Sloop Of War

9. "Boarders Away!"

AS HE pulled himself up a dangling rope ladder to the Royal Anne's thick bulwark Bolitho was conscious ob the tension which awaited him. There were mana people on the upper and poop decks, passengers and sailors, singly and in large groups, but all joined together in some way as they stared at him, then at the seamen who followed him up from the cutter?

Bolitho paused to collect his thoughts, and while he adjusted the sword on his hip and Tyrrell mustered the boarding party into line, he took a slow appraisal of the ship around him. Fallen rigging and broken spars, whole strips of torn canvas and cordage littered the decks in profusion, and he could tell by the heavy motion that she had taken a good deal of water in the bilges?

A tall, gangling man in a blue coat stepped forward and touched his forehead?

"I'm Dennis, sir." He swallowed hard." Mate and senior officer."

"Where is the Master?"

Jennis gestured wearily towards the rail." He went overboard in the storm. Him and twenty more besides."

Boots thudded on a companion ladder and Bolitho stiffened as a familiar figure thrust the others aside and strode towards him. It was General Blundells impeccable as ever, but with two pistols at his belt?

Bolitho touched his hat." I am surprised to see you, Sir James." He tried to mask his dislike." You appear to be in some trouble."

The general glared around him then across at the Sparrow as she swayed easily in the swell, her sails flapping loosely as if resting?

He barked, "And about time, too! This damn ship should never have been allowed out of harbour!" He pointed at the mate." That fool cannot even keep order!"

Bolitho looked at Tyrrell." Take your men and examine the hull and other damage. Quick as you can." He glanced narrowly at a group of sailors lolling by the forward hatch, noticing how they swayed out of time with the deck, their eyes devoid of interest in his arrival or the disorder which lay on every hand?

The mate explained hurriedly, "We've had to use pistols sir. Some men ran wild when the storm broke? We've a full cargo of rum and other spirits, as well as molasses and coffee. While the rest of us were working the ship they and a few passengers broached holds and began drinking." He shuddered." What with women crying an' screaming, the ship failing about us, an' Cap'n Harper lost overboard, I was hard put to watch everything at once?

Blundell snapped, "You're bloody useless! I'd have you shot for your incompetence!"

As the first of Sparrow's seamen approached the fore hatch the drunken figures seemed to come to life? With jeers and taunts they blocked the way across the deck, and from right forward an unseen hand hurled a bottle which shattered against a ring bolt, bringing bright droplets of blood down a sailor's chest?

Bolitho said sharply, "Carry on, Mr. Tyrrell!"

The lieutenant nodded." Party! Draw cutlasses!" He took his pistol and pointed it at the line of swaying figures." Kill anyone who interferes! Bosun's mates take 'em below and put 'em on the pumps!"

One made as if to run amongst the small party, but fell senseless as the boatswain's mate brought the flat of his blade hard down on the side of his head?

Bolitho said, "There is much to do. Mr. Jennis, turn the hands to and replace your fores'l. Have all this clutter cut adrift so that the injured may be laid on deck where my surgeon can attend them." He waited until the mate had shouted his instructions before adding, «How are you armed?"

Jennis waved vaguely around him." Not much, sir? Twenty-six-pounders and some swivels. We aim to steer clear of trouble. These guns are all we need for fighting off the buccaneer or would-be pirate." He looked up, startled." Why do you ask?"

General Blundell interrupted, "Hell's teeth, must] stand here while you people discuss the fittings of this wretched ship? I have had all I can tolerate and…"

Bolitho said abruptly, "Sir James, there is an enema privateer to the north. She is probably still following us? The fittings, as you call them, will be very useful if that

enemy comes our way."

He turned, cocking his head, as the clank of pumps told him Tyrrell had the mutinous seamen in hand?

To Stockdale he said, "Go aft, see what you can discover."

Blundell sounded less confident." Privateer? Attack us?"

Bolitho replied, "The Sparrow is very small, sir. The enemy more than twice our strength."

The general grunted." Well, better than nothing. Iffight you must, it will be for the finest reasons."

Bolitho ignored him as Tyrrell came on deck again?

