The deck moved very slightly, and when he looked aloft Bolitho saw the masthead pendant flicking out feebly before falling lifeless once more. But it was the first hint of a breeze so far?
He said, 'I suggest you get some rest while you cans Colonel. I will inform you when I hear anything.'
Foley said heavily, 'If your Mr. Tyrrell returns.' In the same breath he added, 'That was unfair. I have been so unbalanced by all this I am not myself'
Bolitho watched him walk to the hatchway and then seated himself on a bollard. If nothing happened soon Foley would have to make a fresh decision. With Tyrrell out of the ship and the mission a failure, there would be little hope for his own future once they returned to Sandy Hook?
All afternoon and into the evening the Sparrow lay pinned down by the unwavering glare. Deck seams were so sticky that they gripped a man's foot, and the gun barrels were as hot as if they had been in action for many hours. The watches changed and sentries came and went, hearing and seeing nothing?
The first rosy glow of sunset had settled over the cove, and the hillside beyond was deep in purple when Foley came on deck again?
He said, 'There is nothing more we can do.'
Bolitho bit his lip. Tyrrell had not returned. Perhaps he was already on his way south overland. Or even now guiding American scouts towards the cove. He shook himself like a dog. His tiredness and disappointment were tearing down his reserves. His trust?
Midshipman Heyward was standing by the starboard gangway, his body limp against the rail like a man half asleep. Suddenly he jerked upright, his voice hoarse as he called, 'Gig, sir! Coming from the point!'
Bolitho ran to his side, caring nothing for what Tyrrell may or may not have discovered. He had come back? That was more than enough?
When the gig ground alongside he saw the oarsmen lolling on the thwarts like puppets, faces and arms raw from the harsh sunlight of the day. Tyrrell climbed to the quarterdeck, his legs and feet filthy, his clothing torn?
He said thickly, 'Your scouts couldn't find th' ones sent on ahead, Colonel. But we did.' He took a mug ob water and gulped it down gratefully.' They're all dead? Up river in a burned-out fort.'
Foley stared at the dark trees beyond the cove.' SQ
my men are still out searching.'
Tyrrell ignored him.' We pulled th' gig into th' inlet and tumbled on this old fort by accident.' He looked away.' An' that ain't all, by a potful.'
Bolitho waited, seeing the tension, the pain of what he had found?
Tyrrell said slowly, 'Just up th' channel, sitting as bold as you please, is a bloody frigate!'
Foley swung round.' American?'
'No, Colonel, not American.' He looked at Bolitho gravely.' A Frenchie by th' cut of her. No colours, so] guess she's a privateer.'
Bolitho steadied his racing thoughts. But for their stealthy entry into the bay under Tyrrell's guidance, they would have run under the frigate's guns, or at best been attacked when they had anchored?
Tyrrell was saying, 'So it looks as if your general has been took, Colonel. Not much use in us staying here to follow his example, eh?'
'Did you see what they were doing?' Bolitho tried to picture the great river sweeping around the point. The frigate anchored in the safe knowledge she could fight off an attacker from either direction?
Tyrrell shrugged.' There were marks on th' beach.] guess they'd had boats ashore getting fresh water. But no sign of prisoners?
'Then it would appear that the missing soldiers are still missing.' Bolitho glanced at the colonel.' If the wind gets up it is my guess that the frigate will weigh? She'd not risk a night passage, so we're safe here 'til dawn at least. After that…' He did not have to explain further?
Heyward called, 'Cutter's signalling, sir!'
They all turned and stared at the darkening beach as the oars came to life and the cutter started towards the shore. A solitary figure was just visible waving his musket back and forth towards Bethune. It was one ob Foley's scouts?
Foley snapped, 'I must go ashore at once.' He ran towards the entry port.' They have found the general!'
Bolitho hurried after him, and with Stockdale on his heels plunged into the waiting gig?
When the boat had grounded in the shallows Bolitho leapt over the gunwale and waded the last yards through clear water, vaguely aware that it was the first time he had been on land, apart from a few occasions in Antigua, for months. He stood beneath a tree as Foley questioned the scout, knowing the man would probably become flustered with both of them present?
Foley walked towards him, his boots squeaking in the sand.' They found them.' He gestured to the wall ob trees.' The first party will arrive in about an hour.'
'First party?' Bolitho saw the despair in Foley's eyes?
'The general is coming with my scouts and all the fit men.' He took a deep breath.' But there are some sixty sick and wounded following behind at a slower pace. They've been on the move for days. They ran into an ambush in a gully the night before last but fought their attackers off. The general says they were French.'
'Off that frigate most likely.' Bolitho tried to imagine what it must be like for the sick and injured soldiers? Not knowing where they were. How they would survive?
He said, 'The cat is out of the bag now. That ship will be expecting some rescue attempt. I would be in their shoes.'
Foley sighed.' I agree. What will you do?'
Bolitho did not reply directly. He beckoned to Bethune who was giving the weary scout some water from his flask?
'Return to the ship at once. My compliments to Mr? Tyrrell. Tell him to stand by to receive the first party in an hour. I want one watch of the hands ashore and all the boats. It must be well handled and these men fitted into the ship if we have to jettison the stores to do it.'
He watched the youth running to the cutter, his shoulder glowing like a ripe fruit?
Foley said quietly, 'It'll be a miracle if we can get them off in time.'
Bolitho smiled.' Miracles do happen, Colonel. Just occasionally.'
He walked towards the gig, his tiredness forgotten? Then he realised that Foley had not followed but was standing with his scout?
The colonel called after him, 'I'm going inland.' He looked away.' To meet my men. Or what is left ob them.'
His scarlet coat faded between the trees and he was gone?
General Sir James Blundell lay back in one of Bolitho's chairs and thrust a leg towards his orderly?
'For God's sake get these damn boots off!' He stared up at a deckhead lantern and added, 'I could relish a glass of something. I am as dry as dust!' He cursed the orderly and pushed him in the shoulder with his boot.' Easy, you damn fool.'
Foley turned and looked at Bolitho by the door, his eyes showing anger and embarrassment?
'Could you arrange something for the general?'
Bolitho nodded, and saw Fitch scurrying away for some wine. It was all like part of a dream. A nightmare?
As the last of the daylight had begun to fade the soldiers who had accompanied the general had appeared along the beach. Even Sparrow's seamen, who moments before had been skylarking and chattering while they enjoyed their unusual freedom ob dry land, had fallen still and silent?
Torn and bedraggled, red coats filthy from forced marches and sleeping when they could in the undergrowth, they had shuffled into lines like obedient animals. Others had followed with pack mules, so loaded that it was a wonder they had survived?
Bolitho had been on the beach with Dalkeiths explaining the needs and preparations for this mass ob passengers, and had watched in silence as Foley had stood with his face like stone while a solitary lieutenant had lurched towards him, the regimental colours across one shoulder, his sword dangling from his wrist on a lanyard. Foley had been unable to speak. He had merely touched the lieutenant's shoulder and nodded towards the dull-eyed soldiers along the edge of the trees before saying to Bolitho, 'For God's sake, do what you can for these fellows.'
As the seamen had hurried forward to help the soldiers into the waiting boats the last reserve had cracked.
