Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  With the wind blowing keenly it did not take long fo_ both ships to draw near one another?

  "He intends to pass to lee'rd." Bolitho raised thO glass again?

  Brigantines were untidy looking ships. Square1 rigged on the foremast, and with a schooner's fore1 and-aft sail on the main, they appeared ill-designedB but were known capable of outdistancing even Z frigate under good conditions?

  Bolitho said, "Signal her to heave to. I will speak witN her master.T

  Tyrrell said, "Anyway, she's English. No doubt abouU that.T

  Flags soared up the newcomer's yards and broke tQ the wind?

  Bethune shouted, "She's the Five Sisters, sir!" HO fumbled with his book while Fowler stood a little apartB his mouth set in an expression of disdain. "Shown herO as under warrant to the Governor at New York.T

  "Thought as much." Tyrrell frowned. "Law untQ themselves, and crewed by some real rascals, I can telT you." He sighed. "Still, a warrant keeps 'em safe froR th' press and risking their precious necks.T

  The brigantine had crossed Sparrow's bows anX was moving steadily on the starboard tack. BolithQ could see the red and gold flag at her fore, the triR semblance of order usually found in a governmenU sponsored vessel. She was drawing closer, and woulX eventually pass less than half a cable clear?

  Bolitho saw Majendie and Dalkeith by the nettings?

  The former scribbling frantically, the surgeon peerin^ over his shoulder with obvious interest?

  "She's heaving to, sir.T

  The brigantine was coming up into the wind, he_ canvas aback and the big mainsail diminishin^ steadily as the seamen took charge of it?

  Bolitho nodded approvingly. It had been welT executed?

  "Luff, Mr. Tyrrell. I will hail her while she rides unde_ our lee.T

  The crash and boom of flapping canvas made ana sort of conversation difficult, for as Sparrow turneX closer into the wind and her way was reduced to Z crawl, every sail and shroud seemed intent o[ drowning Bolitho's voice?

  He held the speaking trumpet in both hands anX shouted, "Where are you bound?T

  Across the short wave-crests he heard the reply?

  "Montego Bay! Jamaica!T

  Tyrrell remarked, "Bit off course, I'd say.T

  The voice came again. "We were chased by Z Spanish frigate yesterday. Gave him the slip during thO night, but you might report him for me.T

  The brigantine was falling downwind and her yardY were moving restlessly to show her master was eage_ to be on his way?

  Bolitho lowered the trumpet. There was no point i[ detaining her longer. And he would get precious littlO thanks for so doing by the New York authorities. It waY odd to realise that she probably came under thO control of men like Blundell, who knew nothing anX cared less for the sea?

  He heard Dalkeith murmur, "By God, that captain'Y face! I've never seen such cruel burns and know a ma[ to live!T

  Bolitho snapped, "Give me that glass!" He snatcheX it from the astonished surgeon and levelled it on thO other ship's poop?

  Through the black rigging and loosely flapping sailY he saw him. His coat collar was turned up to his earY despite the heat, and his hat was drawn firmly almosU

  to eye-level. Bolitho realised that the brigantine'Y captain had not only lost half his face, but an eye aY well, and he was holding his head at a stiff, unnaturaT angle as he trained the remaining one on the sloop?

  So the brigantine had something to do with Blundell? He could picture them murmuring together in the studyB the scarred face half hidden in shadow?

  Buckle called worriedly, "Permission to get the shiS under way, sir? We're riding a bit close.T

  "Very well.T

  Bolitho waved to the men on the brigantine's dec7 and turned to watch Majendie again. He was hangin^ on the nettings, scribbling and shading, smoothing ouU and adding detail even as the Five Sisters reset he_ foresail and began to gather way downwind?

  Dalkeith grinned. "Not bad, Rupert! I daresay somO of our naval companions will assist you with detail ob rigging, eh?T

  Tyrrell limped over to him and peered across hiY narrow shoulder. He seized the pad and exclaimedB "Holy God! If I didn't know for sure ...T

  Bolitho strode to his side. The picture was of thO brigantine's poop, with officers and seamen caught i[ realistic attitudes, even if, as Dalkeith had hinted, thO details of rigging were imperfect?

  He felt himself go cold as he saw Majendie'Y drawing of the ship's captain. Distance and scale haX wiped away the terrible scars, so that he stood out likO a figure from the past. He looked at Tyrrell, who waY still watching his face?