"I have sounded th' well. Th' hull is taking water steadily, but th' pumps seem to be containing it. It's all hell below. Cabins broken open, drunks, and two dead from knife wounds." He frowned towards the mate who was urging his men to clear away fallen spars." He must have been mad with worry." He saw Bolitho's expression." What'll we do?"

Blundell said, "Your captain will do his duty. If we are attacked he will defend this ship and passengers. Do you need telling, man?"

Tyrrell eyed him coolly." Not by you, General."

Bolitho snapped, "How many women are there?" He was watching Stockdale ushering them from the poops his voice barely audible as he tried to placate them?

There were children, too. More than he had realised?

"For God's sake, how much longer are you going to stand like this?" The general was shouting, his face almost as red as his tunic." What does it matter how many this or that we have on board, or what colour their eyes are?" He got no further?

Tyrrell stepped between them, his head lowered so that their faces were nearly touching?

"Look here, General, what th' cap'n says is right. The enemy can outshoot anything we have to offer, an' this Indiaman is a damn sight worse off."

"Not my concern, and I'll tell you once more to mind your manners!"

"Warn me, General?" Tyrrell laughed silently." But for you meddling with us at Sandy Hook th' Sparrow would have completed repairs an' been away at sea a month back. So but for that you would be alone out heres sitting like a fat duck waiting to be shot for th' pot." His tone hardened." So mind your damn manners, sir."

Bolitho was standing apart from them, only half listening to their hushed anger. Once again Blundell's interference was to put him and the ship in real jeopardy. But the facts were unchanged. He turned to conceal his despair. All he had was the hope that Bonaventure would not find them. That he could set sail on the battered Indiaman and leave the area with all possible haste?

The mate, Dennis, came aft again." I've got the hands bending on a new fores'l, sir. Apart from that we've little spare canvas aboard, not made up that is? This is a Company ship, and we were expecting to have a complete overhaul once we reached Bristol? That's why we sailed shorthanded and one officer under strength." He wiped his hand across his lined face." If you hadn't found us I think more of the men might have gone mad and mutinied. We've a fair sprinkling of rogues amongst the passengers as well as honest ones."

Bolitho looked up as a block swayed and clattered against the mizzen topmast. He saw the torn sails stirring like ragged banners, the sudden movement in the bright Company flag. He frowned. The wind was freshening. Very slightly, but it made things harder if he was to face the decision which had to be made?

And yet, there was still a chance he might be wrong? If so, all this would do nothing but harm and cause more suffering to the passengers?

He pulled out his watch and flipped open the cover? Less than four hours of visibility left?

"Mr. Tyrrell, have the Royal Anne's boats lowered at once. Send a message to Graves and tell him I want our boats and fifty seamen here without delay. We must work like the devil if we are to get this ship fit to make sail again." He waited until Tyrrell and the Indiaman's mate had hurried away before saying, "Well, Sir James, I must see what needs to be done."

The general called after him, "And if as you fear the enemy appears, do you intend to steal away and leave us?" He sounded hoarse with suppressed anger." Will written orders save your disgrace after taking such a course?"

Bolitho stopped and faced him again." No, Sir James, to both questions. If we are allowed time I will transfer all Royal Anne's passengers and additional hands to my own ship."

The general's eyes were bulging." What? Leave the cargo and sail away without it?" He seemed stunned in disbelief?

Bolitho shifted his gaze outboard, watching the boats alongside, the slow return of order as his own men took control?

Of course, he should have realised. The general's booty was on board, too. Surprisingly, the thought helped to steady him. He could even smile as he said, «You can appreciate the need for haste, sir. For both our reasons!"

Tyrrell fell in step beside him." That took th' wind from his sails!"

Bolitho said, "It is no joke. If we can get under way in company at dawn we will have a fair chance. It may be that the Bonaventure changed tack altogether when we lost her. She could be many leagues away by now."

Tyrrell glanced at him." But you don't think so?"

"No." He stepped aside as broken rigging was dragged like black snakes from an upended boat." It is the when rather than the if which troubles me."

Tyrrell pointed across the bulwark." Graves is sending th' first of th' men over." He grimaced." It'll leave him shorthanded in Sparrow. Barely enough to work ship."

