Alexander Kent - THE INSHORE SQUADRON

'It is now definite that the Danish batteries will open fire as soon as we attempt to enter the Baltic. The Swedish commander has made no comment, but we must assume they may follow that example. When I was in Copenhagen I heard talk of the Danes removing buoys and steering-marks from the channel.'

They were no longer smiling. Without definite knowledge of the channel it would mean a more cautious approach. Just two ships running aground could tam an orderly advance into a shambles long before they reached their objectives.

'So,' Bolitho paused and glanced down at the neatly written instructions, `this squadron will enter the channel under cover of darkness to bypass the harbour defences and attack the galleys before they can get amongst our main fleet.'

He had to speak carefully to conceal his dismay.

`Soundings will be taken by the boats of the squadron, each to be under the charge of an experienced lieutenant or warrant officer. Close contact will be maintained at all times, but with a minimum of signals. It seems certain that we will not complete the passage without detection, and some casualties and damage must be expected. For this and other reasons we will keep to the Swedish side of the channel and make it as hard as possible for the Danish gunners, understood?'

Most of them nodded, but Peel stood up abruptly to ask, 'If the main fleet is held by the Danish defences, sir,, what will become of us?'

Bolitho said, 'Ask me when it happens.'

He liked the appearance of Captain Rowley Peel. At twentysix he had earned a fine reputation as a frigate captain, although he looked more like a young farmer than a sea officer. It was hardly surprising, Bolitho thought, as Peel came from a long line of landowners and would be as much at home with his beasts and crops as on a quarterdeck.

Peel grinned. 'Aye, sir. With Nelson at one end and you at t' other, I think we shall live!'

Bolitho leaned on his hands and looked at each face in turn.

'Now to the order of battle. Relentless, being the larger of the frigates, will lead, with Lookout in dose support.'

He turned to Neale, seeing his crestfallen expression as he added, 'You will follow astern of the squadron to repeat signals from the fleet or pass information to it.'

You would think he had just ordered Neale's court martial rather than saving him from the first crushing broadsides.

For a moment all their faces seemed to fade and he felt alone in the cabin.

Relentless's part was vital and the choice left no alternative.

When Damerum had put his suggestions to Hyde Parker he must have found it hard to conceal his elation. He would have discovered about Pascoe's appointment to the frigate and would have known how precarious that position would soon become.

A few questions came and went, answered by either Herrick or Browne.

Ozzard appeared with a tray of goblets and each man was soon drinking the loyal toast.

Then Bolitho said quietly, 'Most of us have known each other for a long time. In war that is a fortunate thing. During the fight ahead, our knowledge of each other will be as important as gunnery and seamanship, and to me, most of all, it will be a great encouragement to know I am among friends.'

Herrick raised his goblet. 'To us!'

Then they began to take their leave, each probably devising the best way to explain what was expected to his own ship's company.

Herrick and Browne left the cabin to see the captains into their waiting boats, but Peel hung back, his face embarrassed. `What is it, Captain Peel?'

'Well, sir, it's not for me to say, of course. But it's fairly common knowledge through the squadron about your clash with Admiral Damerum. I can understand why this dangerous course must be followed, and for my part I am proud to be in the van when we attack. If Sir Hyde Parker needs all his gun-brigs and bomb vessels for the assault on Copenhagen harbour, then it is obvious that we must play our part and scatter the galleys.'

Bolitho nodded. 'That is a fair summing up, Captain Peel.'

Peel said stubbornly, 'But there is nothing to state that your nephew, must be in my ship when it happens, sir! After all that's gone before, it would be the least I could do to replace him,'

Bolitho faced him gravely. 'Thank you. That could not have been easy for you.'

Peel swallowed hard. 'He came aboard with me anyway, sir, to speak with the flag captain. I should like to consult your sailing master on some recent charts.' He raised an eyebrow. '$hall I send Mr Pascoe aft, sir?'

'Yes. And I am grateful for your concern.'

It seemed an age before Pascoe came to the cabin. He looked very pale, as if he was in fever.

Bolitho said, 'Sit down, Adam.'

Pascoe asked quietly, 'You are surely not removing me from Relentless, sir?'

'No. I understand you better than you realize. My one regret is that I have left it so late to say so much. That scum Roche cleared my head if nothing else.'

Pascoe said, 'I heard all about it. The risk you took. He might have killed you.'

'Or you, Adam, have you thought of that?'

Bolitho walked to the stern windows and stared out at the shifting grey line of the sea, rocking back and forth as if to tip the ships over the edge into oblivion.

'I will not hide my feelings from you, Adam. You mean a great deal to me, more than I can say. I had hoped you might one day take on my family name, as you so rightly deserve.'

He saw Pascoe's reflection in the glass as he moved to protest.

'No, hear me. You have had to bear the shame of your father's actions for too long.' He could feel his heart pounding in time with the ache in his wound. 'I'll prolong it no more, even at the risk of losing your friendship. Your father, my brother, killed a man in a senseless duel. That man was Admiral Damerum's brother, so you see the hate has never washed away.'

'I understand, sir.'

'You don't. You think of your father as a traitor who died in ignominy.' He swung round, ignoring the sudden pain as he added sharply, 'The master's mate, Mr Selby, who lost his life to save yours aboard the Hyperion. He was Hugh, your father!'

If he had struck Pascoe he could not have made him recoil more.

Before he could speak Bolitho continued remorselessly, I thought it could be buried, forgotten. Hugh did not even know of your existence, but when he did, I can assure you he was a proud man. I made him promise to keep the secret from you. To do otherwise would have cost him his life, and you something even more dear. As it happened, he died bravely, and for no better cause.'

He realized Pascoe was on his feet, his body swaying against the roll of the hull as if he had lost his self-control.

Pascoe said quietly, `I must think about this.' He stared round the cabin desperately like a trapped animal. 'I – I don't know what to say! Mr Selby? I grew to like him very much. If I'd only known…'

`Yes.'

Bolitho watched his confusion and despair and felt his hope draining away like sand from a glass.

He looked up at the skylight as feet pounded overhead. The squadron was preparing to move towards the final rendezvous before the Sound Channel.

Pascoe said suddenly, `I had better return to my ship, sir. I came to see Captain Herrick about the man Babbage and Midshipman Penels.' He looked at the deck. 'And, of course, to visit you.'

`Thank you for that, Adam.'

Pascoe still hesitated, his fingers resting on the door.

`Will you tell me more of my father one day? Now that I know the truth?'

Bolitho strode across the cabin and gripped his shoulders tightly.

'Of course I will, did you doubt it?'

Pascoe stood very still now, his eyes fixed on Bolitho's as he replied, `And you, Uncle did you doubt my feelings? After all you have done for me, the happiness and pride we have shared, do you imagine I could feel anything but love for you?'