Bolitho shaded his eyes to stare at the other sloop as her sails suddenly filled and brought her round in a slow pirouette. Across the sea's glittering face he sa/
the first ruffle of wind, then felt the sun-dried planking lift under his shoes, the immediate response of blocks and halliards?
The Sparrow's decks were like tinder and it made no difference how many times they were doused down? Paintwork was blistered by the heat, and as he turned to watch the busy seamen he realised it was hard to tell the Negroes from his original company. Lean and sun-dried maybe, he thought, but they looked healthy and bright-eyed, ready for anything?
Tyrrell called, 'Shall I have th' larboard cutter towed astern now, sir?'
Bolitho nodded. Only by towing them alternately could they hope to keep them from drying out and opening their seams. Even half filling them with water on board seemed to have small effect?
'Yes. Tell Mr. Tilby to…' He checked himself and added, 'Pass the word to the boatswain, if you please.'
After six months, it was still difficult not to speak his name, or expect to see his sweating features peering aft at the quarterdeck?
They had run down a Spanish schooner off the Great Bahama Bank, but had been forced to fire on her when she refused to yield. Then, with grapnels flying like snakes, Sparrow had surged alongside in the manner so well practised that it was accepted without comment even by the new men. A few pistol shots, the sight of the half- naked boarders with drawn cutlasses had been enough to quench the Spaniard's resistance and it was all over almost before it had begun? Sometime in the middle of it, while men had dashed to shorten sail and prepare for boarding, as Bolitho had waved his arm to signal the Spanish master to strike and avoid bloodshed, Tilby had died?
Not in the heat and terror of close action or under an enemy broadside, but quietly and without fuss while he had stood at the foot of the foremast, his favourite place where he usually kept an eye on the workings ob his ship. Dalkeith had examined him and reported that the boatswain's heart had given out, like a clock which had run its course and could take no more?
His death made a deep impression on everyone who had known him. To die in such a way was unthinkable. Tilby, who had survived battles at sea and countless drunken brawls in taverns the world over, had gone without a man seeing his passing?
When Tyrrell had collected his possessions Bolitho had been dismayed to see that there was hardly anything to barter amongst the company and thereby raise money for dependents he might have in England? Two small wood carvings of ships he had once served, and one of them was broken, a collection of foreign coins, and his silver call which had been presented to him by no less a person than Captain Oliver of the Menelaus where he had served as a bosun's mate? Poor Tilby, he had not even learned to write his own name, and his language was limited to the profane for much of the time. But he knew ships, and he knew Sparrow like his own body?
Harry Glass, the senior boatswain's mate, had been promoted in his place, but like most of the others seemed unable to accept that he was now independent of Tilby's booming voice and ever-vigilant eye?
As he watched the cutter rising from its chocks on the gun deck Bolitho wondered if indeed Tilby had anyone ashore to grieve for him. He touched the sun-heated taffrail and shuddered. He was a captain now, the realisation of a dream which had been with him since he could remember. If the war suddenly ended, or other circumstances forced him to leave the Navys he would drop from his present foothold like a falling stone. Not being confirmed to post-rank, he would end up as a mere lieutenant on half-pay, and all this would just be a mocking memory. But how much worse for those like Tilby. He ran his eyes quickly across the men nearest to him as they worked at the braces to set Sparrow before the wind again. They had nothing. A little prize money if they were fortunate, some bounty maybe from a charitable captain, otherwise they would be thrown on the beach less able to face the demands of the outside world than when they had volunteered or been pressed into service. It was unjust. Worse, it was dishonourable to treat men so shabbily, when without their sacrifice and courage their country would have fallen to an enemy years ago?
He began to pace the deck, his chin sunk on his chest. Perhaps one day they could change it. Make the Navy a Service where men from all walks of life would be as glad as he was to serve in reasonable security?
'Deck thar! Breakers on the larboard bow!'
He came out of his thoughts and said.' Bring her round two points, Mr. Buckle. We will give those reefs a wide berth until we are clear.'
'Aye, sir.'
He turned his attention to the other sloop, noting that Maulby had managed to repaint his hull in spite of the heat. Fawn was exactly the same colour as Sparrows and to any uncertain eye would appear a twin. It was another part of Bolitho's hard-won experience. When sailing separately, the fact they looked so similar helped to keep the enemy or his spies guessing. Like the flag locker, which he had stocked with almost every foreign flag in the book. Deception and surprise had been the enemy's game. Bolitho was reaping the benefit of their past success and turning the tables against them?
'West nor'-west, sir! Steady as she goes!'
'Very well.' He glanced at the compass and at the set of the main topsails.' Not much of a wind, Mr? Buckle, but it suffices for the present.'
All afternoon and into early evening the two sloops continued on the same tack, with the wind showing no sign of changing in strength or bearing?
The first dog watch was just drawing to its close and Bolitho was making another attempt to complete his letter when a sail was reported to the southwest? Signalling Fawn to remain in company, Bolitho altered course to investigate, but as the newcomer showed no sign of running he guessed it was a friendly ship. The masthead soon confirmed that she was in fact the flotilla's little schooner Lucifer, a vessel kept as busy if not busier than any of them, carrying despatches and poking into coves and bays where even sloops found little room to move in safety?
In the dull bronze sunlight she made a pretty sights with her big fore-and-aft sails spread like wings across her narrow hull as she tacked towards the sloops, her signal flags soaring aloft to break in brightly coloured squares?
Bethune called, 'Have despatches on board, sir!'
Bolitho looked at Tyrrell.' Heave to, if you please.' To Bethune he added, 'Make to Fawn. Remain in close company.' He crossed to the rail as Tyrrell lowered his speaking trumpet.' You can never be sure. She might have good news for us.'
Tyrrell gripped the rail, grimacing with pain as, with sails slapping fussily, Sparrow came up into the wind?
'Damn this leg!' In a calmer tone he said, 'Good or bad, it's grand to see a friend. I was beginning to think we had th' bloody sea to ourselves.'
A jolly boat was already on its way, and Bolitho saw that Lieutenant Odell, the schooner's captain, was coming in person, and felt a sudden twinge of hopeful excitement?
Odell clambered up the side and doffed his hat to the quarterdeck. He was a quick, darting young mans and was said to be slightly mad. But he seemed calm enough, and when he reached the cabin handed Bolitho his bulky envelope before saying, 'I have just come from Captain Colquhoun.' He took a glass ob wine from Fitch and stared at it.' He is much excited.'
Bolitho slit open the envelope and ran his eyes quickly over the scrawling hand of Colquhoun's personal clerk?
Tyrrell stood just inside the door, and Bolitho was well aware of Buckle's shadow across the skylight above the table. Not actually eavesdropping, but if he happened to hear anything, well…?
He looked up and said, 'Captain Colquhoun took a fishing boat and questioned the crew.' He flattened the damp paper on the table.' That was a week ago.'
Odell held the empty glass in front of him and waited until Fitch had refilled it before saying dryly, 'Actually,] caught the boat, sir,' he shrugged disdainfully, 'but the good Captain Colquhoun seemed to take it over, as it were.'
Bolitho eyed him gravely.' It also states here that the crew provided valuable information about the Frenchman.' He beckoned to Tyrrell and pushed the unfinished letter from his chart.' The flute was sighted here, close inshore,' his finger rested on the western end of Grand Bahama Island, 'right amongst the islets? She was carrying out repairs, according to the fishermen.'
