Julian Stockwin - Mutiny

He mumbled, she kissed him again. 'This is what ye must say th' very instant y' steps into the court. Don't ask any questions — just say it. For my sake, darlin'. Are y' ready?'

Davis appeared at the door, unbowed, and said, with a laugh, 'Aye, well, death o' course, I never doubted it.' His irons were clamped on and he shambled off to the condemned cell. They were accelerating the pace.

'Bring in the prisoner Thomas Paine Kydd.' A plunging fear seized him, but only for a second. His future was ordained: there was no mercy through those doors, he would leave as a condemned felon. He would therefore face his fate without flinching.

Light patterned prettily through the mullions of the sternlights in the Great Cabin. The room was filled with figures in blue and gold lace, grim faces.

'You may stand there.' An officer indicated with a sword.

'You are Thomas Paine Kydd?'

'I am, sir.'

'You stand charged, that—'

'I claim Cap'n Hartwell t' speak f'r me.' He heard his voice, weak but firm.

'You'll have your chance later, my man. Now, on the twelfth day of May 1797, you did—'

'Sir! I claim Cap'n Hartwell—'

'Silence! Silence in court! If you do not keep silence, I will see you gagged, sir!'

'Oh, yes. Ah, er, I do believe we have a rather nice point here.' Kydd's eyes focused on the speaker. 'Might I crave the court's indulgence, sir, and ask the court be cleared?'

'Do you indeed, Cap'n Hartwell? At this stage to be toppin' it the lawyer, dammit!'

'Sir, I have to insist.'

The president of the court glowered. Then, seeing Hartwell's quiet obstinacy, he agreed. 'Clear the court — prisoner can go to the officers' waiting room, but keep a damn close eye on the villain, sir.'

There was a general shuffling about the court: all save the sitting captains and president left the room. Kydd was taken under close escort to the admiral's sleeping quarters, temporarily a waiting room.

'Now, sir, what is this infernal matter that it must so inconvenience the court?'

Hartwell spoke in a low voice, but forcefully. 'Sir, this Kydd is one of the most courageous young men I have known. His loyalty to Crown and country was such that he deliberately sought out the friendship of Parker and the so-called Parliament and, in appalling danger, passed us vital intelligence — warning about the blockade and the best chance for Trinity House to play their part is only some of it. Sir, we can do no more than sympathise with his terrible ordeal, and instantly set him free with a full pardon.'

Rumbles of approval came from around the table, but the president remained unmoved. 'How do ye know it was this man? Did you go out t' the ship an' ask for him?'

'Sir, a good question, if I may remark. It was in fact through the loyal services of a Queenborough merchant that the information was passed.'

'I shall want t' see the merchant identify this man. Is he at hand?'

'He is on deck at this moment, sir.'

'Pray find him - an' make haste if you please, Captain.'

'Sir, this is the merchant in question. He wishes to resume trading at Sheerness shortly and therefore begs for your discretion in the article of naming. He will answer to "Mr X".'

'Harrumph! Well, Mr X, we will bring in a prisoner. You will identify him as your informant, and if it is, you will declare to the court, "This is the man," or "This is not the man," accordingly.'

'I understand,' said Renzi, his high voice raising eyebrows.

'Bring in the prisoner.'

Kydd returned and stood facing the court, swaying slightly.

'This is the man,' Renzi said.

'Very well. Remove the prisoner.' When Kydd had been led out, he resumed. 'You are asking me to believe that you boarded a ship in active mutiny to interview this Kydd?'

'No, sir, I wouldn't dare\ Those were desperate men—'

'Quite. Then, if I may ask .. .'

'I secured the offices of his — his paramour, if you will excuse the indelicacy, sir. She it was who regularly passed between, utterly without suspicion.'

'Then it only needs the young lady to be produced to identify both parties and th' link is complete. Is she ... ?'

'She is nearby, sir. I'll ask her to attend immediately.'

Kydd entered the court for the second time. 'Kitty!'

"This's the man, so please y\ sir,' she said, avoiding Kydd's eye.

The prisoner was taken away.

'And this man, do you know him?'

'Yes, sir, I do indeed.'

'Then the court thanks you, m' dear, for your assistance.' The president waited for them both to leave, then sat back.

'I find the identity proved and, in the light of what we have heard, find the man Kydd exonerated of all culpability. Are there any to gainsay? Then I rule that the prisoner receive a full and general pardon. This ruling is made in camera without prejudice to the prerogatives of the court and, for the protection of the individual concerned, is entered without record. These proceedings will not be discussed outside this court now or at any future date. Bring in the prisoner.

'Thomas Paine Kydd, this court finds that, for reasons not for record, you have been exonerated of culpability in the matter of the charges brought against you, and that the gracious pardon of His Majesty be deemed to extend to you. You are hereby freed. You may go.'

Utterly confused, mind a-swim, Kydd had to be helped to the door. It opened, and there were Hulme, Fearon and the others looking up at him. 'P-pardoned,' he said hoarsely, and the manacles were struck off.

Chapter 11

‘For pity’s sake tell me!’ Kydd pleaded. Snuggled deep into Kitty's bed he was still feeling woozy after a deep sleep and the draught she had slipped into his negus.

She fussed at his coverings and replied, with a sigh, 'I've told ye before, m' dear, not until Mr Renzi comes. I promised him he'll be th' one t' tell you.' Lowering her voice she added wistfully, 'You are s' lucky, Tom, t' have such a friend as will do this f'r you.'

As consciousness returned, the past galloped back to crowd his thoughts, bringing with it all the desperate feelings of the last few weeks. He had to know why he had been spared, if only to be sure that he wouldn't in some way find himself back there again.

He dressed and looked out of the gunport window at the ships at anchor in Sheerness and further away, still where they had fled after escaping the mutineer fleet. The sight of them brought back dark memories that tugged at his sanity — but for now

Cockburnhe let the enfolding warmth of Kitty's caring soothe his soul.

Kydd sat in the armchair staring at the miniature of Ned Malkin, the simple patriotic Toby jugs and souvenirs of far voyaging, and let his thoughts drift.

A knock at the door shattered his reverie. Renzi entered diffidently, his hat in his hands. 'My dear fellow.'

'Nicholas.' Kydd was unsure how to treat a friend he'd last seen when on a riotous procession and who apparently had contrived to spare him the gallows.

'I pray I find you in good health?'

'With Kitty t' care f'r me, how can I not be?'

Renzi found another chair, and sat delicately on it. 'I'm wondering if you might be up to a little—'

'Why am I pardoned?' Kydd demanded hotly.

'Shall we—'

'I need t' know now, damn you, Nicholas. I have t' think, sort it out.'

They climbed silently up the hill to Minster and from the top looked out across grey, wanly sparkling sea and dreary saltmarsh. Kydd sought out the Sandwich, the largest black ship in the Medway, nearly lost among scores of other craft. Then his eyes focused on the desolate scatter of dockyard buildings at the end of the island and, next to it, the huddle of hulks that was Kitty's home.

They sat down on a grassy ridge. Kydd was first to speak. "Then tell me, Nicholas.'