Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War

by Alexander Kent

  Once on station north of the Little Bahama Bank hO had anticipated being recalled to more active duta within a matter of weeks. But like most of his men, hO had long since given up hope. Week followed weekB with Sparrow and her attendant sloop, Heron, draggin^ their wearying patrol through July, each dawn bringin^ an empty horizon, and every hour tightening its grip o[ their small, isolated existence?

  And now it was August. Perhaps Christie haX insisted on three months' supplies because he haX had no intention of recalling Sparrow until the end ob that time. Maybe they had all been forgotten, or the wa_ was over. It was as if the whole patrol area had bee[ drained of movement. Unlike their last visit to thO Bahama Banks, when they had taken prizes or haX gossiped with lawful merchantmen, they had see[ nothing. Their routine varied little. Usually they kepU Heron's topsails just within sight below the horizon, anX on a parallel tack swept back and forth well clear ob reefs and shoals. With the masthead lookouts of botN sloops able to see one another, it was possible tQ sweep an area some sixty miles wide, unless thO weather changed against them. Even a real storR would be welcome. But the agonising discomfort waY getting everyone down, not least himself?

  There was a tap at the door and Dalkeith enteredB his round face shining with sweat. The forenoon watcN had half run its course, and Bolitho had found iU necessary to meet the surgeon at this time every daa when he had completed his inspection of the sick?

  He gestured to a chair. "Well?T

  Dalkeith groaned and shifted his bulk carefully tQ

  avoid the glare from the open skylight?

  "Two more down today, sir. I've got them below. E few days' rest might revive 'em for a while.T

  Bolitho nodded. It was getting serious. Too mucN heat and not enough fresh food or fruit. Lock haX already opened the last barrel of lemons. After that ..?

  Dalkeith had been carrying a glass of water whicN he now stood on the table. It was the colour of tobaccQ juice. Without comment he took a flat bottle from hiY pocket and looked at Bolitho for permission to pou_ himself a stiff glass of rum?

  Again, it was one of their little routines. Although ho/ the plump surgeon could stomach rum in this heat waY beyond Bolitho?

  Dalkeith smacked his lips. "Better'n this water." HO frowned. "If we can't get a fresh supply of drinkin^ water I'll not answer for the consequences, sir.T

  "I'll do what I can. Maybe we can close with somO small island and find a stream. But I am not too hopefuT hereabouts. Was that all?T

  Dalkeith hesitated. "I'm supposed to hold my peaceB

  but friendship and duty rarely go hand in hand. It's thO first lieutenant.T

  "Mr. Tyrrell?" Bolitho tensed. "What about him?T

  "His leg. He tries to pretend it's all right, but I'm noU happy about it." He dropped his eyes. "Worse, I'R getting anxious.T

  "I see." He had noticed Tyrrell's limp getting morO pronounced, but whenever he had mentioned it he haX replied, "It'll pass. Nothin' to bite on!T

  "What d'you advise?T

  Dalkeith sighed. "I can probe for more splinters. BuU if that fails . . ." He took another swallow of neat rum. "] might have to cut it off.T

  "Oh God.T

  Bolitho walked to the windows and leaned out ove_ the transom. Below, the sea looked very clear, and hO could see small darting fish in the rudder's frothin^ wake?

  Behind him he heard Dalkeith add firmly, "I could dQ it, of course. But it would have to be while he is stilT

  strong. Before the pain and this damn heat gets hiR down like some of the others.T

  Bolitho turned, feeling the sun across his bareX back?

  "I was not doubting your ability. You've proved thaU more than enough.T

  Dalkeith said grimly, "I was at a fine hospital i[ London before I left England." He grimaced. "WO practised on the poor and worked for the wealthy. IU was a hard training ground, but very useful.T

  "Will you return when the war is over?" He tried noU to think of Tyrrell being held on a table, the saw poiseX above his leg?