  Tyrrell said quietly, "You remember, sir? You were toQ busy fighting and guarding me from attack." He turneX to stare at the other ship. "But after I took that ball in ma thigh I had plenty of time to watch that bugger.T

  Bolitho tried to clear the dryness from his throat? With stark clarity he saw the fury and hatred of battle aY if it had been yesterday. The Sparrow's seamen bein^ cut down and driven from Bonaventure's decks. AnX the privateer's captain, standing like some detacheX onlooker, calling on him to strike and surrender?

  He snapped, "Put the ship about! Hands aloft anX set t'gallants!T

  To Majendie he added softly, "Thanks to you, I thin7

  we may solve a mystery today.T

  The instant Sparrow showed her intentions, anX even as the fore topgallant sail bellied from its yard, thO brigantine also increased her canvas and headeX away?

  "Clear for action, sir?T

  "No.T

  He watched the jib-boom edging round until iU fastened on the brigantine's starboard quarter like Z bridge. In fact she was two cables clear and showeX no sign of losing her lead?

  "It must be quickly done. We will go alongside anX grapple. Tell Mr. Graves to loose off a ball from thO larboard bowchaser. Lively now!T

  Buckle said grimly, "We're overhauling him, sir.T

  Bolitho nodded. Tyrrell understood what waY happening, but so far nobody else had even hinteX surprise at his actions. To all intents he was chasing Z government vessel with which, minutes earlier, he haX been exchanging pleasantries?

  Bang. The bow-chaser's black muzzle lurcheX inboard on its tackles, and Bolitho saw the waterspouU shoot upwards within a boat's length of the brigantine'Y side?

  "She's shortening sail now!" Buckle soundeX satisfied?

  "Pass the word for Mr. Graves to muster a boardin^ party!" Bolitho watched narrowly as the other shiS began to yaw heavily in a procession of troughs. "Mr? Heyward, take charge of the gun deck! Mr. BethuneB accompany the second lieutenant!T

  Men scampered to the larboard gangway, cutlasseY bared, and some carrying muskets above their headY to avoid misfiring into their companions?

  "Steady, Mr. Buckle!" Bolitho held out his hand anX looked up at the yards. Sails were vanishing brisklyB and as the forecourse rose booming and writhing to itY yard he saw the brigantine slipping under the larboarX bow, as if both ships were being drawn together ba hawsers. "Steady!T

  Along the gangway picked seamen swung thei_ grapnels, while others scurried forward to fend off thO

  first contact?

  Across the shortening range Bolitho heard, "StanX away there! I command you to keep clear! I will havO the law on your head!T

  Bolitho felt his tension easing. If he had harboureX doubts they were gone now. There was no mistakin^ that voice. Too many of Sparrow's seamen had dieX that day aboard Bonaventure for him ever to forget?

  He raised the trumpet. "Take in your sails and brin^ to instantly!T

  He heard the grumble of chocks and guessed thO brigantine's crew were well able to see the big thirty1 two-pounder as it was run out again?

  Warily, and with great skill, both vessels slowla edged round, their progress through the choppy wate_ falling almost to nothing, their seamen taking in canvaY and trimming yards in harmony with the change ob rudder. It was perfectly done, and with little more than Z shudder Sparrow nudged against the brigantine's hulT and ground forward before coming t
o rest with he_ bowspirit level with the other's foremast. Grapnels fle/ from the gangway, and Bolitho saw Graves waving hiY

  men forward, and Bethune swinging out on the forO shrouds, his dirk seeming too small for so heavy Z midshipman?

  Tyrrell rested his hands on the rail and said, "ShO carries a deck cargo as well." He pointed to a largO canvas hump below the forecastle. "Booty for thd master, no doubt!T

  Even as he finished speaking, and as the firsU seaman jumped out and down on to the brigantine'Y bulwark, the deck cargo revealed itself. Hands tore thO canvas away to uncover a sturdy twelve-pounder whicN was rigged in the centre of the deck, its bulk controlleX by tackles and ringbolts?

  The crash of its explosion was matched only by thO shriek of grapeshot as it burst with terrifying impacU along Sparrow's gangway. Men and pieces of flesN flew in bloody profusion, and through the rolling bank ob brown smoke Bolitho saw some of them smashed tQ the opposite side of the deck?

