn's uncomfortable passage through thO shoals?

  On the quarterdeck Lieutenant Graves leaneX against the rail, half watching the loosely flapping sailsB partly listening to the creak of the wheel, an occasionaT voice from his seamen on watch. He was thinkin^ about his home in Chatham and the news he haX received in a rare letter from England. His was not Z seafaring family, and his father had owned a small buU flourishing grocer's shop where Graves and his siste_ had been born and had grown up together. His motherB a sickly woman, had died a year before Sparrow haX sailed from the Thames, and in the past years hiY father had apparently taken to drink. The business haX fallen into debt, and his sister, probably out ob desperation, had married an impoverished lieutenanU in the army garrison?

  She had written asking for money, for herself and tQ try to keep their father from a debtors' prison. GraveY had sent all he had, which had been little enough. HiY share of Sparrow's prize money would helS

  considerably, but until he received more news froR home he was unwilling to sign it over when it had bee[ so hard to come by. If only he had been better mouldeX to dealing with the ways of the Navy. Like the captainB whose seafaring background and famous ancestorY put him apart from men like himself. Or even TyrrellB who seemed indifferent to all authority, although GoX knew he could ill afford to be so. He remembereX exactly when Tyrrell's sister had come aboard. Thea had been in Kingston, Jamaica, where she had bee[ living with friends, waiting until the troubles, as shO called them, in America were over. A vivacious, livela girl, with none of Tyrrell's casual attitudes. To GraveY she had appeared like some sort of angel, an answe_ to everything he had ever dreamed. She came from Z settled, prosperous family, and as a wife would havO given him the chance to better himself, find his rightfuT place in the world instead of remaining unsure anX cautious. Tyrrell had seen his intentions clearly enoughB but had neither encouraged nor come out directla against him. Then, the fool had had an argument witN Captain Ransome over a man being punished. GraveY could no longer remember if the punishment was jusU or not, nor did he care. All that remained clear was thaU Ransome had acted swiftly and had used all his charmB which was considerable, and his obvious skill on thO

  girl's defences to break his own chances as well aY alienating her brother completely. But Graves stilT blamed Tyrrell, hated him whenever he thought of he_ and the way she had looked when Ransome had finalla put her ashore in Antigua?

  He gripped the rail until the pain steadied him? Where was she now? Someone said she had saileX for America again, others mentioned a passin^ Indiaman which had gone south to Trinidad. Would shO ever think of him? He turned away, angry with himselb for daring to hope after so long. Why could he never bO confident when it was most needed? Perhaps he haX been too long in that damned grocer's shop, hearin^ his father grovelling to the quality, bowing and scrapin^ to customers who ran up bills far greater than his ow[ debts?

  The worry about his sister, the uncertainty abouU himself, had taken their toll in other ways, too. He haX sensed it after the fight with the Bonaventure, eve[ though he had been aboard Sparrow with the rescueX passengers. Suppose the captain had failed tQ grapple her long enough to carry out his wild planU Would he have had the strength to turn Sparro/ against orders and attempt to rescue Bolitho and hiY men? But for Buckle and some of the others hO

  doubted if he would have done so even when botN grappled ships had burst into flames. They had see[ the great pall of smoke from the horizon itself?

  And later, when they had closed with the other prizeY and had exchanged shots with privateers, he had felU the fear spreading inside him like some loathsomO disease. Nobody had noticed. Yet. He shook himselb and crossed to the weather side, trying to clear hiY mind in the cool breeze?

  The two midshipmen were standing by the leO nettings, and Bethune said quietly, "Mr. Graves seemY worried.T

  The new midshipman, Fowler, ignored the comment? "Now look here." He had a lisp, which became morO evident whenever he was trying to appear innocenU before his superiors. Now it was barely noticeable. "] have to supervise swabbing the cable tier tomorrow?

  Bethune was watching the lieutenant. "I know. It'Y your turn.T

  Fowler showed his small teeth. "You do it for me? When we rejoin the fleet I will speak with the admiral.T

  Bethune gaped at him. "For me?T

  "Perhaps.T

  Bethune's gratitude was pathetic. "Oh, if only. . ." HO nodded firmly. "Yes, I will take charge of the cable party? Anything else I can do ...T

  The youth regarded him coolly. "I will let you know.T

  Throughout the ship the company lived out thei_ hopes and dreams in their own way?

  In his tiny cabin Tyrrell was sitting on his sea-chesU massaging his wounded thigh, while on the other sidO of the bulkhead Bolitho finished his letter to his father?

  In the dimly lit wardroom Dalkeith was drowsing ove_ a glass of rum, hearing Buckle re-telling a yarn abouU some woman or other in Bristol, while young HeywarX listened to him with his eyes closed?

  Right forward above the plunging beakhead, his hai_ blown by wind and drifting spray, Yule, the gunnerB squatted with his back against a stanchion, a bottlO between his knees, his blurred mind thinking of TilbyB the good times they had shared together?

  Deep in the hold, a lantern above his narrow headB

  Lock, the purser, inspected a cask of lemonsB examining each one like some robber with his bootyB while he made notes in a ledger?

  And below her pale canvas Sparrow held them all? Oblivious to their various troubles and pleasuresB indifferent even to the sea. For she needed none ob them, and seemed content?

  As soon as Bolitho reached the quarterdeck, he kne/ the wind was changing against them, and rapidly. HO had been in a deep sleep when a master's mate haX groped into the cabin to tell him that LieutenanU Heyward was requesting advice?

  It was only halfway through the middle watch, and thO stars still very bright above the mastheads, but as hO hurried across the deck, his bare feet soundless on thO damp planking, he heard the topsails shaking violentlyB the responding chorus from stays and shrouds?

  Buckle was beside t
he wheel, and like himself waY wearing only his breeches, evidence, if it was stilT needed, of Heyward's unwillingness to call for help untiT it was almost too late?

  "Well?" He peered at the slanting compass bowlB

  seeing the helmsmen's eyes glowing faintly in thO binnacle light. "I'm waiting, Mr. Heyward.T

  He did not wish to fluster the young lieutenant, and aU another time could appreciate his wishing to control hiY own watch without showing uncertainty. But this waY not the time, and in such dangerous waters they woulX have to act fast?

  Heyward explained, "The wind backed a point or soB and I had my watch trim the yards." He gestureX vaguely above his head. "But now it has backed at Z faster rate, I fear maybe from the north-east.T

  Buckle muttered, "We'll never be able to changO tack in time to reach the head o' the shoals, sir." HO glared at the compass. "Never!T

  Bolitho rubbed his chin, feeling the wind playin^ across his bare shoulders. Heyward had been foolisN to let Sparrow have her head like this. Maybe hO expected the wind to veer again, as it often diX hereabouts, but whatever he thought or hoped, thO ship's bow was now pointing almost north-west ba north, and she was not holding that course very welT either. Every minute was taking them further from thO chain of shoals, and it would waste hours of wearin^

  and tacking to fight round again towards their statio[ as Colquhoun had directed?

  Heyward said miserably, "I'm sorry about this, sir. I-] thought I could hold her.T

  Bolitho was thinking busily. "You cannot help thO wind. But in future you must learn to call me thO moment you are unsure of anything. I'll not think worsO of you." He looked at Buckle. "What is your opinionU We have four hours before dawn.T

  Buckle was adamant. "Impossible." He sighed. "I'R afraid we must remain close-hauled and try to wea_ ship in perhaps three hours or so.T

  Bolitho pictured the chart in his mind, recalling vividla the nearest sandbars, the set of the tide?