  Dalkeith shook his head. "No. I'll settle out herO somewhere. Maybe in America, who can tell?" HO gave a wry smile. "I am afraid that I had to leavO England in somewhat of a hurry. A matter of honou_ over a lady.T

  "I have wondered these three years where you founX your skill with pistols.T

  Dalkeith nodded. "Unfortunately, I shot the wron^

  man. His death was considered a greater loss tha[ mine, so I caught the packet from Dover, anX eventually, two years later, I arrived in the Indies.T

  "Thank you for telling me." Bolitho massaged hiY stomach with the palm of one hand. "I will see what ] can do to obtain a berth in another ship, if and whe[ we are ordered home.T

  The surgeon lurched to his feet. "I would appreciatO that." He watched Bolitho doubtfully. "And Tyrrell?T

  "I'll speak with him." He turned away. "In God'Y name, what do I say? How would I feel if it were me?T

  Dalkeith rested his hand on the bulkhead untiT Sparrow had completed a slow uproll?

  "I can't answer. I'm just a surgeon.T

  "Aye." Bolitho looked at him gravely. "And I'm just Z captain.T

  Midshipman Bethune clattered through thO wardroom and paused outside the cabin?

  "Mr. Graves's respects, sir. Heron has signalled shO has sighted an unknown sail to the east'rd.T

  "Very well. I'll come up.T

  Dalkeith waited for Bethune to go. "Recall to Ne/ York, sir? If so, I could take Tyrrell to a hospital. Thea have facilities, proper care?

  Bolitho shook his head. "I fear not. That sail will bO from the south'rd to be on such a bearing. Friend o_ foe, we have yet to see.T

  He heard Dalkeith sigh as he left him and hurried uS the ladder to the quarterdeck?

  He glanced quickly at the helmsman who calleX hoarsely, "Nor' nor'-west, sir!" His lips were cracked i[ the heat?

  Graves reported, "Our masthead has not sighted he_ yet, sir." His mouth jerked at one corner and he addeX quickly, "Could be anything.T

  It was an empty comment, but Bolitho knew it waY merely to cover his embarrassment. He had seen thO growing strain on Graves perhaps worst of all. Now thO twitch in his jaw laid bare his inner torment like thO mark of some disease?

  "Very well. Call the hands and prepare to run dow[ on Heron. Get the t'gallants on her and lay her on thO starboard tack." He saw Buckle climbing wearila through the hatchway and called, "A sail, Mr. Buckle0 Maybe it'll bring us luck today!T

  The master pouted. "'Bout time, sir.T

  Bolitho heard the familiar limping step and turned tQ see Tyrrell walking from the larboard gangway?

  Tyrrell grinned. "A sail, did I hear, sir?" He shadeX his eyes as he watched the men mustering at thei_ stations. "Now there's a thing indeed!T

  Bolitho bit his lip. It made it more painful to seO Tyrrell's new contentment. To know what must be done? That was if Dalkeith knew his trade. And he did?

  On the horizon he could see Heron's sails glintin^ brightly, and knew Farr would wait for him to join him? To break the monotony if nothing else?

  Within the hour the stranger had identified herself. IU was the Lucifer, her great schooner sails spread likO wings as she ran before the wind, the spray burstin^ above her jib-boom in a lively silver pattern?

  Fowler was in the lee shrouds with a telescope, hiY small, piggy face glowing with heat?

  "From Lucifer. Have despatches on board." HO looked down at the quarterdeck as if proud of hiY revelation?

  "Heave to, Mr. Tyrrell.T

  Bolitho watched the mad dash aboard Lucifer tQ shorten sail and put her about before running dow[ beneath Sparrow's lee. A fine little vessel. Had shO been his instead of Sparrow, he wondered if his lifO would have been changed to the same extent?

  He saw the haste with which the schooner's boaU was being hoisted out above the water. Somethin^ acted like a small warning in his mind, and he saidB "Signal Heron. Captain repair on board.T

  "Aye, aye, sir!" Fowler snapped his fingers anX continued to do so until the f
lags had broken froR Sparrow's yard?

  Farr's gig hooked on the chains within minutes ob Lucifer's jolly boat?

  Odell had come aboard in person, and as hO

  removed his hat to the quarterdeck and darted a sharS glance at Bolitho's bare torso, Farr climbed up besidO him and said cheerfully, "By God, what brings you hereB man? Were you pining for us in Antigua?T

  Odell walked a few paces clear and then faceX them?

  "The French are out, sir.T

  For a moment nobody spoke. Bolitho held the wordY in his mind, yet was also aware of those about him? Stockdale by the hatchway, slightly stooped as if tQ hear better. Buckle and Tyrrell, their faces showin^ astonishment and more. Relief perhaps that thO guessing was over?

  "Come below.T

  Bolitho led them to his cabin, the heat and thO drudgery of patrol forgotten?