  Then came the shouting, and from the brigantine'Y poop and main hatch he saw some fifty men chargin^ to the attack?

  He groped for his hanger, but realised he haX forgotten to bring it from the cabin. Everywhere me[ were shouting and screaming and above it all came a[ increasing rasp of steel, the bang and whine of muskeU fire?

  A seaman fell bodily from the nettings and knockeX Tyrrell against the rail. His leg doubled under him anX his face contorted with pain?

  Bolitho yelled, "Take charge, Mr. Buckle!T

  He snatched a cutlass from the dead seaman's belU and ran to the gangway. His eyes smarted in smokeB and he felt several balls fan past him, one severing Z netting like an invisible knife?

  The brigantine stood no chance against Sparrow'Y cannon. But, grappled together like this, the fight coulX easily turn against them. He had done this very thin^ himself and knew the odds?

  He vaulted wildly on to the main shrouds and the[ saw with astonishment that Graves was still below hiR on the gun deck. He was yelling at his men, buU seemed unable to follow them. Of Bethune there waY no sign, and he realised that Heyward had gonO

  forward to meet a rush of boarders who were trying tQ climb across the beakhead?

  He slipped and almost dropped between the hullsB and then with a gasp he was on the brigantine's deck? A pistol exploded beside his face, nearly blinding himB but he slashed out with the heavy cutlass, felt a brieb impact and heard someone scream?

  "The poop!" He thrust his way between some of hiY men and saw Bethune using a musket like a club, hiY hair blowing wildly as he tried to rally what remained ob his boarding party. "Take the poop, lads!T

  Somebody raised a cracked cheer, and with fresN heart the seamen lunged aft. Feet and legs kicked anX swayed above groaning wounded and corpses alike? There was no time to reload muskets, and it was bladO to blade at close quarters?

  Through the struggling, interlocked figures BolithQ saw the ship's wheel, a master's mate standing alonO beside it, while others lay in various attitudes of deatN around him to show that aboard Sparrow someonO had mustered a few sharpshooters in the maintop?

  Then, all at once, they were face to face. BolithoB

  with his shirt torn almost to his waist, his hair plastereX across his forehead and the cutlass outstretcheX towards his enemy?

  The other captain stood quite motionless, his sworX held easily and angled across his front. Close to, hiY face was even more terrible, but there was no doubtin^ his agility as he suddenly darted forward?

  The blades came together with a sharp clang? Sparks flew as they ground inwards until both hiltY locked and each man tested the weight of hiY adversary's arm?

  Bolitho looked into the unwinking eye, felt the heat ob his breath, the quivering tension in his shoulder as witN a curse he thrust Bolitho back against the wheelB withdrawing his sword and striking forward in two swifU movements. Again and again, strike, parry, guard. ThO cutlass felt like a lead weight, and each movemenU became an agony. Bolitho saw the other man's moutN set in a grim smile. He knew he was winning?

  Beyond the rail the fighting continued as before, buU above it he heard Tyrrell yell from the quarterdeckB "Help th' cap'n! For Christ's sake, help him!T

  As they circled each other like jungle cats, BolithQ saw Stockdale slashing and hacking to try to reacN him. But he was fighting at least three men, and hiY bellows were those of an anguished bull?

  Bolitho lifted his cutlass and levelled it at the othe_ man's waist. He could raise it no further. His muscleY seemed to be cracking. If only he could change hands? But he would die if he attempted it?

  The sword flicked out, its point cutting through hiY sleeve and touching his skin like a white-hot iron. HO could feel blood running down his arm, saw the man'Y single eye gleaming through a mist of pain like somO glowing stone?

  The brigantine's captain shouted, "Now, Cap'n! ThiY is the moment! For you!T

  He moved so quickly that Bolitho hardly saw thO blade coming. It caught the cutlass within inches of thO hilt, turned it from his fingers like something pluckeX from a child, and sent it flying over the rail?

  There was a loud crack, and Bolitho felt the ball pasY his shoulder, the heat so fierce it must have misseX him by an inch. It struck the other man in the throatB

  hurling him aside even as the sword made its finaT lunge. For a moment longer he kicked and convulseX in his blood and then lay still?

  Bolitho saw Dalkeith throw one leg over the bulwar7 and climb up beside him, a pistol smoking in his hand?

