Sloop Of War

16. One Man's Loss

REAR-ADMIRAL Sir Evelyn Christie rose from behind a table crammed with documents and leaned forward to offer his hand?

"Welcome." He gestured to a chair." Good to meet you again."

Bolitho sat down and watched the admiral as he moved towards the stern gallery. It was stiflingly hots and even though there was a regular breeze across Sandy Hook, the air in the flagship's great cabin was lifeless?

Christie added abruptly, "I am sorry to have kept you so long. But the politics of high command are no area for a young captain." He smiled." Your courage is beyond doubt, but here in New York they would eat you alive."

Bolitho tried to relax. For three days after dropping anchor he had been to all intents confined to his ship? Once his report had been spirited to the flagship and his wounded landed for care ashore, he had been left in little doubt as to his own position. No actual command had been issued, but the Officer-of-the-Guard had told him that his presence aboard would be in everyone's best interests until word from the admiral?

He began, "If I have done wrong, sir, then…"

Christie looked at him sternly." Wrong? Quite the

reverse. But you have certainly set a fox amongst the geese this time." He shrugged." But you did not come aboard to hear what you already know. Your action in capturing the brigantine Five Sisters, the seizure ob certain documents before her master could dispose ob them, far outweigh individual discomfort elsewhere."

"Thank you, sir." He was still uncertain where Christie's comments were leading?

"It now seems evident that the brigantine's masters one Matthew Crozier, intended to pass information either to an enemy vessel or to some spy along the coast. That would explain his being so far off courses his excuse of avoiding a Spanish frigate. But there can be no doubt as to his main mission. Whilst on passage for Jamaica he was to deliver a message for the Compte de Grasse at Martinique. My people have examined the despatch most thoroughly." He eyed Bolitho steadily." In it they found full details of our defences and all available ships-of-war. Deploymentss both sea and military, even to the extent of our strength under Cornwallis." He picked up a document and studied it for severyl seconds." One way or t'other, this will be a year to remember."

Bolitho shifted in his chair." How could Z

privateersman like Crozier obtain a warrant to work for the British?"

Christie smiled wryly." He owned the brigantine. It was no doubt purchased by his own side. The crew were hand-picked. The sweepings of a dozen ports and almost as many countries. With small vessels in such demand his deception was not so very difficult? Even on his official voyages he was apparentla smuggling." He turned away, his shoulders suddenly rigid." Mostly for those in power in New York!"

"May I ask if they are to be punished?"

Christie turned and shrugged." If you mean General Blundell, then you may be assured he will be leaving America very soon. After that I am equally certain he will be saved by influence and powerful friends at home. Distance and time are great healers where the guilty are concerned. But others will certainly go to the wall, and I have been told that the Military Command intends to use your discovery to rid itself, in part at least, of the parasites who have lived too long off its back."

He smiled at Bolitho's grave features." Pour some madeira. It will do us both good." He continued in the

same unruffled tone, "Admiral Graves is well pleased with you. He has sent the schooner Lucifer to AntiguZ to inform Admiral Rodney of the situation here. Patrols have been ordered to Newport to watch de Barras's squadron, although, as you well know, it is hard to see what is happening there. In fact, everything is being done with the forces available to watch over local waters to see which way the tiger will pounce."

He took a glass from Bolitho's hand and asked, «Sparrow, is she in good repair?"

Bolitho nodded. It was still difficult to keep pace with the small admiral." My carpenter has almost completed repairs to the gangway and…"

Christie nodded briskly." In any case, that can be finished at sea. I want you to take on full supplies, for three months at least. My flag captain has it in hand? He might even find you some seamen to replace those lost in battle. I have sent Heron to the south'rd agains but my other inshore patrols are too well spread for comfort. I need every available ship, especially yours.l He smiled." And you?

"Thank you, sir." He put down the glass." Newport again?"

The admiral shook his head." You will join Farr and his Heron."

Bolitho stared at him." But, sir, I thought you needed ships to watch de Barras?"

Christie picked up the decanter and examined it thoughtfully." I may do so later. But for the present I want you out of Sandy Hook. Away from those who will try to bring you down. You have made enemies by your actions. As I said just now, you are no match for the devious ways of politics."

"I am prepared to take that risk, sir."

"I am not!" Christie's voice was hard. Like it had been at the court martial in this very cabin." To yous your ship and her affairs are paramount. But I must think on a wider scope, and my superiors wider still. If it is thought best for you to lead my whole squadron against de Barras, then that is how it will be. And if your ship must be sacrificed like a tethered animal in a snare, then that, too, will be ordered!" He relented? "Forgive me. That was unpardonable." He waved one hand above his charts." The enemy is powerful, but not so that he can attack everywhere at once. He can strike against New York, for deprived of it we have nQ

pretence at government in America. Or he can turn his iron on General Cornwallis's army in the field, for without that we are just as pointless. Either way there will be a battle, and I believe that a sea fight will decide our course and that of history for years to come."

Feet pounded overhead and Bolitho heard the bark of commands, the scrape of tackles and blocks. Even the old Parthian was preparing to sail, to show her readiness for whatever the enemy intended?

Bolitho stood up." When can I expect my orders, sirt "

"Before sunset. I would advise you to contain yours er, other interests, until some later date." He proffered his hand." The heart is a fine thing, but I would prefer you to rest your judgements on the brain."

Bolitho walked out to the sunlight, his mind buzzing with all Christie had said and the greater part which he had left unspoken. It was all so unfair. A sailor stood to his gun in battle until told otherwise. Or he struggled aloft in a shrieking gale, frozen with icy spray, and scared half to death. But he obeyed. It was the way ob things, or had been in Bolitho's experience. Until now?

Yet Blundell's kind ignored such distinctions, could and did use their personal authority for gain, even when the country was fighting for its life. No wonder those like Crozier could prosper and achieve more results than an army of paid spies. Crozier had been doing his duty in the only way he knew. By ignoring the dangers, Blundell had committed little better than treason?

He stopped by the entry port and stared at the waiting gig with sudden andiety. So why had he not told Christie of Crozier's presence in Blundell's houset There would have been no hiding from conspiracy had that piece of news been released. He swore under his breath and signalled to Stockdale?

Fool, fool! Perhaps he should have told her first. To allow her time to disassociate herself from her uncle's affairs?

The flag captain joined him by the port." I have had the water hoys sent over to Sparrow. Another lighter will be alongside within the hour. If your people turn to with a will, you should have all the stores aboard before dusk."

Bolitho eyed him curiously. Such calm assuranceB

yet this captain had not only his own ship and the whims of an admiral to consider, he must concern himself with the needs of every officer and man in the squadron. He was jolted by his discovery. It was like seeing Christie's charts on the cabin table. To all but himself, Sparrow and her company were just a tiny part of the whole?

He doffed his hat to the shrill calls and shining bayonets and clambered down to the gig. He said nothing as the boat pulled lustily across the anchorages and Stockdale for once seemed content to leave him in peace?

He was in his cabin with Lock studying the latest return of ship's stores when Graves entered to announce the arrival of another hoy carrying fresh water?

As the purser scuttled away to watch over the casks before they were lowered into the hold, Bolitho said, "] was meaning to have a word with you, Mr. Graves." He saw the lieutenant stiffen, the way his fingers locked into his coat. Poor Graves. He looked like an old mans and even his tan could not hide the shadows under his eyes, the pinched lines at each side of his mouth. How did you begin to ask an officer if he was a coward? He added, "Are you troubled about something?"

Graves swallowed hard." My father is dead, sir? Some weeks back. I just received a letter."

"I am sorry to hear that, Mr. Graves." Bolitho watched his face with sudden compassion." It is harder to bear when you are out of reach, as we are."

"Yes." Graves did not even blink." He had been, er, ill for some while."

The door swung open and Tyrrell limped noisily into the cabin. He did not appear to see Graves as he exclaimed, "By God, Cap'n! I've had news!" He leaned on the table, all his excitement and pleasure welling out of him in an uncontrollable flood." My sister. She's safe an' well! I met a man who was a trapper in th' county? He said she's living with our uncle. That's about twenty mile to th' north of our old farmstead." He grinned widely." Safe! I still can't believe I'm awake." He turned and saw Graves for the first time." Oh hell! I'm sorry.] forgot myself with th' fair excitement of it all."

Graves was staring at him glassily, and his fingers had screwed his coat into two tight balls?

Tyrrell asked, "What's wrong? You sick o something?"

Graves muttered, "I must go. If you'll excuse me, sir." He almost ran from the cabin?

Bolitho stood up." It was good news, Jethro." He looked at the open door." I am afraid Graves just brought some of a sadder note. His father."

Tyrrell sighed." I'm sorry. I thought maybe it was something I said…"

"In what way?"

Tyrrell shrugged." No matter. He was once in hopes of courting my sister." He smiled at some secret memory." It all seems a long way back now."

Bolitho tried not to think about Graves 's stunned expression?

"One day you'll be able to join your sister again. I am very glad for you."

Tyrrell nodded, his eyes dreamy." Aye. One day." He nodded more firmly." I don't feel quite so lost any more."

Midshipman Fowler stepped neatly over the coaming and removed his hat." The lighterman brought you a letter, sir." His lisp was very pronounced." He insisted I give it to you myself."

"Thank you."

Bolitho held it in his fingers. Like the other one which he had locked in his strongbox. Her own hand?

He opened it quickly and then said, "I'll be ashore for an hour. Maybe longer. Call away my gig."

Fowler ran from the cabin, his sharp voice calling for the boat's crew?

Tyrrell asked quietly, "Is it wise, sir?"

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Bolitho swung towards him, caught off guard by his question?

Tyrrell frowned." I met severyl people when I was ordering some new cordage, sir. It's well known all over New York what you've done. Most are laughing fit to burst that your action has unmasked these bloody scabs and traitors. But some think you'll be in real danger while you're here. There'll be plenty more quaking in their beds. Wondering what you discovered an' when th' soldiers are going to bang on their door."

Bolitho dropped his eyes." I'm sorry about my anger? But have no fear. I've no intention of parading my back for the benefit of that sort."

Tyrrell watched him as he snatched up his hat and fretted impatiently for Fitch to adjust his swordbelt?

Then he said, "I'll rest easier when we're at sea again."

Bolitho hurried past him." And that will be tonight, ma cautious friend. So stir yourself and watch over the provisions!" He smiled at Tyrrell's concern." But beware. There may be an assassin hiding in the salt beef!"

