fighting each other, for the drink and for what they might take from us when they were too crazed to know otherwise.' She dropped her eyes?
'It was horrible. Terrifying.' The eyes came up again and levelled on his face. They were the colour ob violets.' Then all at once there was a shout. Someone called, A ship! A King's ship!' and we ran on deck despite the dangers.'
She turned to look across the bulwark.' And there you were. Little Sparrow. It was almost too much for most of us. Had I not made that jest at your expense,] think some might have broken down.'
Bolitho's defences wavered.' Er, yes. Quite so.' He toyed with his sword-hilt, seeing Dalkeith hurry past and giving him a curious glance as he went.' You thought quickly, ma'am.'
'I know about some things, Captain. I saw your eyes when you spoke to your lieutenant and Sir James? There is worse to come, is there not?'
Bolitho shrugged.' In truth I do not know.'
He heard the general shouting angrily at a seaman and said, 'That man is bad enough for me!'
She gave a mock curtsy, smiling again.' Sir Jamest He can be difficult, I agree.'
'You know him?'
She moved back towards the other women.' Ma uncle, Captain.' She laughed.' Really you must try to hide your emotions better! Or else you will never be an admiral!'
Tyrrell came on deck and said, 'That woman in the cabin is ill. But Dalkeith is managing well enough.' He frowned.' Are you all right, sir?'
Bolitho rasped, 'In God's name stop asking stupid questions!'
'Aye, sir.' He grinned, seeing the girl by the rail and far more beside.' I understand, sir.'
There was a dull bang, and as they all turned Bolitho saw a puff of smoke drifting from one of Sparrow's larboard batteries?
The general came panting up a ladder and shouted, 'What was that?'
Bolitho replied quietly, 'The signal, sir. My lookout has sighted the enemy.'
He ignored the general and those near him as his mind accepted the one important fact. In a way it was almost a relief to meet it. Recognise what must be done?
'Mr. Tyrrell, Bonaventure will take severyl hours to show her intentions. By then it will be too dark for her captain to attack. Why should he? He merely has to await the dawn and then pounce?
Tyrrell watched him, fascinated by his even tone?
Bolitho continued, 'If the wind does not act against us, we will be able to transfer the passengers to Sparrow. I want every boat working, and all who are neither sick nor injured to take fairly to their tasks.'
'I understand.' Tyrrell studied him impassively? 'There's nothing else you could do. Many would leave 'em to their own devices.'
Bolitho shook his head.' You have not understood.] am not going to abandon the Royal Anne or scuttle her to avoid capture as a prize.' He saw Tyrrell's jaw tighten, the quick anxiety in his eyes.' I intend to stay in her with sixty volunteers. What happens later will depend very much on Bonaventure's captain.'
He had not noticed that the others had crowded round him, but turned as the general exclaimed, 'You cannot! You dare not risk this ship and cargo! I'll see you damned first!'
Silk rustled against Bolitho's arm and he heard the girl say calmly, 'Be still, Uncle. The captain intends to do more than dare.' She did not turn her face.' He intends to die for us. Is that not enough, even for you?'
Bolitho nodded curtly and strode aft, hearing Stockdale's voice as he hurried to cover his retreat. He had to think. Plan every last moment until the actual second of death. He paused and leaned against the ornate taffrail. Death. Was it so soon upon him?
He turned angrily and said, 'Pass the word for those boats to begin loading immediately! Women and children, then the injured.' He glanced past the ship's mate and saw the girl staring after him.' And no arguments from anyone!'
He walked to the opposite side and looked at his own command. How beautiful she was as she edged carefully across the Indiaman's quarter. Soon now he would be able to see the enemy's sails on the horizon? Closing, like the hunter, for his kill. There was so much to do. Orders for Sparrow to carry to Antigua. Perhaps even a quick letter to his father. But not just yet. He must stand quite still a little longer to watch his ship? Hold her in his memory before she was taken from him?
Bolitho was still staring across the water when Tyrrell came aft to report that all available boats were working, carrying the passengers and Indiaman's company over to the waiting sloop?
He added, 'She'll be a mite more crowded than when we rescued th' redcoats.' He hesitated and then said, 'I'd like to stay with you, sir.'
Bolitho did not look at him.' You realise what you are saying? There is more at stake than your life.'
Tyrrell tried to grin.' Hector Graves will make a better commander, sir.'
Bolitho faced him.' You will be called on to fight some of your own people.'
Tyrrell smiled.' I knew that was what you were thinking.' He gestured towards some of Sparrow's seamen as they carried an elderly woman towards the boat tackles.' These are my people. Then can I stay?'
Bolitho nodded.' Gladly.' He removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.' Now I'll go and write Graves 's orders.'
'Deck there! Sail on th' larboard quarter!'
They looked at each other and then Bolitho said quickly, 'Hurry our people along. I do not want the enemy to see what we are about.'
As he strode away Tyrrell stared after him and then murmured, 'So be it, Cap'n.'
He heard a sudden cry and saw the girl who had made Bolitho angry struggling to push her way through a cordon of seamen?
A boatswain's mate bellowed, 'She don't want to go, sir!'
The girl punched the sailor's arm but he did not seem to feel it?
Then she shouted at Tyrrell, 'Let me stay! I want to be here!'
He grinned down at her and then pointed at the boat alongside. Kicking and protesting she was picked up bodily and carried to the rail, where with little ceremony she was passed down the side like a bright silk parcel?
The sky was much darker when Bolitho came on deck with a sealed envelope for the boat still hooked on to the chains. All other boats were hoisted, and the ship around him seemed very quiet and empty?
He raised a telescope and trained it over the quarter. The Bonaventure was visible now, some six miles distant. But she had already shortened sails waiting, as he had expected, for the new day?
Tyrrell touched his hat.' Our men are aboard, sir.' He gestured to the main deck where Midshipman Heyward was speaking to a petty officer.' I picked 'em myself, but you could have had volunteers a'plenty.'
Bolitho handed the envelope to a seaman.' Pass this to the boat.' To Tyrrell he added slowly, 'Go and take some rest. I shall think awhile.'
Later as Tyrrell lay in an abandoned cabin, the deck of which was littered with open chests and discarded clothing, he heard Bolitho's shoes on the planking overhead. Back and forth, up and down. Thinking? Eventually the sound of his pacing made his eyelids droop, and he fell into a dreamless sleep?
Bolitho stood straddle-legged on the Royal Anne's poop, seeing his own shadow for the first time across the taffrail. How long the night had been, but at the hint of dawn everything seemed to begin at once, like the start of some ill-rehearsed drama. Away on the larboard quarter he saw the hardening pyramid of sails where the big privateer moved purposefully before the wind. Strangely, her hull was still lost in shadow, with only a bone of white around her stem to reveal her growing speed. About three miles distant. He turned his glass to the opposite quarter to the little sloop? Sparrow was much closer, yet in spite of this seemed even smaller?
Tyrrell joined him and said, 'Th' wind seems steady enough, sir. Nor'-west by north, by my reckoning.' He was speaking in a hushed voice, as if afraid to disturb the ships and their deliberate preparations to fight?
Bolitho nodded.' We will steer sou'-east. It is what the enemy will expect.'
He tore his eyes from the privateer and turned to look along the Indiaman's deck. The new foresail was drawing well, as were spanker and jib. The rest were little better than shreds, and to try to tack more than a point or so would be a waste of time?
Tyrrell sighed.' I've checked th' guns myself. Loaded as ordered.' He scratched his stomach.' Some of 'em look so old they'd split if we double-shotted 'em.'
