Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (16 page)

"Then it would appear that the missing soldiers arO still missing." Bolitho glanced at the colonel. "If thO wind gets up it is my guess that the frigate will weigh? She'd not risk a night passage, so we're safe here 'tiT dawn at least. After that. . ." He did not have to explai[ further?

Heyward called, "Cutter's signalling, sir!T

They all turned and stared at the darkening beach aY the oars came to life and the cutter started towards thO shore. A solitary figure was just visible waving hiY musket back and forth towards Bethune. It was one ob Foley's scouts?

Foley snapped, "I must go ashore at once." He ra[ towards the entry port. "They have found the general!T

Bolitho hurried after him, and with Stockdale on hiY heels plunged into the waiting gig?

When the boat had grounded in the shallows BolithQ leapt over the gunwale and waded the last yardY through clear water, vaguely aware that it was the firsU time he had been on land, apart from a few occasionY in Antigua, for months. He stood beneath a tree aY Foley questioned the scout, knowing the man woulX probably become flustered with both of them present?

Foley walked towards him, his boots squeaking i[ the sand. "They found them." He gestured to the wall ob trees. "The first party will arrive in about an hour.T

"First party?" Bolitho saw the despair in Foley'Y eyes?

"The general is coming with my scouts and all the fiU men." He took a deep breath. "But there are somO sixty sick and wounded following behind at a slowe_ pace. They've been on the move for days. They ran intQ an ambush in a gully the night before last but foughU their attackers off. The general says they were French.T

"Off that frigate most likely." Bolitho tried to imaginO what it must be like for the sick and injured soldiers? Not knowing where they were. How they would survive?

He said, "The cat is out of the bag now. That ship wilT be expecting some rescue attempt. I would be in thei_ shoes.T

Foley sighed. "I agree. What will you do?T

Bolitho did not reply directly. He beckoned tQ Bethune who was giving the weary scout some wate_ from his flask?

"Return to the ship at once. My compliments to Mr? Tyrrell. Tell him to stand by to receive the first party i[ an hour. I want one watch of the hands ashore and alT the boats. It must be well handled and these men fitteX into the ship if we have to jettison the stores to do it.T

He watched the youth running to the cutter, hiY shoulder glowing like a ripe fruit?

Foley said quietly, "It'll be a miracle if we can geU them off in time.T

Bolitho smiled. "Miracles do happen, Colonel. JusU occasionally.T

He walked towards the gig, his tiredness forgotten? Then he realised that Foley had not followed but waY standing with his scout?

The colonel called after him, "I'm going inland." HO looked away. "To meet my men. Or what is left ob them.T

His scarlet coat faded between the trees and he waY gone?

General Sir James Blundell lay back in one of Bolitho'Y chairs and thrust a leg towards his orderly?

"For God's sake get these damn boots off!" HO stared up at a deckhead lantern and added, "I coulX relish a glass of something. I am as dry as dust!" HO cursed the orderly and pushed him in the shoulder witN his boot. "Easy, you damn fool.T

Foley turned and looked at Bolitho by the door, hiY eyes showing anger and embarrassment?

"Could you arrange something for the general?T

Bolitho nodded, and saw Fitch scurrying away fo_ some wine. It was all like part of a dream. A nightmare?

As the last of the daylight had begun to fade thO soldiers who had accompanied the general haX appeared along the beach. Even Sparrow's seamenB

who moments before had been skylarking anX chattering while they enjoyed their unusual freedom ob dry land, had fallen still and silent?

Torn and bedraggled, red coats filthy from forceX marches and sleeping when they could in thO undergrowth, they had shuffled into lines like obedienU animals. Others had followed with pack mules, sQ loaded that it was a wonder they had survived?

