Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (35 page)

Bolitho nodded. "Carry on, Mr. Graves. I will inforR you directly.T

The lieutenant hesitated. "This letter was delivereX also, sir.T

It was small, and the handwriting was almost hidde[ by a seal. Office of the Military Government?

As the door closed Farr asked thickly, "Graves? NQ bloody relative of our admiral, I trust!T

Bolitho grinned. With Rodney in the West Indies, anX further restricted by bad health, the command ob American waters came under the flag of Rear-AdmiraT Thomas Graves. Lacking the wisdom of Rodney, thO hard-won respect of Hood, he was looked upon ba most of the fleet's officers as a fair but cautiouY commander. He believed utterly in the rigid rules ob fighting, and had never been known to change one joU of their interpretation. Several senior captains had puU

down suggestions for improving the system ob signalling between ships engaged in close action? Graves had said icily, according to the many storieY circulating amongst the fleet, "My captains know thei_ function. That should be enough for any man.T

Bolitho replied, "No. Perhaps it would be better if hO were. We might know more of what is happening.T

Farr stood up and belched. "Good wine. Bette_ company. I'll leave you to yer sealed orders. If all thO written despatches from all the admirals in the worlX was laced together we'd have enough to cover thO Equator, an' that's a fact! God's teeth, I sometimeY think we choke on paper!T

He shambled out of the cabin, refusing Bolitho'Y offer to see him over the side by saying, "If I can'U manage on me own by now, then it's time I waY weighted with a pair of round-shot and droppeX overboard!T

Bolitho settled down at the table and slit open thO canvas envelope, although his eyes rested mainly o[ the smaller one?

The orders were briefer than usual. Being in alT

respects ready for sea, His Britannic Majesty's Sloop1 of-War Sparrow would weigh and proceed at thO earliest convenience the following day. She would carra out an independent patrol, eastward to Montauk PoinU at the top of Long Island and thence via Block Island tQ the approaches of Newport itself?

He contained his rising excitement with somO difficulty and made himself concentrate on the sparsO requirements of the patrol. He was not to becomO involved with enemy forces other than at his ow[ discretion. His eye rested on the last words. How thea reminded him of Colquhoun. So brief, yet concealin^ the very precariousness of his own position should hO act wrongly?

But here at last was something direct to carry out? Not merely harrying blockade-runners or seeking somO sly privateer. This was French territory. The fringe of thO second greatest sea-power on earth. Beneath the fla^ captain's scrawling signature he saw that Rear1 Admiral Christie had added his own. How typical of thO man. A sign of his trust, and the extent of his arm?

He stood up and rapped on the skylight?

"Midshipman of the watch!T

He saw Bethune's face above him and called, "Ma compliments to the first lieutenant. I would like to seO him at once." He paused. "I thought you were on watcN earlier?T

Bethune dropped his eyes. "Aye, sir. That is true. BuU ...T

Bolitho said quietly, "In future you will take you_ watches as laid down. I suppose Mr. Fowler shoulX have been on duty?T

"I promised him, sir." Bethune looked uneasy. "] owed him a relief.T

"Very well. But remember my orders. I'll have nQ retired officers in this ship!T

He sat down again. He should have noticed whaU was happening. Poor Bethune was no match for thO Fowlers of this world. He smiled in spite of his concern? He was a fine one to talk?

He slit open the second envelope and came up witN a jerk against the table?

My dear Captain. I would be so pleased if you coulX

dine with us this evening. I feel wretched at thiY inexcusable delay and hope for instant forgiveness. AY you read this letter I am watching your ship through ma uncle's telescope. So that I shall not be held i[ suspense, please show yourself?

It was signed, Susannab Hardwicke?

Bolitho stood up and winced as his skull collideX with a deck beam. Pausing only to lock his orders i[ the cabin strongbox, he hurried out of the door and uS the companion ladder. Her uncle's telescope. SQ General Blundell was here, too. It would explain thO sentries at the gates?

But even this fact did not depress him. He almosU collided with Tyrrell as he came limping aft, his armY spattered with grease?

