Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (12 page)

Bethune's voice cut across the shouted orders anX the flapping crack of canvas?

"From Flag to Sparrow, sir. Repair on board.T

Bolitho nodded. "Acknowledge." The admiral did noU believe in wasting time?

"Helm a'lee!T

Gently, easily, the Sparrow turned her jib-boom intQ the wind, her sails vanishing as the topmen vied witN each other to fist the unruly canvas under control?

"Let go!T

From forward came a brief splash as the ancho_ plunged to the bottom, and before Graves had turneX to signal the quarterdeck Tilby, the boatswain, waY already urging the boatlowerers to sway out the gig?

Tyrrell came aft and touched his hat. "I hope you geU good news, sir?

"Thank you.T

Bolitho wondered what it must be like for Tyrrell. HO was back off his own coastline. Sandy Hook. He musU have sailed this way many times in his father'Y schooner. But there was nothing on his features tQ betray whatever he was thinking. The usual controlleX respect which he had shown since the battle?

Tyrrell had not spared himself in his efforts to get thO damage repaired. He had a manner which at firsU glance seemed easy going, even casual, but there waY no doubting his ability, or the edge of his tongue ib someone was foolish enough to mistake his attitudO for weakness?

"I doubt that I will be long in the flagship." BolithQ watched the gig's crew tumbling down the side?

"Th' admiral may ask you to take lunch, sir." Tyrrell'Y eyes crinkled in a rare smile. "I gather th' old Parthia[ is known for a good table.T

Stockdale called, "Gig's ready, sir.T

Bolitho looked at Tyrrell. "Make arrangements fo_ taking in fresh water and casks. I have told Mr. Lock tQ see what he can do about fruit.T

Tyrrell followed him to the entry port where the sidO party were assembled?

He hesitated and then asked quietly, "If you coulX find out anything about ..." He shrugged. "But then ] guess you'll be too busy, sir.T

Bolitho ran his eye over the nearby seamen. Had hO learned anything about them since he had take[ command? Did he even know what they thought ob himU

He replied, "I will do what I can. Perhaps your fathe_ has sent some message for you.T

Tyrrell was still staring after him as he clambereX into the boat, his ears ringing to the squeal of pipes?

When Bolitho climbed up through the Parthian'Y gilded entry port and doffed his hat to the quarterdec7 he was immediately reminded of the Trojan, the life hO had so recently left behind. All the old smells and sightY came crowding back, and he marvelled that he haX forgotten so much in so brief a time?

A lieutenant guided him to the flag captain's cabi[ and relieved him of the despatches and a bag ob letters which Miranda had brought from England?

He said, "The admiral will read these first, sir." HiY eyes moved swiftly over Bolitho's new uniform coat? Searching perhaps for the same old answer. Why hiR and not meU

The admiral did not send for him for a full hourB although it felt twice as long. To avoid repeatedla examining his watch he made himself listen to thO sounds around and above him. The old, familiar noiseY of a teeming community encased in one great hull. IU took little imagination to hear Captain Pears's harsN voice complaining, "Mr. Bolitho! Are you aware that thO weather forebrace is as slack as a sow's tail? 'Pon ma soul, you'll have to do better if you wish to makO something of yourselflT

He was smiling ruefully when the lieutenant returneX and without further ceremony led him aft to the greaU cabin?

Sir Evelyn Christie, Rear-Admiral of the Red, anX commanding the Inshore Squadron, was fanning hiY face with a napkin, and after a searching examinatio[ of Bolitho's general appearance said, "A glass ob claret, Commander." He did not wait for an answer buU gestured to his servant, a splendid-looking man i[ scarlet jacket and brilliant yellow breeches?

"I was somewhat surprised to see your name affixeX to the report." The admiral's eyes were fastened on thO claret, as if daring the servant to spill even a drip. "Yof say in it that Ransome died of fever." He took a glasY and examined it critically. "Damn good job, if you as7 me. Young popinjay. Too much money and no dam[ integrity." Ransome disposed of he continued calmly, "] expect you're concerned about the change of plansB eh?T

Bolitho felt a chair nudge the back of his legs anX realised the silent servant had somehow managed tQ arrange a glass of claret on a small table, fetch a chairB and all without apparently moving or uttering a sound?

