He looked so wretched that Bolitho took his arm and guided him out on to the stairway beside another window.
“Tell me.”
“I have a friend, sir. She, she…”
“Yes, I have seen her.” He still could not even guess. “Continue.”
“I was with her. I had attended to my duties with the working party and seen them in their huts, and then…” Sweat ran down his face as he blurted out, “In the name of God, sir, I believe there is fever amongst us!” He turned away, his shoulders shaking. “She just lies there. She cannot speak. I didn’t know what to do.” He broke down completely.
Bolitho stared past him at the trees and the glow of water beyond. Another dawn? It was more like the day of reckoning.
I must think.
“I’ll come with you.” He strode back into the room and searched amongst the litter of papers until he found something to write on. “I must send a message to the pier. For Allday.”
Raymond asked dully, “What are you muttering about?”
Bolitho said, “I would suggest you close the settlement gates, sir. There may be fever on the island.”
Raymond’s jaw dropped. “Impossible! You are just trying to parry aside my orders!” He saw Bolitho’s expression and added, “Your lieutenant is mistaken! He must be!”
Bolitho walked from the room. Revolution on the other side of the world, and the islands waiting to watch their new masters fighting amongst themselves. And now, like a trident from hell, had come the worst blow of all. The one enemy which came from within, and from which there might be no quarter.
13. Volunteers
BOLITHO knelt on a rush mat and looked at the young girl. In the hut, which had been erected a few days earlier by some of Tempest’s working parties, there was almost complete silence, and Bolitho was conscious of it. As if the surrounding trees, even the island, were listening. Above his head he heard the quiet buzz of insects hitting Keen’s lanterns, and the young lieutenant’s irregular breathing as he looked over his shoulder.
He had the girl’s wrist in his hand, but there was barely any movement in it. Her smooth skin felt wet, and the beat of her heart was fast and urgent.
Hardacre came into the hut, brushing between a marine picket and two natives as he strode under the lantern light. He ran his big hands across the girl’s body and then looked up at Keen’s anxious face.
“She has the fever. How much do you care for her?”
Keen answered brokenly, “With everything I have. She must live. She must!”
Hardacre stood up. “Cover her well. No matter if she tries to throw it off, keep her warm.”
He looked at Bolitho and walked with him out of the hut. The sky was much paler and some birds had started to sing.
“It has come to the islands before. Last year. Early. Many died. They have little resistance.” He glanced at the hut door. “I am afraid your lieutenant will lose his friend.” His grim features softened. “They hardly know a word of each other’s language. I have watched them together. She is Malua, Tinah’s sister. She will be much missed.” He studied Bolitho gravely. “I will go to the village. They have certain roots, herbs also. There might be a chance.” He shrugged. “But who knows what may follow?”
Bolitho heard feet on sand and saw Allday hurrying towards him.
“You were supposed to take my message to Mr Herrick!”
Allday looked at him calmly. “Aye, Captain. I sent my second coxswain with the gig. He’s a fair hand.” He squared his shoulders. “I know about the fever. And I’ve seen what it can do, an’ that’s no error. My place is here. With you.”
Bolitho looked away, deeply moved by Allday’s staunch loyalty, despairing because of what it really meant. For both of them.
Keen came out of the hut, his eyes very bright. “She seems easier sir.”
Bolitho nodded. How we delude ourselves when the worst is about to happen.
“Hardacre has gone for aid. He is the best hope.”
Keen sounded dazed. “I thought the surgeon would come, sir?”
Bolitho turned towards the dawn sky. “You must know, Mr Keen, what might well happen. To all of us. The fever may be local and easily held. Again, many diseases are new to these islands, their cure unknown as they were brought by outsiders. Like ourselves. But-” he watched the dismay clouding Keen’s face, “we have to think of the ship and what we are ordered to do. To bring Mr Gwyther ashore would deprive the ship of help should she need it. For once he comes I cannot allow him to return until we know the worst.” He forced a smile. “Or the best.”
Keen nodded jerkily. “Yes, sir. Yes, I think I understand. Now.”
Bolitho watched his emotions, his anguish. How well he knew him. To think it should come to this.
Almost harshly he said, “So we must be about it. You are my second-in-command. I believe you have Mr Pyper ashore with you, so from today he will be acting-lieutenant. See to it. I have already passed word to Mr Herrick to appoint both Mr Swift, and Mr Starling, master’s mate, to the same positions. We will need all our skills, and it were better that we have as many with the proper authority as we can. Although from what I have learned from my people these past months, I would promote every manJack if I were free to do so!”
Allday said, “Here comes another, Captain.” He added hurriedly, “Be easy with him. He thinks he is doing the best he can.”
Orlando’s tall figure came out of the grey light, shining and running with water as he squelched over the sand towards the huts.
Bolitho looked towards the bay but the ships were still hidden in shadows. Orlando had taken it on himself to swim ashore. He must have heard Herrick giving his new orders, or someone spreading word of the fever. Either way, he had come. Unable to speak or ask, he was just standing there, watching Bolitho as if he expected a blow in the face.
Bolitho said quietly, “I am afraid there will be no cabin for you to fuss over, and precious little of anything else for a while.”
He reached out impetuously, as Allday had seen him do many times, and touched Orlando’s arm. “So I am placing you in charge of our food supplies.”
The Negro lowered himself noiselessly on to his knees and nodded very slowly.
As Bolitho turned away Allday touched the Negro with his shoe. “Stand up, you ignorant bugger!” He grinned to hide his sadness. “Can’t you see what you’re doing to him, man?”
By the time the first sunlight had touched the hills and filtered through the trees towards the bay Bolitho had discovered the extent of his resources. Apart from Keen and Pyper, he had Sergeant Quare and Jack Miller, boatswain’s mate, to support his authority. Two marines and six seamen only remained of the working party.
Most of the wounded had recovered sufficiently to be returned to the ship, leaving only the marine with the spear-thrust in his leg and two seamen. If things got worse, even they would have to be put to work.
Keen came back, his eyes on the hut. “I’ve mustered the hands together, sir. They seem to know what’s expected from them.”
Fortunately, most of the shore parties had been chosen for their skills and reliability. Men like Miller, who had proved a firstclass hand, even if he changed into a wild-eyed killer in battle. Penneck, ship’s caulker, who had been putting finishing touches to one of the huts. Big Tom Fraser of the cooper’s crew, trustworthy except where drink was concerned. Jenner, the dreamy American, and another wanderer, Lenoir, who was of French birth, and the ex- gamekeeper, Blissett. The latter would most likely see this new isolation as yet another chance to obtain his corporal’s stripes.
“Thank you.” He smiled. “Go to your Malua. I’ll not need you for a while.” He beckoned to Allday. “We will walk to the settlement and speak with Mr Raymond. I shall want the convicts kept separate from the village and from ourselves. That way the Corps guards can watch over them and also attend to the defence of the compound and anchorage.”