"Sorry I was adrift when you called for me, sir. I waY in th' cable tier.T

Bolitho smiled. "Taking the opportunity of an empta tier to look for rot, eh?T

Tyrrell rubbed his thigh. "Aye. But she's fine. SounX as a bell.T

Bolitho walked to the nettings and shaded his eyeY against the fierce glare. The distant houses werO almost lost in haze, their outlines quivering anX intermingling as it they were melting in the heat?

Tyrrell watched him questioningly. "Somethin^ wrong, sir?T

Bolitho beckoned to Bethune and took hiY telescope. It was no better. The one trained upo[ Sparrow was probably a huge affair. Very slowly hO raised his arm and waved it from side to side?

Behind him Tyrrell and Bethune stood stockstill, eacN as puzzled as the other by the captain's strangO behaviour?

Bolitho turned and saw Tyrrell's face. "Er, I was jusU waving to someone?

Tyrrell looked past him at the anchored ships anX busy harbour craft?

"I see, sir.T

"No you don't, Jethro, but no matter." He clapped hiY shoulder. "Come below and I will tell you what we arO about. You will be in charge of the ship this evening, fo_

I am dining ashore.T

A slow grin spread across the lieutenant's face. "OhB I see, sir!T

They were examining a chart and discussing thO sailing orders when they heard Bethune yell, "AvasU there! Stand still, that man!" Then there was a splasN and more shouts along the gun deck?

Bolitho and Tyrrell hurried to the quarterdeck agai[ to find Bethune and most of the unemployed handY lining the larboard gangway or clinging to the shrouds?

A man was in the water, arms striking out stronglyB his dark hair glossy in the spray and sunlight?

Bethune panted, "It was Lockhart, sir! He diveX overboard before I could stop him!T

Tyrrell murmured, "A good seaman. Never ana trouble. I know him well.T

Bolitho kept his eyes on the swimmer. "A colonist?T

"Aye. Came from New Haven some years back? He's done it now, poor devil." There was no anger i[ Tyrrell's voice. If anything it was pity?

Bolitho heard the men near him exchanging guesseY at the swimmer's success of getting ashore. It was Z long way to go?

He had known many deserters during his life at sea? Often he had found room for sympathy, although he haX thought their actions to be wrong. Few men woulX volunteer for the harsh demands of service in a King'Y ship, especially as nobody ever knew for sure if hO would regain his home in safety. Seaports were full ob those who had returned. Cripples and men made olX before their time in many cases. But as yet, no one haX found a better way of crewing the fleet. Once pressedB most men accepted it, could even be relied upon tQ take others by similar methods. The sailor's old rule, "Ib I'm here, why not him?" carried a lot of weight in ships1 of-war?

But this was different. The seaman, Lockhart, haX seemed nothing out of the ordinary. A good worker anX rarely adrift for his watch or station. Yet all the while hO must have been brooding over his proper homelandB and the stay in New York had done the rest. Even nowB as he thrashed steadily past an anchored two-deckerB he was no doubt thinking only of his goal. Some vaguO mental picture of house and family, or parents who haX

almost forgotten what he looked like?

A faint crack came from the two-decker's beakheadB and Bolitho saw a red-coated marine already rammin^ another ball into his musket for a further shot at the lonO swimmer?

A growl of anger came from Sparrow's seamen? Whatever they thought of the man's desertion, or of thO man himself, had nothing to do with their reaction. HO was one of their own, and the marine sentry waY momentarily an enemy?

Yule, the gunner, muttered, "That damn bulloc7 should be shot down hisself, the bloody bastard!T

The marine did not fire again, but sauntered to thO end of his little platform to watch the swimmer, like Z wildfowler who has given his quarry best for the timO being. Or so it appeared. Then as a guardboat swepU round the stern of another two-decker, Bolitho kne/ why he had not bothered to shoot?

The longboat was moving swiftly, the oars sending iU through the glittering water like a blue fish. In thO sternsheets he saw several marines, a midshipma[ with a raised telescope trained on the seaman?