Tyrrell saw him over the side but remained by the rail for a long while, despite the sun and the pain in his thigh?

There was a small carriage waiting for Bolitho at the end of the jetty. It was a shabby affair and not in the least like the one which had carried him to the general's residence. But the driver was the same Negro, and as soon as Bolitho was inside he cracked his whip and urged the horses into a brisk trot?

They rattled through severyl narrow streets and then out into a quiet road which was lined by sturdy houses, most of which seemed to be occupied by some of the city's refugees. The buildings had lost their facade ob well-being, and where there had been gardens there were piles of discarded boxes and sorry-looking vehicles. At many of the windows he saw women and children staring out at the road below. They had the lost look of uprooted people with little to do but wait and hope?

The coach wheeled through a pair of sagging gates and towards another such house. Except that this one was empty, its windows bare in the sunlight like blind eyes?

For an instant he recalled Tyrrell's warning, but as the coach slid to a halt he saw the girl beside the house, her gown reflected in a partly overgrown pond?

He hurried towards her, his heart pounding in time with his shoes?

"I came as fast as I could!" He took her hands in his and studied her warmly." But why must we meet here?"

She tossed her head, throwing the hair from her shoulder in the way he had remembered in the weeks he had been away?

"It is better so. I cannot bear the watching eyes. The sneers behind my back." There was little emotion in her voice." But we will go inside now. I must speak with you."

Their shoes rang hollowly on the bare boards. It had been a fine house, but now the plaster was flaking and the walls were heavy with cobwebs?

She walked to a window and said, "My uncle is in serious trouble, but I expect you know. He was perhaps foolish, but no more than many here."

Bolitho slipped his hand beneath her arm." I do not want you to be involved, Susannah."

His insistence, or the use of her name, made her turn and face him?

"But I am involved, as you put it."

"No. The smuggling and other offences could have had nothing to do with you. Nobody would ever believe it."

She stared at him calmly." Nor does it matter. But one hint of treason would ruin my uncle and all connected with him." She gripped his arm." That mans Crozier, have you spoken of his presence at our house? Please, I must know. For if you remain silent, all may yet he well."

Bolitho turned away." Believe me, I can save you from that. Your uncle will be sent to England. There is no reason why you cannot remain here."

Here?" She stood back from him." What use is that?"

"I-I thought, given time you might see your way to becoming my wife." In the empty room his words seemed to come back to mock him?

"Marry you?" She brushed her hair from her forehead." Is that what you thought?"

"Yes. I had cause to hope." He watched her despairingly." You hinted that…"

She replied sharply, "I hinted no such proposals Captain! If things had gone as I had planned, well then maybe…"

He tried again." But nothing need change for us."

She continued as if he had not spoken." I did think that with some help from my friends you might one day amount to something. A position in London, perhaps even a seat in Parliament. All is possible if the will is there." She lifted her eyes to his face again." Did you really expect me to marry a sea-officer? Live from day to day waiting for one ship after the other to drop anchor? There are other lives beyond your miserable Service, Captain!"

"It is my life." He felt the walls closing in on him. The air forced from his lungs as if he was drowning?

"The path of duty." She walked to the window and looked down at the carriage." You were a fool to think of my sharing such an existence. An even bigger one if you continue to do so!" She turned easily, her eyes flashing." There's more to living than catching some poor smuggler in the King's name!"

Bolitho said, "I did not tell of Crozier being with your uncle. But it is certain to come out when the authorities have finished their inquiries." He added bitterly, "Rats always turn on one another when the pickings are few."

She breathed out slowly, one hand resting lightly below her heart." Stay a few minutes while I go to ma carriage. I have no wish to be seen here."

Bolitho reached out his arms and then let them drop to his sides. He was defeated. Had been so for longer than he had understood?

Yet in the dusty sunlight, as she stood watching him, her violet eyes holding him at a distance, he knew that if there was anything he could do or say to keep her he would use it?

She moved to the door." You are a strange man. But I can see no future for you." Then she was gone, her shoes fading on the staircase until he was quite alone?

He did not remember how long he stood in that empty room. Minutes? An hour? When at last he walked down the stairs and into the overgrown garden he realised that even the shabby carriage had gone? He crossed to the pond and stared at his own reflection?

If she had been angry, or frightened, anything he could have recognised, he might still have known what to do. There had not even been contempt. She had

dismissed him with no more thought than if she had been rejecting a useless servant?

A foot scraped on stone and he swung rounds seeing in those seconds four dark figures lined against the ragged bushes?

"Easy, Cap'n!" One of them had a drawn sword, and he saw the others were also well armed." There's no sense in strugglin'!"

Bolitho backed up to the pond, his fingers on his hanger?

Another of the men chuckled." Aye, that's rights Cap'n. Somewhere for us'n to hide yer corpse when we've done with you. Most considerate, eh, lads?"

Bolitho remained quite still. He knew it was useless to bargain with any of them. They had the looks ob professional criminals, men who worked for a fee, no matter what the final cost might be to them. He was suddenly very calm, as if their arrival had driven away his other despair like a cold wind?

"Then I'll take a couple with me!"

He snatched out his hanger and waited for them to attack. Two carried pistols, but there were probably military patrols nearby and a shot might bring them running?

Steel clashed with steel, and he saw the leader's grin fade to an intent frown as they locked blades together. He ducked as one man struck at his necks twisted his hanger and slashed him across the faces hearing him scream as he tumbled back into the bushes?

"Damn you, you bloody bastard!" Another dived forward, his sword sweeping under Bolitho's guard? But it glanced from his belt buckle and he was able to thrust him aside with the hilt, catching him on the jaw with such force it almost tore the hanger from his grip?

The garden swam in a mist of pain as something struck him savagely on the forehead, and he realised that one of them had hurled a stone. He hit out with the hanger but felt it pass through air. Someone laughed, and another called hoarsely, "Now, 'Arry! In the guts!"

Feet pounded through the shrubs, and Bolitho was pushed aside by someone in a blue coat who shouted, «At 'em, lads! Cut 'em down!"

Swords grated and sparked, and a body rolled thrashing into the pond, the blood staining the surface like red weed?

Bolitho lurched to his feet, realising that Heyward and Tyrrell were driving the two attackers against the house, while Dalkeith stood watchfully nearby, his beautiful pistols shining in the sunlight?

Heyward brought his man to his knees and jumped back to let him roll silently on to his face and stay there?

The sole survivor threw down his heavy sword and yelled, "Quarter! Quarter!"

Tyrrell swayed awkwardly on his crippled leg and said harshly, "Quarter be damned!"

The sword took him in the chest, holding him to the wall for an endless moment before allowing him to slide beside his companion?

Tyrrell sheathed his blade and limped to Bolitho's side?

"All well, Cap'n?" He reached out to steady him? "Just in time, it seems."

Heyward stepped over one of the corpses? "Someone wanted you dead, sir."

Bolitho looked from one to the next, the emotion rising to mingle with his understanding?

Tyrrell grinned." You see, I was right."

Bolitho nodded heavily. Someone wanted you dead? But the worst part was knowing that she had realised his peril, and had done nothing. He glanced at the corpse sprawled in the pond?

"What can I say? How can I find words?"

Dalkeith murmured, "Let's say it was for Rupert Majendie, too."

Tyrrell slipped his arm over Heyward's slim shoulder for support?

"Aye, that'll do." He glanced at Bolitho and held his gaze." You've done plenty for us. An' in Sparrow we look after our own!"

Then together they walked out to the road and towards the sea?

1k MISTAKEN IDENTITs BOLITHe leaned back in his chair and stared wearila at the open log. He was stripped to the waist, but could feel no benefit in the overheated cabin. He touched his mouth with the pen, wondering what he should writes when there was nothing to report. Around and above him the ship swayed and dipped in a gentle south-easterly breeze, and he pitied the watch on decks sweating out another day of relentless glare and fierce sunlight. Even the Sparrow seemed to be voicing her protest. The timbers groaned and trembled to the motion, dried out by salt and heat, and through the open windows he saw the carved scrollwork by the sill splitting open, the paint flaking away to reveal bare wood?

Once on station north of the Little Bahama Bank he had anticipated being recalled to more active duty within a matter of weeks. But like most of his men, he had long since given up hope. Week followed weeks with Sparrow and her attendant sloop, Heron, dragging their wearying patrol through July, each dawn bringing an empty horizon, and every hour tightening its grip on their small, isolated existence?

And now it was August. Perhaps Christie had insisted on three months' supplies because he had had no intention of recalling Sparrow until the end ob that time. Maybe they had all been forgotten, or the war was over. It was as if the whole patrol area had been drained of movement. Unlike their last visit to the Bahama Banks, when they had taken prizes or had gossiped with lawful merchantmen, they had seen nothing. Their routine varied little. Usually they kept Heron's topsails just within sight below the horizon, and on a parallel tack swept back and forth well clear ob reefs and shoals. With the masthead lookouts of both sloops able to see one another, it was possible to sweep an area some sixty miles wide, unless the weather changed against them. Even a real storm would be welcome. But the agonising discomfort was getting everyone down, not least himself?

There was a tap at the door and Dalkeith entered, his round face shining with sweat. The forenoon watch had half run its course, and Bolitho had found it necessary to meet the surgeon at this time every day when he had completed his inspection of the sick?

He gestured to a chair." Well?"

Dalkeith groaned and shifted his bulk carefully to avoid the glare from the open skylight?

"Two more down today, sir. I've got them below. E few days' rest might revive 'em for a while."

Bolitho nodded. It was getting serious. Too much heat and not enough fresh food or fruit. Lock had already opened the last barrel of lemons. After that…?

Dalkeith had been carrying a glass of water which he now stood on the table. It was the colour of tobacco juice. Without comment he took a flat bottle from his pocket and looked at Bolitho for permission to pour himself a stiff glass of rum?

Again, it was one of their little routines. Although how the plump surgeon could stomach rum in this heat was beyond Bolitho?

Dalkeith smacked his lips." Better'n this water." He frowned." If we can't get a fresh supply of drinking water I'll not answer for the consequences, sir."

"I'll do what I can. Maybe we can close with some small island and find a stream. But I am not too hopeful hereabouts. Was that all?"

Dalkeith hesitated."I'm supposed to hold my peace but friendship and duty rarely go hand in hand. It's the first lieutenant."

"Mr. Tyrrell?" Bolitho tensed." What about him?"

