safety, Bolitho hurled himself into the sternsheetss his sword clattering against the gunwale and almost tripping him on top of the oarsmen?
Stockdale bawled, 'Give way all!' In a lower but no less menacing tone he added, 'An' remember, ma beauties, if one o' you misses a stroke you'll 'ave me to answer!'
The gig seemed to fly across the water, and when at last Bolitho regained his composure and looked astern he saw the Sparrow was already a cable clear. She was pitching steeply in the swell, her sails rippling and flashing in disorder while she lay hove to in the pale sunlight. In spite of his own busy thoughts and andieta he could still find time to admire her. In the past he had often watched the stern cabin of a passing man-of-war and pondered about her captain, what sort of persons his qualities or lack of them. It was very hard to accept that the Sparrow's cabin was his own and that others might be wondering about him?
He turned and saw Fawn's outline overlapping that of the idling frigate, figures moving round her entry port to receive him with all formality. He smiled to himself. In the face of hell it seemed likely that no captain, no matter how junior, was expected to go without his proper acknowledgment?
Bolitho was met at the entry port by Maulby, Fawn's commander. He was very thin, and but for a pronounced stoop would have stood well over six feet? Life between a sloop's decks must be uncomfortable for such a man, Bolitho thought?
He appeared a few years older than himself and had a drawling, bored manner of speaking. But he seemed pleasant enough and made him welcome?
As they ducked beneath the quarterdeck Maulba said, 'The little admiral is excited, it would seem.'
Bolitho paused and stared at him.' Who?'
Maulby shrugged loosely.' In the flotilla we always refer to Colquhoun as our little admiral. He has a way of inserting himself in the role without actually holding the necessary rank!' He laughed, his bent shoulders touching a deckhead beam so that he appeared to be supporting it with his own frame.' You look shockeds my friend?'
Bolitho grinned. Maulby, he decided, was a man you could like and trust on sight. But he had never before heard such comments made about a superior by two subordinates meeting for the first time. In some ships it would be inviting disaster and oblivion?
He replied, 'No, but I am refreshed!'
The stern cabin was much the same size as his own? There was no other similarity. Plain, even spartan, he was reminded of Tyrrell's anger, his bitter attack on the
woman's touch. He saw Colquhoun sitting at a tables his chin in his hands as he stared at some newly opened despatches?
Without pausing he said, 'Sit down, both of you.] must give this matter my attention.'
Maulby looked gravely at Bolitho and dropped one eyelid in a quick wink?
Bolitho glanced away, Maulby's easy acceptance ob their superior was daunting. The little admiral. It suited Colquhoun very well?
Maulby seemed well able to remain relaxed, yet he was nobody's fool. Bolitho had noted the smart way his men had moved about the gun deck, the crisp passing and execution of orders. Bolitho had not met the other captains of Colquhoun's flotilla. If they were all such odd birds as Maulby it was hardly surprising that Colquhoun was showing signs of strain. Or maybe in such small ships individual characters were more noticeable. He thought of Pears in the old Trojan, his rugged features which had never seemed to alter under any circumstances. In a gale, close to a lee shore, or under enemy fire, witnessing a flogging, or commending some sailor on promotion, he had always seemed remote and beyond personal contact. It was hard to imagine Maulby, he paused, or himself eithers with such aloof and godlike powers?
Colquhoun's voice broke across his thoughts, sharp and incisive.' Miranda's captain has brought serious news.' He still did not lift his head.' France has signed an alliance with the Americans. It means that General Washington will have the full support of French regular troops and a powerful fleet.'
Bolitho shifted in his chair, his mind grappling with Colquhoun's announcement. The French had already done much to help their new ally, but this would mean that the war was now firmly in the open. It also implied that the French were showing fresh confidence in the Americans' chance of victory?
Colquhoun stood up quickly and stared through the stern windows.' The Miranda is carrying despatches and intelligence for the Commander-in-Chief at New York. When he left Plymouth he had a brig in compana with duplicate information for Antigua. The ships were caught in a storm shortly after clearing the Channel and the brig was not seen again.'
Maulby asked quietly, 'Taken by the French, sir?'
Colquhoun swung on him with unexpected anger? 'What the hell does it matter? Taken or wreckeds dismasted or bloody well eaten by worms, it makes no difference to us, does it!'
Suddenly Bolitho realised the cause of his attack? Had Colquhoun remained at Antigua until his own ship had refitted, Maulby would have been in charge of the convoy's escort. Miranda's captain, desperate to carra his news to New York, and senior to Maulby, would have ordered him to make arrangements for the information to be taken without delay to Antigua? Nobody could rely on the brig's survival as an excuse for doing nothing. By a mere twist of fate, or Colquhoun's determination to keep control of his ships at sea, Miranda's captain had been able to pass on the decision to him?
In a calmer tone Colquhoun continued, 'It has been reported that the French have been preparing ships for months. From Toulon a whole squadron set sail weeks ago and slipped through the Gibraltar patrols without so much as a squeak of news getting out.' He looked at each of them in turn.' They could be on their way here, to the American coast, anywhere, for all we knows damn their eyes!'
The Fawn had swung slightly in the slow procession of troughs, and through the swaying windows Bolitho could see the two transports, huge and ungainly, their yards askew as they awaited the next signal. Each transport was filled to the deck seams with much needed supplies for the army in Philadelphia. In the wrong hands they would represent a tremendous prizes and the realisation must be foremost in Colquhoun's mind?
Colquhoun said, 'Miranda has agreed to stand by the convoy until we contact the inshore squadron. But in this damned weather it might take weeks.'
Bolitho imagined Colquhoun was picturing the distance like a mental chart. All those miles, with the knowledge that he must eventually make the long passage back to Antigua to resume control of his small force?
Maulby drawled, 'May I suggest that I continue with the transports, sir? With Miranda in company we will be safe enough.' He glanced at Bolitho.' You could then return in Sparrow to English Harbour, pass the news to the admiral and prepare our own ships for further work.'
Colquhoun stared at him, his eyes unseeing?
'God damn the complacency of our precious Government! For years this has been brewing, and while the French have been building new ships, ours have been allowed to go rotten for want of money. If the Channel Fleet were to be ordered to sea tomorrow] doubt that more than twenty sail of the line would be capable!' He saw their surprise and nodded vehemently.' Oh yes, gentlemen, while you have been out here imagining that all would be ready if once the call came, I have been made to stay silent and watch it happening.' He struck the table with his fist.' Some flag officers are too concerned with political power and gracious living to care for the wants of the fleet!'
He sat down heavily.' I must decide…'
The door opened slightly and a frightened-looking midshipman said, 'From Miranda, sir. She requests instructions…' He got no further?
'Tell him to mind his manners!' Colquhoun glared at him hotly.' It is my decision!'
Bolitho glanced at Maulby. For the first time in his life he was beginning to realise the meaning of command?
Whatever Colquhoun decided could be equally right or wrong. Bolitho had learned one thing well. If you made a right decision, others often received the credit. But make a wrong one and you were in no doubt where the blame would he?
Colquhoun said suddenly, 'Send for your clerks Maulby. I will dictate new orders for…' he looked at Bolitho, 'for Sparrow.'
He seemed to be speaking his thoughts aloud.' I do not doubt your ability, Bolitho, but you lack experience.] will need Maulby's Fawn with me until I know what is to happen next.' He gestured to the table as the ship's clerk entered the cabin.' You must remain with the transports. Miranda's captain will give you guidances and you will