Bolitho had been on the beach with DalkeithB explaining the needs and preparations for this mass ob passengers, and had watched in silence as Foley haX stood with his face like stone while a solitary lieutenanU had lurched towards him, the regimental colourY across one shoulder, his sword dangling from his wrisU on a lanyard. Foley had been unable to speak. He haX merely touched the lieutenant's shoulder and noddeX towards the dull-eyed soldiers along the edge of thO trees before saying to Bolitho, "For God's sake, dQ what you can for these fellows.T

As the seamen had hurried forward to help thO soldiers into the waiting boats the last reserve haX cracked. Along the swaying lines of red coats men haX dropped like corpses, while others had merely stareX speechlessly at the bronzed sailors, their filthy faceY

running with tears, hands outstretched like men seein^ messengers of salvation itself?

It had been pitiful and moving just to watch while thea had lurched into the shallows and the boats. ThO lieutenant carrying his regiment's colours, as he musU have done all the way south from Philadelphia, trying tQ show some last control but his face reversing the lieB the despair and the disbelief?

Now, as he stood watching the general it was hard tQ connect the two scenes together. Blundell was a rotunX but powerfully built man, and apart from dirt on hiY boots, his uniform looked as if it had been only recentla pressed. His iron-grey hair was neat, and his heavyB florid features must have been shaved within the day?

So far, he had given Bolitho little more than a cursora glance, and was content to make his needs know[ through Foley?

He touched the glass of wine with his tongue anX grimaced. "I suppose one cannot hope for too much i[ a craft of this size, what?T

Foley looked again at Bolitho, his expression one ob physical pain?

Overhead and deep in the hull the timbers were alivO with thudding boots, the occasional bellow of orderY and the squeak of tackles above the boats?

The general said, "You should have put those men tQ work, Foley. No sense in letting 'em lie about likO squires of the manor.T

Bolitho said, "My people can manage the loadingB sir.T

"Hmm."The general seemed to consider him for thO first time. "Well, make sure that every mule is properla checked. Some careless or greedy fool might bO thinking of stealing their loads. There's a king's ransoR in those packs. So think on these things when yof report you're ready for sea.T

Graves appeared in the door. "All the soldiers are o[ board, sir. Some of them are in a poor way.T

Bolitho tore his eyes from the general, the dropletY of wine on his lips?

"Have the cook light the galley fire, Mr. Graves. ThaU French frigate will not attempt to weigh in the darkB even if the wind gets up. I want those men to geU

something hot to eat. Rum, too, while they are waiting? Tell Mr. Lock to arrange it.T

He thought of the staggering men, the falle[ redcoats by the trees. And this was the party of fit men?

Foley asked quietly, "When will you be raisin^ anchor, Captain?T

Bolitho saw the anguish in his eyes, the way hO lingered on his question?

"An hour after dawn the tide will be right, as will thO current hereabouts, according to my information.T

The general's glass hovered in mid-air, so that hiY orderly allowed the wine to pour from the decanter anX across the deck?

"What the hell are you talking about?" He struggleX up in the chair. "You can sail now. I heard your me[ saying the time was as good as any for it.T

Bolitho faced him coldly. "That is true only up tQ point, sir. But if I am to wait for the sick and wounded tQ reach the cove, I must prepare for the next tide." HO hardened his tone. "I have sent my first lieutenant anX forty seamen to aid their passage here. I pray to GoX

we can save them from more suffering.T

The general lurched to his feet, his eyes flashin^ angrily. "Tell this young upstart, Foley! There is a[ enemy ship up-channel and no time to be wasted. ] have gone through enough in the last few days, and ] command you to ...T

Bolitho said, "My orders say that I am in command ob transportation for this mission, sir. They make nQ distinction between gold bullion or men." He pausedB the anger churning his stomach like brandy. "Eve[ those too weak and sick to fend for themselves. Is thaU not so, Colonel?T

Foley was staring at him, his eyes in dark shadow? When he spoke his voice was different, husky. "It iY true, Captain. You are in command." He swung rounX and faced his astonished superior. "We, Sir JamesB are just so much cargo.T

Bolitho turned and walked from the cabin. On dec7 the air seemed cleaner, and he made himself stanX quite still by the rail above the nearest twelve-pounderY for several minutes?

