Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  He smiled at Bolitho's grave features. "Pour somO madeira. It will do us both good." He continued in thO

  same unruffled tone, "Admiral Graves is well pleaseX with you. He has sent the schooner Lucifer to AntiguZ to inform Admiral Rodney of the situation here. PatrolY have been ordered to Newport to watch de Barras'Y squadron, although, as you well know, it is hard to seO what is happening there. In fact, everything is bein^ done with the forces available to watch over locaT waters to see which way the tiger will pounce.T

  He took a glass from Bolitho's hand and askedB "Sparrow, is she in good repair?T

  Bolitho nodded. It was still difficult to keep pace witN the small admiral. "My carpenter has almost completeX repairs to the gangway and ...T

  Christie nodded briskly. "In any case, that can bO finished at sea. I want you to take on full supplies, fo_ three months at least. My flag captain has it in hand? He might even find you some seamen to replace thosO lost in battle. I have sent Heron to the south'rd againB but my other inshore patrols are too well spread fo_ comfort. I need every available ship, especially yours.T He smiled. "And you?

  "Thank you, sir." He put down the glass. "NewporU again?T

  The admiral shook his head. "You will join Farr anX his Heron.T

  Bolitho stared at him. "But, sir, I thought you needeX ships to watch de Barras?T

  Christie picked up the decanter and examined iU thoughtfully. "I may do so later. But for the present I wanU you out of Sandy Hook. Away from those who will try tQ bring you down. You have made enemies by you_ actions. As I said just now, you are no match for thO devious ways of politics.T

  "I am prepared to take that risk, sir.T

  "I am not!" Christie's voice was hard. Like it haX been at the court martial in this very cabin. "To youB your ship and her affairs are paramount. But I musU think on a wider scope, and my superiors wider still. If iU is thought best for you to lead my whole squadro[ against de Barras, then that is how it will be. And if you_ ship must be sacrificed like a tethered animal in Z snare, then that, too, will be ordered!" He relented? "Forgive me. That was unpardonable." He waved onO hand above his charts. "The enemy is powerful, but noU so that he can attack everywhere at once. He ca[ strike against New York, for deprived of it we have nQ

  pretence at government in America. Or he can turn hiY iron on General Cornwallis's army in the field, fo_ without that we are just as pointless. Either way therO will be a battle, and I believe that a sea fight will decidO our course and that of history for years to come.T

  Feet pounded overhead and Bolitho heard the bar7 of commands, the scrape of tackles and blocks. Eve[ the old Parthian was preparing to sail, to show he_ readiness for whatever the enemy intended?

  Bolitho stood up. "When can I expect my orders, sirU T

  "Before sunset. I would advise you to contain yourB er, other interests, until some later date." He proffereX his hand. "The heart is a fine thing, but I would prefe_ you to rest your judgements on the brain.T

  Bolitho walked out to the sunlight, his mind buzzin^ with all Christie had said and the greater part which hO had left unspoken. It was all so unfair. A sailor stood tQ his gun in battle until told otherwise. Or he struggleX aloft in a shrieking gale, frozen with icy spray, anX scared half to death. But he obeyed. It was the way ob things, or had been in Bolitho's experience. Until now?

  Yet Blundell's kind ignored such distinctions, coulX and did use their personal authority for gain, eve[ when the country was fighting for its life. No wonde_ those like Crozier could prosper and achieve morO results than an army of paid spies. Crozier had bee[ doing his duty in the only way he knew. By ignoring thO dangers, Blundell had committed little better tha[ treason?

  He stopped by the entry port and stared at thO waiting gig with sudden anxiety. So why had he not tolX Christie of Crozier's presence in Blundell's houseU There would have been no hiding from conspiracy haX that piece of news been released. He swore under hiY breath and signalled to Stockdale?

  Fool, fool! Perhaps he should have told her first. TQ allow her time to disassociate herself from her uncle'Y affairs?

  The flag captain joined him by the port. "I have haX the water hoys sent over to Sparrow. Another lighter wilT be alongside within the hour. If your people turn to witN a will, you should have all the stores aboard beforO dusk.T

  Bolitho eyed him curiously. Such calm assuranceB

  yet this captain had not only his own ship and thO whims of an admiral to consider, he must concer[ himself with the needs of every officer and man in thO squadron. He was jolted by his discovery. It was likO seeing Christie's charts on the cabin table. To all buU himself, Sparrow and her company were just a tiny parU of the whole?

