Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (8 page)

Bolitho walked across the tilting deck and rested hiY hands on the rail, feeling the hull quivering beneath hiR like a living creature. The noon sun stood high over thO ship, but he was able to ignore it, conscious only of thO well-filled sails, the leap of spray up and over thO

bowsprit. It had been five days since Fawn had turneX back for Antigua, and it seemed as if Colquhoun'Y disappearance from their midst had brought a changO of luck and weather. Perverse as ever, but for once o[ their side, the wind had backed suddenly to south1 south-west and had freshened into a lively blow whicN had hardly dropped during the whole time. Unde_ bulging canvas the ships had driven on towards thO American coast, which according to the most recenU calculations now lay some two hundred and fifty mileY away. The heavy merchantmen had maintained a gooX five knots, satisfied perhaps that Miranda's captai[ was content to leave them to their own devices. ThO frigate's signals had been confined for the most part tQ Sparrow. For within twenty-four hours of leaving Faw[ the masthead lookout had sighted a solitary sail oncO again, far astern of the convoy, a tiny white flaw on thO horizon?

Bolitho had sent Graves aloft with a telescope, buU even he had been unable to identify the mysteriouY follower. Next he signalled to the frigate, requestin^ permission to investigate. He had been refused? Miranda's captain was probably regretting his meetin^ with the convoy. But for their dragging weight he woulX have reached his objective by now and would havO

borne no blame for failing to pass his news to Antigua? But once in contact with the slower vessels he had nQ choice but to act as he had. Also, he would be fulla aware that once beyond his control Sparrow mighU become too involved with a separate situation tQ return, and thus leave him with total responsibility fo_ the transports?

The unknown sail had not been sighted again, anX Bolitho had accepted that Miranda's captain had bee[ right, if over cautious, to restrain his efforts?

He looked at Tyrrell's bronzed features and nodded? "I am well satisfied.T

He watched some foretopmen sliding down thO backstays, racing each other to the deck after thei_ work aloft. Buckle was right. She moved like a bird witN any sort of wind. He watched the Bear, the transporU closest to his own ship, and wished they were free ob the convoy. Then he could really put Sparrow to thO test. Royals, even studding sails could be rigged, ib only to find out what she could accomplish under evera stitch of canvas?

Most of the unemployed officers were on dec7 enjoying their usual gossip before the midday mealB

careful to stay on the lee side and as much out of hiY way as possible?

He saw Dalkeith, the surgeon, laughing with BuckleB his head very white in its baldness under the harsN light. The red wig was being vigorously shaken by thO wardroom servant, and Bolitho guessed it had bee[ given some sort of a wash. Lock, the purser, was in Z more serious conversation with young HeywardB opening and ruffling a big ledger in the wind as hO explained some point of victualling which might placO the midshipman's knowledge above that of his frienX Bethune. The latter, being on watch, stood untidily ba the quarterdeck rail, his shirt open to his waist anX massaging his stomach with one hand. Bolitho smiled? The boy was no doubt hungry. Midshipmen likO Bethune usually were?

Down on the gun deck many of the seamen werO lounging beneath the sails' great shadows or passin^ the time like their officers. The boatswain was with hiY own friend Yule, the gunner, and together they woulX have made a frightening pair of highwaymen, BolithQ thought. Whereas Tilby was vast and ungainly, hiY heavy features seamed with too much drink, Yule waY swarthy and lithe, like a stoat, with darting, flinty eyeY which were forever on the move?

As he glanced from group to group he was agai[ reminded of his new-found isolation. Privacy whicN could lead to loneliness. Privilege which might becomO a burden?

He thrust his hands behind him and began to pacO slowly along the weather side, letting the warm winX ruffle his hair and play with his open shirt. SomewherO out there beyond the hammock nettings was the coasU of America. It would be strange to drop anchor only tQ find the war had finished, that blood had proved toQ strong in the face of France's new challenge. If EnglanX were to admit to America's independence the[ perhaps both nations would unite against France anX settle her ambitions once and for all. He glanced aU Tyrrell's profile and wondered if he was thinking thO same?

