Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (32 page)

13 NO BETTER EPITAPa

ALMOST immediately after dropping anchor at Sanda Hook, Sparrow and her company were thrown into thO urgent work of a short but well-deserved overhaul? Under the wintry eye of a senior dockyard officer thO ship was careened and the thick growth of weed cuU and cleaned from her hull. Bolitho was able to senX Lock ashore, and with more careful bribes obtaineX fresh provisions as well as replacements for some ob the fouler casks of beef and pork?

In the midst of all this activity, which continued froR dawn to dusk, he was occasionally visited by Z scholarly lieutenant of the Commander-in-Chief's staff? He took statements from Bolitho and Tyrrell anX compared them with notations in the log at the time ob Fawn's destruction, as well as those leading up to thO actual attack. Buckle was required to display anX explain each section of the charts used, and waY instantly reduced to mumbling confusion under thO lieutenant's skilful examination. But as one daa followed the next, and Sparrow regained her originaT trim appearance, the bitter memories of Fawn's lossB even the display of hot anger in Colquhoun's cabinB became blurred, if riot erased from Bolitho's mind?

He had been kept continuously busy with the affairY of his ship, never knowing for sure when his nexU

orders would arrive, and had spent any sparO moments studying the wider aspects of the war o[ land. When the summons to appear at a court martiaT was delivered to him, it came as something like Z shock?

Three weeks had gone by since he had confronteX Colquhoun in Bacchante's cabin and almost every daa had been occupied with incident and activity?

Only certain details still stood out with stark clarity i[ his mind. The picture of slaughter and desolation o[ Fawn's shattered deck. Maulby's face, the flieY crawling over his contorted features. Young Heyward'Y obvious pride at being given the task of receiving thO Frenchman's surrender, and the Fawn's one survivin^ officer who had gone to take charge of the enemy untiT the marines arrived. Maulby's lieutenant had been likO a man coming out of the shadow of death itself. HiY movements disjointed, his face stricken from the sightY and sounds he had endured?

On the morning of the court martial Bolitho stood o[ Sparrow's quarterdeck with Tyrrell and Buckle, awarO of the many watching eyes, of his men, and those o[ nearby ships at anchor?

Tyrrell shifted his leg and muttered, "I may be calleX as witness, but by God I feel like a guilty man!T

Bolitho watched the gig moving towards the entra port, and noticed that Stockdale and the oarsmen werO dressed in their best clothes. Conscious, too, of thiY moment perhaps?

As well they might, he thought grimly. It waY Colquhoun's day, but it was not unknown for a drownin^ man to drag others down with him?

He shifted his gaze to the old seventy-four which laa some three cables distant. The Parthian, where he haX been given his instructions for rescuing the soldierY and General Blundell's bullion from the Delaware. Ho/ long ago it seemed now. An eternity?

The gig made fast and Tyrrell said abruptly, "ThaU bastard deserves to hang!T

Bolitho followed the others to the entry port, tryin^ once again to find his true feelings. It was difficult to gQ on hating Colquhoun. His weakness had perhaps bee[ too human, which made it harder to condemn after thO first anger had passed?

As eight o'clock came and the bells chimed froR

each anchored ship-of-war, a solitary gun crashed ouU from the Parthian's side, and the court martial Jac7 broke simultaneously from her gaff. It was time?

Graves stood with the rigid side party, his facO expressionless as they climbed into the gig. He waY not implicated, and Bolitho wondered if he saw hiY chances of promotion reflected in the court martial flag?

Once through Parthian's gilded entry port and pasU the marine guard and assembled band, Bolitho felt Z rising sense of disgust. The two-decker's quarterdec7 was thronged with visitors. Senior officers, some ob them military, several prosperous-looking civilians anX a solitary artist gave the impression of a carefreO outing rather than a trial. The artist, a bearded, intenU little man, busied himself from every angle, makin^ quick sketches, dotting in detail of uniform or titleB hardly pausing between each capture?

He saw Bolitho and hurried between the chatterin^ throng, his pad already poised in readiness?