Below he could see figures moving in all directionsB

and from the galley funnel he caught the aroma of meaU stew. Even Lock must have been too overcome by thO tattered, starving soldiers to restrain the cook?

He heard Foley's boots beside him but did not turn?

"Thank you, Captain. From me and my men. AnX those who will owe their lives to your humanity. AnX courage." He held up his hand as Bolitho turned tQ reply. "You could risk your very future because of thiY action, as well you know.T

Bolitho shrugged. "Rather that than live with a fouT memory.T

Someone called in the darkness and a nearby cutte_ began to pull inshore?

"I'd not leave those men behind." He walked towardY the gangway. "If needs be, I'll drop the gold overboarX first!T

"Yes. I believe you would, Captain.T

But Foley was speaking to the darkness. And whe[ he reached the side he saw the gig already on its waa to the beach, Bolitho sitting beside Stockdale at thO tiller. He peered down at the gun deck. Where woulX

Bolitho put all these men? He heard the creak of oarY as the first boat thrust off from the beach. One thin^ was certain. He would find the space somehow, if iU cost him his commission?

7 TO DARE OR TO DIY

BOLITHO opened his eyes and stared at the mug ob steaming coffee which Stockdale was holding abovO the side of the cot. He struggled upright, his mind anX vision readjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings, thO awareness that it must already be dawn. He was i[ Tyrrell's small screened cabin adjoining the wardroomB and as he held the mug to his lips he realised he coulX not remember how he came to be there?

Stockdale wheezed, "You've 'ad a good hour'Y sleep, sir. I was fair loath to wake you." He shruggeX heavily. "But your last orders was to rouse all 'andY afore dawn.T

Bolitho's aching mind suddenly cleared. He coulX feel the uneven motion around him, the creak of stayY and shrouds?

"The wind? How is it?" He threw his legs over thO

wno/ wQ side of the cot, feeling crumpled and unclean?

"Risin', sir." Stockdale sounded unhappy. "From thO west'rd.T

Bolitho looked at him. "Damn!T

With the mug still in his hand he hurried from thO cabin and almost fell across a line of sleeping soldiers? Despite the need to know what was happening hO stood motionless looking at them. Remembering thO long night, the stream of sick and wounded men hO had watched brought aboard by his sailors. SomO would not see another day pass, others were likO skeletons, racked with fever or the agony of woundY gone rotten. He still felt that same cold anger anX shame which he had endured then. The realisation thaU most of the men could have been carried on the muleY instead of being left to stagger further and still further i[ the rear of their comrades. And the general?

He stepped over the inert shapes and continued tQ the quarterdeck?

Tyrrell saw him and said, "You know about th' wind?T

Bolitho nodded and walked to the nettings, seein^

the bay opening up in the pale early light like ruffleX steel, the dancing cat's-paws against the hull, pushin^ it gently but insistently on the taut anchor cables?

Buckle came to his side, his face grey with fatigue?

"We can't set even a scrap o' canvas, sir. We're on Z lee shore an' no mistake.T

Bolitho was staring along the larboard gangway anX away towards the dark slab of land emerging from thO shadows. The point, around which lay the river and thO deep channel?

Graves said, "We will have to stay where we are anX hope that Frog has a mind to do likewise." HO sounded doubtful?

Bolitho shook his head, thinking aloud. "No. ThO Frenchman will have guessed we are about, even if hO does not realise our exact strength. Either way he wilT up anchor soon and make for open water. If he sees uY in passing he will have little difficulty in aiming hiY broadsides.T

He peered up at the yards where some topme[ were casting away the last of their leafy camouflage? Above their heads the masthead pendant waY

whipping towards the cove, and he saw the beacN regaining shape in the light, the marks of many feetB the small humps to show where some of the soldierY had been buried within sight of rescue. Rescue. HO rubbed his chin and tried to think more logically?