  He doffed his hat to the shrill calls and shinin^ bayonets and clambered down to the gig. He saiX nothing as the boat pulled lustily across the anchorageB and Stockdale for once seemed content to leave hiR in peace?

  He was in his cabin with Lock studying the latesU return of ship's stores when Graves entered tQ announce the arrival of another hoy carrying fresN water?

  As the purser scuttled away to watch over the caskY before they were lowered into the hold, Bolitho said, "] was meaning to have a word with you, Mr. Graves." HO saw the lieutenant stiffen, the way his fingers lockeX into his coat. Poor Graves. He looked like an old manB and even his tan could not hide the shadows under hiY eyes, the pinched lines at each side of his mouth. Ho/ did you begin to ask an officer if he was a coward? HO

  added, "Are you troubled about something?T

  Graves swallowed hard. "My father is dead, sir? Some weeks back. I just received a letter.T

  "I am sorry to hear that, Mr. Graves." Bolitho watcheX his face with sudden compassion. "It is harder to bea_ when you are out of reach, as we are.T

  "Yes." Graves did not even blink. "He had been, er, ilT for some while.T

  The door swung open and Tyrrell limped noisily intQ the cabin. He did not appear to see Graves as hO exclaimed, "By God, Cap'n! I've had news!" He leaneX on the table, all his excitement and pleasure welling ouU of him in an uncontrollable flood. "My sister. She's safO an' well! I met a man who was a trapper in th' county? He said she's living with our uncle. That's about twenta mile to th' north of our old farmstead." He grinneX widely. "Safe! I still can't believe I'm awake." He turneX and saw Graves for the first time. "Oh hell! I'm sorry. ] forgot myself with th' fair excitement of it all.T

  Graves was staring at him glassily, and his fingerY had screwed his coat into two tight balls?

  Tyrrell asked, "What's wrong? You sick o_

  something?T

  Graves muttered, "I must go. If you'll excuse me, sir.T He almost ran from the cabin?

  Bolitho stood up. "It was good news, Jethro." HO looked at the open door. "I am afraid Graves jusU brought some of a sadder note. His father.T

  Tyrrell sighed. "I'm sorry. I thought maybe it waY something I said ...T

  "In what way?T

  Tyrrell shrugged. "No matter. He was once in hopeY of courting my sister." He smiled at some secreU memory. "It all seems a long way back now.T

  Bolitho tried not to think about Graves's stunneX expression?

  "One day you'll be able to join your sister again. I aR very glad for you.T

  Tyrrell nodded, his eyes dreamy. "Aye. One day." HO nodded more firmly. "I don't feel quite so lost ana more.T

  Midshipman Fowler stepped neatly over thO coaming and removed his hat. "The lighterman broughU you a letter, sir." His lisp was very pronounced. "HO insisted I give it to you myself.T

  "Thank you.T

  Bolitho held it in his fingers. Like the other one whicN he had locked in his strong-box. Her own hand?

  He opened it quickly and then said, "I'll be ashore fo_ an hour. Maybe longer. Call away my gig.T

  Fowler ran from the cabin, his sharp voice calling fo_ the boat's crew?

  Tyrrell asked quietly, "Is it wise, sir?T

  "What the hell do you mean by that?" Bolitho swun^ towards him, caught off guard by his
question?

  Tyrrell frowned. "I met several people when I waY ordering some new cordage, sir. It's well known all ove_ New York what you've done. Most are laughing fit tQ burst that your action has unmasked these blooda scabs and traitors. But some think you'll be in reaT danger while you're here. There'll be plenty morO quaking in their beds. Wondering what you discoveredB

  an' when th' soldiers are going to bang on their door.T

  Bolitho dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry about my anger? But have no fear. I've no intention of parading my bac7 for the benefit of that sort.T

  Tyrrell watched him as he snatched up his hat anX fretted impatiently for Fitch to adjust his swordbelt?

  Then he said, "I'll rest easier when we're at seZ again.T

  Bolitho hurried past him. "And that will be tonight, ma cautious friend. So stir yourself and watch over thO provisions!" He smiled at Tyrrell's concern. "BuU beware. There may be an assassin hiding in the salU beef!T

  Tyrrell saw him over the side but remained by the raiT for a long while, despite the sun and the pain in hiY thigh?

