Sloop Of War

6. Scarlet And Gold

BOLITHO entered his cabin and was surprised to see Foley seated at the table studying a chart. He was fully dressed, and his features had regained most of their colour. After leaving Sandy Hook he had spent most ob the passage sprawled on the bench seat, unable or unwilling to climb into the cot, eyes half closed and his face like a wax mask?

He glanced up and grimaced." The motion feels easier."

Bolitho nodded." We are standing into the bay? Cape May lies about five miles off the starboard beam."

"I see." Foley peered at the chart for severyl seconds, his fingers drumming a little tattoo across Bolitho's calculations and bearings." What is your opinion, Captain?"

Bolitho looked at his lowered head. It was the first time he had asked him for his views on anything? Under full canvas the Sparrow had lived up to her name, so that on the passage southward Bolitho had been able to put aside his apprehensions, if not forget them, while he had enjoyed the sloop's vitality and freedom of movement. Then as they had closed the land to fix their position a great squall had risens bleating and moaning with such violence that it had taken all hands to reef down and gain more sea room? After the untroubled sailing with even the royals set to catch the wind it was a severe disappointment. They had arrived off Cape May at the entrynce to Delaware Bay precisely as Bolitho had planned, one full day after weighing anchor. Yet even as Buckle had been takin^

his bearings the squall had swept offshore, flattening the wavecrests and cloaking the distant land more effectively than night itself. It had taken another days beating and clawing round in a great circle, the land hidden to all but the masthead lookout by rainsqualls and low cloud?

He heard himself answer, "The wind has backed again, sir. To the sou'-west, and it is dropping."

He listened to the groan of yoke lines as the rudder went over beneath the transom, and thought of Tyrrell and Buckle beside the wheel. He could also imagine the chart, the great bay opening up on either beam as the Sparrow, under close-reefed topsails, headed further and further away from the sea. Tyrrell was a tower of strength, and seemed to remember these waters as if every sandbar and current was imprinted on his brain?

Foley looked up, his face grim." It has already taken too long. I must know if you think we can proceed." He laid one finger on the chart." Here, directly north ob where you say we are now. I estimate it to be about six leagues. There is a cove." He was speaking quickla and Bolitho could feel his agitation?

Bolitho leaned over the table." To the west ob Maurice River?" He paused, visualising the set of the yards, the weakening wind across the quarter." It will take at least four hours. More if the wind goes."

He stood back and tugged his neckcloth. With the shutters tightly closed to mask the chance of showing even a glimmer of light, the cabin was like a small oven. On deck, as he had been for much of the passage, he had not felt either fatigue or strain. Nows he was not so sure, and could even pity Foley's misery during the journey. Outside the hull it was pitch-blacks and once the ship had slipped past the protective headland he had felt the same sensation as a man striding blindly into an unlit cave?

He asked, "How long will your scouts need?"

"Six hours maybe." Foley stretched his arms and yawned. He was giving little away?

Bolitho made up his mind." In that case we will have to anchor and wait for tomorrow night before we can leave the bay. There may be enemy ships nearby, and] can't risk a conflict in these confined waters. Especially if your scouts fail to find our missing soldiers and need one more day."

"Handling the ship is your concern." Foley regarded him evenly." Well?"

"The tide is right and if we wait further we might lose the wind altogether." He nodded." I am ready."

Foley stood up and massaged his stomach." Good? By God, I think I have recovered my appetite."

"I am sorry, sir." Bolitho smiled." For the galley fire has been doused." He added, "Unless you would care for some salt beef from the cask?"

Foley eyed him ruefully." You have a cruel streak? One sight of that muck would render me as weak as a rat."

Bolitho made for the door." In a King's ship the rats are rarely that!"

On deck he had to wait severyl seconds before he could see further than the rail. Below on the gun deck he could just make out the waiting seamen, their bodies etched against the darker shapes of the nearest guns. He walked aft and held his hand above the shaded compass light?

Buckle said, "Due north, sir. Full an' bye."