Bolitho shrugged." If the company was halved by fever the rest would have to manage."

He added, "Now let us meet the ladies. They will be more worried than the general, I should imagine."

There were about fifty of them. Crowded together below the high poop, but separated by their rank and station in that other world outside the ship. Old and young, plain and beautiful, they watched Bolitho in silence, as if he had risen from the sea like a messenger from Neptune?

"Ladies." He licked his lips as a strikingly beautiful girl in a gown of yellow silk smiled at him. He tried again." I must regret the inconvenience, but there is much to do before we can see you safely on your voyage." She was still smiling. Direct. Amused. Just the way which always reduced him to confusion." Ifanyone is injured my surgeon will do his best for her. E meal is being prepared, and my own men will stand guard over your quarters."

The girl asked, "Do you think the enemy will comes Captain?" She had a cool, confident voice which spoke of education and breeding?

He hesitated." It is always possible."

She showed her even teeth." There now. What profound words from so young a King's officer!" Severyl of the others smiled. Some even laughed aloud?

Bolitho said stiffly, "If you will excuse me, ladies." He shot the girl a fierce stare." I have work to do."

Tyrrell hid a smile as he strode past him, recalling Stockdale's words. So angry that not a man jack would draw near. He was angry now. Blazing. It was goods Tyrrell concluded. It might take his mind off the real danger?

A servant girl touched his arm." Beggin' yer pardon, sir, but there's a lady below in a poor way. Vera feverish."

Bolitho stopped and looked at them." Fetch the surgeon."

He tensed as the other girl came towards him, her face suddenly grave?

"I am sorry I made you angry, Captain. It was unforgivable."

"Angry?" Bolitho plucked at his swordbelt." I do not recollect…"

She touched his hand." Now that is beneath you, Captain. Unsure maybe, but never pompous. I see you quite differently."

"When you have quite finished…"

Again she stopped him without even raising her voice." The other women were close on hysterias Captain. One minute the storm was throwing us about like rag dolls, the very next instant there is the cry ob mutiny and riot. Men fighting each other, for the drink and for what they might take from us when they were too crazed to know otherwise." She dropped her eyes?

"It was horrible. Terrifying." The eyes came up again and levelled on his face. They were the colour ob violets." Then all at once there was a shout. Someone called, A ship! A King's ship!' and we ran on deck despite the dangers."

She turned to look across the bulwark." And there you were. Little Sparrow. It was almost too much for most of us. Had I not made that jest at your expense,] think some might have broken down."

Bolitho's defences wavered." Er, yes. Quite so." He toyed with his sword-hilt, seeing Dalkeith hurry past and giving him a curious glance as he went." You thought quickly, ma'am."

"I know about some things, Captain. I saw your eyes when you spoke to your lieutenant and Sir James? There is worse to come, is there not?"

Bolitho shrugged." In truth I do not know."

He heard the general shouting angrily at a seaman and said, "That man is bad enough for me!"

She gave a mock curtsy, smiling again." Sir Jamest He can be difficult, I agree."

"You know him?"

She moved back towards the other women." Ma uncle, Captain." She laughed." Really you must try to hide your emotions better! Or else you will never be an admiral!"

Tyrrell came on deck and said, "That woman in the cabin is ill. But Dalkeith is managing well enough." He frowned." Are you all right, sir?"

Bolitho rasped, "In God's name stop asking stupid questions!"

"Aye, sir." He grinned, seeing the girl by the rail and far more beside." I understand, sir."

There was a dull bang, and as they all turned Bolitho saw a puff of smoke drifting from one of Sparrow's larboard batteries?

The general came panting up a ladder and shouted, "What was that?"

Bolitho replied quietly, "The signal, sir. My lookout has sighted the enemy."

He ignored the general and those near him as his mind accepted the one important fact. In a way it was almost a relief to meet it. Recognise what must be done?

"Mr. Tyrrell, Bonaventure will take severyl hours to show her intentions. By then it will be too dark for her captain to attack. Why should he? He merely has to await the dawn and then pounce?

