Sir James Hamett-Parker. Why? A favour for some service in the past?
He said curtly to Avery, "Please ask the Captain to come aft."
While he waited he continued his assessment of Trevenen. He was older than expected for a frigate captain, especially for a ship like this, which was the first of her kind.
And there was a certain meanness about the man. He seemed to spend a lot of time going over the lists and books of ship's stores and victuals with Tatlock, the anxious-looking purser. Like the matter of the dockyard paint for the figurehead. Trevenen was known to have made a lot of prize money from attacks on the enemy's supply ships, so it was not lack of funds. A man who gave nothing away about his feelings, his hopes, even his background...
The marine sentry bawled, "Captain, sir!"
Trevenen entered, hat in hand, frowning slightly as he tried to see Bolitho after the blinding sunlight on deck.
"I want you to belay that last order, Captain Trevenen. It can do nothing but harm. Apart from the sixth lieutenant, Mr. Gulliver, who was a midshipman himself just a few months ago, the other midshipmen in the boats are too inexperienced to understand anything but the need to obey orders."
Trevenen regarded him calmly. "I have always regarded that as..."
Bolitho held up his hand. "Hear me. I have not asked you here to discuss varying ideas of loyalty and discipline. I am telling you to belay that order. Further, I would wish you to impress upon your officers, through the first lieutenant, that petty bullying must not be tolerated. The man Jacobs, who died because of a second flogging a few days after the first, was being taunted by a midshipman who is no more than a child, and who acted like one!"
He was angry. It went against everything he knew to interfere with his captain's authority. If the situation developed into a full-scale operation against French privateers under skilled leadership, Trevenen as the flag captain would be in a vital role. Was this animosity then a continuation of the old family feud? Or could it be something less obvious, and if so more sinister?
Either way, he had committed himself now.
Trevenen said heavily, "I hope I know my duty, Sir Richard."
Bolitho looked at him, feeling his resentment like a blow. "For all our sakes, Captain, so do I!"
As the door closed a ruler rolled from the desk and across the black and white painted canvas deck.
Bolitho felt the hull shiver, the sudden clatter of blocks and halliards as the uncooperative wind ruffled the sea's face and brought life to the empty sails.
"Hands aloft there!"
"Stand by to recover boats!" A call shrilled and feet padded overhead.
He leaned back in a chair and plucked the shirt from his chest. He felt the locket under his fingers and thought of Catherine in Falmouth, three thousand miles astern. When would her first letter catch up with him? He had suggested that she should write directly to Cape Town, but even then...
Avery entered from the adjoining cabin and gazed at him searchingly, his tawny eyes bright in the reflected sunlight from the stern windows. He must know exactly what happened just now. Bolitho heard more shouts, the squeal of tackles as the boats were hoisted inboard once again. The boats' crews might never know about his intervention. They were probably too worn out to care.
He stood up as Ozzard came out of the sleeping cabin with a clean shirt.
Avery asked, "Will there be a salute, Sir Richard?"
Bolitho nodded. Feeling his way. There is a captain in command of the anti-slavery patrol here. I think I know him." He smiled, despite the lingering anger at his conflict with Trevenen. There was usually a familiar face before very long in the family that was the navy.
The deck tilted again and he said, "Make a signal to Laertes. Take station astern." He pulled on the clean shirt.
Avery looked at him but said nothing, well aware that the order had been given to prevent Trevenen from being humiliated by the other ship's superior performance.
Ozzard held out the dress coat and waited patiently for Bolitho to slip his arms into it. He did so with a faint, rueful smile. He had seen the expression in Trevenen's eyes when he had found his admiral in a crumpled shirt and little else. If they ever went into a fight, Trevenen at least would be dressed for the part, he thought.
As Avery turned to leave Bolitho called, "Let me know if the brig Lame is at anchor."
He walked to the stern windows and winced as he rested his palms on the sill. It would be good if Tyacke were here. There were bitter memories in this place, but not where that bravest of men was concerned.
On deck there seemed to be no air, and yet every sail was filling and slackening as if the ship herself were breathing. Laertes was already tacking obediently astern, her ensign and masthead pendant very bright against the misty backdrop.
Allday stood near him, his hat tilted over his eyes, his thick arms folded across his chest.
Some seamen were making the final lashings fast on the boats on the tier, although the whole drill would have to be repeated once the anchor was dropped. They were getting very brown-skinned, and some were cruelly burned by a climate and a life they were not yet used to.
One young sailor had a red mark like a new scar on his shoulder, a cut from a starter while he had been pulling at his oar. He seemed to feel that someone was watching him, and turned to look over his bare shoulder toward the place where Bolitho stood at the quarterdeck rail. As their eyes met, Bolitho gave just the slightest nod.
The sailor stared round as if afraid of being seen, then almost shyly gave a quick smile before turning back to his lashings.
Allday murmured, "It's a beginning." He missed nothing.
Bolitho felt his eye stinging badly and turned away, in case Allday should see that too.
