Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (13 page)
Read Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War Online
Authors: Alexander Kent
He did not smile or show any emotion which BolithQ could recognise. His contained, aloof manner waY vaguely disturbing. Irritating. It made Bolitho feel cut ofb from the more vital aspects of his strange mission?
The orders took little time to read. He was tQ proceed with as much despatch as possible, somO one hundred and fifty miles southward along thO coastline of New Jersey. Under cover of darkness, ib considered possible and prudent, he would then ente_ Delaware Bay to such distance and position as woulX be directed by Colonel Foley. He re-read the orderY
more slowly, conscious the whole time of Foley'Y polished boots tapping gently on the deck beside thO table?
If considered possible and prudent. That passagO seemed to stand out more than all the rest, and he waY again reminded of Colquhoun's prophecy. It meanU simply that it was his responsibility. Foley coulX suggest what he liked, pick any landing place o_ rendezvous with equal indifference to the problems ob sailing the ship close inshore through badly charteX channels where in places the sea-bed was visible eve[ to a man nearly blind?
He looked up. "Can you tell me nothing more, sir?T
Foley shrugged. "I have twenty scouts aboard. Thea will have to make the first contact.T
The scouts had arrived some time before thO colonel. They were Canadians, and in their buckski[ clothing and fur caps, their outward appearance ob slovenly ease, gave little hint of being soldiers. BolithQ had seen them sprawled around the gun deckB cleaning their assortment of weapons or idly watchin^ the busy seamen with amused contempt?
Foley seemed to read his mind. "They are gooX soldiers, Captain. Well used to this sort of warfare.T
"I should have thought you could have obtaineX similar assistance locally, sir?T
Foley regarded him coldly. "An American is a[ American. I do not choose to trust any of them if I ca[ obtain an alternative.T
"Then there seems little point in continuing the warB sir.T
For the first time Foley smiled. "I need to havO perfect trust in my men. Idealists I do not need aU present.T
Stockdale opened the door and asked huskily, "ArO you ready for the officers, sir?" He glanced at Foley? "Eight bells 'ave just struck.T
"Yes.T
Bolitho pulled at his neckcloth, angry that he coulX rise so easily to Foley's arrogance?
Fitch hurried into the cabin and fit two lanterns, fo_ although it was early evening the sky was unusualla
overcast and the wind veered to the west with a hint ob rain in it. It was also hot and stuffy, and when the othe_ officers had somehow crammed themselves into thO cabin it was almost unbearable?
He waited, watching Foley's gently tapping boots aY there were more delays while chairs were brought froR the wardroom and in awkward, shuffling silence thea got themselves sorted out?
Then he said, "We will weigh as soon as thiY meeting is over. Is everything prepared, Mr. Tyrrell?T
Tyrrell had his eyes fixed on the colonel. "Aye, sir.T
"Mr. Buckle?T
"Ready, sir.T
Bolitho looked at the carefully worded ordersB recalling Tyrrell's astonishment when he had returneX from the flagship?
He had blurted out, "But we ain't had time to take o[ water, sir.T
The admiral had kept to his word on the matter ob secrecy. He was not even going to allow the Sparrow'Y
boats in contact with the shore, no matter for whaU purpose?
What he would have said if he had learned that Loc7 had begged a trip ashore in a passing lighter, BolithQ could not imagine. Lock had returned just as secretla with several large casks of lemons, and a morO mournful face than usual as he had told of their cost?
He said, "We will proceed to the south'rd and ente_ Delaware Bay. There we will act in co-operation witN the army and take aboard ...T
Foley interrupted calmly, "I think that will suffice fo_ the present, Captain." Without looking at Bolitho hO added, "So, gentlemen, your duty is to ensure that thiY vessel is in the right place at the right time, and reada to fight if necessary to complete the mission.T
The others shifted in their seats, and Bolitho saw thO two midshipmen staring at him with surprise. To themB Foley's obvious control must seem strange?
