Alexander Kent - Sloop Of War

In a calmer tone Colquhoun continued, "It has been reported that the French have been preparing ships for months. From Toulon a whole squadron set sail weeks ago and slipped through the Gibraltar patrols without so much as a squeak of news getting out." He looked at each of them in turn." They could be on their way here, to the American coast, anywhere, for all we knows damn their eyes!"

The Fawn had swung slightly in the slow procession of troughs, and through the swaying windows Bolitho could see the two transports, huge and ungainly, their yards askew as they awaited the next signal. Each transport was filled to the deck seams with much needed supplies for the army in Philadelphia. In the wrong hands they would represent a tremendous prizes and the realisation must be foremost in Colquhoun's mind?

Colquhoun said, "Miranda has agreed to stand by the convoy until we contact the inshore squadron. But in this damned weather it might take weeks."

Bolitho imagined Colquhoun was picturing the distance like a mental chart. All those miles, with the knowledge that he must eventually make the long passage back to Antigua to resume control of his small force?

Maulby drawled, "May I suggest that I continue with the transports, sir? With Miranda in company we will be safe enough." He glanced at Bolitho." You could then return in Sparrow to English Harbour, pass the news to the admiral and prepare our own ships for further work."

Colquhoun stared at him, his eyes unseeing?

"God damn the complacency of our precious Government! For years this has been brewing, and while the French have been building new ships, ours have been allowed to go rotten for want of money. If the Channel Fleet were to be ordered to sea tomorrow] doubt that more than twenty sail of the line would be capable!" He saw their surprise and nodded vehemently." Oh yes, gentlemen, while you have been out here imagining that all would be ready if once the call came, I have been made to stay silent and watch it happening." He struck the table with his fist." Some flag officers are too concerned with political power and gracious living to care for the wants of the fleet!"

He sat down heavily." I must decide…"

The door opened slightly and a frightened-looking midshipman said, "From Miranda, sir. She requests instructions…" He got no further?

"Tell him to mind his manners!" Colquhoun glared at him hotly." It is my decision!"

Bolitho glanced at Maulby. For the first time in his life he was beginning to realise the meaning of command?

Whatever Colquhoun decided could be equally right or wrong. Bolitho had learned one thing well. If you made a right decision, others often received the credit. But make a wrong one and you were in no doubt where the blame would he?

Colquhoun said suddenly, "Send for your clerks Maulby. I will dictate new orders for…" he looked at Bolitho, "for Sparrow."

He seemed to be speaking his thoughts aloud." I do not doubt your ability, Bolitho, but you lack experience.] will need Maulby's Fawn with me until I know what is to happen next." He gestured to the table as the ship's clerk entered the cabin." You must remain with the transports. Miranda's captain will give you guidances and you will obey him to the best of your skill. Your orders will allow you to return to the flotilla when the transports have been delivered." He paused and added softly, "Delivered."

Bolitho rose to his feet." Aye, sir."

"Now get out and leave me to draft these orders."

Maulby took Bolitho's elbow and guided him towards the gun deck?

"I think the little admiral is worried, my friend." He sighed." I was hoping to rid my ship of his presence and pass him on to you." He turned and gave a quick grin." There is no justice in this world!"

Bolitho, saw his gig falling and rising in the swells Stockdale shading his eyes as he watched the sloop for a recall?

He said, "The news is bad, but not unexpected. At least the pretence is done with."

Maulby nodded gravely." No comfort, I fear, to the lamb about to be devoured."

Bolitho stared at him." Not that serious surely?"

"I am not certain. What the Frogs do today the damned Spaniards will copy tomorrow. Soon we will have the whole world at our throats." He frowned." The little admiral is right on one score. It seems that our Government is run by demons, most of whom appear determined to drive the rest of us to madness."

The first lieutenant hurried into view and proffered a freshly sealed envelope?

Maulby clapped Bolitho on the shoulder and said cheerfully, "Think of us sometimes. While you enjoa your leisurely voyage, I will be forced to share my table with him." He rubbed his hands." But with any luck he may get promotion and vanish forever."

The lieutenant said urgently, "Captain Colquhoun's compliments, and will you join him immediately?"

Maulby nodded and held out his hand?

"Until we meet again, Bolitho." He seemed unwilling to let him leave. Then he said awkwardly, "Be warneds my friend. You have a fine command, but you also have a large number of colonists in your company." He tried to smile." If the war goes badly, there are some who might be tempted to change allegiance. In their shoes] could perhaps feel the same."

Bolitho met his gaze and nodded." Thank you. I will remember it."

Maulby did not hide his relief." There, I knew you were a good fellow! Not one to treat my clumsy advice as patronage."

Bolitho grinned." You took a risk. I might have gone to Colquhoun and told him of your name for him."

"I would have denied it!"

"Naturally!"

They both laughed?

Then as the gig hooked on to the chains they became formal again. Even before Bolitho had reached the boat flags were soaring up the Fawn's yards, and an acknowledgment appeared above the frigate with equal speed?

Bolitho settled himself in the sternsheets and stared towards his ship. Colquhoun had taken the responsibility and made a decision. His own responsibility was just beginning?

Lieutenant Tyrrell turned as Bolitho's head and shoulders rose through the quarterdeck hatch and waited until he had made his usual inspection of the sails and compass before remarking, "She's running well, sir."

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

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

Bolitho had sent Graves aloft with a telescope, but even he had been unable to identify the mysterious follower. Next he signalled to the frigate, requesting permission to investigate. He had been refused? Miranda's captain was probably regretting his meeting with the convoy. But for their dragging weight he would have reached his objective by now and would have borne no blame for failing to pass his news to Antigua? But once in contact with the slower vessels he had no choice but to act as he had. Also, he would be fulla aware that once beyond his control Sparrow might become too involved with a separate situation to return, and thus leave him with total responsibility for the transports?