"His leg. He tries to pretend it's all right, but I'm not happy about it." He dropped his eyes." Worse, I'm getting anxious."

"I see." He had noticed Tyrrell's limp getting more pronounced, but whenever he had mentioned it he had replied, "It'll pass. Nothin' to bite on!"

"What d'you advise?"

Dalkeith sighed." I can probe for more splinters. But if that fails…" He took another swallow of neat rum."] might have to cut it off."

"Oh God."

Bolitho walked to the windows and leaned out over the transom. Below, the sea looked very clear, and he could see small darting fish in the rudder's frothing wake?

Behind him he heard Dalkeith add firmly, "I could do it, of course. But it would have to be while he is still strong. Before the pain and this damn heat gets him down like some of the others."

Bolitho turned, feeling the sun across his bared back?

"I was not doubting your ability. You've proved that more than enough."

Dalkeith said grimly, "I was at a fine hospital in London before I left England." He grimaced." We practised on the poor and worked for the wealthy. It was a hard training ground, but very useful."

"Will you return when the war is over?" He tried not to think of Tyrrell being held on a table, the saw poised above his leg?

Dalkeith shook his head." No. I'll settle out here somewhere. Maybe in America, who can tell?" He gave a wry smile." I am afraid that I had to leave England in somewhat of a hurry. A matter of honour over a lady."

"I have wondered these three years where you found your skill with pistols."

Dalkeith nodded." Unfortunately, I shot the wrong man. His death was considered a greater loss than mine, so I caught the packet from Dover, and eventually, two years later, I arrived in the Indies."

"Thank you for telling me." Bolitho massaged his stomach with the palm of one hand." I will see what] can do to obtain a berth in another ship, if and when we are ordered home."

The surgeon lurched to his feet." I would appreciate that." He watched Bolitho doubtfully." And Tyrrell?"

"I'll speak with him." He turned away." In God's name, what do I say? How would I feel if it were me?"

Dalkeith rested his hand on the bulkhead until Sparrow had completed a slow uproll?

"I can't answer. I'm just a surgeon."

"Aye." Bolitho looked at him gravely." And I'm just a captain."

Midshipman Bethune clattered through the wardroom and paused outside the cabin?

"Mr. Graves's respects, sir. Heron has signalled she has sighted an unknown sail to the east'rd."

"Very well. I'll come up."

Dalkeith waited for Bethune to go." Recall to New York, sir? If so, I could take Tyrrell to a hospital. They have facilities, proper care?

Bolitho shook his head." I fear not. That sail will be from the south'rd to be on such a bearing. Friend or foe, we have yet to see."

He heard Dalkeith sigh as he left him and hurried up the ladder to the quarterdeck?

He glanced quickly at the helmsman who called hoarsely, "Nor' nor'-west, sir!" His lips were cracked in the heat?

Graves reported, "Our masthead has not sighted her yet, sir." His mouth jerked at one corner and he added quickly, "Could be anything."

It was an empty comment, but Bolitho knew it was merely to cover his embarrassment. He had seen the growing strain on Graves perhaps worst of all. Now the twitch in his jaw laid bare his inner torment like the mark of some disease?

"Very well. Call the hands and prepare to run down on Heron. Get the t'gallants on her and lay her on the starboard tack." He saw Buckle climbing wearily through the hatchway and called, "A sail, Mr. Buckle0 Maybe it'll bring us luck today!"

The master pouted." 'Bout time, sir."

Bolitho heard the familiar limping step and turned to see Tyrrell walking from the larboard gangway?

Tyrrell grinned." A sail, did I hear, sir?" He shaded his eyes as he watched the men mustering at their stations." Now there's a thing indeed!"

Bolitho bit his lip. It made it more painful to see Tyrrell's new contentment. To know what must be done? That was if Dalkeith knew his trade. And he did?

On the horizon he could see Heron's sails glinting brightly, and knew Farr would wait for him to join him? To break the monotony if nothing else?

Within the hour the stranger had identified herself. It was the Lucifer, her great schooner sails spread like wings as she ran before the wind, the spray bursting above her jib-boom in a lively silver pattern?

Fowler was in the lee shrouds with a telescope, his small, piggy face glowing with heat?

"From Lucifer. Have despatches on board." He looked down at the quarterdeck as if proud of his revelation?

"Heave to, Mr. Tyrrell."

Bolitho watched the mad dash aboard Lucifer to shorten sail and put her about before running down beneath Sparrow's lee. A fine little vessel. Had she been his instead of Sparrow, he wondered if his life would have been changed to the same extent?

He saw the haste with which the schooner's boat was being hoisted out above the water. Something acted like a small warning in his mind, and he said, «Signal Heron. Captain repair on board."

"Aye, aye, sir!" Fowler snapped his fingers and continued to do so until the flags had broken from Sparrow's yard?

Farr's gig hooked on the chains within minutes ob Lucifer's jolly boat?

Odell had come aboard in person, and as he removed his hat to the quarterdeck and darted a sharp glance at Bolitho's bare torso, Farr climbed up beside him and said cheerfully, "By God, what brings you heres man? Were you pining for us in Antigua?"

Odell walked a few paces clear and then faced them?

"The French are out, sir."

For a moment nobody spoke. Bolitho held the words in his mind, yet was also aware of those about him? Stockdale by the hatchway, slightly stooped as if to hear better. Buckle and Tyrrell, their faces showing astonishment and more. Relief perhaps that the guessing was over?

"Come below."

Bolitho led them to his cabin, the heat and the drudgery of patrol forgotten?

Odell sat on the edge of a chair, his features giving little hint of strain at driving his command all those miles from Antigua?

Bolitho said quietly, "Now, tell us."

"I carried the despatches to the fleet as ordered."

Odell had a quick, erratic manner of speaking, nodding his head in time with his words. It was not hard to see how he got his reputation for being slightly mad? A man on a knife-edge, Bolitho suspected. But there was no doubting the accuracy of his report?

"Admiral Rodney despatched a fleet of fourteen ships-of-the-line to assist our forces at New York."

Farr muttered, "By God, that's more like it. I've no stomach for our Admiral Graves."

Odell's eyes flashed dangerously at the interruption?

He snapped, "Rodney has sailed for England. He is a sick man. Hood commands the reinforcements."

Farr was unabashed." Ah well, even better, I've served Admiral Hood and respect him."

Bolitho said, "Let us hear all of it. I suspect there is more."

Odell nodded." The Compte de Grasse set sail with some twenty sail-of-the-line. The patrols reported that he was escorting the season's convoy clear of the islands."

Bolitho said, "That is quite usual, I believe."

"Yes. But de Grasse has not been seen since." The words fell into the cabin like round-shot?

Farr exclaimed, "A whole fleet! Disappeared? It's bloody impossible!"

"But fact." Odell glared at him." Admiral Hood's ships must have passed this area well to the east'rd? And there are severyl frigates searching elsewhere." He spread his hands." But of de Grasse there is no sign."

"God!" Farr looked at Bolitho." What d'you make ob that?"

Odell said testily, "I could relish a glass, sir. I am as dry as a pauper's loaf."

Bolitho opened his cupboard and handed him a decanter?

He said, "Hood will join with Graves at Sandy Hook? They will still be outnumbered, but can give good account if de Grasse chooses to head their way."

Farr said less firmly, "And Hood will show the damn Frogs, eh?"

Bolitho replied, "His fleet is larger than Admiral Graves's. But Graves is senior now that Rodney has gone home." He looked at Farr's anxious face." I am afraid Graves will lead our forces if and when the time comes."

He turned to Odell, who was drinking his second glass of wine?

"Do you know anything else?"

He shrugged." I understood that Admiral Hood will examine Chesapeake Bay while on passage to New York. Some believe the French may strike at Cornwallis's army from the sea. If not, then New York is to be the melting pot."

Bolitho made himself sit down. It was strange to be so moved by Odell's information. For months, even years, they had expected some great confrontation at sea. There had been skirmishes and bitter ship-to-ship actions in plenty. But this was what they had all known would happen sooner or later. Who commanded the waters around America controlled the Destiny of those who fought within its boundaries?

He said, "One thing is certain, we are doing no good here."

Farr asked, "Are you saying we should join the fleet?"

"Something like that."

He tried to clear his mind, put Odell's brief facts into perspective. De Grasse could be anywhere, but it was ridiculous to imagine he had sailed back to France, his mission left incomplete. Without his presence in the Indies, the British would be able to throw every ship and man into the fight for America, and de Grasse was astute enough to know his own value?

He moved to the table and pulled a chart from its rack. It was close on seven hundred miles to Cape Henry at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. With the wind remaining friendly they could make landfall in five days? If Admiral Hood's ships were lying there he could request further orders. Sloops would be more than useful for searching close inshore or relaying signals in a fleet action?

Bolitho said slowly, "I intend to head north. To the

Chesapeake."

Farr stood up and exclaimed, "Good! I'm with you."

Odell asked, "Are you taking full responsibility, sir!" His eyes were opaque?

"Yes. I would wish you to remain here in case any ships come this way. If they do, you can come after us with all haste."

"Very well, sir." Odell added calmly, "I would like it in writing."

"Damn your eyes, you impudent puppy!" Farr thumped the table with his fist." Where's your bloody trust?"

Odell shrugged." I trust Captain Bolitho, have no doubts, sir." He gave a quick smile." But if he and you are both killed, who is to say I only obeyed orders?"

Bolitho nodded." That is fair. I will do it directly." He saw the two men watching each other with open hostility." Easy now. Right or wrong, it will be good to move again. So let's not start with disharmony, eh?"

Odell showed his teeth." I meant no offence, sir."

Farr swallowed hard." In that case, I suppose." He grinned broadly." But by God, Odell, you push me to the limit!"

"A glass together."

Bolitho wanted to go on deck, to share his news with Tyrrell and the others. But he knew this moment was equally vital. Just a few seconds, which each would remember when the other ships were mere silhouettes?

He raised his glass." What shall it be, my friends?"

Farr met his eye and smiled. He at least understood? "To us, Dick. That will do fine for me."

Bolitho placed his empty glass on the table. E simple toast. But, King, Cause, even Country were too remote, the future too uncertain. They had only each other and their three little ships to sustain them?