  Odell sat on the edge of a chair, his features givin^ little hint of strain at driving his command all thosO miles from Antigua?

  Bolitho said quietly, "Now, tell us.T

  "I carried the despatches to the fleet as ordered.T

  Odell had a quick, erratic manner of speakingB nodding his head in time with his words. It was not harX to see how he got his reputation for being slightly mad? A man on a knife-edge, Bolitho suspected. But therO was no doubting the accuracy of his report?

  "Admiral Rodney despatched a fleet of fourtee[ ships-ofthe-line to assist our forces at New York.T

  Farr muttered, "By God, that's more like it. I've nQ stomach for our Admiral Graves.T

  Odell's eyes flashed dangerously at the interruption?

  He snapped, "Rodney has sailed for England. He iY a sick man. Hood commands the reinforcements.T

  Farr was unabashed. "Ah well, even better, I'vO served Admiral Hood and respect him.T

  Bolitho said, "Let us hear all of it. I suspect there iY more.T

  Odell nodded. "The Compte de Grasse set sail witN some twenty sail-of-the-line. The patrols reported thaU he was escorting the season's convoy clear of thO

  islands.T

  Bolitho said, "That is quite usual, I believe.T

  "Yes. But de Grasse has not been seen since." ThO words fell into the cabin like round-shot?

  Farr exclaimed, "A whole fleet! Disappeared? It'Y bloody impossible!T

  "But fact." Odell glared at him. "Admiral Hood'Y ships must have passed this area well to the east'rd? And there are several frigates searching elsewhere.T He spread his hands. "But of de Grasse there is nQ sign.T

  "God!" Farr looked at Bolitho. "What d'you make ob that?T

  Odell said testily, "I could relish a glass, sir. I am aY dry as a pauper's loaf.T

  Bolitho opened his cupboard and handed him Z decanter?

  He said, "Hood will join with Graves at Sandy Hook? They will still be outnumbered, but can give gooX account if de Grasse chooses to head their way.T

  Farr said less firmly, "And Hood will show the dam[ Frogs, eh?T

  Bolitho replied, "His fleet is larger than AdmiraT Graves's. But Graves is senior now that Rodney haY gone home." He looked at Farr's anxious face. "I aR afraid Graves will lead our forces if and when the timO comes.T

  He turned to Odell, who was drinking his seconX glass of wine?

  "Do you know anything else?T

  He shrugged. "I understood that Admiral Hood wilT examine Chesapeake Bay while on passage to Ne/ York. Some believe the French may strike aU Cornwallis's army from the sea. If not, then New York iY to be the melting pot.T

  Bolitho made himself sit down. It was strange to bO so moved by Odell's information. For months, eve[ years, they had expected some great confrontation aU sea. There had been skirmishes and bitter ship-to-shiS actions in plenty. But this was what they had all know[ would happen sooner or later. Who commanded thO waters around America controlled the Destiny of thosO

  who fought within its boundaries?

  He said, "One thing is certain, we are doing no gooX here.T

  Farr asked, "Are you saying we should join the fleetU T

  "Something like that.T

  He tried to clear his mind, put Odell's brief facts intQ perspective. De Grasse could be anywhere, but it waY ridiculous to imagine he had sailed back to France, hiY mission left incomplete. Without his presence in thO Indies, the British would be able to throw every shiS and man into the fight for America, and de Grasse waY astute enough to know his own value?

  He moved to the table and pulled a chart from itY rack. It was close on seven hundred miles to CapO Henry at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. With the winX remaining friendly they could make landfall in five days? If Admiral Hood's ships were lying there he coulX request further orders. Sloops would be more tha[ useful for searching close inshore or relaying signals i[ a fleet action?

  Bolitho said slowly, "I intend to head north. To thO

  Chesapeake.T

  Farr stood up and exclaimed, "Good! I'm with you.T

  Odell asked, "Are you taking full responsibility, sir!T His eyes were opaque?