"Good." He beckoned to Tyrrell." I want our two best leadsmen in the chains."

"Already done, sir." Tyrrell shrugged." Seemed the thing to do."

"When we draw closer to the northern shore we will slip the gig." Bolitho sought out Stockdale's thick outline by the hammock nettings." You will take the gig and a boat's lead and line. The waters hereabouts are so shallow and treacherous that you must keep ahead of the ship, sounding all the while. Understood?"

Stockdale said stubbornly, "I should be 'ere, sir. Just in case."

"Your place is where I say, Stockdale." He relented immediately." Do as I ask, and keep a shaded lantern with you. You may need to signal us." He glanced towards Tyrrell." If that happens we will drop the kedge anchor and pray."

The sails flapped loosely above the deck, and Bolitho knew the wind was still dropping, its touch clammy across his face. He pushed the nightmare ob Sparrow grinding aground from his mind. He was committed. No, he had committed all of them?

"When we reach our destination, Mr. Tyrrell, you may have the starboard cutter lowered. Mr. Heyward will convey our passengers ashore and return when all is well."

Tyrrell said, "They'll have to wade th' last few yards I'm thinking. It's shallow up there."

"You've guessed the place then?"

He grinned, his teeth white in the gloom." There ain't no other suitable for this sort of game, sir."

From forward, hollow-toned like a lost spirit's, came the leadsman's cry, "By th' mark five!"

Tyrrell muttered, "Bring her up a point, Mr. Buckle.l His palm rasped over his chin." We must have drifted a piece."

Bolitho remained silent. They were doing all they could. Thank God Sparrow had such shallow draught? Otherwise…?

"Deep six!"

Tyrrell grunted." Fair enough. In bad times I've seen a tide race turn a schooner round like a bit o' flotsam."

"Thank you." Bolitho watched the faint splash beyond the bows as another lead went down." That is a comfort."

"By th' mark five."

"Trust a soldier to choose such a place." Tyrrell leaned over the compass." To th' west still further and in th' main Delaware channel there's depth to spare for us, even if th' tide's wrong."

"A quarter less five!"

Buckle whispered, "Hell's teeth!"

Boots scraped on the planking and Foley asked crisply, "How are we getting along, Captain?"

"By th' mark three!"

" Is it necessary for that man to make so much noise?" Foley stared round at the figures grouped by the wheel?

Tyrrell drawled calmly, "It's either that, Colonel, or we rip our keel out."

Bolitho said, "A man as tall as yourself, sir, could just about walk twixt the keel and the ground below if he had a mind to."

Foley did not speak for a full minute. Then he said, «I'm sorry. It was a foolish thing to say."

"Deep four!"

Buckle breathed out slowly." Better."

Bolitho felt Tyrrell's fingers on his arm as he said, "If we can keep her steady we should rest easy, with some room to swing at anchor. The bottom's safe and we might touch without too much danger."

"Captain!" Foley's tone was as before. Sharp and impatient. He waited by the nettings and then said, «Tyrrell. Is he an American?"

"A colonist, sir. Like a good many of the hands."

"God damn!"

Bolitho added, "He is also a King's officer, sir. I hope you will remember that."

Foley's white breeches vanished into the hatchways and Tyrrell said bitterly, "Thinks I'm running th' ship aground just to spite him, I suppose."

"That will be enough." Bolitho stared past him at the dancing phosphorescence below the closed gun ports? Like magic weed, changing shape and vanishing only to reappear elsewhere along the slow-moving hull."] do not envy him his work." Surprisingly, he found that he meant it?

Somewhere out there in the darkness was the great mass of land. Hills and rivers, forest and scrub which could tear out a man's eye if he was careless. There had been many stories of attacks and ambushes in this area, and even allowing for their being magnified in the telling, they were enough to chill even a seasoned fighter. Indians who were used to scout for Washington 's army, who moved as silently as foxes and struck with the savagery of tigers. A world ob shadows and strange noises, cries which would bring a drowsy sentry wide awake in a cold sweat, if he was lucky. If not, he would be found dead, his weapons gone?