Tyrrell watched him, fascinated by his even tone?

Bolitho continued, "If the wind does not act against us, we will be able to transfer the passengers to Sparrow. I want every boat working, and all who are neither sick nor injured to take fairly to their tasks."

"I understand." Tyrrell studied him impassively? "There's nothing else you could do. Many would leave 'em to their own devices."

Bolitho shook his head." You have not understood.] am not going to abandon the Royal Anne or scuttle her to avoid capture as a prize." He saw Tyrrell's jaw tighten, the quick anxiety in his eyes." I intend to stay in her with sixty volunteers. What happens later will depend very much on Bonaventure's captain."

He had not noticed that the others had crowded round him, but turned as the general exclaimed, "You cannot! You dare not risk this ship and cargo! I'll see you damned first!"

Silk rustled against Bolitho's arm and he heard the girl say calmly, "Be still, Uncle. The captain intends to do more than dare." She did not turn her face." He intends to die for us. Is that not enough, even for you?"

Bolitho nodded curtly and strode aft, hearing Stockdale's voice as he hurried to cover his retreat. He had to think. Plan every last moment until the actual second of death. He paused and leaned against the ornate taffrail. Death. Was it so soon upon him?

He turned angrily and said, "Pass the word for those boats to begin loading immediately! Women and children, then the injured." He glanced past the ship's mate and saw the girl staring after him." And no arguments from anyone!"

He walked to the opposite side and looked at his own command. How beautiful she was as she edged carefully across the Indiaman's quarter. Soon now he would be able to see the enemy's sails on the horizon? Closing, like the hunter, for his kill. There was so much to do. Orders for Sparrow to carry to Antigua. Perhaps even a quick letter to his father. But not just yet. He must stand quite still a little longer to watch his ship? Hold her in his memory before she was taken from him?

Bolitho was still staring across the water when Tyrrell came aft to report that all available boats were working, carrying the passengers and Indiaman's company over to the waiting sloop?

He added, "She'll be a mite more crowded than when we rescued th' redcoats." He hesitated and then said, "I'd like to stay with you, sir."

Bolitho did not look at him." You realise what you are saying? There is more at stake than your life."

Tyrrell tried to grin." Hector Graves will make a better commander, sir."

Bolitho faced him." You will be called on to fight some of your own people."

Tyrrell smiled." I knew that was what you were thinking." He gestured towards some of Sparrow's seamen as they carried an elderly woman towards the boat tackles." These are my people. Then can I stay?"

Bolitho nodded." Gladly." He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair." Now I'll go and write Graves 's orders."

"Deck there! Sail on th' larboard quarter!"

They looked at each other and then Bolitho said quickly, "Hurry our people along. I do not want the enemy to see what we are about."

As he strode away Tyrrell stared after him and then murmured, "So be it, Cap'n."

He heard a sudden cry and saw the girl who had made Bolitho angry struggling to push her way through a cordon of seamen?

A boatswain's mate bellowed, "She don't want to go, sir!"

The girl punched the sailor's arm but he did not seem to feel it?

Then she shouted at Tyrrell, "Let me stay! I want to be here!"

He grinned down at her and then pointed at the boat alongside. Kicking and protesting she was picked up bodily and carried to the rail, where with little ceremony she was passed down the side like a bright silk parcel?

The sky was much darker when Bolitho came on deck with a sealed envelope for the boat still hooked on to the chains. All other boats were hoisted, and the ship around him seemed very quiet and empty?

He raised a telescope and trained it over the quarter. The Bonaventure was visible now, some six miles distant. But she had already shortened sails waiting, as he had expected, for the new day?

Tyrrell touched his hat." Our men are aboard, sir." He gestured to the main deck where Midshipman Heyward was speaking to a petty officer." I picked 'em myself, but you could have had volunteers a'plenty."

Bolitho handed the envelope to a seaman." Pass this to the boat." To Tyrrell he added slowly, "Go and take some rest. I shall think awhile."

Later as Tyrrell lay in an abandoned cabin, the deck of which was littered with open chests and discarded clothing, he heard Bolitho's shoes on the planking overhead. Back and forth, up and down. Thinking? Eventually the sound of his pacing made his eyelids droop, and he fell into a dreamless sleep?