The admiral scowled. "Take no notice. The man's Z fool." He added sharply, "Well?T

Bolitho replied, "I was expecting to ...T

Rear-Admiral Christie interrupted, "Yes. I imaginO you were." He paused, his head on one side like a[ irritable bird. "The claret. Well?T

"Very good, Sir Evelyn.T

"Hmm." The admiral seated himself carefully on Z gilt chair. "Took it off a blockade runner last month? Palatable.T

Something metallic crashed across a deck beyonX the bulkhead and he snapped savagely, "Go and telT the officer of the watch, with my compliments, that if ] hear one more unseemly sound during this interview ] will personally take him to task!T

The servant fled from the cabin and the admiral gavO a slow smile?

"Keep them jumping. That's the answer. Don't givO 'em too much time to think.T

In the very next breath he changed the tack yeU

again?

"Fact is, Bolitho, things are not going too well. Than7 God you at least are a man who knows how to abidO by the letter of his orders. In your place I might havO said to hell with waiting around for some damn patroT to find out what was happening. I might even havO gone so far as to take those transports direct to thO army?

Bolitho stiffened. It sounded genuine enough, buU perhaps the admiral was merely hinting at a criticism? Maybe he thought he should have made straight for thO exact rendezvous, used his initiative instead of actin^ as he had?

The admiral's next words changed that?

"You were not to know, of course, but the army is i[ the process of evacuating Philadelphia. Failing back.T He looked down at the empty glass. "Sounds bette_ than a retreat, but it amounts to the same?

Bolitho was stunned. Reverses he could accept? This war was so extended, the areas so vast and littlO known, that no plan of battle of the old style could bO expected. But to quit Philadelphia, the vital commanX

garrison of the Delaware, was unthinkable. In spite ob his caution he said, "Surely that was unnecessary, sirU I thought we had destroyed all the American forts anX outposts on the Delaware last year.T

The admiral eyed him shrewdly. "That was last yearB before Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga. The wholO of this area is overrun with bands of raiders and enema informers." He threw open the chart. "With ma squadron I must patrol and keep watch over the wholO three hundred miles of coastline, from New York dow[ to Cape Henry on Chesapeake Bay. It is a labyrinth? Inlets and rivers, coves and hiding places where yof could fail to sight a three-decker at a mile's range. AnX every day the sea teems with shipping. From the northB and as far south as the Spanish Main and Caribbean? Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and most of'em intent o[ slipping past my patrols with stores and guns for thO enemy?

He poured two more glasses of claret?

"However, now that you have brought thesO despatches we are aware of the extent of our dangers? The French are out in the open at last. I have alreada sent word to the Commander-in-Chief and all senio_ officers here.T

He smiled. "You did well, Bolitho. No one could havO expected so newly appointed a commander to act aY you did.T

"Thank you, sir.T

Bolitho thrust away the opposite side of the picture. Ib he had sailed with the rich transports into an enema trap, the admiral would have spoken very differently?

"Pity about Miranda. We are cruelly short ob frigates.T

"About the Bonaventure, sir, I was wondering ...T

"You are a man who does a lot of wondering." ThO admiral continued to smile. "Not too bad a fault i[ some. I knew your father. I hope he is well?" He did noU wait for or expect an answer. He hurried on, "I aR drafting fresh orders for you. The military, in their hasteB unfortunately allowed an headquarters company tQ become lost." He added dryly, "Between ourselves, IB too, have done a certain amount of wondering. AbouU some of our military colleagues ashore. Some, or so iU would appear, did not obtain the necessary brains tQ match their appointments.T

He gave an elaborate sigh. "But then, who am I tQ judge? We are fortunate. We carry our homes, ou_ manner of existence, around with us like sea-turtles. IU is hard to compare that with some wretcheX infantryman, loaded down with pack and musketB footsore and half starved. He has to contend with livin^ off the land, fighting shadows, being shot at ba American woodsmen as well as coming to grips witN well-trained troops.T

Bolitho watched him curiously. On the face of it thO admiral was nothing out of the ordinary, no more tha[ you would expect of one backed up by his power anX authority. But his features certainly hid a razor-sharS mind, the way he could throw it around from one aspecU to the next without losing sight of anything?