The first bang of the salute echoed and re-echoed across the water from a small hillside battery, and gun for gun Valkyrie responded, fifteen in all for the man whose flag fluttered from the foremast truck. Allday watched Bolitho's stiff shoulders and could guess what he was thinking. Few others would understand; could even begin to, he decided. All this, the salute, the honour and the power, and to him it meant nothing. Yet a frightened grin from an unknown, pressed land man had touched his heart. No wonder she loved him.
"Hands aloft! Reef tops' Is Stand by to take in the main course!1
A lieutenant called, "Bosun! Move those men! Come along, Mr. Jones!"
But the barrel-chested boatswain shrugged and did nothing.
Urquhart the first lieutenant touched his hat. "Guardboat in position, sir!"
Trevenen stared past him, his hands gripped behind his back. "Stand by starboard anchor, if you please." He did not look at Bolitho. Take in the driver and t'gan'sls. Prepare to come about."
Avery said, "No sign of Lame, Sir Richard."
"Man the braces!"
Bolitho shaded his eyes and studied the scattered array of shipping. Large and small with a collection of moored vessels, obviously prizes, slavers brought here by captains like Tyacke.
An elderly sixty-four was anchored close to the shore, the headquarters and accommodation ship for the man who commanded the patrols and fought a private war against fever and sudden death.
Despite the new laws against it slavery was still rampant. The risks the slavers took were greater, but so were the profits for the successful. Some of the ships in the trade were as well armed as the brigs and schooners that hunted for them. Most sea officers thought it was all a waste of time, except for those involved in the long-reaching patrols who were making huge sums in prize money. It should be left until the war was over and won, then they could be as pious as all those others who did not have to fight. The need for fighting ships, no matter how small, far outweighed the tongue-in-cheek display of humanity.
"Lee braces there!"
"Helm a-lee, sir!"
Valkyrie pivot ted round, and as her great anchor flung spray high over the beak head she came slowly to rest on her cable. Trevenen glared up at the yards where
men were fisting and lashing the furled sails into place.
Bolitho said, "I should like the gig, Captain Trevenen. I intend to visit the captain yonder." He glanced around the quarterdeck. "The ship must have made a splendid sight as she came in."
There was no response, and Bolitho made for the companion-way. It was obvious that there would be none.
Lieutenant Avery said, "Mr. Guest, you may go below. I shall need you again shortly." He saw the midshipman's face stiffen as the captain snapped, "I will give the orders here, Mister Avery, and I will trouble you not to interfere! Be content with your grace-and-favour appointment!"
"I resent that, sir."
Trevenen gave a cold smile. "Do you indeed?"
Avery stood his ground. "It is the only thing we have in common, sir."
The midshipman swallowed hard. "What shall I do, sir?"
Trevenen swung away. "Do as he asks, and damn your impertinence!"
Avery found that his hands were clenched so tightly that he was in pain.
You damned, bloody fool. You vowed to control your feelings, to do nothing that might hurt you more...
He saw Allday watching, just the hint of a smile in his eyes. The big man said quietly, "Right on the waterline, sir. Well done!"
Avery stared at him. Nobody had ever addressed him like that before. Then he found that he was smiling, the sudden pain of despair already gone. The vice-admiral and his coxswain. Remarkable.
Bolitho's voice came from the open skylight.
"Mr. Avery! When you have quite finished up there I would be obliged to you for your assistance!"
Allday chuckled as Avery hurried to the companionway. He had a lot to learn, as had young Jenour. That like the old family sword, Sir Richard had two edges.
Captain Edgar Sampson, the senior naval officer at Freetown, watched as Bolitho and Avery made themselves comfortable in two leather chairs that had seen better days. His ship, a small fourth-rate with the once-proud name of Marathon, was now accommodation vessel, headquarters, and supply vessel for the anti-slavery flotilla. It was hard to picture her in the line of battle, or in any other active role for that matter. There were tubs of flowers on the old-fashioned stern walk and the gun ports did not even have quakers to disguise their emptiness. The ship might never move again, and when her useful life was ended their lordships would probably direct that she become a humble stores hulk, or if too late even for that, would order that she be broken up here in Freetown.
Sampson was speaking fast and excitedly as he waved his black servant to lay out goblets and fetch the wine. The servant did not speak but looked at the captain as if he were a god.
Sampson said, "I knew you were coming, Sir Richard, but even when I saw a frigate with a vice-admiral's flag at the fore I could scarce believe it! I would that I could have prepared a guard of honour to mark the occasion!" He gestured vaguely to the open stern windows. "Most of my Royal Marines are on guard duty until the Prince Henry weighs tomorrow."
Bolitho had seen the ship in question while the gig had pulled steadily across the anchorage. Big, old and neglected-looking. Even before a guard boat had raced towards them he had recognised her for what she was: a convict transport. He was thankful that Keen was not here. It would remind him of Zenoria as he had first seen her. Seized up like a common felon, her clothes torn from her back while the crowds of onlookers, prisoners, guards and seamen alike had watched in savage anticipation. She had received just one blow across her naked back, and the wound had opened her skin from shoulder to hip. She would never lose the scar. Like a brand.