With legs braced against Sparrow's uncomfortable, cork-screwing motion, Bolitho levelled a telescope across the nettings and waited for the shoreline to settle in the lens. It was close on sunset, and as the dull orange glow withered beyond the nearest shoulder ob land he forced himself to concentryte on what he saw, rather than what he had anticipated from his charts? Around him other glasses were also trained, and he heard Tyrrell's heavy breathing at his side, the squeak of a pencil on Buckle's slate by the wheel?

Within a few miles of Cape Henry, the southernmost cape at the entrynce of Chesapeake Bay, the wind had backed sharply, and backed again. A full day had been added to their previously fast passage, and as they had clawed desperately from a lee shore, had fought to obtain sea room, Bolitho had watched the bay fading across the quarter with something like anger. And nows after their long beat back towards the entrynce, he was faced by a new decision. To lie offshore until dawn, or take his chance and thrust between Cape Henry and the northern headland in what would certainly be total darkness?

Tyrrell lowered his glass." I know this entrynce well? There's a great middle-ground which reaches into the bay. With care you can pass either side, but with the wind under our coattails I'd suggest trying th' southern channel. If you stay to lee'rd of th' middle-ground you can hold mebbe three miles clear of Cape Henry." He rubbed his chin." If you misjudge and tack too far to south'rd, you'll have to move lively. There are shoals off th' cape, an, bad ones at that."

Bolitho shifted the telescope to watch some dancing red flashes far inland?

Tyrrell remarked, "Cannon. Good way off."

Bolitho nodded. If Tyrrell was feeling the strain ob drawing so near to his home territory he did not show it?

Tyrrell continued, "Up beyond York River, I reckon? Heavy artillery, by th' looks of it."

Heyward, who was standing nearby, said, "No sign of any ships, sir."

"There wouldn't be." Tyrrell was watching Bolitho? "Just around Cape Henry lies Lynnhaven Bay. Good shelter where big ships anchor sometimes when there's foul weather around. No, you'd not even see a fleet from out here." He paused." You'd have to go inside th' old Chesapeake."

Bolitho handed the glass to Fowler." I agree. If we wait longer the wind might veer. We'd be on a lee shore again and lose more time fighting clear from it."

He turned to look for Heron. Her reefed topsails were still holding the fast fading sunlight, but beyond her the sea was in deep shadow?

"Show the signal lantern to Heron. Captain Farr knows what to do."

He turned to Tyrrell." The place is badly charted."

Tyrrell grinned, his eyes glowing in the dull light? "Unless things have changed, I reckon I can take us through."

Fowler called, "Signal passed, sir!"

Bolitho made up his mind." Alter course two points to starboard." To Tyrrell he added slowly, "I hate entering any bay like this one. I feel more secure in open sea."

The lieutenant sighed." Aye. Th' Chesapeake is a brute in many ways. North to south it measures close on a hundred an' forty miles. You can sail a fair-sized craft right up to Baltimore without too much hardship? But it measures less'n thirty across, an' that's only where the Patowmack flows into it."

Buckle called, "Course sou'-west, sir."

"Very well."

Bolitho watched the nearest headland of Cape Charles losing its bronze crest as the sun finally dipped behind a line of hills?

"You may clear for action, Mr. Tyrrell. Better safe than sorry."

He wondered briefly what Farr was thinking as he tacked to follow Sparrow's shadow towards the dark mass of land. Doubt, regret, even mistrust. You could hardly blame him. It was like groping for coal in a shuttered cellar?

Under his shoes he felt the planks quiver to the hurrying seamen, the thud of screens being torn down and mess tables dragged clear of tackles and guns? That was another difference he had found in Sparrow? Even clearing for action had a sort of intimacy which was lacking in a ship-of-the-line. In Trojan the hands had scurried to quarters, urged on by the drums staccato beat and the blare of a marine's bugle? Sometimes you never knew men who did not serve in your own watch or division. But here it was entirely different. Men nodded to each other as they dashed to their stations, a grin here, a brief touch of hands there?

In many ways it made death harder to accept, a man's cries too personal to ignore?

"Cleared for action, sir."

"Good." Bolitho gripped the nettings and watched the tiny feathers of surf far abeam, "Alter course another point."

"Aye, sir." Buckle was muttering to his helmsmen? Then, "Sou'-west by south, sir."

"Hold her steady."

He moved restlessly below the great spankers seeing a faint glow on the boom from the compass bowl?

There were already plenty of stars in the velvet sky and there would be a moon on the water in a few hours. But by then he must be inside the bay?

Tyrrell joined him by the wheel." It's a strange feeling? My sister'll be no more than fifty miles from where I'm standing. I can still remember it clearly. Th' York Rivers th' place in th' woods where we used to get together as kids…" He turned and said sharply, "Let her fall off a point. Mr. Buckle! Mr. Bethune, take some men forrard and trim the foreyard again!" He waited until he was satisfied with the ship's head and the bearing of the nearest cape and continued, "It's a funny business all round."

Bolitho agreed. After the first few weeks he had not thought much about Susannah Hardwicke. Now, as he pictured an unknown girl out there in the darkness beyond the occasional flash of gunfire, he realised how their lives had become merged. Tyrrell's sister, and Graves 's secret longings for her. Dalkeith's affair ob honour which had cost him his career and almost his life. And himself? He was surprised he could still not examine her memory without regret and a sense ob loss?

When he looked again he realised that Cape Charles had merged with the shadows. A quick glance at Tyrrell reassured him. He seemed relaxed, even cheerful, as he stood where he could watch the compass and the set of the spanker overhead. But for the treacherous span of middle-ground, they could have sailed boldly between the capes with a comfortable four miles or more on either beam?

Tyrrell said, "We will alter course again, with your permission, sir?

"She's in your hands."

Tyrrell grinned." Aye, aye, sir." To Buckle he called, "Steer west by north, full an' bye!"

Then he cupped his hands and yelled, "Pipe the hands to th' braces!"

With the helm down and the seamen hauling at the braces, Sparrow turned her bows towards the land? Voices called in the gloom, and above the decks the paler shapes of arms and legs moved busily about the yards?

"West by north, sir!" Buckle peered at the flapping sails as the ship heeled still further, close hauled on the starboard tack?

Tyrrell limped from side to side, his arm darting out to catch a man's attention, or his voice sending another to pass his orders right forward where Graves was equally busy?

"Right, lads! Belay there!" He cocked his head as if to listen to the chorus of shrouds and vibrating halliards." She's loving it."

Bolitho walked up to the weather side and felt the cold spray across his face. Tyrrell had come and gone through these capes many times in his father's schooner. Perhaps that memory, and the realisation that his sister was now safe and close at hand, made him forget the purpose of their mission, the chance ob danger with each passing minute?

"Breakers on the weather bow!" The lookout sounded nervous?

But Tyrrell called, "Breakers be damned! That'll be th' middle-ground." His teeth gleamed in the darkness? "True as a bloody arrow, if I do say so myself?"

Bolitho smiled at his excitement. Breakers be damned! He had used much the same phrase and tone when he had driven his sword through the man who had almost killed him beside the pond?

The massive, looming shoulder of Cape Henra hardened from the darkness on the larboard beams and for a brief instant Bolitho imagined they were too close, that the wind had thrust them further downwind than Tyrrell had allowed?

He dragged his eyes to the opposite side, and through the spray and across the deep inshore swell he saw a revolving patch of white. The middle-ground was clearly marked by the swirl of broken water, but if Tyrrell had misjudged his approach it would have been too late to avoid it?

Tyrrell shouted, "Once saw a damn fine Dutchman aground there! She broke her back!"

Buckle muttered, "That's bloody encouraging!"

Bolitho peered astern." I hope Heron's seen our entrynce."

"She'll be fine." Tyrrell hurried to the side and studied the darker wedge of land." She draws less and is better to handle close hauled." He patted the rail. "But Sparrow -do for me!"

"Take in the forecourse, if you please." Bolitho pitched his ear to the sea's changing sounds. The hollow boom of surf against rocks, the deeper note ob water exploring a cave or some narrow gully below the headland." Then the spanker."

Under topsails and jib Sparrow crept deeper into the bay, her stem rising and plunging across tide race and swell alike, her helmsmen tensed at the wheel, fingers sensing her will almost as soon as she did?

Minutes dragged by, then an half-hour. With eyes straining into the darkness, and other men poised at gunport tackles and braces, the sloop tacked delicately below the cape?

Then Tyrrell said, "No ships here, sir, Lynnhaven lies abeam now. Any squadron at anchor, ours or th' Frogss would be showing some sort of light. To deter an enemy, if for no other reason."

"That makes good sense."

Bolitho walked away to hide his disappointment? Odell had been right to ask for written orders, for if Bolitho had misjudged Hood's whereabouts this badly he could be equally at fault for quitting his proper station in the south. A series of dull explosions echoed across the water, and one bright stab of flame, as if some powder had been accidentally fired?

He ran his fingers through his hair, wondering what he should do next. Sail on for New York? It seemed the only solution?

Tyrrell said quietly, "If we are to beat clear of the cape, then I suggest we wear ship now." He paused? "Or anchor." Bolitho joined him by the compass." Then we anchor. We must make contact with the army. They at least should know what is happening."

Tyrrell sighed." It's hard to think that there's a damn great army out there across our bows. Poor bastards? If they are in Yorktown as Odell was led to believe, then they are well placed. But it'll be no comfort if they come under siege."

"Let's waste no more time." Bolitho beckoned to Fowler." Show the lantern again. Captain Farr will anchor when he sees the signal."

The topsails stirred noisily as Sparrow turned obediently into the wind, her anchor throwing up a sheet of spray like some disturbed water-spirit?

Buckle called, "Easy with that light, Mr. Fowler0 Enough!"

Tyrrell dropped his voice." No matter. We'll have been sighted from th' moment we weathered th' cape."

Bolitho looked at him. It was not difficult to picture some scurrying messenger or a mounted man riding through the darkness to warn of their arrival. He felt much as he had done in Delaware Bay. Cut off and restricted, with only the vaguest idea of what was happening?

Tyrrell said, "I can take a boat, sir. If th' army is encamped in th' town, then they'll be well shielded around th' next spit of land along York River." He sounded suddenly on edge." God, this quiet disturbs me more'n gunfire! My grandfather was a soldier. Used to make my flesh creep with his yarns of night fighting."

Bolitho watched the topmen sliding down to the deck, seemingly indifferent to the closeness of land or a possible enemy?

"Rig boarding nets and have half the twelve-pounders loaded with grape."