Buckle muttered, "Bad bit o' coast down there, sir? Shoals and sandbars a'plenty." He sucked his teetN noisily. "Bad.T
Foley glanced at Bolitho, his deepset eyes showin^
annoyance. "We are not here to discuss thO competence or otherwise of your officers, surely?T
Bolitho met his gaze steadily, suddenly very calm? "Indeed not, sir. I will vouch for my people." He paused? "Just as I am sure you will vouch for yours when thO time comes.T
In the stiff silence Bolitho heard Tilby's boomin^ voice along the upper deck, driving some unfortunatO man about his work. Again, he had made a bad startB but he was unrepentant?
Foley nodded slowly. "We shall see.T
Graves asked, "May I speak, sir?T
Bolitho nodded?
"Why cannot one of the inshore squadron do thiY mission, sir?T
Foley stood up, his head lowered between thO beams. "Because your vessel is the more suitableB Lieutenant. Not, I assure you, because you are in ana way outstanding in such work.T
Bolitho looked at their faces. Resentment, surpriseB
even hurt. It was all there?
He said slowly, "Carry on, gentlemen. Call all handY in ten minutes.T
When they had filed out he said, "You have said thaU my duty is to act as your transport. How I do it is ma responsibility, and I am not required to remain quieU while you insult my officers.T
When the soldier stayed silent he continued, "ThesO same men helped to save two transports which arO needed so badly for the military. They fought and san7 a privateer and helped to drive away another, morO powerful ship.T
"For which you will receive the credit, no doubt?T
Bolitho faced him quickly, his voice low with anger? "Thank you, Colonel. I had no doubt you expected mO to say that in front of the others, just so you could makO such a suggestion." He picked up his hat. "Had ] known that the army was already quitting PhiladelphiaB I might have spent more time in harrying that privatee_ than dragging my heels with your transports!T
Foley smiled. "Well said, Captain. I like a man whQ can still show some feeling.T
Bolitho slammed out of the cabin and strodO unseeingly to the companion ladder. He could tell froR the way some seamen avoided his eye, the alerU manner with which young Bethune was studying thO flagship, that they could all recognise his fury?
Had he changed so much? Before he would havO laughed or cursed at Foley's rudeness once his bac7 was turned. Now, at the mention of some criticism, thO merest hint of an attack on his subordinates, anX therefore his ship, was enough to drive away controT and reason?
Tyrrell came aft and said quietly, "I know thosO waters well enough, sir. Mr. Buckle is a mite botheredB but I can stand by him.T
"I know. Thank you.T
He had seen Tyrrell's expression when Buckle haX voiced his concern at the meeting. He had been abouU to make the same suggestion. Perhaps that was wha he had rushed in to defend the master against Foley'Y sarcasm. Foley had already made it clear what hO thought of Americans. Rebels, colonists, or thosO unwillingly caught between the crossfire of differenU
factions and divided families, any of them?
Tyrrell turned to watch the gig being swayed up anX over the starboard gangway?
"Bit of a bastard, that one, sir." He shrugged. "I'vO met 'em before.T
Bolitho bit back the reproof he should have given? But what was the use? Even Bethune must have see[ the antagonism between himself and Foley?
"Let us hope he knows what he is doing, Mr. Tyrrell? For all our sakes.T
The boatswain's mates charged along the gun dec7 and hovered over hatchways as they bawled, "AlT hands! All hands! Clear lower deck!T
Bolitho said, "I did not get time to discover any newY of your family.T
"Ah well." Tyrrell tilted his hat to shade his eyes in Z shaft of dying sunlight. "Maybe later.T
The hatch casing slid open and Foley appeared aU the top of the companion?
Bolitho said evenly, "I must ask you to leave thO quarterdeck, sir." He saw him start angrily and addedB "Or cover your red coat. It will not help if we are seen tQ be carrying even one soldier with us.T
Foley withdrew and Tyrrell said cheerfully, "One tQ you, sir!T
"It was unintended." Bolitho took a telescope anX trained it beyond the anchored shipping. "Our sailin^ must be seen as normal. Spies will have reported ou_ arrival and no doubt will think only of our despatches. ] don't intend to have the news abroad that we are goin^ on some special mission. The world may soon know ob it, but the later the better.T
He walked to the quarterdeck rail, watching thO seamen being mustered at their stations by the petta officers, but wondering at the truth of his words. CoulX a man like Foley really make him so quick to hit bac7 as Tyrrell believedU
"Man the capstan!"Tilby was clinging to the foremasU shrouds, his mottled face shining with sweat as hO yelled at the scurrying seamen. "Jump to it, you idlO buggers, or I'll be amongst you with my starter!" CaughU off guard by the unexpected sailing orders, he waY
showing signs of a recent drinking bout?