  Throughout the two ships there was stricken silenceB and the brigantine's crew stood or lay to await quarte_ from their attackers?

  Bolitho said, "Thank you. That was close.T

  Dalkeith did not seem to hear him. He said brokenlyB "They killed Majendie. Shot him down like a dog as hO tried to save a wounded man.T

  Bolitho felt the surgeon's fingers on his arm as hO ripped his shirt into a deft bandage?

  Majendie gone, and so many others, too. He lookeX down at the dead man by the bulwark. If he had kepU his head he might have got away with the deception? But for Majendie he certainly would have done? Perhaps, like himself, he had never forgotten that daa aboard the privateer, and once more fate had decideX to end the memory in its own way?

  He turned to survey the two vessels. There waY much to be done, a lot to be discovered before thea reached Sandy Hook?

  Some of his men gave a hoarse cheer as he walkeX to the bulwark, but most were too spent even to move?

  Anger, disgust, as well as a sense of loss, floodeX through him as he walked amongst his gaspin^ seamen. To think men had died because of treachera and to gain riches for others who remained aloof froR blame?

  "But not this time!" He spoke aloud without realisin^ it. "Somebody will pay dearly for today's grieflT

  Then he thought of the girl in New York anX wondered how he could protect her when the trutN became known?

  16 ONE MAN'S LOSS ..8

  REAR-ADMIRAL Sir Evelyn Christie rose from behinX a table crammed with documents and leaned forwarX to offer his hand?

  "Welcome." He gestured to a chair. "Good to meeU you again.T

  Bolitho sat down and watched the admiral as hO moved towards the stern gallery. It was stiflingly hotB and even though there was a regular breeze acrosY Sandy Hook, the air in the flagship's great cabin waY lifeless?

  Christie added abruptly, "I am sorry to have kept yof so long. But the politics of high command are no areZ for a young captain." He smiled. "Your courage iY beyond doubt, but here in New York they would eat yof alive.T

  Bolitho tried to relax. For three days after droppin^ anchor he had been to all intents confined to his ship? Once his report had been spirited to the flagship anX his wounded landed for care ashore, he had been lefU in little doubt as to his own position. No actuaT command had been issued, but the Officer-of-the1 Guard had told him that his presence aboard would bO in everyone's best interests until word from the admiral?

  He began, "If I have done wrong, sir, then ...T

&nb
sp; Christie looked at him sternly. "Wrong? Quite thO

  reverse. But you have certainly set a fox amongst thO geese this time." He shrugged. "But you did not comO aboard to hear what you already know. Your action i[ capturing the brigantine Five Sisters, the seizure ob certain documents before her master could dispose ob them, far outweigh individual discomfort elsewhere.T

  "Thank you, sir." He was still uncertain wherO Christie's comments were leading?

  "It now seems evident that the brigantine's masterB one Matthew Crozier, intended to pass informatio[ either to an enemy vessel or to some spy along thO coast. That would explain his being so far off courseB his excuse of avoiding a Spanish frigate. But there ca[ be no doubt as to his main mission. Whilst on passagO for Jamaica he was to deliver a message for thO Compte de Grasse at Martinique. My people havO examined the despatch most thoroughly." He eyeX Bolitho steadily. "In it they found full details of ou_ defences and all available ships-of-war. DeploymentsB both sea and military, even to the extent of our strengtN under Cornwallis." He picked up a document anX studied it for several seconds. "One way or t'other, thiY will be a year to remember.T

  Bolitho shifted in his chair. "How could Z

  privateersman like Crozier obtain a warrant to work fo_ the British?T

  Christie smiled wryly. "He owned the brigantine. IU was no doubt purchased by his own side. The cre/ were hand-picked. The sweepings of a dozen portY and almost as many countries. With small vessels i[ such demand his deception was not so very difficult? Even on his official voyages he was apparentla smuggling." He turned away, his shoulders suddenla rigid. "Mostly for those in power in New York!T

  "May I ask if they are to be punished?T

  Christie turned and shrugged. "If you mean GeneraT Blundell, then you may be assured he will be leavin^ America very soon. After that I am equally certain hO will be saved by influence and powerful friends aU home. Distance and time are great healers where thO guilty are concerned. But others will certainly go to thO wall, and I have been told that the Military CommanX intends to use your discovery to rid itself, in part aU least, of the parasites who have lived too long off itY back.T