Merriman and the French Invasion (The Merriman Chronicles Book 2)

by Roger Burnage

  As Merriman recounted the various events since Midshipman Dorrington had joined his ship, from the first rudeness to Mr Grahame and mastheading, to his arrogance and repeated attempts to have seamen flogged, the Admirals face grew longer and longer. When Merriman reached the episode of Dorrington’s whipping and beating of Midshipman Small because Small wouldn’t accommodate his depraved wishes the Admiral was white faced and aghast.

  “My God, I knew he was a bad lot, but this is beyond belief. Is there more Captain Merriman?”

  “Yes Sir, I’m afraid the worst is yet to come.”

  “The worst? Wait a moment, I need a drink, and I’m sure you do Captain.”

  Turning to the door he bellowed “Williams!”

  The Flag Lieutenant almost fell through the door in his haste. “Yessir?”

  “We need a drink, fetch some of my best claret, no damn it, I need something stronger, fetch the brandy. Quickly man, quickly.”

  The Admirals perturbation was evident in his attitude after Williams brought the wine and brandy and left them to it. He mopped his brow with a trembling hand and almost whispered “What can I tell my Sister? She’ll be distraught, she thinks the world of the boy.”

  Merriman kept silent, not knowing what to say. The Admiral composed himself, took a long drink, then said, “Tell me the rest of it.”

  “Yes Sir. There’s no way to break this gently Sir, I regret to have to tell you that your nephew stands accused of striking down a superior officer and the murder of my cox’n,” said Merriman bluntly.

  “Oh my God, is there no doubt about his guilt?”

  “No Sir, there are several reliable witnesses.”

  Merriman went on to recount briefly the events leading up to the point at which Dorrington struck him down.

  “He was behind me Sir and knocked me unconscious, then he shot Owen my cox’n when he tried to help me. This was witnessed by our French captive, M’sieur Moreau, a gentleman on parole to me. Owen did not die immediately but told me what had happened. He lived another two days before regaining consciousness again. And also he told Doctor McBride and my marine Lieutenant before he died. Not until then did M’sieur Moreau tell what he had seen.”

  “This is unbelievable Captain, unbelievable,” said FitzHerbert. “Who knows about this?”

  “Well Sir, all the ship’s company knows about his ill treatment of Mr Small and of course his attempts to have men flogged. They also witnessed the caning I awarded him, twenty strokes it was, laid on with a will, but only a few of us know of the worst, although they all know he is confined to a cabin under guard.”

  Merriman paused, “I think it was the caning that did it Sir. He didn’t seem to realise that the world about him was real and thought himself above it. I think it unhinged his mind in some way. He threatened my life afterwards and that was heard by all on the quarter deck, though I took it for no more than bluster at the time.”

  He paused, the Admiral was staring unseeingly before him. The news seemed to have aged him in some way. Merriman coughed.

  “Sir, although the Admiralty will have to know, as yet I have only sent to them a brief and preliminary report in the hands of Mr Grahame concerning the success of our commission. It mentions nothing about your nephew.”

  Fitzpatrick looked up, “Why have you not told them Captain?”

  “Well Sir, as I said, I have to send them a full report, which I have written, but I have written a second report detailing your nephew’s behaviour. The officers comprising the court-martial will need to see that one without them needing to know all the details of the commission we were on. I am sure that you understand that those details are confidential for the eyes of Lord Stevenage and the Admiralty only.”

  He continued, “I thought I should tell you first so that you are prepared for the inevitable announcement of his court martial. And there’s his mother Sir. I can see no way of hushing up this matter. The whole service if not the whole country will soon know what he has done.”

  “Thank you Captain Merriman. As you say this cannot and must not be covered up, indeed, my nephew must stand trial and punishment, God help him. Naval discipline and regulations demand it.”

  He brightened a little as a thought struck him. “Captain Merriman, you said that you thought his mind was unhinged in some way, do you think that would form a defence? Would you be prepared to say as much at his trial.?”