  There was a small carriage waiting for Bolitho at thO end of the jetty. It was a shabby affair and not in thO least like the one which had carried him to thO general's residence. But the driver was the samO Negro, and as soon as Bolitho was inside he crackeX his whip and urged the horses into a brisk trot?

  They rattled through several narrow streets and the[ out into a quiet road which was lined by sturdy housesB most of which seemed to be occupied by some of thO city's refugees. The buildings had lost their facade ob well-being, and where there had been gardens therO were piles of discarded boxes and sorry-lookin^ vehicles. At many of the windows he saw women anX children staring out at the road below. They had the losU look of uprooted people with little to do but wait anX hope?

  The coach wheeled through a pair of sagging gateY and towards another such house. Except that this onO was empty, its windows bare in the sunlight like blinX eyes?

  For an instant he recalled Tyrrell's warning, but aY the coach slid to a halt he saw the girl beside thO house, her gown reflected in a partly overgrown pond?

  He hurried towards her, his heart pounding in timO with his shoes?

  "I came as fast as I could!" He took her hands in hiY and studied her warmly. "But why must we meet here?T

  She tossed her head, throwing the hair from he_ shoulder in the way he had remembered in the weekY he had been away?

  "It is better so. I cannot bear the watching eyes. ThO sneers behind my back." There was little emotion i[ her voice. "But we will go inside now. I must speak witN you.T

  Their shoes rang hollowly on the bare boards. It haX been a fine house, but now the plaster was flaking anX the walls were heavy with cobwebs?

  She walked to a window and said, "My uncle is i[ serious trouble, but I expect you know. He was perhapY foolish, but no more than many here.T

  Bolitho slipped his hand beneath her arm. "I do noU want you to be involved, Susannah.T

  His insistence, or the use of her name, made he_ turn and face him?

  "But I am involved, as you put it.T

  "No. The smuggling and other offences could havO had nothing to do with you. Nobody would ever believO it.T

  She stared at him calmly. "Nor does it matter. BuU one hint of treason would ruin my uncle and alT connected with him." She gripped his arm. "That manB Crozier, have you spoken of his presence at ou_ house? Please, I must know. For if you remain silentB all may yet he well.T

  Bolitho turned away. "Believe me, I can save yof from that. Your uncle will be sent to England. There iY no reason why you cannot remain here.T

  Here?" She stood back from him. "What use is thatU T

  "I-I thought, given time you might see your way tQ becoming my wife." In the empty room his wordY seemed to come back to mock him?

  "Marry you?" She brushed her hair from he_ forehead. "Is that what you thought?T

  "Yes. I had cause to hope." He watched he_ despairingly. "You hinted that ...T

  She replied sharply, "I hinted no such proposalB Captain! If things had gone as I had planned, well the[ maybe ...T

  He tried again. "But nothing need change for us.T

  She continued as if he had not spoken. "I did thin7 that with some help from my friends you might one daa amount to something. A position in London, perhapY even a seat in Parliament. All is possible if the will iY there." She lifted her eyes to his face again. "Did yof really expect me to marry a sea-officer? Live from daa to day waiting for one ship after the other to droS anchor? There are other lives beyond your miserablO Service, Captain!T

  "It is my life." He felt the walls closing in on him. ThO air forced from his lungs as if he was drowning?

  "The path of duty." She walked to the window anX looked down at the carriage. "You were a fool to thin7 of my sharing such an existence. An even bigger one ib you continue to do so!" She turned easily, her eyeY flashing. "There's more to living than catching somO poor smuggler in the King's name!T

  Bolitho said, "I did not tell of Crozier being with you_ uncle. But it is certain to come out when the authoritieY have finished their inquiries." He added bitterly, "RatY always turn on one another when the pickings are few.T

  She breathed out slowly, one hand resting lightla below her heart. "Stay a few minutes while I go to ma carriage. I have no wish to be seen here.T

  Bolitho reached out his arms and then let them droS to his sides. He was defeated. Had been so for longe_ than he had understood?

  Yet in the dusty sunlight, as she stood watching himB her violet eyes holding him at a distance, he knew thaU if there was anything he could do or say to keep her hO would use it?

  She moved to the door. "You are a strange man. BuU I can see no future for you." Then she was gone, he_ shoes fading on the staircase until he was quite alone?

  He did not remember how long he stood in thaU empty room. Minutes? An hour? When at last hO walked down the stairs and into the overgrown garde[ he realised that even the shabby carriage had gone? He crossed to the pond and stared at his ow[ reflection?

