we puts to sea again.'
Bolitho followed his gaze and saw the waves leaping and breaking across the protective necklace of reefs to the eastern side of the bay.
'I agree.'
He turned and strode along the dusty road towards the blurred outline of the governor's residence. He walked fast, aware of the others hurrying behind him, of the needling urgency in his mind. For twenty-four hours the ships had driven back to St. Kruis under all available sail, and while he had waited fretting and uncertain of the commodore's final decision, Pelham-Martin had gone ashore to see de Block accompanied only by Mulder of the Telamon.
When the Hyperion had dropped anchor Bolitho had seen that the missing sloop was already moored below the headland. Her commander having failed to locate the Spartan, to return to St. Kruis was the obvious course to take. But it was time gone. Time which might have been used to send her speeding with all haste to alert other, stronger forces of Legniller's possible intentions.
Stall groups of islanders stood in the doorways of their houses and shacks as they hurried past. There were few smiles or greetings, this time, and most of them seemed to be watching the sea beyond the reef.
In another month the first hurricane would come, and these same people would have more to contend with than the affairs of war. And a war of others' making, for a cause they did not understand or share, could only add to their worries and anxieties.
They reached the welcome shelter of the wide stone entrance and Inch asked breathlessly, 'Will Mr. Selby stay _ down here, sir?'
Bolitho stopped to face them. When the message had at last arrived on board to say that the commodore required all captains, first lieutenants and sailing masters to report to him at once he had known a decision had been reached. He should have anticipated that Pelham-Martin would want to meet the one man whom Bolitho had suggested as a pilot to guide the frigate between the reefs, but the summons came as a shock nevertheless.
He was there now, three steps below Inch and Gossett, his face calm and immobile as he waited for Bolitho to reply.
'Yes. He can wait here.' Bolitho added, 'He might not be required just yet.'
He saw Fitzmaurice and his two officers hurrying up the road towards him.
'Well, let us not delay any longer.'
As he entered the long room above the waterfront he could feel his palms sweating badly, yet the place was cool after the hot, dusty road. Every moment his brother was confronted by others, the odds of being discovered mounted accordingly.
He nodded vaguely to those already present, only half aware of their greetings or remarks. The commanders of the two sloops were conversing in low tones by the window, and he saw Farquhar with his first lieutenant studying a chart on the table.
A native girl with a loaded tray moved to Bolitho's side. He took a glass and sipped slowly. It was some sort of wine, and as cold as ice.
Inch also took one and smiled shyly at the servant girl who was watching him with unblinking admiration.
Fitzmaurice came into the room banging dust from his coat, his voice suddenly loud in the stillness. He coughed awkwardly and beckoned to the servant who, still smiling at Inch, crossed reluctantly with her tray.
The other door opened and Peiham-Martin walked slowly and heavily to the table. He was accompanied by de Block and Mulder, and the latter looked strained and on edge as he waited for Pelham-Martin to speak.
Bolitho watched him carefully. The commodore's movements were slow and ponderous, but his eyes which fastened now on the commander er of the second sloop seemed nervous and agitated.
'Very well, Appleby.' He lifted a fat envelope from his coat pocket. 'Here are my despatches. You will take the Nisus to sea immediately and hand them to the first senior officer you can.' As he held out the envelope to the sloop's captain, Bolitho saw that it was shaking badly. 'A squadron of the Channel Fleet if possible, but if not, then on to Plymouth with all the speed you can muster!'
The officer thrust the envelope inside his coat and turned on his heel. Just for a few brief moments he allowed his. eyes to stray across the others around him, as if he was seeing them all for the last time.
Pelham-Martin watched him until he had vanished through the doorway, and Bolitho wondered if even now he was thinking of recalling him, of withdrawing those despatches which might so easily spell his ruin.
'I have called you together, gentlemen.' Pelham-Martin cleared his throat and took a quick swallow of wine. 'For a last conference before we sail.'
There was a quick murmur of speculation and he added, 'With the little information that we have, I can see no alternative but to accept the plan put forward by Captain Bolitho.' He lowered his eyes and two small droplets of sweat ran down beneath his hair. 'It now appears that this plan has more value than first showed itself.' He looked slowly at de Block. 'The governor of St. Kruis has informed me of the disappearance of his schooner, Fauna. She sailed with supplies to some neighbouring islands and has not returned.' He looked at Bolitho before adding, 'One of her calls was at the Isles of Pascua.'
Bolitho said quietly, 'I thought they were uninhabited?'
De Block nodded. 'There is only a mission and a few fishermen. They are due to return here before the storms come again.'
Pelham-Martin said, 'Quite so. Now let us continue. There is much to do, and very little time left.'
Bolitho was surprised by the sharpness in his tone. It was as if Pelham-Martin could not act fast enough now that he was committed.
'As soon as this meeting is concluded Captain Farquhar will weigh and proceed to the nor'-west. If he is to make this passage through the reefs it is essential for Spartan to be in position by first light tomorrow.' Pelham- Martin looked at Bolitho again. 'I will hoist my broad pendant in Hyperion, and together with Hermes we -will beat to the north-east of the islands. That will give us the wind-gage if and when the enemy breaks out.' He glanced at the Dasher's captain. 'Your sloop will patrol to the south'rd. If the enemy succeeds in escaping you will have to maintain contact as best you can.'
He paused and sipped at his glass. 'Questions?'
De Block asked, 'You have made no mention of the Telamon?'
'That is true.' Pelham-Martin studied the chart as he spoke. 'I cannot further. order you to take station under my command. With the schooner lost, the Telamon is your one link with the outside world. Your only protection against privateers or pirates. With all respect, she is an old ship, and her days in the line of battle are long past.'
Bolitho watched the two men, feeling the tension around him like a wall.
It was difficult to measure Pelham-Martin's true concern. He could still be looking for an excuse, some reason to give in a future defence. Without the Telamon's support, outdated and undergunned though she was, he might be able to justify any further retreat in the face of heavy odds.
De Block replied softly, 'There is no doubt in my mind, or in that of her captain. When you saved St. Kruis from Lequiller all of us here knew we had a debt to repay. And should Lequi ler escape and return to his own country, then I think our future is doomed anyway. His country was reborn under a reign of terror. If he escapes to tell how we defied him, who can say what will become of us?'
Then he looked at Bolitho, his eyes suddenly sad. 'Kapitein Mulder told me what you said. It seems our two countries will soon be at war again. If it comes, it comes, but I should like one small piece of honour to remember when all this is over.'
Farquhar said, 'Then if everything is settled, sir, perhaps I could meet this master's mate?'
His interruption seemed like a splash of cold water, but Bolitho felt it was welcome nevertheless. The sooner it was finished then the quicker they could get back to sea, if only to prolong the deception.
As his brother entered the room Bolitho pressed his spine against the chairback and tried not to watch him as he approached the table.
The commodore said, 'I am told you can pilot the Spartan through the reefs on the western side of the islands?'
'Aye, Sir.'
Farquhar leaned over the chart. 'There are few marks, Mr. Selby.' For once he was displaying his inner feelings, those of a captain about to entrust his ship, and possibly his career to a man entirely unknown to