Yule observed dourly, "'E'll not escape now.T

Tyrrell said, "It's out of our hands.T

"Aye.T

Bolitho felt suddenly heavy, the pleasure of the lette_ spoiled by this man's despair. Nobody who had ru[ from a King's ship could expect mercy. It was to bO hoped he was hanged rather than face the horror ob flogging round the fleet. He chilled. If he was to bO hanged ... He stared up at Sparrow's mainyard, hiY eyes desperate. There was no doubt where thO execution would be carried out. Even Christie woulX make sure of that. An example. A warning clear to alT aboard and throughout the nearby ships. He tried noU to watch the guardboat as it swept down on the tinyB bobbing head?

His own friends, Sparrow's loyal seamen, would bO forced to witness the halter being set around his nec7 before they, and they alone, were ordered to run him uS to the yard. After all they had endured together, thiY sickening act might drive a wedge between officerY and men and destroy what they had achieved?

Tyrrell gasped, "Look, sir!T

Bolitho snatched a glass and trained it beyond thO guardboat. He was just in time to see the manB Lockhart, treading water, turning to stare either at thO boat or perhaps at Sparrow herself. Then, even as thO boat's oars backed water and a marine groped ove_ the stemhead for the man's hair, he threw up his handY and disappeared beneath the surface?

Nobody spoke, and Bolitho found himself holding hiY breath, perhaps like the man who had vanished sQ suddenly. Sailors were usually poor swimmers? Perhaps he had got cramp. In a moment he woulX break surface nearby and the guardboat would hauT him on board. Seconds, minutes passed, and then at Z shouted command the guardboat resumed its leisurela patrol between the anchored ships?

Bolitho said quietly, "I thank God for that. If he had tQ suffer, I am glad it was gently done.T

Tyrrell watched him dully. "That's true." He turned witN sudden anger on the gunner. "Mr. Yule! Clear thesO idlers off th' gangway or I'll find 'em some harder wor7 for their wits to dwell on!T

He was unusually disturbed, and Bolitho wondered ib he was comparing his own fate with that of thO

drowned seaman?

He said, "Make an entry in the log, Mr. Tyrrell.T

"Sir?" Tyrrell faced him grimly. "As a deserter?T

Bolitho looked past him at the seamen as thea wandered towards the gun deck again?

"We do not know for certain he was deserting. Mar7 him as Discharged-Dead." He walked to the hatch? "His relatives will have enough to bear without thO weight of shame also.T

Tyrrell watched him go, his breathing returning slowla to normal. It would not help Lockhart. He was beyonX reach. But Bolitho's order would ensure that his namO carried no stigma, and his loss would be recorded witN those who had fallen in battle, in fights which he haX also suffered without complaint. It was a smalT distinction. But even so, he knew that only BolithQ would have thought of it?

When Bolitho climbed from his gig he was astonisheX to find a smartly painted carriage waiting for him on thO jetty. A liveried Negro doffed his tricorn hat anX beamed hugely?

"Good evenin', Sah." He opened the carriage doo_ with a flourish while Stockdale and the gig's cre/ watched in silent admiration?

Bolitho paused. "Er, do not wait, Stockdale. I wilT return to the ship in a local boat.T

He was strangely elated, and conscious of watchin^ townsfolk on the road above the jetty, an enviouY glance from a passing marine major?

Stockdale touched his hat. "If you says so, sir. I coulX come along with you ...T

"No. I'll have full need of you tomorrow." He felU suddenly reckless and pulled a coin from his pocket? "Here, buy some grog for the gig's crew. But not toQ much for safety's sake, eh?T

He climbed into the coach and sank back againsU the blue cushions as with a jerk the horses took the firsU strain at their harness?

With his hat on his knees he watched the passin^ houses and people, Stockdale, even the shipB temporarily forgotten. Once, when the coach reined tQ a halt to allow a heavy wagon to cross ahead of it, hO heard a faraway murmur of cannon fire. It was a finO

evening, and the steady westerly wind was dry anX warm. Sounds carried easily in such conditions. Eve[ so, it was hard to connect the distant gunfire with thO brightly lit houses, the occasional snatches of musi. and song from taverns along the road. Some arma battery testing its guns perhaps. But more likely Z nervous duel between opposing pickets where the twQ armies lay in watchful readiness?