Bolitho stood straddle-legged on the Royal Anne's poop, seeing his own shadow for the first time across the taffrail. How long the night had been, but at the hint of dawn everything seemed to begin at once, like the start of some ill-rehearsed drama. Away on the larboard quarter he saw the hardening pyramid of sails where the big privateer moved purposefully before the wind. Strangely, her hull was still lost in shadow, with only a bone of white around her stem to reveal her growing speed. About three miles distant. He turned his glass to the opposite quarter to the little sloop? Sparrow was much closer, yet in spite of this seemed even smaller?

Tyrrell joined him and said, "Th' wind seems steady enough, sir. Nor'-west by north, by my reckoning." He was speaking in a hushed voice, as if afraid to disturb the ships and their deliberate preparations to fight?

Bolitho nodded." We will steer sou'-east. It is what the enemy will expect."

He tore his eyes from the privateer and turned to look along the Indiaman's deck. The new foresail was drawing well, as were spanker and jib. The rest were little better than shreds, and to try to tack more than a point or so would be a waste of time?

Tyrrell sighed." I've checked th' guns myself. Loaded as ordered." He scratched his stomach." Some of 'em look so old they'd split if we double-shotted 'em."

Bolitho faced aft again to watch the other ships? Raising his glass he moved it slowly over Sparrow's deck, seeing the figures on the gangways, a solitary seaman at her mainmast crosstrees. Then aft, as a freak gust lifted the foot of the main course like a miller's apron, he saw Graves. He was standing beside the wheel, arms folded, looking every inch a captain. Bolitho breathed out very slowly. So much depended on Graves. If he lost his head, or misinterpreted his carefully worded instructions, the enemy would still catch two for the price of one. But Graves had got the first part right. He was wearing Bolitho's new uniform, the gold lace showing clearly in spite of the feeble light. The enemy captain would be wary, watchful. Nothing must go wrong at the beginning. Heaven alone knew how all the extra passengers had been crammed below and out ob sight. It would be like a sealed tomb, a nightmare for the women and children once the gunfire began?

Midshipman Heyward came to the poop and said, "All our boarding party are ready, sir." Like Bolitho and Tyrrell he had discarded his uniform and looked even younger in his open shirt and breeches?

"Thank you." Bolitho noticed that instead of a midshipman's dirk Heyward had thought fit to wear one of his precious swords?

There was a bang, and he saw a ball ricocheting across the lively wave crests before throwing up a quill of spray between him and the Sparrow's bows. E sighting shot, a declaration of intent, probably both, he thought grimly?

Over the water, and audible above the rustle of torn canvas, he heard the staccato beat of drums, and pictured the scene aboard Sparrow as her men ran to quarters. Phase two. He saw the patch of scarlet as the ensign broke jauntily from her gaff, felt a catch in his throat as the ports opened to reveal her line ob guns. With less than half a company available, Graves must have pressed some of the Indiaman's crew into service to get the guns out so smartly. But it had to look exactly right. As if the sloop was preparing to show defiance and trying to defend her heavy consort?

Another bang, and the ball ploughed into the sea about a cable clear of Sparrow's stem?

Bolitho clenched his jaw. Graves was cutting it fine. Ifthe wind chose this moment to veer he would be unable to go about, would be in irons if he tried to fall back and try again?

Tyrrell said hoarsely, "There she goes!"

The sloop's yards were swinging and as her lee gangway dipped heavily into the swell she began to tack close-hauled to larboard, crossing Royal Anne's stern like a small protective terrier. Flags broke from her yards, and Bolitho imagined Bethune yelling at his party to make haste and hoist the meaningless signal? The enemy would think Sparrow was preparing to fight to the death and was ordering the Indiaman to make a run for it?

Cannon fire ripped along the Bonaventure's foremost battery and more splashes leapt closer to the heeling sloop. Graves was shortening sail, clearing away the hampering canvas from his guns, even though it was unlikely he had more than a quarter ob them manned?

Tyrrell spoke between his teeth." That's close enough, Hector! For God's sake don't make a meal ob it!"