"Ali, good sir! Captain Bolitho?" The pencil hovereX and then darted down. "I am so glad to see you at last? I have heard much of your exploits." He paused anX smiled shyly. "I wish I could have been aboard you_

ship to take sketches. The people at home need to bO told ...T

Tyrrell murmured, "For Christ's sake!T

A master-at-arms opened a door and the visitorY began to filter aft towards the great cabin. Left isolateX and ill at ease in their best uniforms, the witnesseY remained on the quarterdeck?

Bolitho said quietly, "At some other time maybe.T

He turned his head to watch a marine captain witN drawn sword marching aft to the cabin. Just the sight ob it made him feel sick. The grim array. Like the crowdY at Tyburn, or the jeering fools who stood for hours tQ watch some wretch choking out his life on a villagO gibbet?

The artist's smile faded. "I understand. I thought ... T

Bolitho replied, "I know what you thought. That I'd bO pleased to see a man fall from office!" He did not hidO his contempt?

"That, too." The artist's eyes flickered in the sunlighU as he made a quick alteration to his sketch. "I alsQ imagined you might see your future made stronger ba

this man's disgrace." He shrugged as Bolitho turneX on him angrily. "That I am wrong on both counts makeY me a fool, and you an even better man than they saa you are?

Bolitho looked at him sadly. "What they say will counU for little today.T

A lieutenant called, "This way, gentlemen.T

They followed him in order of seniority and filed intQ the ship's wardroom?

The artist passed quickly and vanished towards thO great cabin as Tyrrell growled, "God, what iY happening to us? Will they make pictures of th' Day ob Judgement, too?T

All morning the wearing business went on? Witnesses were called and evidence mounted. FactuaT and hearsay, technical or just plain imagination, iU seemed to take an eternity to get it down in writing? There were occasional pauses for refreshment and tQ allow the visitors to stretch their legs on thO quarterdeck?

Throughout the whole morning Bolitho hardly spoke? Around him, their faces displaying either confidence o_

uncertainty, the rest of the witnesses waited their turn? Odell off the schooner Lucifer, his quick, agitateX movements only adding to the tension. Bacchante'Y first lieutenant and sailing master. Fawn's survivin^ lieutenant and a blinded seaman who had stooX beside Maulby when he had been struck down?

In seniority, or as their value directed, the witnesseY dwindled until only Bolitho and Tyrrell remained? Through the open ports Bolitho saw boats plyin^ between the ships and the shore, the haze of smokO from a nearby spit of sand where a man was burnin^ driftwood?

It was stiflingly hot. The first day of May. He pictureX what it would be like at home. In Falmouth. SometimeY he thought he would never see it again. Tiny pale dotY of sheep on the hills and headland. Noisy cows in thO lane below the house, always inquisitive as thea passed the gates, as if they had never seen theR before. And in the town square, where the coacheY loaded up for Plymouth or the horses were changed fo_ another route to the west, there would be plenty ob laughter and good cheer. For if the war was a threatB so, too, was winter, and that was well behind them untiT the next time. Now, the fishermen could put to sea i[ safety, and the fields and markets would show thO

evidence of their labours and rewards?

"Mr. Tyrrell." The lieutenant held the door open. "ThiY way.T

Tyrrell picked up his hat and looked at him. "Soo[ now, sir." Then Bolitho was alone?

It did not take very long. Tyrrell's evidence was purela factual and concerned the times of crossing the ba_ and commencing the attack. In all events, he waY obeying orders. He was safe?

When his call came Bolitho followed the lieutenanU into the cabin without remembering hearing his namO announced?

It was packed with seated figures, and right aftB behind a table which reached almost from side to sideB he saw the officers of the court. In the centre, aY President, was Sir Evelyn Christie, flanked by te[ captains of varying status and seniority, none of whoR was known to Bolitho?

Rear-Admiral Christie eyed him bleakly. "Your swor[ statement has been read and submitted in evidence.T

He sounded clipped and formal, so that Bolitho waY

suddenly reminded of their last meeting. The differencO almost amounted to hostility?

