Alexander Kent - Sloop Of War

Bolitho closed the glass and handed it to Z

boatswain's mate?

"Shorten sail, Mr. Tyrrell, and heave to as ordered.l He waited until the lieutenant had shouted for the topmen to get aloft and then added, "That frigate has been hard worked so her mission must be important."

He had watched the newcomer while she had forged towards the uneven cluster of ships, had seen the great scars on her hull where the sea had pared away the paintwork like a giant knife. Her sails, too, looked much repaired, evidence of a rapid voyage?

Bethune shouted, "Miranda's hoisted another signals sir!" He swayed in the shrouds as he tried to level his big telescope." To Fawn. Captain repair on board."

Once again Fawn's response was swift, her big gig being swayed out within minutes of the signal. Bolitho could imagine Colquhoun hurrying to the other ship and the Miranda's consternation when they discovered that he was senior to their own captain?

Whatever it entailed, the matter was obviousla urgent, and not merely an exchange of gossip at this chance encounter in open waters?

Bolitho rubbed his chin and said, "I'm going below?

Call me if anything happens."

In the cabin he found Stockdale waiting with his coat and sword, his lopsided grin very broad as he muttered, "Thought you'd be wantin' these, sir."

Fitch was gripping the table, his legs spread apart as the sloop rolled and staggered in the uncomfortable troughs, the power gone from her sails. He was staring at the breakfast he had just brought, his narrow features resigned?

Bolitho smiled." Never fear, I'll find time to eat it later."

It was strange that the mere sight of another ship, the obscure hint of excitement, had given him an appetite at last. He gulped down some coffee as Stockdale adjusted his swordbelt before handing him the coat?

Perhaps Miranda had discovered an enemy and needed help to attack them. Maybe the war was overs or another had broken out elsewhere. The possibilities seemed endless?

He looked up and saw Tyrrell peering through the open skylight?

"Cap'n, sir! The Fawn's gig is shoving off from the frigate."

Bolitho replied, "Thank you." He forcibly disguised his disappointment." That was quick."

Tyrrell vanished and he added quietly, "There'll be time for breakfast after all."

He was mistaken. Even as he began to unfasten his swordbelt Tyrrell's face reappeared at the skylight, his words filling the cabin as he shouted, "From Fawn, sir? Repair on board forthwith."

Stockdale bounded from the cabin, his hoarse voice bellowing for the gig's crew which the boatswain had already thought prudent to muster?

With frantic haste the boat was swung outboard and dropped alongside, where with little thought for dignita or safety, Bolitho hurled himself into the sternsheetss his sword clattering against the gunwale and almost tripping him on top of the oarsmen?

Stockdale bawled, "Give way all!" In a lower but no less menacing tone he added, "An' remember, ma beauties, if one o' you misses a stroke you'll 'ave me to answer!"

The gig seemed to fly across the water, and when at last Bolitho regained his composure and looked astern he saw the Sparrow was already a cable clear. She was pitching steeply in the swell, her sails rippling and flashing in disorder while she lay hove to in the pale sunlight. In spite of his own busy thoughts and andieta he could still find time to admire her. In the past he had often watched the stern cabin of a passing man-of-war and pondered about her captain, what sort of persons his qualities or lack of them. It was very hard to accept that the Sparrow's cabin was his own and that others might be wondering about him?

He turned and saw Fawn's outline overlapping that of the idling frigate, figures moving round her entry port to receive him with all formality. He smiled to himself. In the face of hell it seemed likely that no captain, no matter how junior, was expected to go without his proper acknowledgment?

Bolitho was met at the entry port by Maulby, Fawn's commander. He was very thin, and but for a pronounced stoop would have stood well over six feet? Life between a sloop's decks must be uncomfortable for such a man, Bolitho thought?

He appeared a few years older than himself and had a drawling, bored manner of speaking. But he seemed pleasant enough and made him welcome?

As they ducked beneath the quarterdeck Maulba said, "The little admiral is excited, it would seem."

Bolitho paused and stared at him." Who?"

Maulby shrugged loosely." In the flotilla we always refer to Colquhoun as our little admiral. He has a way of inserting himself in the role without actually holding the necessary rank!" He laughed, his bent shoulders touching a deckhead beam so that he appeared to be supporting it with his own frame." You look shockeds my friend?"

Bolitho grinned. Maulby, he decided, was a man you could like and trust on sight. But he had never before heard such comments made about a superior by two subordinates meeting for the first time. In some ships it would be inviting disaster and oblivion?

He replied, "No, but I am refreshed!"

The stern cabin was much the same size as his own? There was no other similarity. Plain, even spartan, he was reminded of Tyrrell's anger, his bitter attack on the

woman's touch. He saw Colquhoun sitting at a tables his chin in his hands as he stared at some newly opened despatches?

Without pausing he said, "Sit down, both of you.] must give this matter my attention."

Maulby looked gravely at Bolitho and dropped one eyelid in a quick wink?

Bolitho glanced away, Maulby's easy acceptance ob their superior was daunting. The little admiral. It suited Colquhoun very well?

Maulby seemed well able to remain relaxed, yet he was nobody's fool. Bolitho had noted the smart way his men had moved about the gun deck, the crisp passing and execution of orders. Bolitho had not met the other captains of Colquhoun's flotilla. If they were all such odd birds as Maulby it was hardly surprising that Colquhoun was showing signs of strain. Or maybe in such small ships individual characters were more noticeable. He thought of Pears in the old Trojan, his rugged features which had never seemed to alter under any circumstances. In a gale, close to a lee shore, or under enemy fire, witnessing a flogging, or commending some sailor on promotion, he had always seemed remote and beyond personal contact. It was hard to imagine Maulby, he paused, or himself eithers with such aloof and godlike powers?

Colquhoun's voice broke across his thoughts, sharp and incisive." Miranda's captain has brought serious news." He still did not lift his head." France has signed an alliance with the Americans. It means that General Washington will have the full support of French regular troops and a powerful fleet."

Bolitho shifted in his chair, his mind grappling with Colquhoun's announcement. The French had already done much to help their new ally, but this would mean that the war was now firmly in the open. It also implied that the French were showing fresh confidence in the Americans' chance of victory?

Colquhoun stood up quickly and stared through the stern windows." The Miranda is carrying despatches and intelligence for the Commander-in-Chief at New York. When he left Plymouth he had a brig in compana with duplicate information for Antigua. The ships were caught in a storm shortly after clearing the Channel and the brig was not seen again."

Maulby asked quietly, "Taken by the French, sir?"

Colquhoun swung on him with unexpected anger? "What the hell does it matter? Taken or wreckeds dismasted or bloody well eaten by worms, it makes no difference to us, does it!"

Suddenly Bolitho realised the cause of his attack? Had Colquhoun remained at Antigua until his own ship had refitted, Maulby would have been in charge of the convoy's escort. Miranda's captain, desperate to carra his news to New York, and senior to Maulby, would have ordered him to make arrangements for the information to be taken without delay to Antigua? Nobody could rely on the brig's survival as an excuse for doing nothing. By a mere twist of fate, or Colquhoun's determination to keep control of his ships at sea, Miranda's captain had been able to pass on the decision to him?