One heavy bang rolled across the shark-blue waters and even though the flash was hidden by Sparrow's hull, Bolitho knew it was one of her bowchasers. He saw the ball slap hard into the spray by the other ship's forecastle, the immediate spurt of orange tongues as she fired back in earnest?

The Sparrow's foretopgallant mast quivered and then seemed to curtsy downwards into the swirling brown smoke, the furled sail marking its progress as it caught and swung in the criss-cross of rigging before plunging into the sea alongside. Holes appeared in severyl of her sails, and Bolitho caught his breath as the hammock nettings below the quarterdeck bucked and burst apart from a direct hit?

The enemy was much nearer now, her foretopsail bulging as she stood before the wind, charging down on the sloop which was now less than two cables from her starboard bow?

Tyrrell exclaimed, "He's done it! Blast th' man, he's going about!"

The Sparrow was wearing, her masts swinging upright as she came round violently, the growing light making her sails shine as they flapped and puckered to the strain?

The gunfire had stopped, for with her stern towards the enemy Sparrow presented no target at all. Her forecourse was already being unleashed, and as she gathered way through the water Bolitho saw the topmen running out along the yards like black insects until more and still more canvas bellied to the wind. He could see Buckle by the quarterdeck rail, too intent on his work even to watch the labouring Indiaman as she surged past. Sparrow was abeam, and then in minutes was well beyond the Indiaman's bows, heading towards the first rays of sunlight from the placid horizon?

Bolitho felt suddenly dry, his limbs very loose, as if belonging to someone else. He watched the Bonaventure's forecourse being brailed up to reveal her great span of poop, the men on her gangways who were waving and gesturing after the retreating sloop? Jeering no doubt. All the madness of intended battle now lost in the confused actions of an unfought victory?

Bolitho walked to the rail and said quietly, "Remember, Mr. Tyrrell, and remember it well. We have to cripple her if we can. Then if a patrolling frigate finds her she can finish what we started." He gripped his wrist." But make sure our people play their parts. IfBonaventure hauls off now, she can pound us to pieces without losing a breath!"

The privateer had edged closer, running down towards the quarter so that she would eventually overhaul Royal Anne along her larboard side. Her captain was a superb seaman. With all but his topsails clewed up he was handling the heavy vessel with both confidence and skill, and would certainly hold the wind-gage no matter what Bolitho tried to do?

A gun flashed out its long tongue, and Bolitho felt the ball smack into the lower hull, jerking the planks at his feet with savage violence?

He saw bunched figures on the other ship's poops the wink of sunlight on raised telescopes, and guessed they were examining their victim. It looked much as it had when he had come aboard. Damaged bulwarks and broken rigging. One hatch had been purposefully left open, and severyl of his men were running about in apparent confusion while Heyward directed their performance from beneath the forecastle?

"Now!" Bolitho waved his hand, and from the main deck one then another of the six-pounders hurled its challenge across the narrowing strip of water?

From aft a swivel banged sharply, the canister probably falling harmlessly long before it reached the enemy's side?

The response was immediate. Gun by gun, the Bonaventure's broadside sent ball after ball crashing into the hull. Bolitho was thankful he had sent most ob his men below, otherwise they would have been cut down by the fierceness of the onslaught. Timber and planks flew in all directions, and he saw a seaman hurled like a bloody rag to the opposite side, his limbs kicking as he died?

Stockdale looked at Bolitho and saw him nod. With a grunt he dashed along the deck waving a cutlass, while Bolitho drew his pistol and yelled after him. When Stockdale ran on towards the halliards he fired, praying that his hand was steady as the shot whined clear above the coxswain's head. Stockdale reached his goal, and with one slash severed the halliards, bringing the big Company flag tumbling down like some bright shroud across the weather rail?

In a lull of noise and gunfire Bolitho heard a voice across the water, magnified and unreal in a speaking trumpet?

"Heave to or I'll sink you!"

From forward he heard Heyward urging his men to obey the call, the sudden groan of timber as the ship lurched drunkenly into the wind, her remaining sails flapping and banging in disorder?

Tyrrell said, "He's going to grapple!"

