Band of Brothers

‘Well?’

‘We could send scouts on ahead, sir. Tinker picked out some good ones. Fair marksmen, too.’

Egmont said, ‘It won’t come to that, for God’s sake. We’ve got twelve seamen, not a troop of marines!’

He eased his pistol against his hip, marshalling his thoughts.

‘We’ll move off now. Those scouts – fetch them. And I want the boat shifted nearer the trees, and properly hidden.’ He called after him, ‘And check those supplies!’ He kicked irritably at the sand. ‘I can’t do everything!’

The trees seemed to move out and around them, the seamen keeping abreast of Bolitho as he trod on firmer ground, the sounds of water on the beach already fading. The thrust and tramp of bodies and the occasional clink of weapons seemed deafening, but he knew it was only imagination. Maybe they were keeping too close together, the habit of sailors thrown ashore, away from their crowded element. It was their way.

He thought of the brief confrontation aboard the flagship. A lifetime ago… And the sudden reality of that word. Trust.

He quickened his pace and sensed the others following suit on either side of him. Right or wrong, they were with him.

8

Lifeline

‘This is far enough. We’ll stop while we get our bearings.’ The lieutenant stood by a fallen tree, the pattern of his buttons oddly bright in the gloom. Bolitho remembered the corpses he had seen trapped in the submerged wreckage. A chilling reminder.

Egmont added tartly, ‘And keep them quiet! They’re like a herd of damned cattle!’

Bolitho looked at the sky, the clouds moving steadily but more slowly now, and closer at this height above the sea, on the crest of the ridge or nearly so. He wanted to stamp his feet, which were like ice despite the long tramp over rough ground, uphill for most of the way since they had hidden the boat. And so quiet, not even the murmur of surf any more, only wind and the rustle of dead leaves, the clink of metal or a muttered curse from one of the stooping shadows.

He realised that Egmont was close beside him, could see the oval of his face, hear his breathing. Calm enough, giving nothing away.

He said, ‘It will be steeper on the far side. It leads right down to the bay.’ He was brushing the front of his coat with one hand as he spoke; a few dead, dry twigs clung to it. It was like seeing him for the first time; he had always been so smart, not a thread or clip out of place. Because he was so new to the rank, or because he still needed to prove something? So different from the unexpected outbursts of anger, or the hostility he had displayed in the cabin. When he had struck Sewell in the face.

‘You told me you’ve detailed two hands as scouts? Can you vouch for them?’

‘Keveth and Hooker, sir. When the names were selected…’

Egmont snapped, ‘Never mind what Tinker Thorne said. What do you think?’

Bolitho pressed his knuckles against his side to control his irritation.

‘I’d trust them, sir. Hooker was brought up in the country, and Keveth too, before he volunteered.’

Egmont might have been smiling.

‘And he is a fellow Cornishman, I believe? Say no more.’ He moved to the edge of the rough track, looking back toward the sea. ‘We shall make our way down to the bay shortly. Those two men will scout ahead. Don’t ask them, Bolitho. Tell them. This may be a waste of time, but it may not, and I’ll not have any slackness, is that clear?’

Bolitho swung round as several voices let out a collective gasp of surprise or dismay.

Just one light had appeared, moving against the black curtain of sea and sky. Tiny, a mere pinprick, but after the stealth and scent of danger it seemed like a beacon.

Egmont said, ‘Hold your noise!’ He was feeling his pocket, as if for his watch. ‘Hotspur’s riding light. To show others that we are here upon our lawful occasions, if anyone else is fool enough to be abroad at this time!’

Someone muttered, ‘The ’ole bloody world’ll know by now!’

Egmont moved away from the edge. ‘And take that man’s name! Any more insolence and I’ll see the culprit’s backbones at the gangway when we rejoin Gorgon!’

Bolitho followed him along the track. They were on the downward slope, and he thought he could feel the sea’s nearness, the protection of the little bay he had seen on the chart. When he glanced back, the tiny light had vanished, masked by the fold of the ridge. Like having a line severed, the last link with the small, personal existence they had come to know. And depend on… a sailor’s faith in his ship.

Egmont was saying, ‘Watch your weapons! Keep them covered!’

Keveth, the keen-eyed foretopman who had begun life as a poacher, murmured, ‘Ready when you are, sir.’

The second man, Hooker, one of Gorgon’s gun captains, raised his fist.

‘We won’t move too fast for you, sir!’

Bolitho could see his teeth in the darkness. As if he was sharing some private joke, reassuring him of something.

They walked a few yards and they were completely alone.

Keveth turned and said softly, ‘Just us, see?’ He drew a finger across his throat. ‘Anyone else gets this!’

How long, how far, Bolitho lost count. He heard the sea, a slow and heavy rhythm like breathing, and the faint ripple of water running over rocks.

Keveth said, ‘Bill Hooker’s gone off to smell ’un out. Good lad.’

Bolitho forced each muscle to relax. Two Cornishmen on this godforsaken piece of coast, which even now was so hauntingly reminiscent of home. If Keveth took it into his head to leave him, he could simply melt away.

‘I bin thinkin’, sir. When you gets your new ship…’ Keveth was still beside him.

Bolitho smiled. ‘I haven’t got one yet.’

‘Ah, but when ee do…’ He broke off, his hand sliding through some wet gorse like a snake. ‘Still!’

But it was Hooker, bent double, grinning when he knew he had found them.

Keveth said, ‘Thought ee’d swum back to the ship, my son!’

Bolitho had seen the glint of the dagger before he slipped it back under his coat.

Hooker took a deep breath and slumped down on the ground.

‘I seen ’er, sir!’ He nodded, as if to convince himself as well. ‘I got down to the beach. There was a rift in the clouds, an’ there she was!’

Keveth exclaimed, ‘Bloody saphead! Some ’un might have seen ee!’

‘Thought they ’ad. Two of ’em almost trod on me!’ He laughed shakily. ‘Near thing!’

Bolitho reached over and gripped his arm. He could feel him shivering.

‘Tell it as it happened. What you saw, maybe heard. Then we’ll go back and tell the others.’ He waited, allowing his breathing to slow, and said, ‘You did well. I’ll see that it’s not forgotten.’

Keveth murmured, ‘He will, too, Bill.’

‘I kept close to them rocks, just like you said.’ He was looking at his friend, but speaking to Bolitho. ‘It was as black as a well, an’ then there was a break in the clouds to the nor’ west – even saw a few early stars. Then it was gone.’

Bolitho was aware of Keveth’s irritation.

‘What sort of vessel is she? Square-rigged, fore and aft? Take your time.’

It was hard to remain calm, contained, but any sign of impatience or doubt and Hooker’s recollections would be scattered. He thought of Egmont back there in the darkness, doubtless fuming with frustration and cursing Verling for sending him out on this pointless quest. A waste of time. What Hooker had to say now would change everything.