  “I’m not a lawyer Sir and know none of the intricacies of the law, so I don’t know if that defence is possible. I believe you should consult a doctor as to the state of his mind but if needed I would be prepared to say that I thought he was not himself.”

  “You are right of course. Now I have the awful task of telling his mother. Where is the boy now?”

  “Still under guard aboard my ship Sir.”

  “Right, send him ashore under a marine guard, we have quarters here where he can be kept secure. And Captain, I am very grateful for your actions and consideration in this matter, I do not see what else you could have done. Send the complete report to the Admiralty and let the cards fall as they will. I have much to think about. Please leave me now and return to your ship and wait for further orders. I’ll speak to you again tomorrow.”

  “Yes Sir, I’m sorry Sir.”

  Merriman returned to Lord Stevenage with a mixture of relief and sadness. Relief that the Admiral now knew the truth, and sadness that he had not seen into Dorrington’s character earlier. If he had he might have prevented the matter going as far as it did. Merriman spent a miserable evening and sleepless night shut alone in his cabin, trying to think of what else he might have done. But the die was cast and it was now out of his hands.

  Next morning as he waited in his best uniform for the summons from the Admiral, he could still not stop thinking about the miserable youth and the awful fate ahead of him. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Midshipman Small tumbled in, out of breath, and squeaked “Mr Andrews’ compliments Sir, there’s a signal, - Captain to report to flag immediately.”

  “Very good Mr Small, thank you, and Mr Small, don’t rush about so, remember you are an officer.”

  “Aye – aye Sir, I mean yes Sir.”

  Once again Merriman was greeted by the harassed Lieutenant Williams.

  “Good morning Sir. Sir, I don’t know what you told the Admiral yesterday, but whatever it was he not shouted at me since. He has been uncommonly quiet and there are all sorts of rumours spreading since his nephew arrived under guard,”

  “All in good time Mr Williams, you will know all about it eventually.”

  Admiral FitzHerbert was indeed a changed man, although his grasp of the situation and his orders were as crisp as ever.

  “Captain Merriman, I have received orders that you are to proceed directly to the Admiralty in London. I myself am going to London to see my sister and give her the awful news, so I would be pleased to share a post chaise with you.”

  “Thank you Sir, I’m very grateful.”

  “Before we go I have to tell you that I have ensured that your two prize ships will be accepted by the navy board. The cargo of the transport will also be purchased, the field pieces going on to the army. I hear that your crew renamed her the Fat Frog, very apt if I may say so”, he said with a wry smile.

  “Yes Sir, it was some wag on the lower deck with a sense of humour, they couldn’t pronounce the French name.”

  “Then there is the matter of the French warship. I have ordered her to be moved into the dockyard for a complete repair. I’ll have the damned French name La Sirene painted out and replaced with the English form of the name”. The Admiral paused for a moment. “D’you know Captain, come to think of it, I like that better. We’ll call her the English Mermaid. A fast ship like that will be an invaluable addition to the fleet.”

  “As you are aware, it falls to my prerogative to find an officer to command her. After the affair with my nephew I am reluctant to make a personal recommendation, so do you think your
first Lieutenant is suitable?”

  “Indeed Sir George, I could think of none better. He is an excellent officer and a fine seaman. He deserves this opportunity Sir, although I shall miss him.”

  “That’s settled then Captain. He can take command when she is ready. Your second can move up and I’ll see to it that you get another junior. Meanwhile he can stay aboard Lord Stevenage. Be on the quayside at first light tomorrow morning.”

  On board his ship Merriman lost no time in calling the officers down to his cabin.

  “Gentlemen, I have to go to London to the Admiralty. The court-martial will be convened when I return. Our repairs will be checked by the shipyard and the ship prepared for sea again. I look to you all to keep the men hard at work. I expect to return in a few days with new orders. I hope we may go to warmer climes.”

