'March the accused out, Captain Reece!'
Bolitho watched Colquhoun as he lurched past the assembled officers, his gait less steady than the blind seaman's had been. It was incredible. Yet despite what had just happened he could sense neither release nor satisfaction. Shame, pity, he did not know what he really felt?
'You may stand down, Captain Bolitho.' The admiral eyed him calmly.' It will be placed on record that you and your people acted and behaved in the best traditions of the Service.' He turned to the cabin at large.' Court will reassemble in two hours. That is all.'
Outside the stuffy cabin it felt like a different world? Faces swam around him, hands gripped him, and many voices called greetings and congratulations?
Tyrrell and Odell, with Buckle bringing up the rears managed to guide him to a quieter part of the upper deck to await their respective boats. Bolitho saw the small artist and strode across to him?
'Thank you for what you did.' He held out his hand.'] was hard on you earlier.' He looked round.' Where is that man Richards? I would like to thank him, too. It took true courage to act as he did.'
'He's already gone across to a transport, Captain. I asked him to wait, but…' He shrugged sadly?
Bolitho nodded.' I understand. Here we all are, congratulating ourselves, while he has nothing to look forward to and no eyes to see what awaits him either.'
The little man smiled, his gaze on Bolitho's face, as if seeking to discover something?
'My name is Majendie. I would like to speak with you again.'
Bolitho clapped him on the shoulder, forcing a smile?
'Then join me in my ship. If we must wait two hours, then I'd rather do it where I have a sense of freedom.'
The court assembled at the exact moment prescribed, and Bolitho found he was barely able to take his eyes from Colquhoun's sword. It was pointed towards him, the hilt on the opposite side of the table?
The senior captain's voice was lost, too, in his confused thoughts and memories. He heard fragments like 'hazarding the lives of men under your commands the ships used at your direction.' And later: '… did lay false evidence to smear the name of a King's officer and thereby bring discredit on this court.' There was a lot more, but Bolitho heard other voices intermingled with the cold summing-up. Maulby, Tyrrell, even Bethune, they were all in it. And above all, the blind seaman, Richards. He were a good cap'n. Surely there was no better epitaph for any man?
He jerked from his thoughts as the admiral said, 'The sentence is that you be dismissed your ship and be confined under close arrest until such time you may be transported to England.'
Colquhoun stared at the grave-faced officers and then at his sword?
Dismissed his ship. Bolitho looked away. They should have hanged him. It would have been kinder?
A voice broke the silence, 'Prisoner and escort, quick march!'
It was over?
As the orderlies ushered the chattering spectators towards the quarterdeck, Rear-Admiral Christie came round the table and held out his hand?
'Well done, Bolitho.' He shook Bolitho's hand warmly.' I have great hopes for young officers of your cut.' He saw Bolitho's uncertainty and smiled.' It grieved me to treat you as I did. But I had to have your name cleared of that slur. Right or wrong, it would have marked you for the rest of your service.' He sighed wearily.' Only Colquhoun could do it, and it took poor Richards to spark the flint.'
'Yes, sir. I see that now.'
The admiral picked up his hat and studied it?
'Come ashore with me tonight. The Governor is holding a reception. A ghastly business, but it does no harm to see 'em enjoying themselves.' He seemed to sense Bolitho's mood.' Take it as an order!'
'Thank you, Sir Evelyn.'
Bolitho watched him as he walked to his adjoining cabin. An invitation ashore. The admiral could just as easily have sentenced him to ignominy, if fate had not stepped in to aid him?
He let out a long breath. When did you ever cease to learn about such complex matters?
Then he strode out to look for his gig amongst the many boats alongside?
The reception that evening proved to be even more breath-taking and unnerving than Bolitho had imagined it could be. As he handed his hat to a bewigged Negro footman and waited for Rear-Admiral Christie to exchange a few words with another flag officer, he stared up and around the great pillared hall, at the teeming throng of colourful figures who seemed to fill every inch of floor space and a handsome balcony as well. The scarlet coats of the military were very much in the majority, interspersed with velvets and brocades ob their ladies, the familiar blue of sea-officers, although Bolitho noted with some alarm that most of the latter appeared to be admirals of one sort or another. Marine officers, too, their white facings and silver buttons distinguishing them from the soldiers, and so mana civilians it was a wonder that New York had not come to a standstill. Along one side there were alcoves where Negro footmen and servants were kept busy at long tables, the contents of which were enough to make Bolitho think he was dreaming. The nation was at war, yet those tables were groaning under the weight of food and delicacies of every kind. Meats and huge portions of pie, tempting fruits and a glittering array ob silver punch-bowls which were being refilled even as he watched?
Christie rejoined him and murmured, 'Take a good look at em, Bolitho. A man needs to know whom he is serving, as well as his cause!'?
A footman in green livery met them at the top of the marble stairs, and after a cursory glance addressed the assembled guests in a voice which would have fitted a foretopman in a gale.' Sir Evelyn Christies Knight of the Bath, Rear-Admiral of the Red.' He did not bother to announce Bolitho, probably taking him as a mere aide, or some dependent relative?
Not that it mattered. There was no break in the tide of laughter and conversation, and hardly anybody turned to examine the newcomers?
Christie moved nimbly through the fringe of the
crowd, nodding to a face here, pausing to pat a sleeve or bow to a lady there. It was hard to see him in his role that morning. President of the court. Answerable to nobody when he passed his sentence?
Bolitho followed the admiral's slight figure until they reached a table at the far end of the hall. Beyond it and the perspiring footmen a doorway opened on to a great lawn, where he could see a fountain shining in the reflected glow of lanterns?
'Well?' Christie waited until each had a heavy goblet in his hand.' What do you make of 'em?'
Bolitho turned to study the press of figures by the alcove, hearing the strings of some invisible orchestra as they joined in a lively quadrille. How anyone could find room to dance he could not imagine?
'It's like a fairyland, sir.'
Christie regarded him with amusement.'Fools' paradise is a better description!'
Bolitho tasted the wine. Like the goblet, it was perfect. He relaxed slightly. The question had put him on guard, but the admiral's comment had shown that he had no intention of testing him?
Christie added, 'A town under siege, and we must accept that is the true position here, is always unreal. It is crammed with refugees and tricksters, merchants out for quick profit who care little for which side they trade with. And as always in a campaign of any sizes there are two armies.'
Bolitho watched him, momentarily forgetting the noise and bustle around him, the despair and anxiety of the morning. As he had believed from the firsts Christie's austere appearance hid a rapier-sharp mind. A brain which could sift and examine each challenge and problem, discarding everything that was superfluous?
'Two armies, sir?'
The admiral signalled for fresh goblets.' Drink your fill. You'll not find wine like this elsewhere. Yes, we have the military who daily face the enemy, search out his weakness or try to contain his attacks. Soldiers who live on their feet. Know nothing of clean beds or good food.' He smiled sadly.' Like those you saved in Delaware Bay. Real soldiers.'
'And the others?'
Christie grimaced.' Behind every great army there is the organisation.' He gestured towards the crowd? 'The military government, the secretariat, and the traders who live off the fighting like leeches.'
Bolitho eyed the swaying figures outside the alcove with growing uncertainty. He had always mistrusted people of the sort described, but it seemed impossible that it was all so blatant, so dishonest as the admiral had said. And