Bolitho looked at Buckle. "Once we have workeX clear of the land we will get the t'gallants on her. ThO wind seems steady enough, but we'll have rain beforO nightfall, I'm thinking.T
Buckle tugged his hat. "Aye, sir." He hesitated. "I'R sorry I spoke out as I did. I should have know[ different.T
Bolitho smiled. "Better to speak your doubts beforO you meet trouble. It is too late when you are harX aground, eh?" He touched his arm lightly. "But beforO we draw that close to land we will see what Sparro/ can do under full canvas.T
He walked away, hoping Buckle felt less worried. IU could not be easy for him either. His first ship aY master, and about to plunge into dangerous waters hO had never seen before?
"Anchor's hove short, sir!" Graves's voice was louX on the blustery wind?
Bolitho looked at Tyrrell. "Get the ship under way, ib you please.T
He swung round as a chorus of derisive laughte_ burst from deck below. A seaman had caught his fooU on one of the army scout's muskets and gonO sprawling into the scuppers. It seemed to amuse thO soldiers greatly?
Bolitho added coldly, "With this fresh wind you'lT need plenty of weight on the capstan bars." He let hiY eyes rest on the Canadians?
Tyrrell grinned. "Right away, sir!" He cupped hiY hands. "Bosun! Put those men on th' capstan!" HO silenced the immediate protests by adding, "Don'U hesitate to start 'em if you find 'em slacking!T
Bolitho thrust his hands beneath his coat tails anX walked away from the rail so that he could watch thO topmen more easily. He had taken enough insults froR Foley. There was no good reason for his own seame[ to suffer also?
"Anchor's aweigh, sir!T
He stared up at the thundering pattern of canvas aY the ship heeled over, free to the wind?
Once clear of the land's sheltering arm the motio[ became more violent, the waves shorter and the colou_
of straw in the dull light. Spray lifted and dashed ove_ the busy seamen and pattered across the quarterdec7 like heavy rain. Bolitho felt it on his lips and wet againsU his shirt, sensing the released power as the courseY and then the topgallant sails filled and bellied to thO wind?
He watched the jib-boom rise towards the scuddin^ clouds, stagger and then plunge forward and dow[ over the next line of crests, the stays and shroudY gleaming like wet ebony. He pictured the angra Sparrow beneath the beakhead clutching its oa7 leaves and acorns, and wondered if the Bonaventure'Y captain had seen it when he had broken off the actionB and would remember it?
Tyrrell lurched aft, his body angled steeply to thO deck. He yelled to the mizzen topmen before pausin^ to check those working at the weather braces. FitcN scurried past carrying a bucket and Tyrrell called afte_ him?
Bolitho shouted above the thunder of canvas, "WhaU is it?T
Tyrrell laughed. "Th' colonel's being sick, sir! E shame, ain't y it.B
"Terrible." Bolitho turned away to hide a grin? "Especially as it seems to be blowing harder now!T
Buckle clung to the binnacle and yelled, "Steady shO goes, sir! Sou'-east by south!T
"Hold her so!" Bolitho removed his hat and let thO wind press the hair against his forehead. We will wea_ ship soon." He walked up the deck and rapped thO half-hour glass beside the compass. "I am going belo/ to inform the colonel.T
As he swung down the ladder he heard TyrrelT laughing and Buckle's equally cheerful chuckle. It was Z small thing. But it was a beginning?
6 SCARLET AND GOL_
BOLITHO entered his cabin and was surprised to seO Foley seated at the table studying a chart. He was fulla dressed, and his features had regained most of thei_ colour. After leaving Sandy Hook he had spent most ob the passage sprawled on the bench seat, unable o_ unwilling to climb into the cot, eyes half closed and hiY face like a wax mask?
