few extra hands from her, eh?'
Herrick saw the others watching Bolitho dully, their bodies almost limp with exhaustion and delayed shock. He guessed that this other Bolitho, cool, confident, filled with ideas again, was the one the seaman on the gun crew had pictured throughout the battle.
The fact that he knew the real Bolitho behind the shield made him feel suddenly privileged and restored.
12. In for a Blow
Rear Admiral Beves Conway made a dark silhouette against the window's colourful rectangle, but Bolitho could recognise his impatience even though his back was turned. Beyond him, still and peaceful above their own varying shadows, the anchored ships shone in the late sunlight.
Undine lay apart from the heavy transport and the little brig Rosalind, and it was impossible to see the damage she had received from the French frigate's eighteen-pounders. Occasionally, when there was a lull in the voices, Bolitho heard the echoes of thudding hammers, the rasp of saws to show that only distance made Undine's trim appearance a lie.
The air in the big, timbered room was cool after the open bay, and although the various figures sitting around it looked as if they had barely moved since his last visit, Bolitho noticed that the place itself had changed considerably in so short a time. More furniture, some rugs, and a whole array of gleaming decanters and glasses made it look lived in, rather than a fortress under siege.
Don Luis Puigserver sat on a brass-bound chest, sipping wine, while James Raymond, tight-lipped and unsmiling, faced him across a littered table. The brig's master, Captain Vega of the original garrison and two red- coated soldiers from the Bedford made up the rest of the gathering. One of the latter, a heavy-faced man introduced briefly as Major Frederick Jardine, and who commanded the soldiers brought from Madras, Bolitho instantly recognised as the one he had seen there when he had been escorting Viola Raymond. He had a fat, belligerent face, and his small, piggy eyes had hardly left Bolitho since he had arrived. The other soldier, a Captain Strype, was his second-in-command, and a complete opposite. Tall and stickthin, with a black moustache, he spoke with a lisp, and had a short, barking laugh. He was probably rather stupid, Bolitho thought, but was obviously much in awe of his superior.
Conway said sharply, 'Naturally I am very distressed to learn of Argus's attack, Captain Bolitho.'
Raymond said, 'Unwarranted, too.'
Conway turned lightly on his heels, his hair yellow in the sunlight. 'But not unexpected, Raymond. Not by me, that is. It was obvious from the beginning that the French were implicated. They have to be, for their own interest's sake. We are lucky that Bedford's arrival put paid to their intention to take Captain Bolitho's ship from him.' He shifted his gaze, his tone incisive. 'And he would have done so, eh?'
Bolitho felt all their eyes on him. 'I believe so, sir.'
Conway bobbed his head. 'Good. Good, Bolitho. I wanted the truth and, believe me, I know what it cost you.'
Raymond tried again to put his point of view. 'I think, sir, that we should despatch the brig to Madras without delay. Sir Montagu Strang may consider that further operations here might be imprudent.' He ignored Conway's stiffening shoulders. 'Later, perhaps, some new plan may be conceived. Until then, we must take this affair as a warning.'
Conway rasped, 'A warning? Do you imagine that for one instant I will let some damned pirate work off his wrath on me and so imperil the very task I have just undertaken?' He stepped closer. 'Well, do you?'
Raymond paled but replied stubbornly, 'I am here on behalf of the government, sir. As an adviser. The French must realise that you are out-manoeuvred before you have begun. If this Muljadi is allowed to plunder and ravage these waters, then there is no chance of using Pendang Bay as a new and flourishstation for trade. No shipping master would risk it.' He turned' towards the brig's captain. 'Is that not so?'
The man nodded glumly. 'We need more protection, sir.'
Raymond sounded triumphant. 'Exactly! Which is what the French intend. If we ask for more men-of-war to patrol the area, they, too, will even the balance by sending additional consorts for Argus.'
Conway stared at him. 'Then so be it!'
'No, sir. It would mean war. Argus is protected by her letter of marque. Muljadi is protected by his own power and backed up by his French friends. There are a thousand Muljadis in the Indies, some who are genuine rulers, and some who reign over fewer people than Captain Bolitho does at present. We all want to extend our trade and influence, to China -if need be, and beyond. There are riches we can only dream of, lands where people have never heard of King George, or Louis either, for that matter.'
Bolitho said quietly, 'You are advising the governor to admit defeat, sir. Do I understand correctly?'
Raymond smiled calmly. 'As you have done, eh?'
Bolitho walked to the window and stared down at his ship. It gave him time. Allowed the sudden blinding anger to depart. In the lower enclosure he saw Midshipman Keen sitting with one of the ship's boys rescued from the Nervion. He had been detailed to look after Keen, to assist him, if only by making him rest. It was still not possible to be sure he would recover from his wound. Was it really only the day before yesterday? The smoke and noise, the aftermath of hard, heavy work to put their ship to rights. The sea-burials, each corpse heavily weighted to ensure it went straight down to avoid the prowling sharks.
He said, 'I take it, Mr. Raymond, you have never borne arms for your country?' He did not wait for an answer. 'Had you ever worn the King's coat you would have known that one defeat, if admitted, is not the end of a battle.'
He heard Captain Strype say in his thin voice, 'By Gad, that's not much of an argument, what?'
Bolitho turned swiftly, his tone hard. 'I was addressing Mr. Raymond, sir, not some damned mercenary who because of his rank imagines himself to be a solider!'
Don Puigserver brought his glass down to the table with a loud bang. 'Gentlemen! I know that Vega and I are no longer involved here. I also believe that both Senor Raymond and the governor,' he bowed slightly to Conway, 'are both right. With Muljadi free to use his ruthless power and so influence other friendly rulers in the Indies, you can make no advances. With more military strength you would only excite a hostile reaction and further French involvement.' He paused and gave an eloquent shrug. 'Which I doubt my own country could ignore.'
Bolitho nodded towards him, grateful for his interruption. Another second and he knew he would have said too much, and Conway, even had he wanted to, would have been unable to help him.
Major Jardine cleared his throat. 'Despite what the gallant captain has said,' he did not look at Bolitho, 'I believe my force will be sufficient. I have two hundred sepoys and a mule battery. All experienced.' He had a thick voice, and sweated badly, despite the room's comparative coolness.
Puigserver regarded him gravely. 'If Nervion had been here, none of this could have happened. An additional ship, the men, and the showing of our flag to -the Argus would certainly have delayed, if not defeated, Muljadi's intentions.'
Conway said, 'But she is not here. Only the Undine.'
Jardine said thickly, 'And she does not seem to have acquitted herself too well.' He turned to Bolitho, his small eyes like steel. 'Even as a mere soldier, a mercenary, I can see that neither of the schooners lies at anchor, and as far as we know, the Argus still flies Muljadi's colours. What sayyou, Captain?'
Bolitho faced him. 'The first schooner turned turtle and sank. The other took advantage of Argus's presence to escape.' He could feel little emotion now. Words and taunts were inevitable. It was better to get it over with. Clear the air.
'Indeed, yes.' Jardine leaned back in his chair, his polished boots squeaking. 'And then the Bedford arrived to give you help. The poor, much-maligned Company's own ship was the one to drive Argus away.'
'Had you been there, Major '
Jardine spread his plump hands. 'But I was not, sir. I am a soldier. I am supposed to be able to leave such matters to our Navy, surely?'
Conway said coldly, 'I have heard enough. I will brook no more hostility here. Not from you, Bolitho,' he looked at Jardine, 'nor from anyone else!' He thrust his hands behind him, making his sloping shoulders droop even further.