Tyrrell nodded." Aye. An' I'll put some good hands on th' swivels, too. No sense in being rushed by some crazy boat attack." He waited and then asked, "Shall] go?"

"Very well. Take both cutters. Mr. Graves can command the second one. Mr. Fowler will go with you in case we need any signals made."

A voice called, "Heron's anchored, sir!"

But when Bolitho looked across the nettings he could see nothing. The lookout must have caught a brief glimpse of her reefed topsails as she edged around the cape, or the splash of her anchor when she let go?

Tackles creaked and jerked as both cutters were swayed over the gangways before the decks were sealed off in a web of nets. That could be left safely to the boatswain. Not too taut to afford a grip to some daring boarder, just slack enough to confuse him, to allow a pike or bayonet to catch him before he could slip free?

Men shuffled across the deck, and he heard an occasional clink of steel, the thud of oars being released from their lashings?

Graves came aft, his breeches white in the darkness?

"You know what to do?" Bolitho looked at each in turn." Mr. Tyrrell will lead. Muffle your oars, and watch out for enemy pickets."

Graves sounded breathless." How will we recognise our own soldiers?"

Bolitho could imagine his mouth jerking uncontrollably and was tempted to keep him on board? But Tyrrell was all important. He knew the lay of the land like his own cabin. It needed an experienced officer to back him if things went wrong?

He heard Tyrrell reply calmly, "Easy. Th' Frogs speak French!"

Graves swung round and then controlled himself with an effort?

"I-I didn't ask for your sarcasm! It's all right for you? This is your country."

"That will do!" Bolitho stepped closer." Remembers our people are depending on you. So let's have none of this bickering."

Tyrrell eased his sword in its sheath." I'm sorry, sir. It was my fault." He rested his hand on Graves 's shoulder." Forget I spoke, eh?"

Fowler's voice came up from the boats." All ready, sir!"

Bolitho walked to the gangway." Be back by dawn." He touched Tyrrell's arm." How is the pain now?"

"Hardly feel a thing, sir." Tyrrell stood back to allow his men to clamber into the cutters." A bit of exercise will do me good."

The boats shoved off and pulled steadily into the darkness. Within minutes they had vanished, and a watchful silence settled over those who stood at the loaded guns on either beam?

Bolitho sought out Stockdale and said, "Have the gig lowered. I may want word carried to Heron." He saw Bethune's plump outline by the rail and added, «You take the gig and pull round the ship. I will signal if] need a message passed."

Bethune hesitated." I would have willingly gone with the first lieutenant, sir."

"I know that." It was hard to believe that in the midst of all this confusion Bethune had managed to see his choice of Fowler as a personal slur." He is very young. I need all the men I can get to manage the ship." It was a lame explanation, but it seemed to suffice?

It was cool under the stars, and after the heat of the day, a gentle relief. Bolitho kept the seamen in short watches, so that those not on lookout or standing at the guns might snatch a few moments' rest?

Likewise, the officers stood watch and watch, and when he was relieved by Heyward, Bolitho squatted against the mainmast trunk and rested his head in his hands?

He felt someone gripping his wrist and knew he must have fallen asleep?

Heyward was crouching beside him, his voice a fierce whisper." Boat approaching, sir, maybe two."

Bolitho scrambled to his feet, his mind grappling with Heyward's words. Surely they were not returning already. They could not even have reached the first part of their destination?

Heyward said, "It's not the gig. She's away on the starboard quarter."

Bolitho cupped his hands round his ears. Above the slap of water alongside he heard oars and the squeak of a tiller?

A boatswain's mate asked, "Shall I call a challenge, sir?"

"No." Why had he said that? "Not yet."

He strained his eyes and tried to pick out the splash of oars amidst the lapping cat's-paws of the bay. It had to be Tyrrell returning for he was coming straight for the ship without caution or hesitation?

A thin shaft of moonlight had made a small rippling pattern across the water, and as he watched a longboat glided into it, the oars moving unhurriedly?

Before it slid once more into shadows Bolitho saw the gleam of crossbelts, some soldiers wearing shakos crowded in the sternsheets?

Heyward gasped hoarsely, "Holy God, they're French!"

The boatswain's mate whispered, "There's another one astern of 'er!"

Thoughts and wild ideas flooded through Bolitho's mind as he watched the boats' slow approach. Tyrrell and his men captured and being returned for parley? The French coming to announce that Yorktown was theirs and to demand Sparrow's surrender?

He moved quickly to the gangway and cupped his hands." Obi! A canot.! Qui val la?"

There was a babble of voices from the boat and he heard someone laughing?

To Heyward he snapped, "Quick, recall the gig! We'll catch these beauties with any luck!"

The first boat was already grinding alongside, and Bolitho held his breath, half expecting one of his own men to fire?

From a corner of his eye he saw a cream of sprays and thanked God that the gig's crew had kept their wits. It was sweeping around the stern, and he could imagine Stockdale willing his men to pull with all their strength?

Heyward came back, the signal lantern still in his hand?

Bolitho shouted, "Now!"

Even as the first men appeared on the chains and clung uncertainly to the nets, a line of armed seamen leapt on to the gangway with levelled muskets, while Glass, the boatswain, swung a swivel gun and trained it threateningly?

There was a chorus of shouts and a musket stabbed fire through the night. The ball slammed into the rail and brought a savage fusilade of shots from Heyward's marksmen?

Glass depressed the swivel and jerked the lanyards changing the crowded boat into a screaming, bloody shambles?

It was more than enough for the second boat. The crash of musket fire, the devastating hail of canister from Glass's swivel were sufficient to render the oars motionless. Hardly a man moved as the gig tore alongside and made fast, and across the choppy water Stockdale bawled, "Got 'er, sir!" A pause and he called again, "There's a dozen English prisoners in this 'un!"

Bolitho turned away, feeling sick. He saw Dalkeith and his mates climbing down to the boat alongside and pictured the whimpering carnage he would find there. It could just as easily have been the second boat, and the canister would have carved its bloody path amongst their own people?

He said harshly, "Get those men aboard, Mr? Heyward. Then send the gig to Heron. Farr will be wondering what the hell we are about."

He waited beside the entry port, as with boarding nets lifted the first dazed men were pushed or hauled aboard. The second boatload, French and English alike, came with obvious relief. The French glad to have been spared their companions' slaughter. The English redcoats had different reasons, but their stunned disbelief was pitiful to watch?

Bedraggled and filthy, they were more like scarecrows than trained soldiers?

Bolitho said, "Take the prisoners below, Mr. Glass." To the redcoats he added, "Have no fear. This is a King's ship."

One, a young ensign, stepped forward and exclaimed, "I thank you, Captain. We all do."

Bolitho gripped his hand." You will get all the rest and help I can offer. But first I must know what is happening here."

The officer rubbed his eyes with his knuckles." We were taken severyl days back. It was a skirmish with

one of their patrols. Most of my men were killed." He rocked on his feet." I still cannot believe we are saved…"

Bolitho persisted, "Is General Cornwallis holding Yorktown?"

"Yes. But as I expect you know, sir, Washington and the French general, Rochambeau, crossed the Hudson some weeks back to the head of Chesapeake Bay? They have a great army massed around Yorktown. E musket behind every tree. But when we heard that an English squadron had looked into the bay we thought we were relieved. I understand a little French and heard the guards speaking of their arrival."

Heyward said, "Hood's ships."

Bolitho nodded." When was this?"

The ensign shrugged." Three days back. I have lost count of time."

Bolitho tried to shut out the pitiful cries alongside. He knew little French. Little more than he had used to deceive the boat, but sufficient to recognise pleading? A man being held while Dalkeith got busy with his

knife?

Three days back. That fitted what Odell had reported. Hood must have taken a quick look into the bay, and finding no sign of de Grasse had pushed on for New York?

The ensign added weakly, "The French are expecting their own fleet. That was why, when someone hailed them in their own language, they…"

"What?" Bolitho seized his arm, his voice harsh despite the man's condition." Expecting their own fleet?"

The ensign stared at him." But I thought I imagined our ships had gone to fight them off, sir!"

"No." He released his arm." I fear that when they reach New York and discover their mistake it will be too late."

"Then the army is done for, sir." The ensign walked unsteadily to the rail." All this." He shouted across the dark water." All for bloody nothing!"

Dalkeith appeared on deck and with a brief nod took the officer's arm?

Bolitho said, "Take care of them for me."

He turned away. They would be prisoners again very soon unless he could decide what to do?

Buckle was watching him anxiously." What about Mr? Tyrrell, sir?"

"D'you imagine I've not thought about him?" He saw Buckle recoil." We will pass the word to Heron immediately. If she can work clear tonight Farr must carry the news to Admiral Graves. There might still be time." He saw the purser hovering by the hatch." Fetch some paper and I will write a note for Farr."

To Buckle he added, "I'm sorry I abused you. It was a fair question."

He looked towards the land." We will weigh at first light and move closer inshore. Have the sweeps ready in case the wind loses us. I'll not throw Tyrrell and his men away without a fight." He remembered the lieutenant's words in that far off garden. In Sparrow we look after our own. He added quietly, "We've all come too far together for that."

Dalkeith crossed the deck as Bolitho walked to the

taffrail. To Buckle he whispered, "What's the captain going to do?"

Buckle shrugged." Something crazy, I expect."

The surgeon wiped his hands on a piece of waste? "But you approve, nonetheless?"

Buckle grinned." Don't make much difference what] think, does it? But I s'pect he'll think of something." He added vehemently, "I bloody well hope so, for all our sakes!"

18 Only THE BRAVs STOCKDALE padded across the quarterdeck and held out a pewter mug?

"'Ere, sir. Some coffee."

Bolitho took it and held it to his lips. It was barely hots but cleared the dryness from his throat?

Stockdale added thickly, "The galley fire was doused, so I 'ad to warm it on a lantern in the shot locker."

Bolitho looked at him. Was it imagination, or were Stockdale's features growing more distinct in the gloom? He shivered. More likely he had been too long on deck, waiting and wondering. Yet he could do no good by pacing the deck and going over his ideas again and again?

"It was a kind thought." He handed him the mug."] feel awake now?

He peered up at the rigging and furled sails. The stars were still there, but paler. That was no illusion?

"Where is the wind?"

Stockdale considered the question." As afore, sir? Nor' nor'east, if I'm not mistook."

Bolitho bit his lip. He had already decided it was so? Stockdale was usually right, but his confirmation did little to help?

