The governor could reasonably do what he liked to protect the island. Maybe he had already been attacked, and would withdraw the boom when Achates was identified. He dismissed the idea instantly. The ship had served in these waters for most of her life. She would be easily recognized before any other vessel.
The lieutenant who had climbed up to join the lookout called, 'The boom is a line of moored craft, sir!'
He was one of the junior officers who had recently been promoted from midshipman and had a shrill, almost girlish voice, so that several of the seamen on the quarterdeck grinned and nudged each other until silenced by a roar from Quantock.
Keen shut his telescope with a snap. 'Stand by to come about. Man the braces. Anchor party up forrard at the double!'
The young lieutenant shouted again, There's a yawl approaching, sir!'
Keen looked at Bolitho, anxiety in his eyes. Bolitho said shortly, 'Anchor then.' 'Helm alee! Stand by, Mr Quantock!'
The yards swung noisily when they turned into the wind, the canvas banging and clattering as the way was taken off the ship.
'Let go!'
The anchor hit the sea violently and threw spray high over the beak-head, while Rooke, the boatswain, and a lieutenant of the forecastle peered over the side. At the same time the topmen worked above the deck to take in the sails and ease any strain on the cable as it continued to run out into deep water.
'All secure, sir!'
Keen nodded but murmured, 'Bloody bastards!'
The yawl thrust slowly away from the land, tacking this way and that as it clawed towards the anchored two- decker.
The midshipman of the watch said, 'There's an officer of sorts on board, sir.'
Captain Dewar of the marines asked, 'Man the side, sir?'
Keen glared at him. 'After refusing my ship an entrance? I'll see him in hell first!'
The yawl's tanned sails were furled, and as she glided against the Achates' tumblehome Bolitho said, 'I'll receive him in the cabin.' He strode aft, unable to watch Keen's anger and humiliation.
It seemed an age before the visitor was brought to the cabin, and Bolitho found himself wondering what Nelson might do under this set of circumstances.
He could not blame the islanders, nor could he condone this behaviour.
The door was opened by Yovell and Bolitho looked at his visitor as he strode to the centre of the cabin. He was certainly dressed in uniform, a blue tunic and white trousers, and wearing both sword and pistol on a highly polished belt. He was aged about thirty, Bolitho thought, and when he spoke he had a faint West Country accent. A Devonian, he decided, like his clerk.
'I bring word from the governor.'
Keen, who had followed him aft, snapped, 'Say sir when you speak to the vice-admiral!'
Bolitho said, 'And what is your name, may I ask?'
The man glanced angrily at Keen. 'Captain Masters of the San Felipe Militia.' He swallowed hard. 'Sir.'
'Well, Captain Masters, before either of us says something which cannot be retracted, let me explain my intentions.'
The man was recovering his confidence and interrupted, 'The governor has instructed me to tell you that the boom will remain in place until all negotiations are completed. After that…'
Bolitho said quietly, 'After that, as you put it, you are not concerned. But how am I expected to see the governor if my ship is prevented from entering?'
'I shall take you in the yawl.' He saw Keen take a pace forward and added quickly, 'Sir.'
'I see. Now I will tell you, Captain Masters of the San Felipe Militia. I am going ashore in my barge and will pass the written decision of His Majesty's Government to the governor.'
Masters said, 'He will not accept it!'
Bolitho looked at Keen. 'Have my barge dropped alongside.'
He saw a protest forming on Keen's face. Just like Thomas Herrick.
Masters persisted, 'I shall lead the way then.'
'No. You are under arrest. Any act of rebellion will be treated harshly, and you shall hang for it, do I make myself clear?'
Bolitho saw his calm words smash home like pistol shots. Masters was probably used to bullying slaves on the plantations and the sudden change of fortune left him speechless.
Keen snapped, 'Remove those weapons.' He raised his voice, 'Sergeant Saxton, take charge of this man!'
Masters gasped as the Royal Marine removed his sword and pistol, and exclaimed, 'Your threats do not frighten me, Admiral!'
Bolitho stood up and walked to the stern windows. Many eyes would be watching the ship from the fortress, waiting to see what would happen. The governor might fire on his barge, even hold him as hostage until…
He stopped his racing thoughts and said coldly, 'Then they should.'
When he turned round Masters had been led away, and he heard shouted commands as armed marines took charge of the yawl.
Keen asked anxiously, 'Let me ram the boom, sir? Then we'll enter harbour as planned and rake the mutinous scum for good measure!'
Bolitho eyed him fondly. 'It would take a full day, maybe much longer. Even if you succeeded it would cost many lives, and if the wind rose unexpectedly you would have to disengage and beat clear of the land, past that battery again.'
Keen seemed resigned. 'Which officer will act as your aide, sir? I think I should come with you.'
Bolitho smiled, suddenly relieved that the waiting was over, no matter what the outcome might be.
'What, leave your command? With both of us at Rivers' mercy there's no saying what might happen!' He relented at Keen's crest-fallen expression. 'A junior lieutenant and, er… the midshipman, Mr Evans. They will suffice.'
Ozzard took down the old sword from its rack but Bolitho said, 'No. The other one.'
If anything went wrong today the sword would be here for Adam. He knew from their glances that they had both guessed the reason.
On deck the sun had risen above the volcano and the decks were already as hot as bricks in a kiln. Tinder-dry, with tarred rigging and sails which would flare like torches if the island's battery used heated shot. Even with ordinary balls a well-sited battery was more than a match for a slow-moving vessel within the confines of a harbour.
He saw Allday watching him grimly, the curious stares of the seamen and marines on the gangways.
He hesitated at the entry port and looked at Keen.
'If I am wrong.' He saw the captain's jaw tighten. 'Or should I fall today, promise me you will write to Belinda. Try to explain.'
Keen nodded and blurted out, 'If they lay one hand on you sir… '
'You will do as I ordered, Val. Nothing more or less.'
He touched his hat to the quarterdeck and climbed down into the waiting barge.
He found Trevenen, the sixth lieutenant, and Midshipman Evans already seated in the stern-sheets and said, 'A fine day for it, gentlemen.'
Trevenen was beaming at the unexpected honour of being the admiral's temporary aide, but by contrast Evans looked around him, his eyes dark and empty.
Allday murmured, 'This is no good, sir.'
Bolitho settled down and glanced at the waiting bargemen.
'It won't help by talking about it.'
Allday sighed. He recognized all the signs by now.
'Bear off forrard! Give way, all!'
Bolitho glanced quickly astern and saw the ship drawing away, the faces at the entry port merging and losing individuality.
He looked at his companions. The ship's most junior lieutenant and a thirteen-year-old midshipman might