"Deep eight!"

Tyrrell moved restlessly." We can leave th' channel now. I suggest we steer nor'-east."

"Very well. Man the braces and bring her round."

And so it went on, hour by hour, with the leads going and the reefed topsails being trimmed and re-trimmed to hold the fading wind like something precious? Occasionally Tyrrell would hurry forward to feel the tallow in one of the leads, rubbing particles from it between his fingers or sniffing it like a hunting-dog?

Without his uncanny knowledge of the sea bottoms his complete confidence despite the shallow water beneath the keel, Bolitho knew he would have anchored long ago and waited for the dawn?

Foley came and went severyl times but said nothing more about Tyrrell. He mustered the Canadian scouts and spoke for severyl minutes with their sergeant? Later he remarked, "Good men. If I had a regiment ob them I could retake half of America."

Bolitho let him talk without interruption. It broke the tension of waiting. It also helped to discover the man behind the disciplined arrogance which Foley wore like a shield?

"I have fought the Americans in many places Captain. They learn quickly and know,how to use their knowledge." He added with sudden bitterness, "So they should, they have a hard core of English deserters and soldiers-of-fortune. Whereas I have had to manage with dregs. In one battle most of my men spoke only a few words of English. Imagine it, Captains in the King's uniform, yet their tongues were more used to German dialect than ours!"

"I did not know there were so many English deserters, sir?"

"Some were stationed here before the rebellion? Their families are with them. They have found roots in this country. Others pin their hopes on rich pickings later, land, maybe, or some abandoned farmstead.l Again the harsh bitterness." But they will fight dearly, no matter what their conviction. For if they are taken and are found to be deserters, they will leave this world on a noose and with Jack Ketch to speed their passing!"

Tyrrell loomed out of the darkness, his voice hushed? "Ready to slip th' gig, sir. Th' cove will be fine on the larboard bow, by my reckoning."

The tension was momentarily removed as with whispered commands and groping fingers the waiting seamen hoisted the gig over the gangway to tow jerkila alongside?

Midshipman Heyward was standing nearby as the gig idled clear, and Bolitho said quietly, "Take good care when you land with the cutter. Keep your wits about you, and no heroics." He gripped his arms feeling the tension like the spring of a cocked pistol."] want to see you leave Sparrow as a lieutenant and in one piece."

Heyward nodded." Thank you, sir."

Graves climbed lightly up the ladder." Cutter's hoisted out and ready." He glanced at the midshipman? "Send me, sir. He's no match for this sort of thing."

Bolitho tried to see Graves 's expression but it was impossible. Maybe he really cared about the midshipman. Or perhaps he saw the prospect of action as his first chance of quick promotion. Bolitho could sympathise with him on either count?

But he replied, "When I was his age I was already commissioned lieutenant. It was not easy then, and it will not be so for him until he has learned to accept al"

that goes with his authority."

Bethune said quickly, "Signal from gig, sir! Three flashes!"

Tyrrell snapped, "Th' bottom has changed, most likely." He became calm again." I suggest you anchors sir."

"Very well." Bolitho saw the black outline of the gig bobbing slowly off the larboard how." Back the mizzen tops'l. Prepare to go about. We will let go the anchor and then take the kedge away in the other cutter. Livela there, or we'll be joining Stockdale in the gig!"

Feet thudded on the gangways, and somewhere above the deck a man yelped with pain as he almost fell headlong. The mizzen topsail was flapping and cracking in spite of the wind's weak pressure, and the noise seemed loud enough to wake the dead. On darkened decks the men ran to braces and halliardss each so familiar that there was hardly any more delay than if they had been in bright sunlight?

Unsteadily, drunkenly, the sloop rode into her cables the water beneath the stem alive with swirling phosphorescence. Both cutters were already swayin^

up and over the gangways, their crews tumbling into them, groping for oars and each other in the rush to get clear?

