Three weeks had gone by since he had confronted Colquhoun in Bacchante's cabin and almost every day had been occupied with incident and activity?
Only certain details still stood out with stark clarity in his mind. The picture of slaughter and desolation on Fawn's shattered deck. Maulby's face, the flies crawling over his contorted features. Young Heyward's obvious pride at being given the task of receiving the Frenchman's surrender, and the Fawn's one surviving officer who had gone to take charge of the enemy until the marines arrived. Maulby's lieutenant had been like a man coming out of the shadow of death itself. His movements disjointed, his face stricken from the sights and sounds he had endured?
On the morning of the court martial Bolitho stood on Sparrow's quarterdeck with Tyrrell and Buckle, aware of the many watching eyes, of his men, and those on nearby ships at anchor?
Tyrrell shifted his leg and muttered, 'I may be called as witness, but by God I feel like a guilty man!'
Bolitho watched the gig moving towards the entry port, and noticed that Stockdale and the oarsmen were dressed in their best clothes. Conscious, too, of this moment perhaps?
As well they might, he thought grimly. It was Colquhoun's day, but it was not unknown for a drowning man to drag others down with him?
He shifted his gaze to the old seventy-four which lay some three cables distant. The Parthian, where he had been given his instructions for rescuing the soldiers and General Blundell's bullion from the Delaware. How long ago it seemed now. An eternity?
The gig made fast and Tyrrell said abruptly, 'That bastard deserves to hang!'
Bolitho followed the others to the entry port, trying once again to find his true feelings. It was difficult to go on hating Colquhoun. His weakness had perhaps been too human, which made it harder to condemn after the first anger had passed?
As eight o'clock came and the bells chimed from each anchored ship-of-war, a solitary gun crashed out from the Parthian's side, and the court martial Jack broke simultaneously from her gaff. It was time?
Graves stood with the rigid side party, his face expressionless as they climbed into the gig. He was not implicated, and Bolitho wondered if he saw his chances of promotion reflected in the court martial flag?
Once through Parthian's gilded entry port and past the marine guard and assembled band, Bolitho felt a rising sense of disgust. The two-decker's quarterdeck was thronged with visitors. Senior officers, some ob them military, severyl prosperous-looking civilians and a solitary artist gave the impression of a carefree outing rather than a trial. The artist, a bearded, intent little man, busied himself from every angle, making quick sketches, dotting in detail of uniform or titles hardly pausing between each capture?
He saw Bolitho and hurried between the chattering throng, his pad already poised in readiness?
'Ali, good sir! Captain Bolitho?' The pencil hovered and then darted down.' I am so glad to see you at last? I have heard much of your exploits.' He paused and smiled shyly.' I wish I could have been aboard your ship to take sketches. The people at home need to be told…'
Tyrrell murmured, 'For Christ's sake!'
A master-at-arms opened a door and the visitors began to filter aft towards the great cabin. Left isolated and ill at ease in their best uniforms, the witnesses remained on the quarterdeck?
Bolitho said quietly, 'At some other time maybe.'
He turned his head to watch a marine captain with drawn sword marching aft to the cabin. Just the sight ob it made him feel sick. The grim array. Like the crowds at Tyburn, or the jeering fools who stood for hours to watch some wretch choking out his life on a village gibbet?
The artist's smile faded.' I understand. I thought…'
Bolitho replied, 'I know what you thought. That I'd be pleased to see a man fall from office!' He did not hide his contempt?
'That, too.' The artist's eyes flickered in the sunlight as he made a quick alteration to his sketch.' I also imagined you might see your future made stronger by this man's disgrace.' He shrugged as Bolitho turned on him angrily.' That I am wrong on both counts makes me a fool, and you an even better man than they say you are?
Bolitho looked at him sadly.' What they say will count for little today.'
A lieutenant called, 'This way, gentlemen.'
They followed him in order of seniority and filed into the ship's wardroom?
The artist passed quickly and vanished towards the great cabin as Tyrrell growled, 'God, what is happening to us? Will they make pictures of th' Day ob Judgement, too?'
All morning the wearing business went on? Witnesses were called and evidence mounted. Factual and hearsay, technical or just plain imagination, it seemed to take an eternity to get it down in writing? There were occasional pauses for refreshment and to allow the visitors to stretch their legs on the quarterdeck?
Throughout the whole morning Bolitho hardly spoke? Around him, their faces displaying either confidence o_
uncertainty, the rest of the witnesses waited their turn? Odell off the schooner Lucifer, his quick, agitated movements only adding to the tension. Bacchante's first lieutenant and sailing master. Fawn's surviving lieutenant and a blinded seaman who had stood beside Maulby when he had been struck down?
In seniority, or as their value directed, the witnesses dwindled until only Bolitho and Tyrrell remained? Through the open ports Bolitho saw boats plying between the ships and the shore, the haze of smoke from a nearby spit of sand where a man was burning driftwood?
It was stiflingly hot. The first day of May. He pictured what it would be like at home. In Falmouth. Sometimes he thought he would never see it again. Tiny pale dots of sheep on the hills and headland. Noisy cows in the lane below the house, always inquisitive as they passed the gates, as if they had never seen them before. And in the town square, where the coaches loaded up for Plymouth or the horses were changed for another route to the west, there would be plenty ob laughter and good cheer. For if the war was a threats so, too, was winter, and that was well behind them until the next time. Now, the fishermen could put to sea in safety, and the fields and markets would show the evidence of their labours and rewards?
'Mr. Tyrrell.' The lieutenant held the door open.' This way.'
Tyrrell picked up his hat and looked at him.' Soon now, sir.' Then Bolitho was alone?
It did not take very long. Tyrrell's evidence was purela factual and concerned the times of crossing the bar and commencing the attack. In all events, he was obeying orders. He was safe?
When his call came Bolitho followed the lieutenant into the cabin without remembering hearing his name announced?
It was packed with seated figures, and right afts behind a table which reached almost from side to sides he saw the officers of the court. In the centre, as President, was Sir Evelyn Christie, flanked by ten captains of varying status and seniority, none of whom was known to Bolitho?
Rear-Admiral Christie eyed him bleakly.' Your sworn statement has been read and submitted in evidence.'
He sounded clipped and formal, so that Bolitho was suddenly reminded of their last meeting. The difference almost amounted to hostility?
'We have heard of the plan to take the flute, of the events leading to her discovery, including evidence given by Lucifer's captain and that of your own officers.' He paused and ruffled through some papers? 'In your statement you said that you had advised your senior officer against a cutting-out expedition of the kind which was eventually employed?'
Bolitho cleared his throat.' I thought that under the circumstances…'
The nearest captain snapped, 'Yes or no!'
'Yes.' Bolitho kept his eyes on the admiral.' I gave my opinion?
The admiral leaned back slowly.' The accused has already stated that is not the case. He gave you your orders only after you had insisted that your ship would be better placed to the north of the Bank.'
In the sudden silence Bolitho could feel his heart pounding like a hammer. He wanted to turn his head and look at Colquhoun, but knew that any such attempt would be immediately seen as guilt?
The senior captain at the table said abruptly, 'Were there any witnesses as to what occurred when these decisions were reached?'
Bolitho faced him.' Only Commander Maulby, sir,'
