Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  Bolitho climbed into the coach and sank against thO

  cushions. He could still feel her skin against his mouthB smell the perfume from her hair. A girl who could drivO a man mad, even if he was not halfway there already?

  At the end of the jetty he found a waterman noddin^ over his oars, and had to call several times to attracU his attention?

  "Wot ship, sir?T

  "Sparrow?

  Just saying the name helped to steady his racin^ thoughts. Before he stepped down into the dory hO turned to look at the coach, but it had alreada disappeared. Like one more part of the dream?

  The Waterman was grumbling to himself as hO hauled the heavy box down the steps. Not enough tQ offend a ship's captain, but enough to add slightly tQ his fare?

  Bolitho wrapped his cloak around him and felt thO seabreeze cold against his face. Still westerly. It woulX be good to get away again. If only to find time to collecU himself and examine his hopes for the future?

  15 A GOOD LIKENESS

  SPARROW'S mission to investigate the strength ob French shipping at Newport proved to be more difficulU than Bolitho had expected. The passage from Sanda Hook to the eastern extremes of Long Island showeX nothing but promise for a quick completion and a[ equally swift return. But the weather decided otherwiseB and in a savage westerly gale the little sloop waY driven and battered continuously, so that Bolitho had tQ run with it rather than risk damage to spars anX canvas?

  Even when the wind moderated it took many morO days to beat back again, and hardly an hour passeX without the need to shorten sail or lay the ship on Z tack which would take her away rather than toward he_ goal?

  New York's entertainment seemed a long waa behind, and Bolitho found the reality of driving his shiS against wind and tide more than enough to occupy hiY energy. Even so, he found plenty of time to think abouU Susannah Hardwicke. Pacing the deck, hair whippin^ in the wind, his shirt often drenched with spray, hO remembered their parting, the hint of an embracO

  which he could recall as clearly as if it had jusU occurred?

  He suspected that his officers knew or guesseX what had happened in New York, if only because ob their careful silence?

  The drudgery of fighting against the wind, thO constant demands on every man aboard, were easeX in part by the presence of their passenger. RuperU Majendie, true to his word, had arrived within minuteY of weighing, complete with sketching and paintin^ materials, and a repertoire of stories which did morO than pay for his keep on board. When the sea anX wind calmed he would be seen with his pad, sketchin^ seamen at their daily tasks or catching them at thei_ relaxation off watch, dancing or making small modelY and scrimshaw work. If the weather was less friendla he would disappear below to find fresh scope for hiY busy hands with only a swinging lantern to guide hiY pencil or brush. He and Dalkeith had become firR friends, which was hardly surprising. Each came froR another sphere of culture and high intellect, with fa_ more to discuss than the average sailor?

  At the end of three long weeks, and with each daa adding to his frustration, Bolitho decided to wait nQ

  more. He called Tyrrell to the cabin and unrolled hiY chart?

  "We will close with the shore at daylight tomorrowB Jethro. The wind is still strong, but I see no othe_ choice.T

  Tyrrell let his eyes move across the chart. ThO approaches to Rhode Island were always a probleR with a prevailing westerly wind. To be caught in a fulT gale might mean being driven eastwards again, anX once within the jaws of the mainland and Newport itselb there would be little room for manoeuvre. Under normaT conditions it required patience and understanding. BuU with the French in control of the area it was somethin^ else entirely?

  As if reading his thoughts, Bolitho said quietly, "I'X not wish to be caught on a lee shore. But if we stay ouU here in open water, we might as well admit failure.T

  "Aye." Tyrrell straightened his back. "I doubt thd Frogs'll have much in th' way of ships anyway. Thea depend on their batteries to defend themselves.T

  Bolitho smiled, some of the strain slipping from hiY face. "Good. Pass the word. I'll want the very best eyeY

  at the mastheads tomorrow.T

  But true to Buckle's gloomy prediction, the nexU morning was something of a disappointment. The ska was clouded over and the wind which made thO topsails bluster and crack despite their trim, told therO was rain nearby. And yet the air felt sultry anX oppressive, affecting the hands as they went to thei_ stations for changing tack. The welcome stay i[ harbour, followed by the nervous uncertainty ob thrashing this way and that at the wind's discretion, haX taken their toll. There were plenty of curses and not Z few blows from boatswain's mates before Sparrow laiX herself over on the larboard tack, her plungin^ beakhead pointing towards the shore once again?