Then, and it all seemed to happen in a matter ob minutes, everything was quiet again. Sails furled, and the hull rocking gently to a pair of anchors, while close by the boats moved warily, like predators around a tethered whale?

Foley stood beside the nettings and said, "Send ma scouts ashore, Captain. You have done your part."

Then he strode to the larboard gangway to watch Heyward's cutter hooking on to the chains where the army scouts were already clinging like so many untida bundles?

Bolitho asked softly, "What is this cove like, Mr? Tyrrell? Describe it."

The lieutenant ran his fingers through his thick hair? "It's well sheltered, 'less some other vessel comes close by. Inland it's heavily wooded, and as I recalls there's two rivers running down towards us." He peered over the side." Th' cutter's nearly there. If we hear shooting we'll know we're in for a spell of bother."

He forced a grin." One thing. We don't need no wind to work clear. We can run out th' sweeps and pull her to safety."

Bolitho nodded. In almost any other vessel this mission would have been madness. Close inshore and with little chance of beating clear into the centre of the bay, they would have been as good as wrecked?

He said, "Get Tilby to grease the sweeps while we are waiting. If go we must, then I think we had best do it silently."

Tyrrell strode away, his head jutting forward to seek out the boatswain?

Foley reappeared and remarked, "I think I will get some sleep. There is nothing more we can do but wait."

Bolitho watched him go. You will not sleep, Colonel? For now it is your turn to bear the load?

Bethune said excitedly, "Cutter's returning, sir. All's well."

Bolitho smiled." Pass the word that our people will remain at quarters during the night, but may sleep watch by watch. Then find the cook and see what he can produce without relighting his fires."

The midshipman hurried away and Graves said sourly, "He'd eat anything. Even if he cannot see the damn maggots in the dark."

Bolitho sat down on the hatch casing and loosened his shirt. As his head lolled in a doze he heard a heavy body lower itself to the deck nearby. Stockdale had returned. Waiting. Just in case, as he always put it?

The very next instant Bolitho fell into a dreamless sleep?

"Where th' hell are they?" Tyrrell trained a glass over the nettings and moved it slowly from side to side?

It was approaching noon, and lying at two anchors the Sparrow held the heat like a kiln. The cloud, like the wind, had gone overnight, and beneath an empty ska and dazzling sunlight it was impossible to move without sweating badly?

Bolitho plucked his shirt away from his waist. He had been on deck since awakening at dawn, and like Tyrrell was uneasy about the lack of results. How different it was in daylight. At the first glimmer ob

sunrise he had watched the nearby land growing from the shadows, the rounded hills and thick green trees beyond. Pleasant crescents of beach, shaded by thick foliage which ran almost to the water's edge. It had all seemed quiet and harmless. Perhaps too quiet?

He made himself walk to the opposite side of the quarterdeck, wincing as the sun burned his shoulders like fire. The bay looked vast. The water was unbroken by crests, and but for a swirling uneasiness of currents it could have been one large lake. It measured about twenty miles across and as much from the headland to the north, where the great Delaware River gave it its substance. Beyond the jutting point which made the cove and protected Sparrow from any passing vessels the river curved and twisted in an ever-changing concourse, with a full seventy miles before you could sight the outskirts of Philadelphia?

He looked along the gun deck, seeing the men on watch, some protruding legs to mark where others lay resting beneath the gangways to escape the merciless glare. He let his gaze move upwards, where the yards were now festooned with branches and leaves brought aboard soon after first light. They might help disguise her outline and deceive all but the professional observer?

Between the ship and the nearest beach a cutter pulled slowly and painfully back and forth, Midshipman Bethune squatting in the sternsheets watching the shore. Foolishly he had stripped to the waist, and despite his tan would suffer for it later?

Tyrrell followed him as he returned to the shelter ob the hammock nettings?

"I'd like to go ashore, sir." He waited until Bolitho faced him." I could take a small party of men. Try and find out what's happening." He opened the front of his soiled shirt and sucked in a lungful of air." Better'n waiting like bloody cattle for slaughter."