"What about the Bonaventure, by the way?T

"She's big and fast, sir." Bolitho readjusted his minX again. "At least forty guns and well handled. I am surO she was the one which followed us, yet was well able tQ outsail us when the time came." He waited, but thO admiral's face was a mask. "A match for any frigate.T

"Point taken. I will make inquiries about he_ pedigree." He opened his watch. "I want you to saiT

today and find that missing company of foot-soldierY before they are captured.T

Bolitho stared at him. "But, sir, I have my orders.T

"Ah, yes." He bobbed his head. "Now you havO mine, eh?T

Bolitho sank back in the chair, "Yes, sir.T

"I neglected to mention that the soldiers arO transporting gold bullion. God knows the exact amountB I find it difficult on occasions to crack the military minX into precise details. But it is a great deal. Fortunes ob war, army pay, booty, whatever it is, you may be sure iU is valuable." He smiled. "It has a complete general witN it!T

Bolitho swallowed the claret in one gulp?

"A general, sir?T

"No less. Take care, he is well connected, and noU given to much tolerance." He continued evenly, "You_ arrival is a godsend. I have only one small bri^ available, and I was loath to send her.T

Bolitho stayed silent. Lose her, was probably whaU

he really meant?

"Arrangements have been made for some arma scouts to accompany you, and a small detachment iY already trying to make contact with the missin^ company." He paused before saying quietly, "You wilT be under the instruction of one Colonel Foley. HO knows the area well, so you must abide by hiY experience.T

"I understand, sir.T

"Good. I will have your written orders sent to yof without delay." Another glance at the watch. "I wilT expect you to be ready to weigh before dusk.T

"May I ask where I am to go, sir?T

"You may not. It will be clear in your orders. I do noU want the whole of New York to learn of it yet. GeneraT Washington has many friends here, just as we havO many who are waiting to change sides if things gQ badly for us.T

He held out his hand. It was over?

"Take care, Bolitho, England will need all her sons ib she is to survive, let alone win this damn war. But if yof

succeed in this venture you will be more than able tQ face whatever lies ahead. You can rejoin your ow[ squadron with much more than seniority to your credit.T

In something like a daze Bolitho found his way to thO entry port, his mind grappling with the admiral's words?

This time he was greeted by the flag captain i[ person who asked quickly, "Has he told you what hO wants of you?T

"Yes.T

The captain studied Bolitho thoughtfully. "ThO general's brother is a member of the Government. ] thought I should tell you.T

Bolitho tugged his hat down on his forehead. "Than7 you, sir. I will try to remember.T

The captain grinned at his grave expression. "Yof youngsters have all the luck!" His laughter waY drowned by the trilling pipes as Bolitho climbed oncO more into his gig?

It was towards the end of the last dog watch whe[ Bolitho's passenger, Colonel Hector Foley, climbeX aboard from the guardboat. In his early thirties, he haX

the dark, even swarthy good looks of a Spaniard, seU off with a hooked nose and deepset brown eyes. ThO appearance seemed totally at odds with thO impeccable scarlet coat and close-fitting whitO breeches of an infantry officer. He glanced around thO stern cabin, and accepted Bolitho's offer of thO sleeping compartment and cot with little more than Z nod, before seating himself in one of the chairs. HO was tall and straight-backed, and like Bolitho had to bO careful when moving between the deckhead beams?

He took out his watch and said calmly, "I suggest yof read your orders, Captain. Given luck, your part of thO game should be no more than transport.T