  A grey day. Bolitho gripped the weather nettings anX mopped his forehead with his shirt-sleeve. His ski[ and clothing were wringing wet, as much from sweaU as from flying spray?

  Only Majendie seemed content to remain on deckB willingly, his pencil busy, his thin body and jutting bearX dripping with moisture?

  "Land ho! Fine on the weather bow!T

  Bolitho tried not to show his satisfaction and relief? With the dull visibility and blustery wind you could noU be too secure with mere calculations. He looked up aU the masthead pendant. The wind had backed slightly? He stared at the pendant until his eyes watered. TherO was no doubt about it. Good for a steady approach? Not so comforting if they had to turn and run. "Bring he_ up a point, Mr. Buckle.T

  "Aye, aye, sir.T

  Buckle dabbed his face with a handkerchief beforO passing his orders. He would be well aware of thO difficulties, Bolitho thought. There was no sanity i[ worrying him further?

  To Majendie he said, "I hope you are getting it alT down. You will make your fortune when you return tQ England.T

  Buckle yelled, "Nor' nor'-east, sir! Full an' bye!T

  "Very good. Hold her so.T

  Bolitho walked a couple of paces and thought of thO girl in New York. What would she think of him nowU Crumpled and soaked to the skin, his shirt morO patches than original cloth. He smiled to himself, noU

  seeing Majendie's pencil as it recorded his mood?

  Tyrrell limped up the deck and joined him by thO nettings?

  "I reckon that Newport is 'bout five miles off thd starboard bow, sir." He looked up with surprise as Z shaft of watery sunlight played across the bucking hulT like a lantern beam. "Hell, you can never tell in thesO waters.T

  "Deck thar! Ships at anchor to the nor'-east!T

  Tyrrell rubbed his hands. "Frogs may be assemblin^ a convoy. Our inshore squadron'll catch 'em if we carra th' word fast enough.T

  The lookout yelled again. "Six, no, eight sail-o'-the1 line, sir!T

  Graves staggered from the rail as Sparrow lurcheX sickeningly into a deep trough?

  "The man's mad!" He spluttered as spray bursU above the nettings and cascaded over him like hail. "E couple of frigates at most, if you ask me!T

  Bolitho tried to ignore the buzz of speculation anX

  doubt around him. De Grasse had a powerful fleet i[ the West Indies, that was well known. His subordinateB de Barras, who commanded at Newport, had no sucN strength. His usefulness was placed in frigates anX smaller craft and in quick forays against British coastaT trade. De Barras had made one attempt to challengO the New York forces off Cape Henry earlier in the yearB but the action had been desultory and ineffective. HO had retired to his defences and had remained there?

  He said, "Aloft with you, Mr. Graves. Tell me what yof see.T

  Graves hurried to the shrouds muttering, "That fool? Can't be ships-of-the-line. Can't be.T

  Bolitho stared after him. Graves was acting vera strangely. It was as if he dreaded what he mighU discover. Afraid? No. That seemed unlikely. He haX been aboard long enough to know the risks anX rewards of the game?

  "Deck there!" It was another seaman clinging higN above the mizzen yard. "Sail on the larboard quarter!T

  "Damn!" Tyrrell
snatched a telescope and hurrieX with it to the taffrail?

  Mist and spray, the distance made worse ba Sparrow's drunken motion, it took time to find thO newcomer?

  Tyrrell snapped, "Frigate. No doubt, sir.T

  Bolitho nodded. The other ship was clawing closO inshore, coming around the jutting headland with evera available sail set to the wind?

  Buckle cupped his hands. "Stand by to comO about!T

  "Belay that!" Bolitho's voice held the maste_ motionless. "We have got this far. Let us see whaU there is to see and then run.T

  Graves came lurching from the gangway, his shirU torn from his rapid descent?

  He gasped, "He was right, sir. Eight of the line? Maybe two frigates, and a whole clutter of supply shipY anchored closer in.T

  Bolitho thought of his talk with Farr at Sandy HookB his own reaction at seeing the British two-deckerY nearby. Waiting, he had thought, but for what? AnX were these Frenchmen doing likewiseU

  Tyrrell said, "Can't be none of de Grasse's ships, sir? Our patrols, even blind ones, would've seen 'em!T

  Bolitho met his stare. "I agree. It's a gathering fo_ something. We must inform the admiral directly.T

  Buckle shouted, "Frigate closing fast, sir. Less tha[ three miles, by my reckoning.T

  Bolitho nodded. "Very well, run up French coloursB and prepare to come about.T

  The flag rose swiftly to the gaff, to be greeted by a[ immediate blast of cannon from the frigate's forecastle?