He said, "Rouse the master. He is by the hatchway."

Buckle sprang to his feet, wide awake at Stockdale's first touch?

"What is it? An attack?"

"Easy, Mr. Buckle." Bolitho beckoned him to the rail? "The wind has dropped, but still too far north'rd to help us."

The master said nothing and waited to see what the captain had in mind?

"If we are to be of any use, we must drive higher into the bay. It would take hours of tacking back and forth, with little to show for our pains. But if we stay here at anchor we can help neither the first lieutenant nor ourselves if an enemy arrives."

Buckle yawned." That's true enough."

"So call all hands and run out the sweeps. We will get under way and not wait for the dawn."

Buckle pulled out his watch and held it against the compass light?

"Hmm. It'll be a hard pull, sir. But the current will not be too much against us."

He walked to the nettings and kicked a shadowy figure who was sleeping soundly on the bare planks?

"Up, boy! Tell Mr. Glass to call the hands. Jump to it!"

Bolitho went quickly to his cabin and concentryted for severyl minutes on his chart. Recalling what Tyrrell had told him, and adding the information to what he knew already, he settled on his plan of action. Beyond the cabin he could hear the tramp of feet at the capstan, the regular clink of a pawl as the cable came inboard?

He put on his coat and adjusted his swordbelt. How strange the cabin looked in the solitary lantern's light? Cleared for action like the rest of his ship, the guns creaking gently behind their sealed ports, powder and shot, rammers and sponges, all within easy reach. But no one stood near them, for like the remainder of the gun deck, every hand would be needed to raise anchor and man the long sweeps. The latter had got them out of trouble before. This time they might do the same for Tyrrell and his men?

He left the cabin and ran swiftly up the ladder?

It was lighter. There could be no doubt about it. E sort of greyness above Cape Henry, and he could see the swirl of currents well clear of the hull?

He saw the long sweeps swaying above the water on either beam, the men hunched around them, chattering quietly while they awaited an order from aft?

Heyward touched his hat." Anchor's hove short, sir." He sounded tense and very alert?

Bolitho strode from side to side, watching the ship's swing towards the shore, the ripple of water below the gangways?

"How does it feel? From midshipman to first lieutenant with barely a pause?"

He did not hear Heyward's reply, and knew he had only asked the question to cover his own andiety. If the men lost control of the sweeps he would have to anchor immediately. Even then he might be driven too close inshore for comfort?

From forward he heard Bethune's cry, "Anchor's aweigh, sir!" The patter of feet as men ran from the capstan bars to add their weight on the sweeps?

Then Glass's voice, "Steady! Standby!"

Bolitho gripped his hands together until the fingers almost cracked. Why the hell was he leaving it so late?

In a moment the ship would be aground?

"Give way all!"

The sweeps swayed forward, dipped and then came steadily aft?

Behind him Bolitho heard the wheel easing gently, and Buckle's quiet cursing as he endured the tension in his own style. He tried to relax his muscles. Glass had been right to make sure of that first stroke. But it was one thing to know it, another to remain aloof in the face of danger to his ship?

Up and down, forward to aft, the sweeps creaked busily but without undue haste, until Buckle called, «Steerage way, sir!"

"Good. Hold her due north, if you please."

Heyward removed his coat." I'll go and lend a hands sir."

"Yes. Make sure we have every available man working. Those redcoats as well, if they have the strength." He checked him as he ran for the ladder? "There is no need to tell the soldiers we are heading towards the enemy, Mr. Heyward!" He saw him grin?

"They'll find out soon enough."

Buckle and a solitary seaman stood at the wheels and Bolitho walked right aft to the taffrail without speaking. He saw the nearest cape more clearly now, the pattern of white-caps at its base to mark some small cove. An empty place. When daylight came, and Heron was seen to be gone, his men might question his action, and rightly. But if their presence was to be ob any use to the admiral, then they must learn everything possible. The released soldiers had told them much? But a lot could have changed since they had been taken. He smiled grimly. He was deluding himself. But for Tyrrell and the others, would he really have remained here in the bay?

He heard shouts on deck and someone speaking in French. Heyward was more than a good companions he was proving to be an excellent officer. Without further consultation, and at the risk of his captain's displeasure, he had released the French prisoners and put them to work. All strong, beefy soldiers who had led a fairly comfortable life guarding prisoners, they would make a small but significant difference to the heavy sweeps?

Some gulls rose screaming angrily from the water where they had been sleeping as the Sparrow moved amongst them at a slow but steady crawl. Time dragged by, and Bolitho saw that the soldiers' coats were red again instead of black as they had appeared in the darkness. Faces regained personality, and he was able to see those who were standing the strain and others who were being relieved at more frequent intervals to regain their breath?

A blacker shadow loomed and held firm across the starboard bow. That must be the inner side of Cape Charles, he decided, with Tyrell's middle-ground some distance below it?

"Bring her up a point, Mr. Buckle." He heard the helm squeak." We must pass the cape with the mainland to larboard. There'll not be too much water in the channels so hold her steady."

"Aye, sir. Nor' by east it is!"

The ship was heading almost directly into the winds and he could feel it on his face, smell the land and its freshness in the dawn air. But it was more sheltered and he was relieved to see the sweeps were still moving in unison, although the actual progress was probably less than a knot?

He sought out the young ensign and called him aft? He arrived panting on the quarterdeck, and Bolitho said, "Look abeam. How near are your outposts?"

The soldier peered across the larboard nettings and raised one arm?

"That bit of land, sir. That'll he the turning point. A lot of sand there. We lost some barges a few weeks back when they ran ashore. A mile or so further and you'll be able to see the mouth of York River just beyond a pair of small islands."

Bolitho smiled." I expect you're surprised we're heading this way."

The ensign shrugged." I am past surprise, sir." He stiffened." I heard a bugle. That'll be our lads." He tapped the rail with his fingers, his face engrossed? Then there was a long drawn-out trumpet call, which sent a cloud of gulls flapping and squeaking from the land. He said, "The Frogs. Always a minute behind our reveille."

Bolitho tried to break him from his mood." What ob the Americans?"

The ensign sighed." They have artillery over the river? They'll start firing at first light. More effective than any damn bugle!"

Bolitho turned towards Buckle." We will keep on this course as long as our people have strength for it. The wind will favour us when we finally go about, but I want to get as far above York River as I can."

He looked aloft and saw the masthead pendant for the first time. It was flapping gently astern, but showed no warning of a strengthening wind. If it got up now, his men would be unable to hold the stroke. Even with Tyrrell's boat crews it would have been hard. Without them, impossible?

When he glanced abeam he saw the overhanging spur of Cape Charles, and far beyond it, like a thin gold thread, the horizon. Showing its face to the sun which was easing into view, parting sea from sky, night from day?

There was a muffled bang, and seconds later he saw the telltale white fin of spray to mark where a ball had ploughed into the bay?

The ensign remarked indifferently, "They'll neve_

reach you at this range. You've a good half a mile to play with."

"Where is the battery?"

The soldier studied him curiously." Everywhere, sir? There are guns right round this sector. Yorktown and its approaches are hemmed in a ring of iron. Our army has the sea at its back." He suddenly looked very young and vulnerable." Only the fleet can bring relief"

Bolitho pictured Farr's Heron making all haste towards New York. Even there he might find Hood gone, perhaps further still to Newport to contain de Barras?

He thought, too, of Odell's solitary vigil in his Lucifer? If the French did come by way of the little-used Bahama Channel, he would need no encouragement to make sail and run?

He blinked as a shaft of sunlight played across the distant cape and coloured the yards and stays like honey. He pulled out his watch. Tyrrell should have made his contact with Cornwallis's pickets and be on his way back to Lynnhaven by now. By weighing and putting the men to the sweeps, their meeting should have been brought forward by an hour at least?

Glass ran up the ladder, his chest heaving from exertion?

"Can't hold 'em much longer, sir!" He peered down at the sweeps, at their sluggish rise and fall." Shall I put the rope's end to 'em, sir?"

"You will not." Bolitho looked away. There was no malice in Glass, nor was he prone to unnecessary force. It was just that he did not know what else to do? "Tell them. Another half hour. Then we make sail, or anchor."

Glass shifted awkwardly." It'd be better from you, sir."

Bolitho walked to the rail and called, "One more turn of the glass, lads!" He heard groans, the mingled curses and gasps from those still hidden in shadow? "It's that or leave our people out there to fend for themselves! Remember, it might have been you!"

He turned away, not knowing if his words had achieved anything but resentment?

Glass watched critically and then spat on his hands? "That done it, sir! Better already!"

Bolitho sighed. The stroke looked as weary as before, but if the boatswain was satisfied, then…? He swung round as a voice called, "Boat, sir! Fine on the larboard bow!" Bolitho gripped the rail." Just the one?" "Aye, sir." "Bring her round two points to larboard."

Bolitho tried not to think about the missing boat. He felt the hull yaw, the stroke failing as the helm went over?

The soldier said quietly, "No closer, I pray you. You'll be in cannon-shot before long." Bolitho ignored him." Pull, lads! Come on, do your damndest!" One man fell exhausted from a loom and was dragged away by Dalkeith? The lookout yelled, "It's the second cutter, sir! Mr? Graves!"

Dalkeith heaved himself up the ladder and stood at the rail?

"I know what you're thinking, sir." He did not flinch under Bolitho's cold stare." He'd not leave you. Not for anything."

Bolitho looked past his shoulder at a patch of land. In the strengthening light he saw tall trees and a round hill beyond. They were motionless. The sweeps were only keeping Sparrow steady against wind and current. In a minute she would start to pay-off and drift inshore. They had done their best. It was not enough?

He snapped, "Damn your eyes, Mr. Dalkeith! I'll not be lectured by you!"

He leaned over the rail." Mr. Heyward! Stand by to let go the anchor!"

Bolitho waited while men ran to the call and Glass sent others to bear down on the flagging sweeps where exhausted sailors had fallen to the deck. He heard a bang and saw a ball ricochet across the water to throw up a plume of spray very close to the approaching cutter. The boat was moving rapidly towards him, and he could see Graves by the tiller, his hat awry as he beat out the time to his oarsmen?

"Ready, sir!"

He chopped with his arm." Let go!"

Even as the anchor took grip and the bull swung carelessly to the cable, he yelled, "Withdraw sweeps, Mr. Glass, get those men on their feet!"