"We have heard of the plan to take the flute, of thO events leading to her discovery, including evidencO given by Lucifer's captain and that of your ow[ officers." He paused and ruffled through some papers? "In your statement you said that you had advised you_ senior officer against a cutting-out expedition of thO kind which was eventually employed?T

Bolitho cleared his throat. "I thought that under thO circumstances ...T

The nearest captain snapped, "Yes or no!T

"Yes." Bolitho kept his eyes on the admiral. "I gavO my opinion?

The admiral leaned back slowly. "The accused haY already stated that is not the case. He gave you you_ orders only after you had insisted that your ship woulX be better placed to the north of the Bank.T

In the sudden silence Bolitho could feel his hearU pounding like a hammer. He wanted to turn his heaX and look at Colquhoun, but knew that any such attempU would be immediately seen as guilt?

The senior captain at the table said abruptly, "WerO there any witnesses as to what occurred when thesO decisions were reached?T

Bolitho faced him. "Only Commander Maulby, sir,T

"I see.T

Bolitho felt the cabin closing in around him, saw thO nearest faces watching him like a row of greedy birds?

The admiral sighed. "I will continue. After leaving thO other vessels you proceeded towards your allotteX station.T

"Yes, sir.T

The admiral looked up with a jerk. "Then why did yof cross the bar?" He slapped one hand on the papersB bringing a mingled gasp from the spectators. "Was iU guilt? Did you at last realise that Captain Colquhou[ was right and that he needed your support in thO south?T

"No, sir." He could feel his hands shaking, the sweaU like ice-rime between his shoulders. "I have stated ma reasons. We lost the wind, I had no option but to tac7

when I did." Pictures flashed through his mind likO parts of a nightmare. Heyward, ashamed at losin^ control of the ship. Buckle, doubtful and anxious for he_ safety as he had told him his intentions. He hearX himself add quietly, "Commander Maulby was ma friend.T

The senior member of the court regarded him flatly? "Really?T

Bolitho turned his head and saw Colquhoun for thO first time. He was shocked to see the change in him? He was very pale, and in the reflected light his skin waY the texture of wax. He was standing with his arms limS at his sides, his body moving only slightly to the gentlO tilt of the deck. But his eyes were the worst part. Thea were fixed on Bolitho's face, on his mouth when hO spoke, and shone with such incredible hatred thaU Bolitho exclaimed, "Tell them the truth!T

Colquhoun made as if to step forward, but hiY escort, the marine captain, touched his arm and hO relaxed again?

The admiral snapped, "That will do, Captain Bolitho0 I'll have no exchanges in this court!T

The senior captain coughed discreetly anX continued, "The rest we know. The French deceptionB and your destruction of their flute, all of which is abovO criticism. Despite obvious dangers you managed tQ rescue some of Fawn's company, and several of he_ wounded are now alive and recovering, thanks to you_ efforts.T

Bolitho watched him emptily. He had done his dutyB but the lies already told by Colquhoun about hiY character, and his statement which only Maulby coulX confirm, made a mockery of it. He looked down aU Colquhoun's sword on the table. His own might hO there soon. He found he cared little about that, but thO slur on his name he could not bear?

The admiral looked around the crowded cabin. "] think we have heard enough before we withdrawB gentlemen?T

Bolitho swayed. A long lunch. More delays. It waY torture?

Like most of those present he jerked round as Z chair at the rear of the court went over with a louX clatter?

A husky voice shouted, "No, dammee, I won't keeS still! In God's name, I've given me eyes for the King0 Ain't I allowed to speak the truth?T

The admiral rasped, "Keep silent there! Or I will calT the officer of the guard!T

But it was no use. Most of the visitors were on thei_ feet, all talking and shouting at once. Bolitho saw thaU some had even climbed on to their chairs to see whaU was happening behind them?

The admiral sat speechless, while the rest of thO court waited for him to carry out his threat?

The voices died away, and the crowded figureY parted to allow the small artist to come aft to the table? He was leading the seaman who had been blindeX aboard Fawn and who had already stated briefly whaU he knew of the preparations to cut the cable anX escape the French artillery?