  Bolitho smiled grimly. "He is not deceived. So hoisU our own, if you please.T

  Buckle crossed to Bolitho's side, his featureY screwed tight with worry?

  "I think maybe we would wear ship, sir. ThaU Frenchman'll be up to us afore we knows it otherwise.T

  Bolitho shook his head. "We would lose too mucN time. The frigate might chase us all the way tQ Nantucket or run us aground." He swung on Graves?

  "Clear away the bowchasers. Load but do not run out.T He clapped him on the forearm, seeing him start witN alarm. "Lively, man! Or Mr. Frenchman'll be aboard fo_ grog!T

  Men scampered wildly to their stations, somO pausing only to peer over the hammock nettings at thO other ship which was driving purposefully towards thO larboard quarter. She was much nearer, but in thO bursting spray her hull was almost lost to view. Only he_ bulging courses and topsails displayed her captain'Y eagerness to do battle?

  "Ready about!" Bolitho had his hands on his hips aY he peered aloft at the slashing pendant. "Stand by o[ the quarterdeck!T

  "Put the helm down!" He felt the deck stagger, anX wondered how Sparrow would appear to the enemy? Running? Preparing to fightU

  He almost fell as the ship heeled and tilted stilT further to the thrust of sail and rudder?

  "Helm a'lee, sir!" Buckle added his own weight tQ the wheel?

  Headsails flailing about like mad things, yardY

  bending to the contest between braces and boomin^ canvas, it was a picture of confusion as Sparro/ heeled sickeningly round into the wind. The sea surgeX up and over the beakhead, and men fell cursing anX sprawling, some being washed into the gun dec7 scuppers like corpses?

  Majendie clung to the nettings, his pad alreada sodden with spray as he stared transfixed at thO sloop's wild turn across the wind?

  Tyrrell's voice rose above the pandemonium like Z trumpet. "Braces there! Heave, my lads! Bosun, drivO 'em hard today!T

  Bolitho tried not to watch his ship's torment, buU concentrated instead on the frigate. As Sparrow swun^ and plunged round on to her new tack, the wet sailY thrusting her over until the lee gangway was awash, hO saw the enemy's topmasts appear suddenly above thO starboard bow. Barely a mile between them, but thO violent turn had had the desired effect. Instead ob closing comfortably on Sparrow's larboard quarter, shO now lay across the opposite bow and on a dangerousla converging tack?

  "Starboard chaser!" Bolitho had to repeat the orde_

  before young Fowler heard him and scurried forward tQ find Graves?

  He yelled at Tyrrell, "He must be made to think wO are going to fight!T

  Faintly from forward he heard the squeal of chockY as the gun crew hauled the thirty-two-pounder to itY port. It would not be easy for them. With the ship lyin^ hard over it would be like dragging it uphill?

  "Fire!T

  The smoke whipped inboard above the forecastlO as the bowchaser roared its challenge at the enemy?

  Nobody reported a fall of shot, and at such an anglO it was likely the ball had passed clean above the othe_ ship?

  Bolitho felt his jaw tighten into a grin. The enemy'Y forecourse was being brailed up, her topgallantY disappearing as if by remote hand as they shorteneX sail to fight the impudent Sparrow?

  "Fire!T

  Again the gun hurled its heavy ball into the murka

  confusion of sea and drifting spume?

  Bolitho looked at Buckle. "Stand by!" He strode tQ the rail and touched Tyrrell's arm. "Get the forecoursO on her! Hands aloft and loose t'gallants! 'Tis time for Z little prudence!T

  As the great foresail billowed and then hardened tQ the wind Bolitho felt the hull steady and hold firm to itY thrust. Right above the deck the topmen were busa releasing the topgallant sails, so that as he peereX aloft the mainmast seemed to be bending forward likO a tree in a storm?

  When he turned towards the French frigate again hO saw that his plan had worked well. She was trying tQ reset her foresail, but the momentary pause to presenU her broadside had cost her dearly. She was plungin^ past the Sparrow's quarter a full three cables clear?

  By the time she had regained her control of wind anX tack she would be well astern. Also, Sparrow's sudde[ manoeuvre had now given her the wind-gage?