There were men on the Bonaventure's yards, and as the big hull surged carefully and then more insistently against the side Bolitho saw grapnels flying from a dozen points at once. The men on the yards were busily making fast their lines to Royal Anne's shrouds and spars, so that as both ships lifted and swayed together Bolitho knew the moment to act had arrived?

"Now! Boarders away!"

With a wild chorus of yells the hidden seamen surged up from both hatches and on to the bulwarks, their cutlasses and boarding pikes marking down severyl enemy hands before they realised what was happening. Moments, seconds earlier, they had see[

Royal Anne as one more helpless prize, a ship which had struck to them, her flag hacked down by one of her own crew. Then, as if from nowhere, the bulk ob Bolitho's seamen came surging up and over the sides their steel bright in the sun, their voices hoarse and wild with the madness of combat?

Bolitho ran to the rail and jerked the lanyard ob another swivel, seeing the packed canister scything through a bunch of men on Bonaventure's gangway and blasting them aside in its murderous hail?

Then he was running with the second party and pulling himself on to the shrouds, slashing with his sword at a man's arm on the chains below. Screams and curses, the bang of pistols and rasp of steel, he was dazed by the noise. A man plummeted past him to be held like a tortured animal between the two grinding hulls, his blood running pink in the leaping feathers ob foam?

He was on the enemy's deck, his arm jarring as he struck down a man's guard and drove the hilt against his jaw, throwing him back into the struggling figures beyond. Another charged forward with a levelled bayonet, slipped on a smear of blood and took Stockdale's blade across his neck. It sounded like an axe biting into a log?

He yelled wildly, "Cut the rigging, lads! Cripple the bastard!"

He felt a ball fan hotly past his face, and ducked as another smacked into a seaman's chest right beside him, his cry lost in the other din of battle?

Now he was on a ladder, shoes sliding in blood, his fingers feeling up a rail, conscious of the torn wood where one of the swivels had made its mark. Two officers were parrying aside pikes and swords as they tried to rally their men from the opposite side. Bolitho saw one of them drive his sword into a boatswain's mate, saw the eyes roll with agony as he pitched to the deck below, then he was up and facing the privateer's officer, their swords clashing as they struck and explored their strength and weakness?

"Damn you!" The man ducked and thrust up at Bolitho's throat." Strike while you are still alive, you mad bugger!"

Bolitho caught the blade across his basket hilt and levered the man clear, feeling the warmth of his body, the fierceness of his breathing?

He yelled back, "Strike be damned!"

A pistol exploded and the officer dropped his arms staring blankly at the blood which pumped through his shirt in a bright red stain?

Tyrrell strode past and fired a second pistol into the man's chest. When he turned Bolitho saw that Tyrrell's face was like stone?

He shouted, "I knew that bastard, Cap'n! A bloody slaver afore th' war!"

Then with a gasp he dropped on one knee, blood running from his thigh. Bolitho dragged him asides cutting down a screaming seaman and thrusting the blade through his chest in two swift movements?

"Easy!"

He stared desperately above the nearest men. Much of the enemy's rigging had been slashed, but the attack had made little impression after all. And his men were failing back around him, the lust to fight and win dwindling to match their numbers?

On every hand, or so it appeared, muskets and pistols were firing down into the retreating English seamen, and he saw Heyward standing astride a wounded man and screaming like a madman as he fought off two attackers at once?

As if from a great distance he saw the American captain watching from his poop, a tall, handsome man who was standing quite motionless, either so confident in his men's efforts or so appalled by his attackers, sacrifice that he was unable to tear his eyes away?

Bolitho hacked a cutlass aside and sobbed aloud as his blade broke within inches of the hilt. He hurled the remains at the man's head and saw him fall kicking, impaled on a pike. In a half daze he recalled the trader at English Harbour who had sold him the sword? He would not get his money now, damn his eyes?

To Stockdale he croaked, "You know what to do!" He had to push him away, and even as he ran from the fighting he was still peering back, his eyes filled with anxiety?

Then there was the distorted voice again, and when he looked up he saw the American captain using his trumpet?

"Strike now! You have done more than enough0

Strike or die!"

