A voice called, 'Heron's anchored, sir!'
But when Bolitho looked across the nettings he could see nothing. The lookout must have caught a brief glimpse of her reefed topsails as she edged around the cape, or the splash of her anchor when she let go?
Tackles creaked and jerked as both cutters were swayed over the gangways before the decks were sealed off in a web of nets. That could be left safely to the boatswain. Not too taut to afford a grip to some daring boarder, just slack enough to confuse him, to allow a pike or bayonet to catch him before he could slip free?
Men shuffled across the deck, and he heard an occasional clink of steel, the thud of oars being released from their lashings?
Graves came aft, his breeches white in the darkness?
'You know what to do?' Bolitho looked at each in turn.' Mr. Tyrrell will lead. Muffle your oars, and watch out for enemy pickets.'
Graves sounded breathless.' How will we recognise our own soldiers?'
Bolitho could imagine his mouth jerking uncontrollably and was tempted to keep him on board? But Tyrrell was all important. He knew the lay of the land like his own cabin. It needed an experienced officer to back him if things went wrong?
He heard Tyrrell reply calmly, 'Easy. Th' Frogs speak French!'
Graves swung round and then controlled himself with an effort?
'I-I didn't ask for your sarcasm! It's all right for you? This is your country.'
'That will do!' Bolitho stepped closer.' Remembers our people are depending on you. So let's have none of this bickering.'
Tyrrell eased his sword in its sheath.' I'm sorry, sir. It was my fault.' He rested his hand on Graves 's shoulder.' Forget I spoke, eh?'
Fowler's voice came up from the boats.' All ready, sir!'
Bolitho walked to the gangway.' Be back by dawn.' He touched Tyrrell's arm.' How is the pain now?'
'Hardly feel a thing, sir.' Tyrrell stood back to allow his men to clamber into the cutters.' A bit of exercise will do me good.'
The boats shoved off and pulled steadily into the darkness. Within minutes they had vanished, and a watchful silence settled over those who stood at the loaded guns on either beam?
Bolitho sought out Stockdale and said, 'Have the gig lowered. I may want word carried to Heron.' He saw Bethune's plump outline by the rail and added, «You take the gig and pull round the ship. I will signal if] need a message passed.'
Bethune hesitated.' I would have willingly gone with the first lieutenant, sir.'
'I know that.' It was hard to believe that in the midst of all this confusion Bethune had managed to see his choice of Fowler as a personal slur.' He is very young. I need all the men I can get to manage the ship.' It was a lame explanation, but it seemed to suffice?
It was cool under the stars, and after the heat of the day, a gentle relief. Bolitho kept the seamen in short watches, so that those not on lookout or standing at the guns might snatch a few moments' rest?
Likewise, the officers stood watch and watch, and when he was relieved by Heyward, Bolitho squatted against the mainmast trunk and rested his head in his hands?
He felt someone gripping his wrist and knew he must have fallen asleep?
Heyward was crouching beside him, his voice a fierce whisper.' Boat approaching, sir, maybe two.'
Bolitho scrambled to his feet, his mind grappling with Heyward's words. Surely they were not returning already. They could not even have reached the first part of their destination?
Heyward said, 'It's not the gig. She's away on the starboard quarter.'
Bolitho cupped his hands round his ears. Above the slap of water alongside he heard oars and the squeak of a tiller?
A boatswain's mate asked, 'Shall I call a challenge, sir?'
'No.' Why had he said that? 'Not yet.'
He strained his eyes and tried to pick out the splash of oars amidst the lapping cat's-paws of the bay. It had to be Tyrrell returning for he was coming straight for the ship without caution or hesitation?
A thin shaft of moonlight had made a small rippling pattern across the water, and as he watched a longboat glided into it, the oars moving unhurriedly?
Before it slid once more into shadows Bolitho saw the gleam of crossbelts, some soldiers wearing shakos crowded in the sternsheets?
Heyward gasped hoarsely, 'Holy God, they're French!'
The boatswain's mate whispered, 'There's another one astern of 'er!'
Thoughts and wild ideas flooded through Bolitho's mind as he watched the boats' slow approach. Tyrrell and his men captured and being returned for parley? The French coming to announce that Yorktown was theirs and to demand Sparrow's surrender?
He moved quickly to the gangway and cupped his hands.' Obi! A canot.! Qui val la?'
There was a babble of voices from the boat and he heard someone laughing?
To Heyward he snapped, 'Quick, recall the gig! We'll catch these beauties with any luck!'
The first boat was already grinding alongside, and Bolitho held his breath, half expecting one of his own men to fire?
From a corner of his eye he saw a cream of sprays and thanked God that the gig's crew had kept their wits. It was sweeping around the stern, and he could imagine Stockdale willing his men to pull with all their strength?
Heyward came back, the signal lantern still in his hand?
Bolitho shouted, 'Now!'
Even as the first men appeared on the chains and clung uncertainly to the nets, a line of armed seamen leapt on to the gangway with levelled muskets, while Glass, the boatswain, swung a swivel gun and trained it threateningly?
There was a chorus of shouts and a musket stabbed fire through the night. The ball slammed into the rail and brought a savage fusilade of shots from Heyward's marksmen?
Glass depressed the swivel and jerked the lanyards changing the crowded boat into a screaming, bloody shambles?
It was more than enough for the second boat. The crash of musket fire, the devastating hail of canister from Glass's swivel were sufficient to render the oars motionless. Hardly a man moved as the gig tore alongside and made fast, and across the choppy water Stockdale bawled, 'Got 'er, sir!' A pause and he called again, 'There's a dozen English prisoners in this 'un!'
Bolitho turned away, feeling sick. He saw Dalkeith and his mates climbing down to the boat alongside and pictured the whimpering carnage he would find there. It could just as easily have been the second boat, and the canister would have carved its bloody path amongst their own people?
He said harshly, 'Get those men aboard, Mr? Heyward. Then send the gig to Heron. Farr will be wondering what the hell we are about.'
He waited beside the entry port, as with boarding nets lifted the first dazed men were pushed or hauled aboard. The second boatload, French and English alike, came with obvious relief. The French glad to have been spared their companions' slaughter. The English redcoats had different reasons, but their stunned disbelief was pitiful to watch?
Bedraggled and filthy, they were more like scarecrows than trained soldiers?
Bolitho said, 'Take the prisoners below, Mr. Glass.' To the redcoats he added, 'Have no fear. This is a King's ship.'
One, a young ensign, stepped forward and exclaimed, 'I thank you, Captain. We all do.'
Bolitho gripped his hand.' You will get all the rest and help I can offer. But first I must know what is happening here.'
The officer rubbed his eyes with his knuckles.' We were taken severyl days back. It was a skirmish with
one of their patrols. Most of my men were killed.' He rocked on his feet.' I still cannot believe we are saved…'
Bolitho persisted, 'Is General Cornwallis holding Yorktown?'
'Yes. But as I expect you know, sir, Washington and the French general, Rochambeau, crossed the Hudson
