Nelson has been off Elba and Civita Vecchia and into Naples without sighting a one. And you have come west'rd without meeting them. I do not understand it.'
Bolitho faced them again. 'Did Nelson receive you well?' 'Indeed yes, sir.' Inch frowned. 'He was not quite as I expected, but I found him most compelling, in spite of his anxieties.'
Bolitho tried to imagine what might lie behind those simple words. Was Nelson blaming him for losing the French, too? For leading a British fleet which was sorely needed elsewhere to an empty trap?
Inch added, 'If and when I was able to find you, sir, I was to tell you to join the fleet with all speed off Alexandria.' He saw Bolitho's surprise and said, 'Oh yes, sir, Nelson has every faith in your conclusions. He still believes that the French are heading for, if not already in Egypt.' He seemed to expect a show of excitement.
Bolitho said, 'Captain Herrick took it upon himself to visit Alexandria. But for a few decrepit Turkish men 0' war and the usual coastal craft, it was empty. As '[t will be when Nelson gets there.' He looked at Herrick. 'Are you agreed, Thomas?'
Herrick nodded. 'I fear so. From what we discovered and heard at Corfu, it seemed as if those supply ships were expecting to leave for another destination before they joined their main fleet. ' He looked at the chart on Bolitho's table, his face grim. 'so when Nelson sails east he will miss de Brueys by a hundred miles or more. The French will rendezvous up here.' He tapped the chart with one finger. 'Most like1y off Crete.' He looked at Bolitho. 'While we sheltered amongst those islands, the greatest force since the Spanish Armada probably steered just a few miles to the south' rd of us, and we knew nothing of it!'
Inch asked dubiously, 'What will de Brueys do, sir?' Bolitho stared at the chart. 'In his shoes I’d gather up all the surviving transports, then wait for any others which may have been scattered amongst smaller islands and bays. Then I’d sail south-east. For Egypt. '
'Alexandria, sir.' Herrick watched him searchingly. 'Yes. But I think his fleet will remain outside the harbour.
Somewhere where they can present their resistance to best advantage. '
Herrick nodded, understanding. 'The Bay of Aboukir.
There could be none better.' He grimaced. 'For them.' Bolitho walked to the stern windows, his legs braced as the ship swayed dizzily across some deep troughs.
'And Nelson will return to the west.' He was speaking almost to himself. 'He will imagine that de Brueys has tricked him, and has attacked some other place after all. '
He had often heard of Nelson's sudden depressions, his self -criticism when his bold ideas failed to show immediate results.
Something flashed across the windows, and he saw it was a gull, darting down to seize an unsuspecting fish below the counter.
A few hundred miles, and yet it meant the difference between success and nothing at all. He knew where the French would gather their combined strength, which with or without siege guns could soon occupy the walls and batteries of Alexandria. He knew it, but could not tell the rear- admiral in time. If only he were like that gull and his news could be carried as swiftly as a bird's flight. The gull would be sleeping on some Greek or Italian shore tonight, and his ships would have made little progress in any direction.
He said slowly, 'I want all commanding officers aboard at once, Thomas. If we are to be of any use we must use our independence.'
Inch bobbed. 'Not join Nelson, sir?' Bolitho smiled at his anxiety. 'Eventually.'
Herrick jerked his head to Inch. 'Come with me while I have the signal made.' He glanced at Bolitho's grave face. He- knew from experience when he needed to be alone with his thoughts. -
Two hours. later they had all assembled in the cabin. Javal, hollow-eyed from sleepless nights, fighting the sea and wind with weakening resources. Probyn, his heavy face wary, and avoiding Bolitho's glance as he found a chair in a patch of shadow. Lieutenant Gilchrist, awkward amongst his superiors, but more sure of himself than Bolitho had ever seen before. Being in charge of a seventy-four could affect a man in several ways. It appeared to have been good for him.
Herrick and Inch completed the gathering, while Moffitt, the clerk, sat at a small table with his pad and pen, and Ozzard stood curiously beside the polished wine cabinet.
Bolitho faced them. 'Gentlemen, I have to tell you that we must go and search for the French again. De Brueys is out, and so far has avoided the fleet which was sent to contain him.' He saw Javal's tiredness slip away, the exchange of glances between them. 'We, in this small force of ours, must do all we can to delay the enemy's plans. You’ve done far more than any orders dictated,' he smiled, 'or left unsaid!'
Herrick grinned ruefully and Inch nodded in silent agreement.
He continued, 'I will be honest with you. If we are called to fight unaided, the odds will be great. Perhaps too great. ' He looked straight at Javal. 'And from you, Captain, I must have complete honesty, too.'
Javal's narrow features were guarded. 'sir?'
'Your ship. Without a proper refit, and within a short space of time, what chance does she have?'
The others looked at the deck or the chart on the table. Anywhere but at Javal's face.
Javal half rose and then sat down heavily. 'I can fight another storm if it's no worse than those gone before, sir.' He looked into Bolitho's eyes. 'But that is not what you were really asking, is it?' He shook his head. 'I can't fight her, sir. She took a great hammering. A few more balls into her and I fear she'd founder. ' He stared at some point above Bolitho's epaulette. 'she's a fine ship, sir, and I’d not ask-' His voice trailed away.
Bolitho watched his distress, the agony his words had cost him.
He said quietly, 'I was a frigate captain myself. I know what you are feeling. But I am grateful for your honesty, more so because I know what Buzzard means to you.'
He continued in the same quiet tone, 'Buzzard's main armament must be jettisoned at once. IT that does not suffice she will have to be abandoned.' He kept his eyes on Javal's lowered head. 'I am giving you the French prize, Immortalite. The bulk of your people can be spread amongst the squadron at your discretion. We will need every