He shut Tyrrell's personal problems from his minX and tried to concentrate on the string of affairs whicN daily needed his attention. The water supply should bO replenished as soon as possible. The casks werO poor, and water soon became rancid in this climate? And he would purchase fresh fruit whenever thea contacted the land or some supply vessel. It waY amazing that the ship's company had stayed so healtha

when Ransome had failed to take such simplO precautions. Aboard the old Trojan he had not see[ one case of scurvy in the three years he had been i[ her, evidence of Captain Pears's concern for his me[ and a valuable lesson to all his subordinates. He haX already spoken about it to Lock, and after somO hesitation the purser had muttered, "A costly affair, sir.T

"Costlier if our people go down with disease, Mr? Lock. I have known a whole squadron rendereX useless because of such skinflint methods.T

Then there was the matter of a flogging, his first aY captain. He had always disliked unnecessary use ob punishment even though he knew it to be necessary o[ occasions. In the Navy discipline was harsh anX instant, and when a ship was miles from home anX other authority, it was a captain's deterrent tQ insubordination and final confusion. Some captainY used it without thought. Brutal and inhuman floggingY were commonplace in many ships, and as a youn^ midshipman Bolitho had nearly fainted after one sucN spectacle. Other captains, weak and inefficient, lefU authority to subordinates and shut their ears to itY misuse?

But for the most part the English seaman knew thO

measure of his service, and if he took chances waY prepared to accept the consequences. And if one ma[ thieved or cheated another of his messmates he haX no mercy at all. The justice of the lower deck waY equally feared to that of a captain?

But this case was different, or could be from what hO knew of it. A seaman had defied Lieutenant GraveY during a night watch when the hands had been calleX to reef topsails in an unexpected squall. He haX shouted at the officer and called him a "heartlesY bugger" within earshot of some twenty other people?

In confidence Tyrrell had asked Bolitho to accept thO seaman's explanation. He was a good hand, anX Graves had provoked him in a fit of anger when he haX failed to reach his station on the mainyard with hiY companions?

A dirty Yankee bastard. They were the words GraveY had used. Too lazy to do his proper duty, and no doubU too gutless to fight when the time came?

All this and Tyrell's heated attack on Graves'Y handling of the matter were fresh proof of the latenU tension amongst the company under his command?

Graves had been adamant. The man had insulteX him in front of his watch and must be punished?

He was right in one respect. His authority had to bO upheld or he would never be able to retain controT again?

Bolitho blamed himself. If he had had more time tQ consider this unusual situation, or had taken lesY comfort from his own new position, he could havO prevented it. By example or by forcing his will on hiY officers he might have made them realise that sucN behaviour would not be tolerated. But that was all toQ late now. It had happened?

He had compromised by standing the man overB knowing then as at this moment that he was merela postponing the inevitable?

He glanced up towards the mainyard, braced harX round as the ship heeled close-hauled on a larboarX tack. He could see the man now, naked but for a scraS of canvas, working with some others on the endlesY business of re-splicing and repairs high above thO deck. Did Tyrrell really think the man was provoked? hO wondered. Or was he standing up for him because hO imagined Graves was getting at him by punishin^

another colonistU

"Deck there!" The masthead lookout's cry waY muffled by the wind and the lively crack of sails? "Miranda's signallin'!T

Bolitho swung round. "Jump to it, Mr. Bethune! Yof are half asleep today!T

Tyrrell stood aside as the midshipman ran to the leO shrouds with his telescope?

"Thinking of his next meal!" He was smiling at thO boy's confusion?

"It seems that the masthead lookout was the onla one in this watch thinking of his duty, Mr. Tyrrell!T

The edge of his voice brought a flush to thO lieutenant's face and he turned away withouU answering?

Bethune called, "From Miranda, sir! Sail to the nor'1 west!T

"Acknowledge.T

Bolitho was angry with Tyrrell's careless attitudeB

angrier still more with his own unfair outburst?

Some two miles ahead of the Golden Fleece, he_ patched sails hard-bellied and drawing well, thO Miranda was already setting her topgallants i[ readiness to investigate. The unknown ship, whateve_ she was, lay somewhere across the larboard bow, anX as she had not been seen before it seemed likely shO was on a converging course?