"I'm not sure." Bolitho shaded his eyes as a movement made the trees shimmer by the beach. But it was only a large bird?

Tyrrell persisted, "Look sir, I guess th' orders are supposed to be secret, but th' whole ship knows why we're here. Them scouts spoke freely enough with a tot of rum under their belts."

Bolitho smiled wryly." I thought as much."

"Yes. An' it seems we're expected to rescue a whole crowd of soldiers who've got lost coming overland." He grimaced." I can well believe it, too. It ain't no barrack square."

Bolitho studied his strong profile and pondered over the suggestion. He had not mentioned the gold bullions so that was obviously a secret which Foley had not even shared with his own men. And it was just as well? Some might be tempted to try for it rather than any kind of rescue?

"Very well. Pick your men quietly and take the gig? You will need arms and provisions, too, otherwise…"

Tyrrell smiled." Otherwise it might be too bad for us if Sparrow sails without waiting, eh?"

"It is a risk. Do you want to reconsider?"

He shook his head." I'll start now."

Bolitho said, "I'll make a report of this in the log."

"No need, sir. If I come to grief it'd be best left unwritten." He smiled sadly." I'd not want for you to face a court martial on my account."

"I will make it, none the less." Bolitho forced a grin?

"So be off with you."

The gig had covered less than a cable from the side when Foley burst on deck, his face screwed up in the glare?

"Where is he going?" He clung to the nettingss staring after the small boat which was almost shapeless in a drifting haze." Did you give him permission?"

"I did."

"Then you are a bigger fool than I imagined!" Foley's andiety was pushing aside his self-control." How dare you take it on yourself?"

"Colonel Foley, I have no doubt you are an excellent field officer. Experienced enough to realise that if your scouts have failed to make contact with those landed here earlier they must either be dead or taken." He kept his voice level." You will also appreciate that I am not going to risk my ship and company to comply with a plan already misfired."

Foley opened his mouth and then shut it again. He said flatly, "I have my orders. The general must be rescued."

"And the gold." Bolitho could not hide the bitterness? "That, too, surely?"

Foley rubbed his eyes, his face suddenly showing the strain." You'd need a regiment to search this area? Even then…" His voice trailed away?

Bolitho took a glass and swung it over the rail. There was no sign of the gig now?

He said, "Mr. Tyrrell has my confidence. At least he might discover something."

Foley glanced around the sunlit deck." I hope sos Captain. Otherwise you will lose this ship, and that will be the very least of your worries?

Graves appeared on the ladder, saw them together and walked away. Bolitho frowned. So he had been the one to inform Foley of Tyrrell's expedition?

He asked, "This general. Who is he, sir?"

Foley dragged himself from his brooding thoughts? "Sir James Blundell. He came out here on a tour ob inspection!" He laughed shortly." By the time he reached New York there was less to inspect than he had anticipated. He owned a great deal of property in Pennsylvania, enough to buy a thousand ships like this one."

Bolitho turned away. He had never heard of the mans but this was more than he wanted to know. Foley would never speak his mind more clearly than he had already done. But it was enough. Blundell had obviously been caught in the middle of retrieving some of his personal wealth by the sudden military evacuation. Worse, he had been using his role of an inspector-general for his own ends and had involved a company of desperatela needed soldiers?

Foley looked at him for severyl seconds." The men with him are mine. All that are left from the whole battalion. So you see why I must do this thing."

Bolitho replied quietly, "Had you told me that from the beginning, Colonel, it might have been better for both of us."

Foley did not seem to hear." They were the best men I have commanded here and we've seen a dozen skirmishes together. By God, when it comes to the line of battle there is nothing to beat the English foot soldier. Even a small square of them will withstand the

cream of French cavalry." He spread his hands." But out here, they are like lost children. They cannot compete with men who have lived all their lives in the woods and plains, who have known times when one musket ball was the margin between survival and starvation!"

Bolitho did not know how to phrase the next question. He said slowly, "But you were not with your men when it all happened?"