  The journey to London was uneventful. The post chaise was a four wheeled carriage with seating for two or three people and with a window at the front. The post boy or driver rode one of the two horses. Built for fast, long distance travel the horses were changed regularly at post stations along the way. There were no difficulties with footpads or highwaymen, both common in that day and age, although Merriman had brought a brace of pistols with him just in case.

  The Admiral repeatedly stuck his head out of the window shouting to the post-boy for more speed, and, once more the irascible martinet, chivvying the ostlers at each change of horses. In truth Merriman was glad when the journey was over, for the Admiral was not a good travelling companion, being sunk in gloom about his task of telling his sister that her son was a murderer. Conversation was brief and when the Admiral deposited him outside the Admiralty all he could say was, “Doubtless we shall meet again in Portsmouth Captain, goodbye!”

  Inside, Merriman asked a lieutenant to inform Admiral Sir David Edwards of his presence and with little delay he was ushered into the familiar room.

  The Admiral was alone and greeted Merriman cheerfully, “Good to see you again Captain Merriman, your latest venture was very successful I hear. Mr Grahame was here two days ago with Lord Stevenage to tell us all about it. His Lordship is mightily pleased that you captured Moreau the spy and again Mr Grahame spoke highly of you.”

  “Thank you Sir Edward, we were fortunate.”

  ‘Fortune, good or ill, had nothing to do with it I hear. Now, Mr Grahame hinted at another matter, of murder in fact, but I saw no mention of that in your very brief report.”

  “No Sir, but I have here my complete report on the whole affair. I wrote a second report for Admiral FitzHerbert as it concerns his relative, but I omitted details of why we were in Irish waters. I hope that is in order Sir.”

  “Probably Captain, probably, but we’ll talk further when I have read your report Come back in ---“ he consulted his pocket watch, “—in two hours from now. I’ll give orders for you to be brought straight in.”

  Precisely two hours later, Merriman was again in the presence of the Admiral but this time both Lord Stevenage and Mr Grahame were there, all with serious faces.

  “This is a bad business Captain, did this Midshipman really do all that you say, strike you and murder a seaman?” asked Lord Stevenage.

  “Yes My Lord, there is no question about it, and the report does not give all the minor events leading up to it which I considered at the time to be only shipboard matters.”

  “Mr Grahame told us most of it a few days ago,” said the Admiral, “ and we have read your report which is clear and concise and confirms all he said. In the circumstances I cannot see that you could have acted other than you did. Naturally there will have to be a court-martial and you must return to Portsmouth for it.”

  “Of course Sir Edward.”

  “And now Captain, we will go on to the future,” interrupted Lord Stevenage.

  “I believe Mr Grahame hinted that your next enterprise could be Portugal or possibly Sicily, but we do not yet have all the information we need to have before sending you and Mr Grahame on another adventure. So Captain, it has been decided that you will return to Portsmouth immediately.” Here he smiled a surprisingly warm smile at Merriman, “And as soon as the damned trial is over, which should take no more than a few days, you may take time to go home and get married. Don’t forget, I will be pleased to be invited to the event.”

  “Thank you My Lord. From the last letter I received from home it seems that all is ready for the wedding. It only requires me to let them know when I shall arrive. May I suggest a week from today My Lord?”

  “Indeed you may Captain and I shall be there. The Admiralty has approved this, subject to your being prepared to return to your ship at short notice should you be needed. The ship will remain in Portsmouth, such repairs as may be required will be done and she will be supplied for an extended voyage. If you are not recalled earlier you must be back with your ship in, what shall we say, Sir Edward, three weeks from today?”

  “I think that should do nicely My Lord. As you said before Captain Merriman arrived, it will take that long for more news to reach us from your people over in Portugal and elsewhere.”

  “Thank you Gentlemen,” Greatly daring Merriman asked, “My Lord, I would be pleased if Mr Grahame could be spared to attend the wedding as well, he knows the lady and it was he who encouraged me to ask for her hand when I was too hesitant?”

  “A matchmaker too, are you, in addition to all your other talents?” said His Lordship to Mr Grahame with a laugh. “Yes Captain, I believe he will be able to travel to Cheshire in my coach unless anything untoward turns up.”

