Captain Nathan Beer was a big man in every way, and met Adam at the entry port of his frigate with a jovial informality to match. With his broad, weathered face and unruly hair barely touched by grey, and twinkling blue eyes, in England he would have passed easily for a gentleman farmer. Amongst frigate captains Adam was more used to younger men, although some had been on the ladder for far longer.
Adam glanced along the broad gundeck. They were indeed twenty-four-pounders, and he was reminded of the new lieutenant's tactless remark when they had entered the anchorage. Unity would be a formidable opponent. He knew Beer was watching him but was making no attempt to prevent his professional scrutiny. Perhaps it was meant as a warning.
'Come below and share some madeira. I thought I should taste the stuff, but it's a mite sweet for me.'
The after part of the ship was very spacious too. Even so, Beer had to duck his head between some of the deck head beams.
A cabin servant took Adam's hat and studied him with open curiosity as he was pouring the wine.
Beer was much older than Adam had expected. Despite his glowing health he was close to sixty, maybe more. In his fist, the glass looked like a child's toy.
'May I ask your business here, Captain Bolitho?'
'You may, sir. I came to collect stores, and of course to see what ship had caught my eye.'
Beer grinned, his eyes almost disappearing into the crinkles. 'An honest answer! '
Adam swallowed some of the wine. A glance around told him quite a lot. The fittings were expensive, and there was a portrait of a woman and two girls on the bulkhead beside Beer's dress sword.
'Have you been in command long, sir?'
Beer eyed him keenly. 'Since she first tasted salt water at Boston. It was very exciting to see her grow, even for an old sailor like me. My home is in Newburyport, not too far away…' He broke off. 'You know it?'
'I have been there.'
Beer did not press him. 'I'm very proud to be Unity's captain. There's not a ship that can stand up to her, not a frigate anyway. To the rest I can show a clean pair of heels if needs be! '
Adam heard a voice call something, which was followed by a gust of laughter. A happy ship then. He could well imagine it under this remarkable captain.
Beer was saying, 'Ours is a small navy as yet. We are feeling our way forward. Our officers must be men of zeal and conviction. I was privileged to visit France recently how things change. Like my country, France was reborn out of revolution, but the tyranny there remains. Your successes on the Peninsula may bring back the old spirit perhaps.'
Adam said, 'They will be beaten as they have been at sea and are now being trounced in Spain.'
Beer regarded him gravely. 'Heavy thoughts for one so young, if I dare to say as much?' He picked up a refilled glass and did not look at Adam as he said, 'You will be sailing with despatches for your Sir Richard Bolitho. It is common knowledge around here, ships coming and going, only too glad to share information after months at sea. Are you his son, by any chance? The name is not familiar to me, except for one other.'
'I am his nephew, sir.'
'I see. The man I knew was a renegade who joined with us against the British to win our independence.'
'Did he command a frigate named AndironT
'He was your father? I knew it! The same eyes, his manner. I did not know him well but I knew his reputation enough to be saddened by news of his death.'
Then you have a privilege which I did not share.' A warning voice was telling him to say nothing. Perhaps the secret had been bottled up too long, but the truth of how his father had really died he would never release.
Beer said, 'He was not a happy man, I think. The trouble with renegades is that nobody ever trusts them.' He forced a grin. 'Take John Paul Jones, for instance! ' But the humour would not come.
Adam asked, 'And what of you? Is it your mission to carry despatches also?'
Beer answered levelly, 'We are spreading our wings. The British Navy commands the high seas, but such awesome power has taken a heavy toll. The French could still have another trick to play. Napoleon has too much to lose to bow down in submission.'
'So have we, sir.'
Beer went off at a tangent. 'This news about American ships being stopped by your patrols and searched for contraband -in my view it is to seize seamen for your fleet. Our President has twice made his strong displeasure known and has received promises of a sort from His Majesty's government. I hope it is true.'
Adam smiled for the first time. 'Would you join with France against us again?'
Beer stared at him and then grinned hugely. 'You are much as I was at your age! '
'We speak the same language, sir. I think it is the only similarity.'
Beer tugged out his watch. 'I am sailing on the tide, Captain Bolitho. Next time we meet I hope we can sup together.'
As if to a signal they both picked up their hats and went out into the cool gloom of the upper deck.
Adam thought of the crowded anchorage and twisting course Beer would have to steer. No one but the best captain and seamen could do it in the dark.
'Give my regards to your uncle, Captain. Now he is a man I would gladly meet! '
The side lanterns were playing across Anemone's gig as it loitered on the swell, its hull outlined by twisting streamers of phosphorescence. Dunwoody, the senior midshipman at sixteen years old, was at the tiller.
Beer rested one big hand on the breech of the nearest gun.
'Let that meeting not be over the muzzle of those beauties! '
They doffed their hats and Adam climbed down into the boat. He could hear the capstan working busily, and some of the sails had been freed from their yards and were billowing and cracking against the great ceiling of stars.
The boat pulled clear and Unity became an anonymous shadow like the others. Another coincidence? Or had Beer kept him aboard so that Anemone would have no time to up anchor and go after him? He gave an unexpected smile. Just as well with such a new company.
He asked, 'What news, Mr. Dunwoody?'
The boy was smart and alert, an obvious choice for the important world of fleet signals. If the war dragged on he might be a lieutenant in a year. Dunwoody would be more than aware of that.
The boats brought ten more seamen on board, sir. They all have protection, as they are of the Honourable East India Company.' The boy leaned forward to watch a passing fishing boat. 'The first lieutenant says they are all prime seamen, sir.'
They would be. John Company prided itself on its sailors. Good conditions, fair pay, and the ships were well- armed enough to drive off even a man-of-war. Everything the navy should be. Could be. These ten extra hands were a godsend. They had probably been drunk and had missed their ship's departure.
Adam asked, 'Did they think we are sailing for England?'
The boy frowned, recalling Lieutenant Martin's wry smile, and repeated what he had said. 'He told them we were, but that they would work ship until we got there.'
Adam smiled in the darkness. Martin was learning fast.
'Well, we are returning to England. Eventually! '
ill
He heard shouts from the big American frigate and thought about her impressive captain.
And he knew my father. He glanced at the midshipman, afraid for an instant that he had spoken out loud. But the boy was peering across the glittering black water at Anemone's riding light floating above it.
'Boat ahoy! '
The midshipman cupped his hands. 'Anemone! '
For his dead father or for his ship he did not know, but all Adam could feel was pride.
Back aboard the big frigate men were spread out on the yards, while others worked steadily at the capstan as the cable grew tighter and steeper. The senior lieutenant watched his massive captain.
He asked quietly, 'That Cap'n Bolitho. He going to give us any trouble?'
Beer smiled. 'His uncle maybe, but not him, I think.'
'Anchor's aweigh, sir! '
All else was forgotten as the ship heeled to the wind's thrust. Free of the ground, away from the land to her