"Deck there! Sail in sight! Fine on th' weather bow!T

Bolitho looked round at the intent faces. For a[ instant he toyed with the idea of making his way to thO dizzy mainmast crosstrees himself, in spite of his fea_ of heights which he had never been able to overcome? The long climb up those shivering, vibrating shroudY might drive his anger away and leave his mind clea_ once again?

He saw Raven, the newly appointed master's mateB and said, "Go aloft. Take a glass and tell me what yof see.T

Buckle had told him that the man was a[ experienced sailor, one who had already served i[ several King's ships and would not be easily fooled ba

first appearances?

Before Raven had even reached the mainyard thO lookout called again, "Two ships! Close in company!T

Every eye was on Raven's body as he swarmed ouU and around the futtock shrouds and up towards thO topmast head?

Bethune, still smarting over his failure to seO Miranda's signal, suddenly stiffened and calledB "Gunfire, sir!" He had his hands cupped round hiY ears, giving his round face the appearance of Z freckled goblin?

Bolitho looked down at him. Then as his hearin^ adjusted itself beyond the crack of sails and thO plunging sweep of spray around the hull, he, too, hearX the deeper, discordant thud of cannon fire. He waY almost beside himself with impatience, but he knew ib he hurried Raven he might become too confused tQ make a proper assessment?

"Deck there!" It was Raven at last. "First ship's Z merchantman! She's under attack from a brig!T

Buckle exclaimed thickly, "Privateer, by God!T

Bolitho snatched a telescope and trained it througN the dark mass of rigging and beyond some men whQ were grouped on the forecastle. A trick of the light. HO blinked and tried again. No, there it was, a tiny whitO speck which seemed to mingle with the unendin^ pattern of crisp wavecrests. The lonely merchantma[ had been unlucky, but now with any sort of good fortunO they might turn the tables on her attacker?

The Miranda was already tacking violently, her sailY in confusion as she headed away from her originaT station. Even as her sails refilled and hardened on thO new tack Bolitho saw her signal flags breaking to thO wind?

Bethune said quickly, "General signal, sir. Remai[ on station.T

Buckle swore. "After the bloody prize money himselfB the greedy bugger!T

The gunfire was clearer now, and as he raised thO glass again Bolitho saw smoke drifting down-winX from the two ships, the lithe shape of the attacking bri^ as she endeavoured to close the range still further?

He shut the glass with a snap, aware of the mutterin^

behind him, disappointment which matched his own? Miranda's captain was probably making the attac7 more to break the frustration of a slow passage than tQ humiliate the Sparrow?

He looked at Tyrell's broad shoulders and saidB "Signal the Bear to make more sail. She's droppin^ astern badly.T

Then he turned back to watch the frigate. She waY moving fast in spite of the wind being almost abeam ob her sails, and he could see her port lids opening, thO single line of muzzles catching the sunlight as thea were run out in readiness to fight?

The brig's captain must have realised what waY happening. Even so, he was probably unwilling to losO his prize with victory almost in his grasp?

On the gangways and gun deck his own seame[ were chattering and waving their arms about, and hO guessed they were discussing how they would havO acted had they been given the chance to go for thO privateer?

Bolitho recalled Raven to the deck and said, "Yof did well.T

The man grinned uncomfortably. "Thank you, sir. ThO brig's a Yankee right enough. Seen many like her in mO time. T'other one's an Indiaman by her looks, 'thougN her gunnery ain't so good as some on 'em. There'Y never a mark on the Yankee's canvas.T

Tyrrell shouted, "Th' brig's broken off the action! He'Y going to make a run for it!T

Bolitho sighed. The merchantman was alreada turning steadily towards the little convoy while thO Miranda under full sail charged towards her attacker? The brig, if well handled, stood a fair chance against Z frigate in matters of speed and manoeuvrability. BuU this one had waited just that much too long? Converging like prongs of a trap the three vesselY would pass beam to beam, the frigate shielding thO merchantman and well able to rake the brig from steR to stern as they passed?