Dalkeith stood his ground." You can't blame yourself, sir." He met Bolitho's gaze stubbornly." Curse me if you will, but I'll not stand by and see you torment yourself."

The cutter was hooking on to the main chains, and he heard Graves shouting at the men on deck to make fast his lines?

He said quietly, "Thank you for your concern. But there is no one else to blame."

He made himself wait by the rail until Graves had scrabbled aboard, and then called sharply, "Lay aft, if you please! The boatswain can deal with the cutter."

Graves hurried towards him, his face twitching violently?

Bolitho asked, "Where are the others?" He kept his voice very calm, but was conscious of his whole being screaming at Graves 's stricken face?

"We grounded in some shallows, sir. Both boats separated. It was the first lieutenant's idea. A patrol ob soldiers had signalled where we should secure the boats, but there was some shooting. Enema marksmen, I believe."

"And then?" He could feel others standing nearby, see Heyward's frozen expression as he listened to Graves 's quick, erratic account?

"In the darkness we were all trying to take cover.] lost a man, and Tyrrell sent word for us to stay hidden in a creek." He shook his head vaguely." The balls were flying everywhere. Tyrrell was going to meet one of the officers. They knew we were coming, apparently? Their scouts had seen us." His mouth jerked uncontrollably." We stayed there waiting, and then there was more firing, and I heard men charging through the brush, there must have been a platoon or more!"

"Did you not think of going to assist Mr. Tyrrell?"

Graves stared at him, his eyes blank." We were in mortal danger! I sent Fowler to find the others, but…"

"You did what?" Bolitho reached out and gripped his coat." You sent that boy on his own?"

"He-he volunteered, sir." Graves looked down at Bolitho's hand on his coat." When he failed to return] decided to"-he raised his eyes, suddenly composed-"to obey your orders and withdraw to the ship."

Bolitho released his hold and turned away. He felt sick and appalled with what Graves had done. The lieutenant's pathetic defiance made it worse, if that were possible. He had obeyed orders. So his crime was acceptable?

A puff of smoke rose above the nearest spit of lands and he saw the ball drop within half a cable of the ship? Even now, some officer might be ordering up a heavier gun. One which would make short work of so promising a target?

He heard himself say, "Tell Mr. Yule to run out the larboard bow chaser and lay it on that gunsmoke. He will fire with grape until I order otherwise. It might cool their eagerness."

He walked past Graves without a glance?

"Have the cutter manned at once." He looked down at the silent seamen on the gun deck." I want volunteers for…" He swallowed as the assembled men moved towards the side as if drawn by wires? "Thank you. But just a boat's crew. Mr. Glass, see to it at once!"

To Heyward he added, "You will remain here." He did not look at Graves." If I fall, you will assist the master in getting the ship under way, understood?"

Heyward nodded, his eyes filling his face?

Dalkeith touched his arm." Look, sir!"

It was the other cutter, or what was left of it. Even in the poor light it was possible to see the splintered gunwale, the few remaining oars which moved it so very slowly on the uneasy water?

There was a bang and another waterspout shot skyward just beyond it. The hidden gun had shifted to a smaller but closer target?

Bolitho flinched as Yule's crew fired their first shot from forward, saw the trees quiver as if in a freak gust as the packed grape scythed towards the drifting smoke?

"A glass!"

He hardly dared to raise it to his eye. Then he saw the cutter, the scars in its side left by musket balls, the lolling corpses still propped between the remaining oarsmen. Then he saw Tyrrell. He was sitting on the gunwale right aft, someone draped across his knees as he steered the boat past the white patch left by the enemy's ball?

He said quietly, "Thank God."

The bow chaser hurled itself inboard again, dragging him from his thoughts, his overwhelming relief?

He shouted, "Mr. Bethune, take the cutter and assist Mr. Tyrrell!" He looked for Buckle." Get the hands aloft and prepare to loose tops'ls!"

All exhaustion and dread at Graves 's report seemed to be fading as men tore to their stations. The cutter was pulling from the side, Bethune standing upright as he urged his crew to greater efforts?

Dalkeith said, "Well, sir…" He got no further?

One of the topmen who had reached the uppermost yard before his companions yelled, "Deck there! Sail comin' around th' 'eadland!"

Bolitho snatched a glass and trained it above the nettings. She was standing well out from the bay, but was already tacking frantically towards Cape Henry. It was the Lucifer?

Odell would be shocked to find no fleet, nor even Heron at anchor. He tensed. There was damage to the schooner's mizzen, and she was handling sluggishly as she tried to beat closer to the entrynce. She must have been caught unprepared by another ship, perhaps under cover of darkness. There was no mistaking the flapping rents in her great foresail, the uneven spread of rigging?

He saw flags breaking to the wind, and held the glass motionless while his lips spelled out the brief signal?

He turned to Buckle." Enemy in sight."

"God A'mighty"

"Mr. Heyward!" He saw him swing round from the capstan?

"Stand by to cut the cable! We will not recover the boats, but make sail as soon as our people are aboard!"

He heard a chorus of shouts, and when he turned aft he saw Lucifer folding her great sails like the wings ob a dying bird. She must have risked everything to reach him with her news, even to make that one vital signal? She had driven too close and had struck the shoals which Tyrrell had described so vividly?

He made himself walk to the rail and look for the boats. Tyrrell's cutter was almost awash, but Bethune was there, and he saw the wounded being hauled across, a patch of scarlet to mark at least one soldier in the party?

Severyl more guns were firing now, and balls threw up tall splashes in the pale sunlight like a line ob leaping dolphins?

Some of the topmen gave a ragged cheer as Bethune cast the waterlogged cutter adrift and headed back towards Sparrow?

Bolitho turned towards Graves who was standing much as before." Take charge of your guns." He kept his voice formal without understanding why or how. He could picture Lucifer's frail hull breaking up on the rocks and Tyrrell's shattered boat trying to reach Sparrow. He could even see young Fowler, a mere child, running through some unknown woods while shots shrieked all about him." Do your duty. That is all] ask of you." He looked away." All I will ever ask of you again."

He heard the boat grind alongside and saw Tyrrell and the others being dragged through the entry ports being clapped on the shoulders and bombarded with questions and cheers?

Bolitho strode towards him and saw with sudden despair that Tyrrell was carrying Midshipman Fowler. It must have been his body across his legs in the boat?

Tyrrell looked at him steadily and gave a tired grin? "He's all right, sir. He was crying fit to break his hearts an' then fell asleep in th' boat." He handed the midshipman to some seamen." Worn out, poor little bugger." He saw Graves and added flatly, "But he's got guts. Plenty of 'em." Then he strode forward and gripped Bolitho's hands." He's not th' only one, it seems."

A new voice drawled, "'Pon my word, I knew we'd meet again!"

It was Colonel Foley. A bandage round his throat, his uniform in tatters, but somehow remaining as impeccable as Bolitho remembered him?

Bolitho said, "I, too." He looked at Tyrrell." We are in for some warm work today, I fear. Lucifer's done for, and we must leave quickly if we are to avoid her fate."

"Aye." Tyrrell limped towards the wheel." I'd guessed as much."

A cry from aloft brought every eye towards the headland. Very slowly, their yards braced round in the sunlight, a frigate and a deep-hulled transport were passing level with the wrecked schooner?

Bolitho said simply, "Sooner than I thought." He looked at Heyward." We will cut the cable." To Tyrell he added, "Then you may pass the word to load and run out."

The cutter and its dead oarsmen drifted away from the side, a discarded reminder of their sacrifice?

Bethune hurried aft, his face glowing with excitement?

Bolitho said, "Well done. I'll see you a lieutenant yet, despite what you do to the contrary."

He felt suddenly composed, even relaxed." Run up the colours! We'll show the army we're not leaving them to no purpose!"

The cable cut, and with her topsails bellying to the wind, Sparrow tilted round in a tight arc, the thunder ob her canvas drowning the gunfire from the trees, her seamen too busy even to think beyond their work and the need to reach the open sea?

By the time Sparrow had gone about and settled on her course towards the capes, there could be no doubt in anyone's mind as to the enemy's intentions. Even as Tyrrell reported all guns loaded and run out, Bolitho raised his glass to examine yet another ship as she rounded the southern headland. One more heavy transport, and beyond her he could see the billowing topsails of a protective frigate?

Tyrrell said, "God's teeth, a fleet and nothing less!"

Buckle called, "Steady as she goes, sir! Sou' by west!"

The first transport had already dropped anchor, and through his glass Bolitho saw her boats being lowered with swift precision, the glint of sunlight on weapons and uniforms as soldiers clambered down ladders and nets in a manner which spoke of much practice. He shifted his glass to the second large vessel. She, too, was crammed with soldiers, and there were limbers on her upper deck, and her yards were festooned with heavy tackles, the kind used for lowering horses into boats or lighters?

Colonel Foley drawled, "We heard Rochambeau was expecting reinforcements. It would appear they have arrived."

Bolitho glanced at him." What is your mission now?"

"If you can get me to New York I have despatches for General Clinton. They may not help Cornwallis, but he will be glad to know what is happening here." He gave a brief smile." I heard that you dealt severely with our old friend Blundell? Not before time." He raised one eyebrow." You met his niece again, I understand?"

Bolitho watched the jib-boom swing very slightly and settle on the outthrust wedge of headland. How could they speak so calmly and detachedly when death lay so close at hand.

He replied, "Yes. She will be in England now."

Foley gave a sigh." I am relieved. I recognise all the signs, Captain. She wanted you to quit the Service and join her train of admirers, eh?" He held up one hand? "Do not bother to reply! It is plain on your face, as it must have been on mine."

Bolitho smiled gravely." Something of the sort."

"When she tired of me I was sent to serve under Cornwallis. A favour as it turned out. And you?"

Tyrrell stepped back from the rail." She almost had him killed!"

Foley shook his head." A formidable woman indeed."

"Deck there! Ship-o'-the-line roundin' the cape!"

Bolitho felt a chill on his spine as he thought ob Odell's dash from the south. Day by day and at each dawn he would look astern at the pursuing ships. It must have been a nightmare for every man aboard?

The boats from the two transports were pulling towards the land now, and he could see the hulls deep in the water as testimony of the numbers they carried?

"Set the t'gallants, Mr. Tyrrell. We will need all our wind today."

Foley drew his sabre and turned it over in his hands? "You are not merely running away, I take it?"

