The explosion was so violent that Bolitho imagined it must have split the barrel. A whole section of the schooner’s bulwark had vanished, and amidst the charred woodwork and cut rigging the men who had been waiting their chance to leap across were entwined in a writhing heap.
Palliser yelled, “At ’em, lads!” He cut down a running figure and fired his pistol into the press of boarders as the thin line of defenders surged to meet it.
Bolitho was carried forward with the rest, his hanger rasping against a cutlass, the breath burning in his lungs as he parried the blade clear and slashed a wild-eyed man across his chest. A pistol exploded almost in his ear, and he heard Jury cry out to someone to watch his back as two kicking, yelling boarders cut their way through the exhausted seamen.
A pike slid past Bolitho’s hip and pinioned a man who had been trying to follow his comrades through the breach. He was still screaming and dragging at the pike with his bloodied fingers as Stockdale loomed out of the throng and killed him with his cutlass.
Midshipman Ingrave was down, holding his head with both hands as the fight-maddened figures lurched over him in a tide of hatred.
Above it all Bolitho heard Palliser’s voice. “To me, my lads!” It was followed by a burst of cheering and wild cries, and with amazement he saw a tightly packed crowd of men surge through the companionway and forward hatch to join Palliser amidships, their bared blades already clashing with the surprised boarders.
“Drive ’em back!” Palliser pushed through his men, and this seemed to inflame them to greater efforts.
Bolitho saw a shadow waver towards him and struck out with all his strength. The man coughed as the hanger’s blade took him right across the stomach and fell to his knees, his fingers knitted across the terrible wound as the cheering sailors blundered over him.
It could not be happening, but it was. Certain defeat had changed to a renewed attack, and the enemy were already falling back in a broken rout as the wave of men charged into them.
Bolitho understood that they must be the prisoners, the Heloise’s original crew, which Palliser had released and had put to his own use. But it was all confused in his mind as he cut and thrust with the rest, his shoulder knotted in pain, his sword-arm like solid lead. Palliser must have offered them something, as Dumaresq had done for their master, in exchange for their aid. Several had already fallen, but their sudden arrival had put back the heart into the Destiny’s men.
He realized too that some of the pirates had gone over the side, and when he lowered his guard for the first time he saw that the lines had been severed and the schooner was already drifting clear.
Bolitho let his arm fall to his side and stared at the other vessel spreading her sails and using the wind to stand away from the mastless, blood-stained but victorious brig.
Men were cheering and slapping each other on the back. Others ran to help their wounded companions, or called the names of friends who would never be able to answer.
One of the pirates who had been feigning death ran for the bulwark when he finally realized his own vessel was breaking off the battle. It was Olsson’s moment. With great care he drew a knife from his belt and threw it. It was like a streak of light, and Bolitho saw the running man spin round, his eyes wide with astonishment as the heft quivered between his shoulders.
Little jerked out the knife and tossed it to the pale-eyed Swede. “Catch!” Then he picked up the corpse and pitched it over the bulwark.
Palliser walked the length of the deck, his sword over his shoulder where it made a red stain on his coat.
Bolitho met his gaze and said huskily, “We did it, sir. I never thought it would work.”
Palliser watched the released prisoners handing back their weapons and staring at each other as if stunned by what they had done.
“Nor I, as a matter of fact.”
Bolitho turned and saw Jury tying a bandage round Ingrave’s head. They had survived.
He asked, “D’you think they’ll attack again?”
Palliser smiled. “We have no masts. But they have, with the masthead lookouts who can see far further than we. I have no doubt we owe our victory to more than a momentary and unorthodox ruse.”
Palliser, as always, was right. Within the hour Destiny’s familiar pyramid of sails was etched against the horizon in bright sunshine. They were no longer alone.
9. No Childish Desire
THE Destiny’s stern cabin seemed unnaturally large and remote after the embattled brig.
In spite of what he had endured, Bolitho felt wide awake, and wondered what had given him this renewal of energy.
All day the frigate had been hove to with the mastless Rosario wallowing in her lee. While the rest of Palliser’s party and the wounded had been ferried across to Destiny, other boats had been busy carrying men and material to help the brig’s company set up a jury-rig and complete minimum repairs to take them into port.
Dumaresq sat at his table, a litter of papers and charts scattered before him, all of which Palliser had brought from the Rosario. He was without his coat, and, sitting in his shirt, his neckcloth loosely tied, he looked anything but a frigate captain.
He said, “You did well, Mr Palliser.” He looked up, his widely spaced eyes turning on Bolitho. “You also.”
Bolitho thought of that other time when he and Palliser had been demolished by Dumaresq’s scathing attack.
Dumaresq pushed the papers aside and leaned back in the chair. “Too many dead men. Heloise gone, too.” He brushed the thought aside. “But you did the right thing, Mr Palliser, and it was bravely done.” He gave a grin. “I will send Heloise’s people with the Rosario. From what we have discovered, it would seem that their part in all this was of no importance. They were hired or bribed aboard the brigantine, and by the time they realized they were not going on some short coastal passage they were well out to sea. Their master, Triscott, and his mates, took care to ensure they remained in ignorance. So we’ll release them into Rosario ’s care.” He wagged a finger at his first lieutenant. “After you have selected and sworn in any good hands you can use to replace those lost. A spell in the King’s service will make a lively change for them.”
Palliser reached out and took a glass of wine as Dumaresq’s servant hovered discreetly beside his chair.
“What of Egmont, sir?”
Dumaresq sighed. “I have ordered that he and his wife be brought across before nightfall. Lieutenant Colpoys has them in his charge. But I wanted Egmont to remain to the last moment so that he could see what his greed and treachery has cost the brig’s company as well as my own.” He looked at Bolitho. “Our plump surgeon has already told me about the vessel you both saw leaving Rio with such stealth. Egmont was safe while he lay hidden, but whoever gave the order for the Rosario to be waylaid and seized wanted him dead. According to the brig’s charts, her final destination was St Christopher’s. Egmont was prepared to pay the master anything to take him there, even to avoid his other ports of call in order that he should reach St Christopher’s without delay.” He gave a slow smile. “So that is where Sir Piers Garrick will be.” He nodded as if to emphasize his confidence. “The hunt is almost over. With Egmont’s sworn evidence, and he has no choice left now, we shall run that damn pirate to earth once and for all.” He saw Bolitho’s open curiosity and added, “The Caribbean has seen the making of much wealth. Pirates, honest traders, slavers and soldiers of fortune, they are all there. And where better for old enemies to simmer undisturbed?”
He became business-like again. “Complete this coming and going without too much delay, Mr Palliser. I have advised Rosario to return to Rio. Her master will be able to relate his tale to the Viceroy, whereas I was unable to tell mine. He will know that a guise of neutrality must not be so one-sided in future.” As Palliser and Bolitho stood up he said, “I am afraid we are short of fresh water because of my hasty departure. Mr Codd was able to get all the yams, greens and meat he could desire, but water will have to be found elsewhere.”
Outside the cabin Palliser said, “You are temporarily relieved of your duties. Even extreme youth has a limit. Go to your quarters and rest while you can.” He saw Bolitho’s uncertainty. “Well?”
“I-I was wondering. What will become of Egmont?” He tried to keep his voice unconcerned. “And his wife?”