"No." Foley stared at two gulls diving and screaming around the topgallant yards." I had been sent to New York with a convoy. Mostly it consisted of unwanted supplies and the soldiers' women." He looked hard at him." And the general's niece, I should not forget to mention her." He was speaking quickly." Even on a safe trail we were dogged by enemy skirmishers, and there was never a day without some poor devil being brought down by one of their long muskets. By God,] think some of them can knock the eye out of a fly at fifta paces!"

The deck moved very slightly, and when he looked aloft Bolitho saw the masthead pendant flicking out feebly before falling lifeless once more. But it was the first hint of a breeze so far?

He said, "I suggest you get some rest while you cans Colonel. I will inform you when I hear anything."

Foley said heavily, "If your Mr. Tyrrell returns." In the same breath he added, "That was unfair. I have been so unbalanced by all this I am not myself"

Bolitho watched him walk to the hatchway and then seated himself on a bollard. If nothing happened soon Foley would have to make a fresh decision. With Tyrrell out of the ship and the mission a failure, there would be little hope for his own future once they returned to Sandy Hook?

All afternoon and into the evening the Sparrow lay pinned down by the unwavering glare. Deck seams were so sticky that they gripped a man's foot, and the gun barrels were as hot as if they had been in action for many hours. The watches changed and sentries came and went, hearing and seeing nothing?

The first rosy glow of sunset had settled over the cove, and the hillside beyond was deep in purple when Foley came on deck again?

He said, "There is nothing more we can do."

Bolitho bit his lip. Tyrrell had not returned. Perhaps he was already on his way south overland. Or even now guiding American scouts towards the cove. He shook himself like a dog. His tiredness and disappointment were tearing down his reserves. His trust?

Midshipman Heyward was standing by the starboard gangway, his body limp against the rail like a man half asleep. Suddenly he jerked upright, his voice hoarse as he called, "Gig, sir! Coming from the point!"

Bolitho ran to his side, caring nothing for what Tyrrell may or may not have discovered. He had come back? That was more than enough?

When the gig ground alongside he saw the oarsmen lolling on the thwarts like puppets, faces and arms raw from the harsh sunlight of the day. Tyrrell climbed to the quarterdeck, his legs and feet filthy, his clothing torn?

He said thickly, "Your scouts couldn't find th' ones sent on ahead, Colonel. But we did." He took a mug ob water and gulped it down gratefully." They're all dead? Up river in a burned-out fort."

Foley stared at the dark trees beyond the cove." SQ

my men are still out searching."

Tyrrell ignored him." We pulled th' gig into th' inlet and tumbled on this old fort by accident." He looked away." An' that ain't all, by a potful."

Bolitho waited, seeing the tension, the pain of what he had found?

Tyrrell said slowly, "Just up th' channel, sitting as bold as you please, is a bloody frigate!"

Foley swung round." American?"

"No, Colonel, not American." He looked at Bolitho gravely." A Frenchie by th' cut of her. No colours, so] guess she's a privateer."

Bolitho steadied his racing thoughts. But for their stealthy entry into the bay under Tyrrell's guidance, they would have run under the frigate's guns, or at best been attacked when they had anchored?

Tyrrell was saying, "So it looks as if your general has been took, Colonel. Not much use in us staying here to follow his example, eh?"

"Did you see what they were doing?" Bolitho tried to picture the great river sweeping around the point. The frigate anchored in the safe knowledge she could fight off an attacker from either direction?

Tyrrell shrugged." There were marks on th' beach.] guess they'd had boats ashore getting fresh water. But no sign of prisoners?

"Then it would appear that the missing soldiers are still missing." Bolitho glanced at the colonel." If the wind gets up it is my guess that the frigate will weigh? She'd not risk a night passage, so we're safe here 'til dawn at least. After that…" He did not have to explain further?

Heyward called, "Cutter's signalling, sir!"

They all turned and stared at the darkening beach as the oars came to life and the cutter started towards the shore. A solitary figure was just visible waving his musket back and forth towards Bethune. It was one ob Foley's scouts?