Bolitho shook his head." Those two frigates are shortening sail, Colonel. They intend to rake us when we attempt to clear the middle-ground." He pointed towards the anchored transports." There is our course? Close inshore, where we'll be least expected."

Foley grimaced." Or welcome, I suspect."

Bolitho looked at Buckle." When we go about you must lay her as close as you can to Cape Henry."

"Aye, sir." Buckle was peering through shrouds and stays, his eyes fixed on the ships?

Bolitho raised his glass again. The two frigates were under minimum canvas standing before the wind with some difficulty as they waited for the small sloop to dash past them. Less than a mile now. He watched them narrowly, noting their drift, the sun gleaming on their broadsides and on the raised telescopes of their officers?

He snapped, "How many boats in the water?"

Bethune called, "At least thirty!"

"Good."

Bolitho imagined the packed soldiers who would be watching Sparrow's apparent dash for safety. E spectacle to drive away their own doubts and fears ob what lay ahead on the American mainland?

Bolitho drew his hanger and held it above his head? Along the gun deck he saw the crews crouching at the tackles, each captain peering aft, a slow-match held ready. In the maintop two swivels were training this way and that, a seaman squatting on the barricade with fresh canister cradled to his chest. Curiously, as he ran his eyes quickly over his command, he was reminded of Colquhoun's words so long ago. When all others are looking aft at you?

He heard a sharp bang, and seconds later the high-pitched whine of a ball whipping overhead. One ob the frigates had fired a ranging shot. But he kept his eyes on the nearest transport as she swung to her cable, her high poop towards the beach. Aboard the frigates the gun crews would be betting with each other. How many balls would they get off before the Sparrow was overwhelmed by their crossfire or she struck her colours.

He brought down his hanger with a flourish." Now!"

The wheel creaked noisily, and as men hauled at the braces to retrim the yards, Sparrow's stem began to turn. Bolitho held his breath, watching the frigates slipping further and further down the larboard bows while the nearest transport and then the great spread of oared boats swam across the jib-boom, and beyond them the land opened up as if to receive their onrushing charge?

"Hold her!"

Bolitho ran to the nettings, his mind hanging on to Tyrrell's words of Lynnhaven Bay, the depths and currents, the dangers and margin of survival?

Buckle's helmsmen cursed and spun the wheel against the opposite thrust of wind and sea, and as spray leapt above the beakhead Bolitho saw the nearest boats careering off course, the realisation and horror of his intentions at last only too clear?

Gunfire thudded across the bay, and balls whimpered and splashed very near to the hull. But the two frigates had been taken by surprise, and as Sparrow lunged towards the shore, Bolitho knew that within minutes she would be screened from their fire by the first transport?

He could feel the madness surging through him like fever, and as he yelled down at the gun deck he knew it was infectious, saw the men poised at their open ports like half-naked demons?

"Stand by!" The hanger was above his head again? "Full depression!"

He saw the nearest muzzles dipping towards the creaming water, the gun captains dancing from side to side while their men stood ready with charges and fresh shot for the next barrage, and the one after that?

"As you bear!" The hanger hovered, holding the

fresh sunlight like gold." Fire!"

The air was blasted apart by the ragged broadsides from either beam. As the dense smoke swirled inboard, and the gun crews yelled and cheered above the squeak of trucks, the clatter of handspikes and rammers, Bolitho saw the next spitting tongues from forward, the double shotted charges smashing into boats and soldiers, the whirl of splinters and spray? Above the decks the braced topsails quivered to each explosion, the smoke fanning out on either side in a choking fog while the guns roared out again and again?

Sharper cracks from muskets, the metallic bangs ob swivels, made words impossible. It was a nightmare, a world in torment. Boats lurched into the hull and Bolitho felt the deck shake as Sparrow's stem smashed into a launch, breaking it in two and spilling out the overloaded soldiers in a kicking, screaming profusion?

A transport was firing now, her upper tier cutting over the scattered boats and slapping through Sparrow's canvas like great fists?

A ball burst through the nettings, and Bolitho heard shrill screams as two seamen were pulped against the opposite side. He saw Fowler walking dazedly past the dismembered corpses, his face set as if in deep thought. He noticed that he was snapping his fingers?

The hull gave another great lurch, and below his feet he felt the enemy's iron smashing through the gun deck, the attendant rumble of a twelve-pounder being overturned?

Another longboat lurched down the starboard sides some men firing with their muskets, others scrambling over the frantic sailors at the oars. Balls thudded into the rail and bulwark, and a seaman fell choking on blood as one took him in the throat?

Bolitho ran to the side and wiped his streaming eyes to peer astern. The surface was littered with smashed boats and drifting woodwork. Men, too, some swimming, others fading beneath the water under their weight of weapons and equipment?

Foley was reloading a musket and shouting, "A few less for our boys to fight!" He leaned over the nettings and shot down a soldier even as he stood to fire at the sloop?

Bolitho strained his eyes towards the shore. It was near enough. Almost too close?

"Bring her about!" He had to repeat the order before Buckle understood?

With blocks screaming and her yards braced round once more, Sparrow heeled dangerously on the larboard tack, her bows seemingly pointed straight at the land?

And there was the second transport, swinging drunkenly across the bow, her gunports already flashing and tearing the air apart with shot?

A ball ripped through the quarterdeck rail, splitting it apart like matchwood, and cutting down a master's mate who was yelling to the hands at the mizzen braces. Blood splashed across Bolitho's breeches, and he saw other men falling on the gun deck, the protective nets above it jerking with fallen cordage and torn canvas?

A quick glance aloft told him the masthead pendant was streaming almost abeam. They were as close to the wind as they could be. Enough or too little made no difference now. There was no room to go about, nor time to change tack?

Tyrrell yelled, "Rake that bastard's poop!" He gestured to the nearest gun captains." Grape! Bring them down!"

He stared at Bolitho, his eyes glazed with fatigues the fury of battle?

"She's coming round!" He caught a seaman as he dropped from the nettings, his face a mask of blood? "Another for th' surgeon!" He turned to Bolitho again and then gave a short cry, his hands to his thigh as he fell?

Bolitho knelt beside him, holding his shoulders as more balls blasted splinters from the deck. Tyrrell stared up at him, his eyes dark with pain?

"'S'all right." He gritted his teeth." It's th' same bloody leg!"

Bolitho saw Dalkeith stooping and running across the deck, some of his men at his back?

Tyrrell added weakly, "I knew it had to come off. Now there's no excuse, eh?" Then he fainted?

From the littered gun deck Graves watched him falls although his mind was cringing to the noise and the stench of death?

He screamed, "Run out!" He thrust at a wild-eyed seaman." Point! Ready!" He stared fixedly at the towering sails of the transport as it rose ponderously abeam." Fire!"

The deck lurched beneath his feet, and he saw two men blasted into crimson fragments, their screams cut short before they reached the stained planking. But somewhere in his reeling mind he was thinking of Tyrrell. He must be dead, God rot him. His sister would be all alone now. One day, maybe sooner than the others realised, he would find her. Take her for himself?

A gunner's mate gaped up at him, his mouth like a black hole as he bellowed, "Look out, sir! For Christ's sake…" His words were lost in the grating crash ob timber as the main topgallant yard plunged through the nets like a great tree. It gouged into the planking and further still to the deck below. As its trailing rigging and severed halliards thundered between the blazing guns Graves died, his body impaled under the broken spar?

At the quarterdeck rail Bolitho saw him die, and knew that the months of patrol duty, the storms and the fights, had at last broken the yard which they had once fished so carefully after another battle, a thousand years ago?

But Heyward was there, his voice rallying the gun crews as the anchored transport faded into the smokes her hull pitted with holes from the bowchaser's merciless bombardment?

The wind fanned the smoke aside, and with something like disbelief he saw the sheer of Cape Henry pulling back like a huge door, the horizon glittering beyond it in welcome?

Fowler slipped and fell on some blood and sobbed, "It's no use! I can't…"

Bethune strode towards him." You can and you damn well will!"

The young midshipman turned and blinked at him? "What?"

Bethune grinned, his face black with powder smoke? "You heard me! So jump to it, boy!"

"Mr. Buckle!" Bolitho winced as some stray shots shrieked through the shrouds and brought down more lengths of cordage." I want you to…?

But the master took no notice. He was sitting with his back to the hatchway, hands to his chest as if in prayer? His eyes were open, but the spreading pattern of blood around him told its own story?

Glass and a solitary seaman stood at the unprotected wheel, their eyes wild, their legs straddled amidst dead and dying?

Bolitho snapped, "As close as you can. Lucifer's remains will guide you clear of the shoal."

As sunlight enveloped the sloop from stem to sterns and her yards swung yet again to take her out of the bay, Bolitho saw the great array of ships coming down from the southern horizon and filling the sea. It was a fantastic spectacle. Squadron by squadron, the ships-of-the-line appearing to overlap as they headed purposefully towards the Chesapeake?

Foley murmured, "De Grasse. I have never seen such a fleet."

Bolitho tore his eyes away and hurried to the taffrail? There was no sign of pursuit from the bay, nor had he expected one. The two frigates would be guarding their new anchorage and trying to rescue some of the

soldiers who had escaped Sparrow's fury. He turned towards the wheel where Heyward and Bethune stood watching him?

"We will wear ship directly." He saw Dalkeith and called, "Tell me!"

Dalkeith eyed him sadly." It's done. He's sleeping now. But I am confident."

Bolitho wiped his face and felt Stockdale steady his arm as the ship pitched heavily to the freshening wind?

So much still to do. Repairs to be carried out even as they avoided the oncoming might of France. To find Admiral Graves and tell him of the enemy's arrival. To bury their dead. His mind felt numb?

Yule, the gunner, clattered up a sagging ladder and barked, "Any spare hands, sir? I need 'em for the pumps!"

Bolitho faced him." Get them elsewhere."

He looked around at the sprawled bodies caught in their various attitudes of death?

"Only the brave lie here."

He looked up, startled, as from high above the deck he heard someone singing. Beyond the pitted canvas and dangling rigging, to where the topgallant yard had splintered apart before falling to kill Graves, he saw a solitary seaman working in the sunlight, his marlin spike glinting as he spliced a broken stay. The sounds of sea and booming sails were too loud for him to hear the words, but the tune seemed familiar and strangely sad?

Foley joined him and said quietly, "If they can sing like that, after what they've done." He turned away, unable to watch Bolitho's face." Then, by God, I envy you!"