Alexander Kent - Command a King`s Ship

Herrick stared at him. 'What of Colonel Pastor, Sir? Is he also killed?'

Bolitho sat down and massaged the white scar above his ribs. 'I am coming to that part. Weeks back, a ship did finally arrive. Not to bring help, or to offer relief to people from their own part of 'the world. She was the Argus, Thomas.' He swung round, the weariness falling away like a cloak. 'Of forty-four guns, under the hand of Capitaine Le Chaumareys. He landed himself and met with Colonel Don Pastor. He brought a message from Muljadi. Personally.' He gripped the desk with both hands. 'And required him to lower the flag, to relinquish all claims on the settlement in the name of Spain.'

'My God.'

'Indeed. Apparently the colonel told of help which would soon arrive, but Le Chaumareys laughed at him. Said there would be no relief, no ships coming to his aid.'

'Then the French do have a hand in this, sir?'

'A big one.' His face lit up. 'Cannot you see it, Thomas? Le Chaumareys was instructed to force the Spanish to surrender their rights here. He knew better than most that Nervion or Undine, or both, would be delayed by any means available. With the settlement handed over to Muljadi, and a written agreement from Pastor, who after all is his King's representative here, there would be nothing we or anyone else could do. I have no doubt Le Chaumareys had further orders to recognise Muljadi's rule in the name of France, and to offer him whatever he needed to control his alliance.' He looked towards the beach, at the seamen who were unloading two of the boats. 'But we did come, Thomas. Too late for Colonel Pastor, for he left in the Argus to parley for his men with Muljadi. I pity him, even if I admire his courage.'

Herrick nodded slowly, his eyes clouded. 'And when he had gone, the last attack began. No governor, few defenders. Dead men have little to say.'

Herrick thought of their slow approach that morning, the mist on the water distorting the sounds of cannon fire. No wonder the remaining, ragged defenders had not been able to wave or greet them. Undine must have seemed like a miracle.

Bolitho said, 'Don Puigserver is our one real card. He can act in the name of Spain and assure Conway of his country's confidence.'

'How did he react to the news?'

Bolitho thought of the Spaniard's face as he had listened to Vega. Anguish, shame and then fury. He had seen it all. Only Conway's attitude still remained in shadow. He had said little, and not even argued with Raymond when he had started off on what Parliament would or would not support. Only one thing was certain. The affair had to be contained. No build-up of additional force, no acceptance that there had been a change in rulership, here or anywhere else. As Raymond had explained more than once, the Dutch were too busy recouping their losses caused by the war to want another conflict in their midst. If France thrust more naval might into the area, then Spain, too, might change her views about her untried allegiance with Britain. It could be war, all over again.

Only when Bolitho had made to leave for his ship had the rear admiral drawn him into a corner.

He had said very calmly, 'Politics, a need for furthering trade or colonial power, all are attitudes. Only one thing is properly clear to me, as it must be to you, Bolitho.' He had held his gaze, searching for a reaction before adding, 'Every puzzle must have a key. This one has two. Undine and Argus. Governments may try to use more power later on, but by then it will be too late for us all. If Undine is lost, so are we. Be sure that Le Chaumareys is already well aware of it!'

When Bolitho had made to question him further he had said, 'He is a good officer, make no mistake. Our squadrons had cause to damn his eyes in the war. France has loaned Muljadi their best, as I hope England has aided me in the same manner!'

Much of his thoughts Bolitho had spoken aloud, for Herrick exclaimed, 'But it is not war, sir! No Frenchman will cross swords for fear of starting one!'

Bolitho watched him and was glad he was here. 'Le Chaumareys will have a letter of marque. He is far from a fool. When he runs out those forty-four guns it will be Muljadi's flag at his peak, not the Fleur de Lys of France.' He stood up and moved vaguely about the cabin. 'But behind each breech will be an experienced crew, the cream of his navy. While we.'He half turned, his face suddenly drained again. 'But that is enough. Battles are not won or lost on daydreams.'

Herrick nodded. 'And what will we do now, sir?'

Bolitho tugged the shirt over his head, the same stained one as before.

'We will weigh when the tide is right. If I\Iuljadi has vessels in the area we must close with them. Show him we mean to continue what we have begun.'

He pulled Herrick towards the stern windows as a bugle wailed sadly across the glittering water. Above the fort there was Conway's new flag, the little group of marines beneath it glowing like tiny red insects.

'See, Thomas, there is no drawing back. Not for Conway. Not for any of us.'

Herrick watched the little tableau doubtfully. 'Better to await the Bedford, surely? With troops and more cannon we would stand a better chance.'

'That is what Le Chaumareys will be thinking.' He smiled, his face suddenly very young. 'At least, I hope that is so!'

Herrick groped for his hat, glad of something to occupy his mind and to hold back the apprehension Bolitho's news had brought.

'Will we leave Bellairs and his marines?'

'Half of them. There is much to be done. With corpses lying unburied, the place is a dunghill. The defences are stout, but in need of good men to patrol them. Rosalind will remain also under the protection of the battery, such as it is. I think her master is eager to get clear of this place, but Conway is more than a match for him.'

Herrick moved towards the door. 'It is not what I was expecting, sir.'

'Nor I. But like it or not, we have a duty. If Muljadi and his threat is to be overcome, then he must be seen as a common pirate.' He ran his hands along the desk top. 'Argots or no!'

Herrick hurried out, his thoughts tugging in several directions at once. He found IVIudge in the wardroom staring gloomily at a plate of salt beef.

The master asked, 'Are we off again, Mr. 'Errick?'

Herrick smiled. Fact soon grew from rumour in a small ship.

'Yes. The Argus is busy here, it seems. As a privateer, and not openly in the name of France.'

Mudge yawned. Unimpressed. 'Nothin' new. We used to do the same for the Company in India. A few ready muzzles always seemed to impress a doubtin' rajah if a little strength was called for.'

Herrick looked at him and sighed. 'So the Frogs will back an armed uprising, and we will support the protection of trade. But what of the people in between, Mr. Mudge?'

The master pushed his plate away with disgust. 'Never asked 'em!' was all he said.

Bolitho studied the masthead pendant and then walked aft to the compass. North-west by west. It was mid-afternoon, and despite the sky's unclouded, relentless glare there was sufficient wind to make it easier to endure. Undine had been made to lie at anchor in Pendang Bay almost until dusk the previous day, the set of the coastal currents and the wind's determination to remain from the south-west making a night passage too dangerous even to attempt. But in the last moments the wind had backed considerably, and with her sleek hull tilting to its pressure, Undine had beaten out of the bay, losing the settlement and its grim memories in purple shadow.

But if the wind had remained fresh it was still necessary to hold the ship close-hauled, the yards braced round to keep each sail drawing and steer Undine clear of the land. Should the wind veer without warning, and she lay too close to that undulating pattern of green coast, Undine could easily find herself hard upon a lee shore, and in real danger.