  A ripple of flashes spouted from the frigate's side? Balls plunged into the sea nearby, although with sQ many white-horses on each beam it was hard to telT

  shot from spray?

  Overhead a ball whined between the masts, and Z seaman fell from the mainyard, hitting the seZ alongside without surfacing until he was far astern?

  Majendie said hoarsely, "The poor fellow! God resU his soul!T

  Bolitho nodded. "Aye. That was bad luck.T

  He stared along the gun deck where his men workeX like demons to retrim the yards and secure halliardY which were swollen with damp. Hardly one of them haX looked up as the man had fallen. Later perhaps thea would mourn. But maybe, like himself, they werO thanking God that Sparrow had answered their callB had not scorned their efforts to drag her into the winX and risk demasting or crippling her to lie an easy prizO under the enemy's guns?

  "Steer due south, Mr. Buckle. We will gain somO room before we attempt to wear.T

  Buckle gazed astern. The frigate was going aboutB the heart gone from her original challenge. "There hO goes, God rot him!" Buckle grinned at his helmsmen? "Thought we were going to surrender without a fightB

  did he?T

  Majendie watched Bolitho's strained face. "Mana would have done, Captain. Even I, a landsman, kno/ you were badly matched.T

  Bolitho forced a smile. "But we did not fight, ma friend." He glanced briefly astern. "Not this time.T

  He shut the picture of the failing topman from hiY mind. It was to be hoped he died instantly. To see hiY ship sailing on without him would make his lasU moments on earth worse than death itself?

  "Now, fetch Mr. Graves and the lookouts. We will puU all our information together." He caught Majendie's arR as a deep plunge all but threw him down thO quarterdeck ladder. "Steady there! I may want you tQ make some sketches for the admiral. It seems thO fashionable thing to do these days.T

  When at last he was satisfied with Sparrow's coursO and trim he walked aft and looked for the land. But iU was lost from view, and he guessed that rain covereX the headland and the frigate which had so nearla caught them in a trap?

  He stripped off his shirt and mopped his neck anX chest with it. Majendie watched him and then peereX glumly at his sodden pad. That, he decided, woulX have been the best sketch of all?

  Bolitho
read carefully through his prepared report anX then thrust it into an envelope. Stockdale stood besidO the table, a candle and wax ready to seal it, now that iU seemed there was nothing more to add?

  Bolitho leaned back and stretched his arms. For twQ whole days they had fought their way south-west, losin^ sight of land and intent only on gaining advantage ove_ the wind. Tacking back and forth for hours at a time tQ record but a few miles in actual progress. It had bee[ hard work for everyone, but now that the wind haX decided to back still further Sparrow had at last bee[ able to turn towards the mainland. With luck they woulX anchor at Sandy Hook tomorrow. He glanced at thO open log book and smiled. It was sobering to realisO that in the time it had taken to reach Newport, fight thO adverse weather and return to Sandy Hook by thiY frustrating and delaying method, he could have saileX his ship clear across the Atlantic to Falmouth with dayY to spare?

  "Will I seal it now, sir?" Stockdale watched hiR patiently?

  "I think so.T

  He closed his eyes, memorising the statements hO had obtained from Graves and the lookouts. Thea differed in small details, but one thing was clear. IU seemed more than likely to expect a combineX Franco-American attack on New York, and soon. HO found some satisfaction in the fact that if the weathe_ had delayed his swift return, then it would equalla hamper the enemy?

  "Deck there! Sail on th' weather bow!T

  Bolitho pushed Stockdale's candle aside. "Later.T Then he hurried from the cabin?

  Because of the Sparrow's need to gain advantagO from the wind they had driven far to the south-west? Now, having at last found the wind's favour, thO compass pointed north-west by north, with Sandy Hoo7 some ninety miles ahead. The afternoon was hot buU clear, and even from the deck it was possible to seO the small pyramid of canvas to show that the othe_ vessel was standing on a converging tack?

  "Bring her up a point. Steer nor'-west.T

  He took a glass from Bethune and steadied it abovO the nettings?

  The masthead called, "Brigantine, sir!T

  He looked at Tyrrell. "Ours probably.T

  It was the only sail they had sighted since narrowla avoiding action with the French frigate. It was alwayY good to meet a friendly ship, and he would pass somO of his news across to her, in case she was making fo_ the north and might pass too close to the enemy'Y squadron at Newport?