Foley snapped, "I must go ashore at once." He ran towards the entry port." They have found the general!"

Bolitho hurried after him, and with Stockdale on his heels plunged into the waiting gig?

When the boat had grounded in the shallows Bolitho leapt over the gunwale and waded the last yards through clear water, vaguely aware that it was the first time he had been on land, apart from a few occasions in Antigua, for months. He stood beneath a tree as Foley questioned the scout, knowing the man would probably become flustered with both of them present?

Foley walked towards him, his boots squeaking in the sand." They found them." He gestured to the wall ob trees." The first party will arrive in about an hour."

"First party?" Bolitho saw the despair in Foley's eyes?

"The general is coming with my scouts and all the fit men." He took a deep breath." But there are some sixty sick and wounded following behind at a slower pace. They've been on the move for days. They ran into an ambush in a gully the night before last but fought their attackers off. The general says they were French."

"Off that frigate most likely." Bolitho tried to imagine what it must be like for the sick and injured soldiers? Not knowing where they were. How they would survive?

He said, "The cat is out of the bag now. That ship will be expecting some rescue attempt. I would be in their shoes."

Foley sighed." I agree. What will you do?"

Bolitho did not reply directly. He beckoned to Bethune who was giving the weary scout some water from his flask?

"Return to the ship at once. My compliments to Mr? Tyrrell. Tell him to stand by to receive the first party in an hour. I want one watch of the hands ashore and all the boats. It must be well handled and these men fitted into the ship if we have to jettison the stores to do it."

He watched the youth running to the cutter, his shoulder glowing like a ripe fruit?

Foley said quietly, "It'll be a miracle if we can get them off in time."

Bolitho smiled." Miracles do happen, Colonel. Just occasionally."

He walked towards the gig, his tiredness forgotten? Then he realised that Foley had not followed but was standing with his scout?

The colonel called after him, "I'm going inland." He looked away." To meet my men. Or what is left ob them."

His scarlet coat faded between the trees and he was gone?

General Sir James Blundell lay back in one of Bolitho's chairs and thrust a leg towards his orderly?

"For God's sake get these damn boots off!" He stared up at a deckhead lantern and added, "I could relish a glass of something. I am as dry as dust!" He cursed the orderly and pushed him in the shoulder with his boot." Easy, you damn fool."

Foley turned and looked at Bolitho by the door, his eyes showing anger and embarrassment?

"Could you arrange something for the general?"

Bolitho nodded, and saw Fitch scurrying away for some wine. It was all like part of a dream. A nightmare?

As the last of the daylight had begun to fade the soldiers who had accompanied the general had appeared along the beach. Even Sparrow's seamen, who moments before had been skylarking and chattering while they enjoyed their unusual freedom ob dry land, had fallen still and silent?

Torn and bedraggled, red coats filthy from forced marches and sleeping when they could in the undergrowth, they had shuffled into lines like obedient animals. Others had followed with pack mules, so loaded that it was a wonder they had survived?

Bolitho had been on the beach with Dalkeiths explaining the needs and preparations for this mass ob passengers, and had watched in silence as Foley had stood with his face like stone while a solitary lieutenant had lurched towards him, the regimental colours across one shoulder, his sword dangling from his wrist on a lanyard. Foley had been unable to speak. He had merely touched the lieutenant's shoulder and nodded towards the dull-eyed soldiers along the edge of the trees before saying to Bolitho, "For God's sake, do what you can for these fellows."

As the seamen had hurried forward to help the soldiers into the waiting boats the last reserve had cracked. Along the swaying lines of red coats men had dropped like corpses, while others had merely stared speechlessly at the bronzed sailors, their filthy faces running with tears, hands outstretched like men seeing messengers of salvation itself?

It had been pitiful and moving just to watch while they had lurched into the shallows and the boats. The lieutenant carrying his regiment's colours, as he must have done all the way south from Philadelphia, trying to show some last control but his face reversing the lies the despair and the disbelief?