  “There is one other matter to which I wish to draw your particular attention My Lord. It’s all in my report but I cannot stress too highly that our success was due in no small measure to the actions of Mr Richard White of Bantry House and the militia of the district. He put his house and buildings completely at our disposal and furnished the horses which we needed.”

  “Yes, Captain, Mr Grahame has already impressed on me the value of Mr White’s services. I shall mention this in the right quarters you may be sure.”

  On his arrival back in Portsmouth, Merriman immediately reported his return to Admiral Sir George FitzHerbert who had arrived back before him, and showed him his orders from the Admiralty.

  “Going to get married are you Captain, I suppose congratulations are in order?”

  The Admiral rose and shook Merriman by the hand. “I hope all will be well for you and your lady in the future.”

  “Thank you Sir George, but I can’t go until after the court-martial of your nephew.”

  “That’s true, but it won’t take long,” said he sadly. “I think you can be on your way in two days or three at the most. I have sufficient Post Captains to form a court and it will convene at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Obviously with me being the boy’s uncle, I cannot be in attendance officially, but I will be there. You will come ashore with all the witnesses and present yourselves here.”

  “Aye-aye Sir,” was all Merriman could reply.

  At precisely ten minutes to eight the next morning they were at the rooms reserved for the trial. There had been frantic brushing of best uniforms, washing of shirts and white stockings and polishing of shoes, going on for most of the night and all were as clean and smart as they could be. The two Midshipmen, Small and Hungerford were almost terrified by the ordeal awaiting them and the others, Lieutenants Laing and Goodwin with acting Lieutenant Shrigley and the doctor were equally nervous. The most composed of them all was Moreau who was looking about him with interest at the bustle of activity in this, one of Britain’s principal seaports.

  Merriman had brought along seamen Matthews and Jackson in case the court wished to question them also.

  “Do you think we shall have to wait long Sir,” asked Goodwin, “I’ve never been a witness before?”

  The others also admitted that this was the first time they had been involved.

  “It’s my first time too, Gentlemen. All that is required from you are clear answers to th
e questions asked you. And you two boys, remember to speak out loudly enough for everyone to hear you.”

  In the event it did not take long for the proceedings to get under way. Merriman’s report had been read by the officers of the court and he was called in to take his place as the first witness. A white faced Dorrington was escorted in by a marine guard and placed in a chair where he would be facing toward where his accusers and the witnesses would stand. Surprisingly, his defending officer was a very nervous Lieutenant Williams, Admiral FitzHerbert’s Aide. The prosecutor was an elderly lieutenant.

  The trial proceeded on its inexorable way with Merriman being questioned closely by the prosecuting officer. Then, in turn, the witnesses were brought in, Seaman Jackson first, followed by Shrigley, Laing and the Doctor. The Doctor was given permission to stay when Midshipman Small was called in. The boy was questioned briefly and the Doctor was asked to remove Small’s coat and shirt. The marks of the whipping had faded somewhat but were still visible and there were still scabs over the worst. When the boy’s back was seen a disgusted murmur ran round the people who had been allowed to watch. The President of the court banged on the table with his gavel and demanded quiet before conferring briefly with the other officers.

  “I believe the court has heard enough evidence with regard to the first charge. We shall move on to the more serious charges, that the accused did strike his senior officer and murdered a seaman. Are we all prepared?”

  Once again the parade of witnesses followed one after the other, Jackson who described the event as he saw it, then the Doctor again and Lieutenant Goodwin who had heard Owen’s deathbed statement. Finally M’sieur Moreau was called.

  His appearance caused a flurry of excited interest among the people attending, especially the ladies who seemed impressed by Moreau’s dark good looks.

  Moreau was questioned by the prosecuting officer who asked him to tell the court why he, a Frenchman was here giving evidence.

  At this point, Williams the defending officer made another effort to do something for his client. “This man is an enemy of our country, how do we know we can trust him?”