Alexander Kent - Command a King`s Ship

Bolitho felt all their eyes on him. 'I believe so, sir.'

Conway bobbed his head. 'Good. Good, Bolitho. I wanted the truth and, believe me, I know what it cost you.'

Raymond tried again to put his point of view. 'I think, sir, that we should despatch the brig to Madras without delay. Sir Montagu Strang may consider that further operations here might be imprudent.' He ignored Conway's stiffening shoulders. 'Later, perhaps, some new plan may be conceived. Until then, we must take this affair as a warning.'

Conway rasped, 'A warning? Do you imagine that for one instant I will let some damned pirate work off his wrath on me and so imperil the very task I have just undertaken?' He stepped closer. 'Well, do you?'

Raymond paled but replied stubbornly, 'I am here on behalf of the government, sir. As an adviser. The French must realise that you are out-manoeuvred before you have begun. If this Muljadi is allowed to plunder and ravage these waters, then there is no chance of using Pendang Bay as a new and flourishstation for trade. No shipping master would risk it.' He turned' towards the brig's captain. 'Is that not so?'

The man nodded glumly. 'We need more protection, sir.'

Raymond sounded triumphant. 'Exactly! Which is what the French intend. If we ask for more men-of-war to patrol the area, they, too, will even the balance by sending additional consorts for Argus.'

Conway stared at him. 'Then so be it!'

'No, sir. It would mean war. Argus is protected by her letter of marque. Muljadi is protected by his own power and backed up by his French friends. There are a thousand Muljadis in the Indies, some who are genuine rulers, and some who reign over fewer people than Captain Bolitho does at present. We all want to extend our trade and influence, to China -if need be, and beyond. There are riches we can only dream of, lands where people have never heard of King George, or Louis either, for that matter.'

Bolitho said quietly, 'You are advising the governor to admit defeat, sir. Do I understand correctly?'

Raymond smiled calmly. 'As you have done, eh?'

Bolitho walked to the window and stared down at his ship. It gave him time. Allowed the sudden blinding anger to depart. In the lower enclosure he saw Midshipman Keen sitting with one of the ship's boys rescued from the Nervion. He had been detailed to look after Keen, to assist him, if only by making him rest. It was still not possible to be sure he would recover from his wound. Was it really only the day before yesterday? The smoke and noise, the aftermath of hard, heavy work to put their ship to rights. The sea-burials, each corpse heavily weighted to ensure it went straight down to avoid the prowling sharks.

He said, 'I take it, Mr. Raymond, you have never borne arms for your country?' He did not wait for an answer. 'Had you ever worn the King's coat you would have known that one defeat, if admitted, is not the end of a battle.'

He heard Captain Strype say in his thin voice, 'By Gad, that's not much of an argument, what?'

Bolitho turned swiftly, his tone hard. 'I was addressing Mr. Raymond, sir, not some damned mercenary who because of his rank imagines himself to be a solider!'

Don Puigserver brought his glass down to the table with a loud bang. 'Gentlemen! I know that Vega and I are no longer involved here. I also believe that both Senor Raymond and the governor,' he bowed slightly to Conway, 'are both right. With Muljadi free to use his ruthless power and so influence other friendly rulers in the Indies, you can make no advances. With more military strength you would only excite a hostile reaction and further French involvement.' He paused and gave an eloquent shrug. 'Which I doubt my own country could ignore.'

Bolitho nodded towards him, grateful for his interruption. Another second and he knew he would have said too much, and Conway, even had he wanted to, would have been unable to help him.

Major Jardine cleared his throat. 'Despite what the gallant captain has said,' he did not look at Bolitho, 'I believe my force will be sufficient. I have two hundred sepoys and a mule battery. All experienced.' He had a thick voice, and sweated badly, despite the room's comparative coolness.

Puigserver regarded him gravely. 'If Nervion had been here, none of this could have happened. An additional ship, the men, and the showing of our flag to -the Argus would certainly have delayed, if not defeated, Muljadi's intentions.'

Conway said, 'But she is not here. Only the Undine.'

Jardine said thickly, 'And she does not seem to have acquitted herself too well.' He turned to Bolitho, his small eyes like steel. 'Even as a mere soldier, a mercenary, I can see that neither of the schooners lies at anchor, and as far as we know, the Argus still flies Muljadi's colours. What sayyou, Captain?'

Bolitho faced him. 'The first schooner turned turtle and sank. The other took advantage of Argus's presence to escape.' He could feel little emotion now. Words and taunts were inevitable. It was better to get it over with. Clear the air.

'Indeed, yes.' Jardine leaned back in his chair, his polished boots squeaking. 'And then the Bedford arrived to give you help. The poor, much-maligned Company's own ship was the one to drive Argus away.'

'Had you been there, Major '

Jardine spread his plump hands. 'But I was not, sir. I am a soldier. I am supposed to be able to leave such matters to our Navy, surely?'

Conway said coldly, 'I have heard enough. I will brook no more hostility here. Not from you, Bolitho,' he looked at Jardine, 'nor from anyone else!' He thrust his hands behind him, making his sloping shoulders droop even further. 'Had Undine been beaten in open combat I would have removed Captain Bolitho from command. He knows that well enough, and so should the rest of you. The Navy is too often expected to fight greater forces than itself possesses, and has been so successful in the past that victory against ridiculous odds is now taken for granted. By the empty-minded men of politics, and those who care more for quick profit than lasting security! As it is, Captain Bolitho will be required to sail without further delay, other than completing necessary repairs, for Muljadi's own territory in the strait.' He looked at Bolitho calmly. 'You will make contact with Argus's captain, under flag of truce, and convey a message which I will give you.'

Raymond said quickly, 'May I suggest, plead with you, sir, that you allow Don Puigserver to go with Captain Bolitho? He has the right to demand the freedom of Spain's last governor here, Colonel Pastor. He could explain his displeasure at such-'

Conway shouted, his voice bounding back from the timbered walls. 'I have been appointed governor, Raymond! I don't need your apron strings, nor do I need the help of the King of Spain, d'you understand?'

Raymond's defiance wilted under Conway's sudden anger. He said nothing.

Puigserver stood up and walked slowly towards the door, followed gratefully by Capitan Vega.

He paused and looked back at them, his eyes very dark. 'I would have accompanied Capitan Bolitho with pleasure, of course.' He smiled briefly. 'I have a great admiration for his courage, his…' he searched for the word, '… his integrity. But I have much to do. My task is to embark the remaining Spanish soldiers and their dependents on to the Bedford.' He glanced at Conway, his smile fading. 'As you remarked this morning, the flag of Spain no longer has authority here.'

Bolitho watched him stride out. He had sensed the tension as soon as he had arrived. It could not have been easy for Conway. Fretting over lack of news, waiting for supplies and troops to arrive. But he was wrong to antagonise Puigserver. If things went badly here, Conway would need all the references he could get, even in Spain.

Jardine remarked vaguely, 'I'd better be off then. Settle the sepoy s in their company lines, and replace the marines as sentries and pickets.'