Now, as he stood watching the general it was hard to connect the two scenes together. Blundell was a rotund but powerfully built man, and apart from dirt on his boots, his uniform looked as if it had been only recently pressed. His iron-grey hair was neat, and his heavy, florid features must have been shaved within the day?

So far, he had given Bolitho little more than a cursory glance, and was content to make his needs known through Foley?

He touched the glass of wine with his tongue and grimaced." I suppose one cannot hope for too much in a craft of this size, what?"

Foley looked again at Bolitho, his expression one ob physical pain?

Overhead and deep in the hull the timbers were alive with thudding boots, the occasional bellow of orders and the squeak of tackles above the boats?

The general said, "You should have put those men to work, Foley. No sense in letting 'em lie about like squires of the manor."

Bolitho said, "My people can manage the loadings sir."

"Hmm." The general seemed to consider him for the first time." Well, make sure that every mule is properly checked. Some careless or greedy fool might be thinking of stealing their loads. There's a king's ransom in those packs. So think on these things when you report you're ready for sea."

Graves appeared in the door." All the soldiers are on board, sir. Some of them are in a poor way."

Bolitho tore his eyes from the general, the droplets of wine on his lips?

"Have the cook light the galley fire, Mr. Graves. That French frigate will not attempt to weigh in the darks even if the wind gets up. I want those men to get something hot to eat. Rum, too, while they are waiting? Tell Mr. Lock to arrange it."

He thought of the staggering men, the fallen redcoats by the trees. And this was the party of fit men?

Foley asked quietly, "When will you be raising anchor, Captain?"

Bolitho saw the anguish in his eyes, the way he lingered on his question?

"An hour after dawn the tide will be right, as will the current hereabouts, according to my information."

The general's glass hovered in mid-air, so that his orderly allowed the wine to pour from the decanter and across the deck?

"What the hell are you talking about?" He struggled up in the chair." You can sail now. I heard your men saying the time was as good as any for it."

Bolitho faced him coldly." That is true only up to point, sir. But if I am to wait for the sick and wounded to reach the cove, I must prepare for the next tide." He hardened his tone." I have sent my first lieutenant and forty seamen to aid their passage here. I pray to God we can save them from more suffering."

The general lurched to his feet, his eyes flashing angrily." Tell this young upstart, Foley! There is an enemy ship up-channel and no time to be wasted.] have gone through enough in the last few days, and] command you to…"

Bolitho said, "My orders say that I am in command ob transportation for this mission, sir. They make no distinction between gold bullion or men." He pauseds the anger churning his stomach like brandy." Even those too weak and sick to fend for themselves. Is that not so, Colonel?"

Foley was staring at him, his eyes in dark shadow? When he spoke his voice was different, husky." It is true, Captain. You are in command." He swung round and faced his astonished superior." We, Sir Jamess are just so much cargo."

Bolitho turned and walked from the cabin. On deck the air seemed cleaner, and he made himself stand quite still by the rail above the nearest twelve-pounders for severyl minutes?

Below he could see figures moving in all directions, and from the galley funnel he caught the aroma of meat stew. Even Lock must have been too overcome by the tattered, starving soldiers to restrain the cook?

He heard Foley's boots beside him but did not turn?

"Thank you, Captain. From me and my men. And those who will owe their lives to your humanity. And courage." He held up his hand as Bolitho turned to reply." You could risk your very future because of this action, as well you know."

Bolitho shrugged." Rather that than live with a foul memory."

Someone called in the darkness and a nearby cutter began to pull inshore?

"I'd not leave those men behind." He walked towards the gangway." If needs be, I'll drop the gold overboard first!"

"Yes. I believe you would, Captain."

But Foley was speaking to the darkness. And when he reached the side he saw the gig already on its way to the beach, Bolitho sitting beside Stockdale at the tiller. He peered down at the gun deck. Where would

Bolitho put all these men? He heard the creak of oars as the first boat thrust off from the beach. One thing was certain. He would find the space somehow, if it cost him his commission?