  If she had been angry, or frightened, anything hO could have recognised, he might still have known whaU to do. There had not even been contempt. She haX

  dismissed him with no more thought than if she haX been rejecting a useless servant?

  A foot scraped on stone and he swung roundB seeing in those seconds four dark figures lined againsU the ragged bushes?

  "Easy, Cap'n!" One of them had a drawn sword, anX he saw the others were also well armed. "There's nQ sense in strugglin'!T

  Bolitho backed up to the pond, his fingers on hiY hanger?

  Another of the men chuckled. "Aye, that's rightB Cap'n. Somewhere for us'n to hide yer corpse whe[ we've done with you. Most considerate, eh, lads?T

  Bolitho remained quite still. He knew it was uselesY to bargain with any of them. They had the looks ob professional criminals, men who worked for a fee, nQ matter what the final cost might be to them. He waY suddenly very calm, as if their arrival had driven awaa his other despair like a cold wind?

  "Then I'll take a couple with me!T

  He snatched out his hanger and waited for them tQ

  attack. Two carried pistols, but there were probabla military patrols nearby and a shot might bring theR running?

  Steel clashed with steel, and he saw the leader'Y grin fade to an intent frown as they locked bladeY together. He ducked as one man struck at his neckB twisted his hanger and slashed him across the faceB hearing him scream as he tumbled back into thO bushes?

  "Damn you, you bloody bastard!" Another diveX forward, his sword sweeping under Bolitho's guard? But it glanced from his belt buckle and he was able tQ thrust him aside with the hilt, catching him on the ja/ with such force it almost tore the hanger from his grip?

  The garden swam in a mist of pain as somethin^ struck him savagely on the forehead, and he realiseX that one of them had hurled a stone. He hit out with thO hanger but felt it pass through air. Someone laug
hedB and another called hoarsely, "Now, 'Arry! In the guts!T

  Feet pounded through the shrubs, and Bolitho waY pushed aside by someone in a blue coat who shoutedB "At 'em, lads! Cut 'em down!T

  Swords grated and sparked, and a body rolleX thrashing into the pond, the blood staining the surfacO like red weed?

  Bolitho lurched to his feet, realising that HeywarX and Tyrrell were driving the two attackers against thO house, while Dalkeith stood watchfully nearby, hiY beautiful pistols shining in the sunlight?

  Heyward brought his man to his knees and jumpeX back to let him roll silently on to his face and stay there?

  The sole survivor threw down his heavy sword anX yelled, "Quarter! Quarter!T

  Tyrrell swayed awkwardly on his crippled leg anX said harshly, "Quarter be damned!T

  The sword took him in the chest, holding him to thO wall for an endless moment before allowing him tQ slide beside his companion?

  Tyrrell sheathed his blade and limped to Bolitho'Y side?

  "All well, Cap'n?" He reached out to steady him? "Just in time, it seems.T

  Heyward stepped over one of the corpses? "Someone wanted you dead, sir.T

  Bolitho looked from one to the next, the emotio[ rising to mingle with his understanding?

  Tyrrell grinned. "You see, I was right.T

  Bolitho nodded heavily. Someone wanted you dead? But the worst part was knowing that she had realiseX his peril, and had done nothing. He glanced at thO corpse sprawled in the pond?

  "What can I say? How can I find words?T

  Dalkeith murmured, "Let's say it was for RuperU Majendie, too.T

  Tyrrell slipped his arm over Heyward's slim shoulde_ for support?

  "Aye, that'll do." He glanced at Bolitho and held hiY gaze. "You've done plenty for us. An' in Sparrow wO look after our own!T

  Then together they walked out to the road anX towards the sea?

  17 MISTAKEN IDENTITd

  BOLITHO leaned back in his chair and stared wearila at the open log. He was stripped to the waist, but coulX feel no benefit in the overheated cabin. He touched hiY mouth with the pen, wondering what he should writeB when there was nothing to report. Around and abovO him the ship swayed and dipped in a gentle south1 easterly breeze, and he pitied the watch on deckB sweating out another day of relentless glare and fiercO sunlight. Even the Sparrow seemed to be voicing he_ protest. The timbers groaned and trembled to thO motion, dried out by salt and heat, and through thO open windows he saw the carved scrollwork by the silT splitting open, the paint flaking away to reveal barO wood?