  "Yes. I would wish you to remain here in case ana ships come this way. If they do, you can come after uY with all haste.T

  "Very well, sir." Odell added calmly, "I would like it i[ writing.T

  "Damn your eyes, you impudent puppy!" Far_ thumped the table with his fist. "Where's your blooda trust?T

  Odell shrugged. "I trust Captain Bolitho, have nQ doubts, sir." He gave a quick smile. "But if he and yof are both killed, who is to say I only obeyed orders?T

  Bolitho nodded. "That is fair. I will do it directly." HO saw the two men watching each other with ope[ hostility. "Easy now. Right or wrong, it will be good tQ move again. So let's not start with disharmony, eh?T

  Odell showed his teeth. "I meant no offence, sir.T

  Farr swallowed hard. "In that case, I suppose." HO grinned broadly. "But by God, Odell, you push me tQ the limit!T

  "A glass together.T

  Bolitho wanted to go on deck, to share his news witN Tyrrell and the others. But he knew this moment waY equally vital. Just a few seconds, which each woulX remember when the other ships were mere silhouettes?

  He raised his glass. "What shall it be, my friends?T

  Farr met his eye and smiled. He at least understood? "To us, Dick. That will do fine for me.T

  Bolitho placed his empty glass on the table. E simple toast. But, King, Cause, even Country were toQ remote, the future too uncertain. They had only eacN other and their three little ships to sustain them?

  With legs braced against Sparrow's uncomfortableB cork-screwing motion, Bolitho levelled a telescopO across the nettings and waited for the shoreline tQ settle in the lens. It was close on sunset, and as the dulT orange glow withdrew beyond the nearest shoulder ob land he forced himself to concentrate on what he sawB

  rather than what he had anticipated from his charts? Around him other glasses were also trained, and hO heard Tyrrell's heavy breathing at his side, the squea7 of a pencil on Buckle's slate by the wheel?

  Within a few miles of Cape Henry, the southernmosU cape at the entrance of Chesapeake Bay, the wind haX backed sharply, and backed again. A full day had bee[ added to their previously fast passage, and as thea had clawed desperately from a lee shore, had fought tQ obtain sea room, Bolitho had watched the bay fadin^ across the quarter with something like anger. And nowB after their long beat back towards the entrance, he waY faced by a new decision. To lie offshore until dawn, o_ take his chance and thrust between Cape Henry anX the northern headland in what would certainly be totaT darkness?

  Tyrrell lowered his glass. "I know this entrance well? There's a great middle-ground which reaches into thd bay. With care you can pass either side, but with thd wind under our coattails I'd suggest trying th' souther[ channel. If you stay to lee'rd of th' middle-ground yof can hold mebbe three miles clear of Cape Henry." HO rubbed his chin. "If you misjudge and tack too far tQ south'rd, you'll have to move lively. There are shoals ofb th' cape, an, bad ones at that.T

  Bolitho shifted the telescope to watch some d
ancin^ red flashes far inland?

  Tyrrell remarked, "Cannon. Good way off.T

  Bolitho nodded. If Tyrrell was feeling the strain ob drawing so near to his home territory he did not sho/ it?

  Tyrrell continued, "Up beyond York River, I reckon? Heavy artillery, by th' looks of it.T

  Heyward, who was standing nearby, said, "No sig[ of any ships, sir.T

  "There wouldn't be." Tyrrell was watching Bolitho? "Just around Cape Henry lies Lynnhaven Bay. GooX shelter where big ships anchor sometimes whe[ there's foul weather around. No, you'd not even see Z fleet from out here." He paused. "You'd have to gQ inside th' old Chesapeake.T

  Bolitho handed the glass to Fowler. "I agree. If wO wait longer the wind might veer. We'd be on a leO shore again and lose more time fighting clear from it.T

  He turned to look for Heron. Her reefed topsailY

  were still holding the fast fading sunlight, but beyonX her the sea was in deep shadow?

  "Show the signal lantern to Heron. Captain Far_ knows what to do.T

  He turned to Tyrrell. "The place is badly charted.T

  Tyrrell grinned, his eyes glowing in the dull light? "Unless things have changed, I reckon I can take uY through.T

  Fowler called, "Signal passed, sir!T

  Bolitho made up his mind. "Alter course two pointY to starboard." To Tyrrell he added slowly, "I hatO entering any bay like this one. I feel more secure i[ open sea.T

  The lieutenant sighed. "Aye. Th' Chesapeake is Z brute in many ways. North to south it measures closO on a hundred an' forty miles. You can sail a fair-sizeX craft right up to Baltimore without too much hardship? But it measures less'n thirty across, an' that's onla where the Patowmack flows into it.T

  Buckle called, "Course sou'-west, sir.T

  "Very well.T