Alexander Kent - Man of War

"Very well. Man the side." He wondered if anything would or could move this unbreakable man. He saw smoke on the wind, but it was the galley funnel, the first priority after a fight. But the thought of food made him feel light-headed.

He followed Stirling to the entry port where a small squad of Royal Marines were already paraded and being inspected by their lieutenant. Two boatswain's mates waited with their silver calls to pipe Bethune into the boat.

While Athena swung to her cable the land remained invisible to the assembled side party. There was only the sea, bright now, almost blinding in the reflected glare.

Adam saw Hostile making her final approach, and even without a glass he could see her people clinging to shrouds and high on the yards. Here, Vincent was ready with his signals party, unsmiling as he watched flags being pulled from their locker.

Perhaps it was better, safer, to be like Vincent, or the lieutenant of marines. Or Stirling, secure in his strength and his loneliness, with only the ship to sustain him.

"Ere he comes, boys! "

That was the sailor named Grundy, who had once served under Bethune when he had been a captain. Whom he had pretended to remember, even recognize, when he had hoisted his flag over Athena. Another lie… Grundy raised a cheer which was taken up by others, working on repairs and hoisting new cordage aloft for the sail maker crew. The cheers were soon quelled by the master-at-arms.

And here was Bethune, brushing aside any one who attempted to assist him through the entry port. He looked strained, but nodded to the Royal Marines, some of whom carried the stains and scars of the morning. Adam saw that his uniform was perfect by comparison. As if, like that first day, he had just stepped aboard.

He said, "I should like you to accompany me, Captain Bolitho."

Clipped and formal.

Adam was deeply moved. Another lie, and he was unprepared for it. He climbed down into the cutter, Lieutenant Evelyn standing in the stern sheets to receive him.

Above the boat he heard the slap of muskets, and the trill of calls as Bethune climbed down to join him.

"Out oars! Give way together! "

Adam touched the thwart where a stray musket ball had scored its mark. The faces of the oarsmen, ones he had believed he would never know, watched the stroke, the blades dipping and rising together, the tension and the fear already draining away.

And all at once the schooner was looming over them. More faces he recognized, even some of Captain Souter's landing party, their scarlet coats at odds with the others, and some he assumed were the schooner's own men. Bethune clambered up the side, hardly waiting for the bowman to hook on.

And here was Jago, teeth bared in a grin as he seized Adam's hands and pulled him aboard.

He said, "Made it as fast as I could, Cap'n! Them bastards boarded the schooner. It was touch an' go. I wanted to send the gig, but '

He turned as Bethune said, "Where is she?"

Adam realized that two of the marines were guarding a tall man who, like Bethune, appeared unmarked by the events Jago had described.

Somehow he knew it was Sillitoe, the central figure whose name had featured in most of Bethune's despatches.

Captain Souter said, "In the cabin, Sir Graham. There was nothing we could do."

Adam said, "Let me…" but Bethune pushed past him. Only for a few seconds he stared over the side toward the same sloping headland.

"Why?"

Jago said quietly, "We'd just got aboard, y' see, Cap'n. They started shootin', so did we. Then I see her comin' on deck. I think she saw the ship." He gazed over the water, remembering. "Our ship."

Adam heard something fall, the movement of boats alongside. And Bethune's voice.

Jago shook his head. "There was blood, but she seemed to be smiling." He shook himself. "I ain't sure, Cap'n."

Adam took his arm, like those other times. "Try to remember, Luke. What she said."

Jago looked at him fully, his unshaven features suddenly calm.

"She said, "It's Richard! " He looked away, toward the sea. "Then she fell."

Bethune had reappeared on the littered deck. He looked around, but seemed to see nothing.

Then he became aware of Adam, and said brokenly, "I've lost her, Adam. Lost her…"

Sillitoe said, with great contempt, "She was never yours to lose, damn your bloody eyes! "

Captain Souter snapped, "Take that man across to Athena, Corporal, in irons if you see fit! "

Adam saw that Bethune was carrying a green shawl, and heard him murmur, "She was always fond of this colour."

He walked to the bulwark and stood staring down at the cutter.

"I want her taken to English Harbour, Adam. She was happy there, I believe." He seemed to realize for the first time that Jago was beside him.

He said, "I'll take the cutter. You stay with the flag captain."

Jago watched the boat pull clear of the side, frowning at the stroke.

Then he said, "I'll 'ave the gig ready when you says the word, Cap'n."

Adam looked at him and saw that Tolan, Bethune's loyal servant, was still on board, and recalled that they had ignored one another.

Then he saw Jago's face.

"What is it?"

Jago pushed through some seamen and leaned over the gunwale again. Athena's gig was tugging at her painter, two injured sailors squatting on the bottom boards as if nothing had happened.

"Where did you find him?" He could scarcely form the words.

"The bloody Royals got him, would you believe." He could not control his pleasure, but it was far more than that.

Adam stared at the slight figure propped in the stern sheets partly covered by a jacket, the white collar patches very clear in the sun's glare. His legs were bare, and he could see the same savage scar, as if it had just happened.

Jago said, "There was two middies when they found 'em. But the other one was dead. It seems that young David swam with him to the shore after Audacity went down."

Adam saw the boy looking up at him, saw him smile, and the two seamen turning to share the moment.

Jago was saying, "He's a bit weak. But he's through the worst of it."

"What did you tell him?" He thought of Bethune's anguish, and the woman who lay in the cabin below their feet.

Jago smiled freely for the first time.

"I told him you would be takin' him home, Cap'n."

Soon he would be that captain again. But now, the words would not come.

Jago had found two mugs from somewhere, and put one in Adam's hand.

He glanced over at Athena's loosely brailed topsails, and something flashing from her poop, catching the sun.

Then he looked at Adam, and was glad. "Not a bad old ship in some ways, eh, Cap'n?"