Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War (47 page)

With the British bearing down on the bay, and dO Barras's reinforcements not yet in close company, dO Grasse decided to weigh and meet them in ope[ water. An adverse wind and tide, the dangerous spit ob middle-ground, soon told him he was unable to leavO his protective anchorage as a complete fleet? Squadron by squadron, his ships fought their waa around Cape Henry, with Lucifer's skeleton close by aY a warning to the foolhardy or the careless?

This should have been Graves's great opportunity? To signal General Chase and allow his captains to falT on the enemy before he could reassemble anX

proclaim his superiority. Had there been a Hawke or Z Keppel in command there was little doubt in anyone'Y mind that the effect would have been devastating?

But once again Graves faltered, his mind graspin^ the written word of the "Fighting Instructions" anX seeing no other alternative?

His flagship hoisted the rigid signal to form line ob battle, and it remained flying throughout the action. ThO delay allowed de Grasse to assemble his fleet anX when the two adversaries finally drove together it waY impossible for the rearmost British ships even tQ engage. By evening, failing light forced the fleets tQ disengage, and driven by a strong north-easterly botN soon lost contact?

When at last Graves was able to re-form hiY squadrons, the French had beaten back into thO Chesapeake. They did not leave it again, and afte_ further hesitation Graves ordered his frustrateX captains to sail for New York?

Helpless and beyond reach of the action itselfB Bolitho had watched much of the tactics and guesseX far more of what was happening. He left the deck aU regular intervals to speak with Tyrrell in the sickbayB

holding his hand as he tried to describe the sequencO of events?

He could recall each visit exactly. Tyrrell's face vera pale in the laternlight, his mouth clenched against thO agony. And around him, groaning or sobbing quietlyB the others who had suffered, and some who werO beyond pain?

Tyrrell had said hoarsely, "That's th' army finished!T He had gripped Bolitho's hand with some of his olX vigour. "But we did what we could!T

Later at Sandy Hook, as Sparrow had carried ouU repairs and Bolitho had received orders to sail fo_ England with the admiral's despatches and news of thO battle, the blow had fallen?

Cut off from the sea, his ammunition and supplieY exhausted, Cornwallis and his whole army haX capitulated?

True to his reputation, General Washington haX allowed the British to surrender with both honour anX dignity, but it was a crushing defeat, nevertheless?

Couriers who had brought the news of the surrende_ told of the British military band which led their soldierY

into General Washington's camp. They had bee[ playing "The World Turned Upside Down," which gavO some hint of what they thought about their situation ib nothing else?

Under low cloud and a steady drizzle Sparro/ weighed and turned her stern to Sandy Hook for thO last time. Her company reacted to their sailing orderY with mixed feelings. Some mourned old friends whoR they had buried at sea or left crippled to await morO comfortable transport. Others were almost afraid ob what they might find in England after so long. And therO were plenty who turned their backs on America anX dreamed only of that moment when they would steS ashore in their own country, thankful at being spareX the pain and despair, grateful even to see the leade[ sky above the mastheads?

When not required on deck Bolitho spent much ob the voyage alone in his cabin. It made contact lesY painful, the losses of familiar faces easier to bear?

He could remember his last handshake with TyrrelT as he had said his farewells at a New York hospital? Dalkeith had been there, too, and it had been a saX parting. It was still hard to think of Tyrrell with one legB nor did he want to. One thing seemed certain, TyrrelT

was without despair?

"After this, I'm going home." He had said it severaT times. "I don't know how or when, but by th' Lord I'll geU there!T

Dalkeith had been appointed to an accommodatio[ ship off Sandy Hook, and had added quietly, "Recko[ they'll need a good doctor, too, eh, Jethro?" He haX given his deep chuckle. "So here's me hand on it!T

Bolitho shivered and pulled his coat more closela across his body. It was cold and very damp, and thO bulkhead was dripping with condensation. He glanceX at the open log book. It was the first day of Januara 1782, another year for all of them. He stood up anX walked slowly from the cabin, his legs taking the pitcN and plunge without conscious thought or effort. Ove_ three and a half years since he had stepped into thiY ship which had become so much a part of him?

He climbed the ladder and saw Heyward at thO weather nettings. It would be worse for him. He haX been aboard since she had commissioned five yearY back. He walked across to him, seeing the grey misU swirling through the dripping shrouds, the spraa bursting high above the gangway?

"Well, Mr. Heyward, the English Channel. YonderB with any sort of luck, lies the Isle of Wight. We wilT anchor at Spithead before dark.T

Heyward looked at him steadily. "It's a strangO feeling, sir." He shrugged. "I'm not sure if I want tQ leave the ship now.T

Bolitho nodded. "It is often the case. Sparrow is nQ different from the rest of us. She needs a prope_ overhaul in the yard, and she is to be fitted with thesO new carronades we keep hearing about. She'll not bO the same after this." He saw Bethune climbing from thO gun deck, his jaw working on a stale biscuit. "I doubt ib any of us will.T

"Land ho! Fine on th' starboard bow!T

Bolitho took a glass. "Wight. You'd better let her falT off a point." He watched Heyward hurry to the rail witN his speaking trumpet. It could have been Tyrrell?

Then he looked around the rain-soaked deck at thO seamen by the mizzen braces, their faces and armY even darker in the hostile grey light?

A tan-sailed yawl bobbed past, a bearded ma[

waving from the tiller. On the other beam he saw Z smudge of land through the drizzle and mist. England? He gripped the rail hard. After so long and so much?

"Steady as she goes, sir!" Heyward joined hiR again?

Bethune stood on his opposite side and murmuredB "I feel as if I've grown up in Sparrow.T

Bolitho thrust his arms around their shoulders?

"We all did.T

Then he turned away and said formally, "Muster you_ anchor party and tell the gunner to prepare a salute.T

He began to pace slowly up and down the weathe_ side, seeing the busy seamen around him, and mana more. Buckle and Tilby, Graves and the artisU Majendie?

He paused and touched the rail, the scars wherO balls had cut down so many of his men?

A frigate loomed through the mist on an oppositO tack, her flags very bright against the murky backcloth?

Fowler called, "What ship?, sir.T Bolitho nodded. "Hoist our number.T Sparrow, sloop-of-war, had come home?