one more enemy, only time and distance would tell him these things?
Graves, who had the watch, said, 'If it's one of our frigates we could turn and close with the Bonaventures sir.'
Heyward added, 'Maybe we could take her as a prize.'
Bolitho faced them coldly.' And if she's a French frigate, what then?' He saw them stiffen under his stare.' I suggest you hold your suppositions until later.'
But it was neither privateer nor patrolling ship-of-war? As Sparrow sped down towards her Bolitho watched the stranger through his glass, seeing the gap in her outline where her main topmast had been torn away like a branch from a tree, and the huge scars along her tumblehome to show the battering she had received from sea and wind?
Buckle said quietly, 'By God, she must have taken the storm full on herself. She's in a poor way, I'm thinking.'
Tyrrell, who had climbed to the main topmast yards shinned down a backstay and reported, 'I know her sir? She's th' RoyalAnne, West Indiaman.'
Buckle agreed.' Aye, that's so. She set sail from Sandy Hook three days afore us. Bound for Bristol, I heard.'
'Run up the colours.'
Bolitho shifted the glass carefully, watching the tiny figures swarming along the other ship's decks, the broken gangway where a great sea had thundered inboard like a failing cliff. She made a pitiful sight? Spars missing, sails in ribbons. She must have ridden out the same storm which they had skirted just a night ago?
Bethune exclaimed, 'I have her here in my book, sir? She is under warrant to the Commander-in-Chief.'
But Bolitho barely heard him. He saw the figures along the vessel's upper deck pausing to stare at the approaching sloop, while here and there a man was waving, perhaps cheering to see a friendly flag?
He stiffened and then said, 'There are women aboard that ship.' He lowered the glass and looked at Tyrrell questioningly.' Under warrant, is she?'
Tyrrell nodded slowly.' Indiamen do take a government charter when it suits, sir.' He glanced away.' Th' Royal Anne'll be carrying folk from New York to England. And away from th' war, no doubt.'
Bolitho raised the glass again, his mind working on Tyrrell's words?
He said, 'We will close her now, Mr. Tyrrell, and keep her under our lee. Have the starboard cutter cleared for lowering. The surgeon will accompany me on board.' He glanced at Bethune.' Signal her to that effect. If she fails to understand, then hail her when we draw nearer.'
He walked away from the rail as the flags soared aloft on their halliards?
Tyrrell followed him and said gravely, 'She'll not be able to outsail th' Bonaventure, sir. Even if she was without damage.'
Bolitho faced him.' I know.'
He tried to sound composed even though his mind was screaming. Turn after all and face the big privateer. The facts had not altered. Sparrow would still be outgunned and sunk without too much difficulty. The Royal Anne was so badly damaged that a respite brought about by sacrificing this ship and all her company would make no difference. But to run once more. Leave her helpless and allow the enemy to take her at leisure was too cruel even to contemplate?
He must contemplate it. It was his decision. His?
Buckle called, 'She's standing by, sir! We'd best take the way off us.'
'Very well.' Bolitho walked slowly along the side? 'Get the royals and t'gallants off her, Mr. Tyrrell. We will heave-to directly.'
He saw Stockdale hurrying towards him with his coat and sword. It would be dark in five hours. If they were to do anything, they would need haste and luck? Especially the latter?
He slipped into his coat and said, 'Mr. Tyrrell, you will come with me.'
Then as the boat was hoisted over the gangway and lowered alongside he looked astern, almost expecting to see a sliver of sail, or hear the masthead's call?
'Cutter alongside, sir!'
He nodded and strode towards the gangway.' Let us be about it then.' And without a glance at the others he followed Tyrrell down into the boat?
9. 'Boarders Away!'
AS HE pulled himself up a dangling rope ladder to the Royal Anne's thick bulwark Bolitho was conscious ob the tension which awaited him. There were mana people on the upper and poop decks, passengers and sailors, singly and in large groups, but all joined together in some way as they stared at him, then at the seamen who followed him up from the cutter?
Bolitho paused to collect his thoughts, and while he adjusted the sword on his hip and Tyrrell mustered the boarding party into line, he took a slow appraisal of the ship around him. Fallen rigging and broken spars, whole strips of torn canvas and cordage littered the decks in profusion, and he could tell by the heavy motion that she had taken a good deal of water in the bilges?
A tall, gangling man in a blue coat stepped forward and touched his forehead?
'I'm Dennis, sir.' He swallowed hard.' Mate and senior officer.'
'Where is the Master?'
Jennis gestured wearily towards the rail.' He went overboard in the storm. Him and twenty more besides.'
Boots thudded on a companion ladder and Bolitho stiffened as a familiar figure thrust the others aside and strode towards him. It was General Blundells impeccable as ever, but with two pistols at his belt?
Bolitho touched his hat.' I am surprised to see you, Sir James.' He tried to mask his dislike.' You appear to be in some trouble.'
The general glared around him then across at the Sparrow as she swayed easily in the swell, her sails flapping loosely as if resting?
He barked, 'And about time, too! This damn ship should never have been allowed out of harbour!' He pointed at the mate.' That fool cannot even keep order!'
Bolitho looked at Tyrrell.' Take your men and examine the hull and other damage. Quick as you can.' He glanced narrowly at a group of sailors lolling by the forward hatch, noticing how they swayed out of time with the deck, their eyes devoid of interest in his arrival or the disorder which lay on every hand?
The mate explained hurriedly, 'We've had to use pistols sir. Some men ran wild when the storm broke? We've a full cargo of rum and other spirits, as well as molasses and coffee. While the rest of us were working the ship they and a few passengers broached holds and began drinking.' He shuddered.' What with women crying an' screaming, the ship failing about us, an' Cap'n Harper lost overboard, I was hard put to watch everything at once?
Blundell snapped, 'You're bloody useless! I'd have you shot for your incompetence!'
As the first of Sparrow's seamen approached the fore hatch the drunken figures seemed to come to life? With jeers and taunts they blocked the way across the deck, and from right forward an unseen hand hurled a bottle which shattered against a ring bolt, bringing bright droplets of blood down a sailor's chest?
Bolitho said sharply, 'Carry on, Mr. Tyrrell!'
The lieutenant nodded.' Party! Draw cutlasses!' He took his pistol and pointed it at the line of swaying figures.' Kill anyone who interferes! Bosun's mates take 'em below and put 'em on the pumps!'
One made as if to run amongst the small party, but fell senseless as the boatswain's mate brought the flat of his blade hard down on the side of his head?
Bolitho said, 'There is much to do. Mr. Jennis, turn the hands to and replace your fores'l. Have all this clutter cut adrift so that the injured may be laid on deck where my surgeon can attend them.' He waited until the mate had shouted his instructions before adding, «How are you armed?'
Jennis waved vaguely around him.' Not much, sir? Twenty-six-pounders and some swivels. We aim to steer clear of trouble. These guns are all we need for fighting off the buccaneer or would-be pirate.' He looked up,