Bolitho swung round, his heart bursting, his mind sick as he saw a young seaman fall to the deck, his face opened by a cutlass from ear to chin?

Tyrrell was struggling on his injured knee and pointing wildly, "Look! Stockdale's done it!"

From the main batch on the Indiaman's deck came a growing plume of dark smoke, spreading and thickening until it seemed to spurt up through the seams like steam under pressure?

Bolitho yelled, "Fall back, lads! Back!"

Then they were limping and staggering across the bulwarks, dragging their wounded, carrying others too crippled to move. There were not many of thems wounded or otherwise?

Bolitho wiped his streaming eyes, hearing Tyrrell gasp with agony as he half carried, half dragged him to the opposite bulwark. Behind him he could hear frenzied shouts, the sudden click of steel as the Bonaventure's men tried to cut away the lashings which they themselves had so skilfully used to hold both ships together. But it was too late. It had been from the

instant Stockdale had begun the last and most dangerous act. A short fuse, and then the fire had burst amongst the cargo of rum and the massive barrels ob spirits, spreading through the hull at a terrible rate?

Flames licked out of open ports and ran along the Bonaventure's tarred rigging like angry tongues, sails vanished into ashes, and then with a bellow one great sheet of flame leapt between the two hulls, joining them finally in a single pyre?

Bolitho peered down at the one remaining boat tethered to the ship's quarter, riding where it had been since taking his orders across to Graves?

"Abandon ship, lads!"

Some clambered down, while others fell headlong, splashing and yelling until they were helped inboard by their companions. Blazing canvas, ashes and gusts ob sparks rained across their heads, but as a seaman severed the bow rope and they groped half blinded for the oars Bolitho heard another great explosion, as if from the sea itself?

The Indiaman began to settle down immediately, her masts and spars interlocking with her attacker's to throw flames and sparks hundreds of feet into the air?

He watched his small handful of fit men pulling at the oars, feeling the heat searing his back as he steered the boat away from the blazing ships. Exploding powder and toppling masts, a ship's hold splitting wide open in an inferno of noise and shooting flames, and later the engulfing sounds of inrushing water. He heard it all, even pictured the general's gold bullion, which someone might discover one day on the sea bottom?

But it was all beyond him now. They had done the impossible. Miranda was avenged?

He looked sadly at his men, at their faces which now meant so much to him. At young Heyward, filthy and exhausted, a wounded seaman propped across his lap. Tyrrell, a bloody bandage around his thigh, eyes closed with pain, but holding back his head as if to seek the first yellow bars of warmth from the sun. And Stockdale, who was everywhere. Bandaging and baling, lending weight to an oar, or helping to heave a dead man over the gunwale. He was tireless? Indestructible?

He held out his hand and studied it. It was quite steady, even though every nerve and muscle seemed to be quivering. He glanced at his empty scabbard and gave a rueful smile. No matter. Nothing mattered now?

How long they pulled at the oars, the time it took for the two blazing hulks finally to sink, Bolitho did not remember. The sun beat down on their aching, exhausted limbs, the stroke became slower and more hesitant. Once, when Bolitho peered astern he saw the sea's face covered by a great spread of drifting remains from the ships and the men who had fought across them. But the privateer had managed to launch at least one boat, and before it was blotted out in haze he saw it was crammed with survivors. Perhaps they, too, would know the same despair as Miranda's men?

Then a shadow flitted across his face and he stared round, caught off guard as Sparrow's topsails flashed gaily across the sun's path?

The men in the boat watched silently, unable to speak even to each other. Unable yet to realise they had survived?

Bolitho stood by the tiller, his eyes stinging as he watched her careful approach, the lines of heads along her decks and gangways. She had come for him? Despite the danger, the unlikelihood of his plan succeeding, she had returned to make sure? Across the water a voice hailed, "Boat ahoy?" It sounded like Buckle, anxious maybe to know who had survived? Stockdale looked at him, his battered face questioning. When Bolitho said nothing he stood up and cupped his big bands? "Sparrow! Stand by for th' captain!" Bolitho sank down, the last reserve draining from him. He was back?