Seeing Bolitho's rank, the officer of the guard had saluted and the oars had been tossed as a mark of respect.
Sampson was saying, "She was caught in a storm and put in for repairs. I'll be glad to see the back of her, I can tell you!"
The black servant returned and solemnly poured wine for them.
"Thank you. You learn quickly!"
The man smiled with equal solemnity and backed away.
Sampson said, Took him from a slaver. He works hard, but I think he comes from better stock than most."
He saw Avery's questioning glance and went on sadly, "The slavers tore out his tongue. But he has survived, long enough to see his tormentors kicking from those trees on the point."
Avery asked, "What is the Prince Henry like, sir?"
Sampson raised his glass. "To you, Sir Richard! I feel cut off from the world out here in this stinking hole, but not so far away that I do not hear of your exploits, your brave deeds!" He downed the wine, which was very warm. "If I miss anything then Commander Tyacke of the Larne will tell me. A strange man, though hardly surprising!" He seemed to recall Avery's question. "Transports in this kind of work are as good only as their masters, Mr. Avery. Captain Williams is a hard man, but fair enough, I believe. The ship will be a living hell for some, a narrow escape from the hangman for others. Williams knows all the risks. His hull will be full of felons, murderers, and wronged men for good measure. All will want to escape, and he must be ever-mindful of it."
Bolitho saw Avery's expression, taking it all in. A strong face, and there was sadness too.
He thought about the transport. It was a long, long haul to the penal colony, the other end of the world. He recalled Admiral Broughton's curt summing-up when he had left the Admiralty. "Oblivion!"
"I take it that no mail preceded us, Captain Sampson?"
Sampson shook his head. He was not old, but had allowed himself to become a character, the kind you might find in one of James Gillray's cruel cartoons. Sprouting hair, wrinkled stockings and a paunch which made his waistcoat buttons strain to the limit. Like the old Marathon, he knew he would end his days here.
"No, Sir Richard. Next week maybe." He slapped his thigh so that some wine slopped unheeded down his coat.
"Damn me, I almost forgot! The new officer commanding naval vessels at Sydney is also aboard the Prince Henry. I think you know him, Sir Richard."
Bolitho gripped the arm of his chair. It was not possible, just as he knew it was inevitable. Fate.
He said quietly, "Rear-Admiral Herrick."
Sampson beamed. "My memory is going too, I'm afraid. I heard that you were acquainted, but I did not mention it when he came ashore." He hesitated. "I mean no disrespect to your friend, Sir Richard, but he discouraged my conversation, and asked that he be shown where the recovered slaves are kept until they can be directed to safety."
Avery put down his glass, very aware that something important was happening. He knew about the court-martial, and how a change of evidence had saved Herrick from a verdict of guilty. It was too close to his own experience to forget it. There had also been talk of Herrick's failure to support Vice-Admiral Bolitho before the capture of Martinique. Were they still friends?
Bolitho asked, "If I visit the Prince Henry would it.. He broke off as he saw the embarrassment on Sampson's red face. "I see that it would not!"
"I cannot stop you, Sir Richard. You are the senior officer here, probably the most senior one anywhere south of the fifteenth parallel!"
"But my presence on board the transport with the passage stretching ahead like eternity might do serious damage to Captain Williams' authority."
"As I said, Sir Richard. Williams is a hard man, but no tyrant, nor would he wish to be forced by circumstances to become one."
"That was well said, and unfair of me to put you in such a position."
Sampson stared at him. He might have expected any flag-officer, let alone one so famous, to tear him apart and tell him to mind his manners.
An officer hovered by the door and Sampson said awkwardly, "If you will excuse me, Sir Richard, I have to deal with an accident." He shrugged. "Until the relief arrives, I am the healer too. My surgeon died of snakebite some weeks back."
Bolitho said, "I shall not detain you further."
Sampson's face fell. "I dared to hope we might dine together." He looked at Avery. "And you too, of course."
"We shal
l be delighted."
He turned to Avery as the captain hurried away. His gratitude had been terrible to see.
"It will likely be a meal to remember, Mr. Avery, but if I were here in charge, I too would welcome any arrival and loathe its departure."
Avery watched him as he moved from his chair, his dark hair brushing the deck head between the massive beams. He was touching things as if he did not see them; seeing another old ship perhaps. Remembering her.
He was learning more every day. Sillitoe must have known what he was offering him. Here was a man without conceit, who could waste his time merely to help a naval castaway like Captain Sampson. He obviously cared about the man who was or had been his friend, and his question about a mail packet told Avery even more. He thought of the way Bolitho had striped off his soiled shirt without arrogance or shyness in his presence: he had seen the locket too. Bolitho must always wear it. The woman's face came into his thoughts, her throat, and the strong cheekbones. Bolitho's love for her more than made up for the hatred of others, and protected her from those who might want to wrong her. Gossip had told Avery that it would not be the first time in her life.
Alexander Kent - Bolitho 20 Darkening Sea Page 14