Maria looked at Ramage. 'When he says 'murderers' does he really mean - ' 'Yes,' Ramage said abruptly. 'Now, Jackson, the other wounded seamen?'
They were tossed over the same way. You see, sir, I'm afraid no one took too much notice about your order about leaving the wounded.'
'But I made it quite dear when I called for volunteers. I said that anyone wounded and unable to fend for himself would have to be left behind.'
'Oh yes, sir, and bless you for it but you didn't expect that to stop anyone.'
'No - the whole ship's company volunteered.'
'And you only picked sixteen, not counting the officers and the sergeant That's why die sail handlers stowed away.'
Ramage sighed. He realized that he had watched the last strands of the Nuestra Senora's anchor cable part under the axe blows, and as the ship gathered way he thought he was in command . . . and the men, he had to admit, were kind enough to leave him with that illusion.
He looked over at Wagstaffe. How is Rennick now?'
'Hell be all right, sir. Bowen has removed the ball in one piece and nothing vital is damaged. He's sleeping now.'
'And the rest of the butcher's bill?'
'Apart from Baker, we know six seamen were killed, and two more are missing. We can find no trace of them. Five were wounded - that includes you and Mr Rennick, sir.'
'And Dutch survivors?'
Wagstaffe glanced at Maria, but Ramage nodded.
'None, sir.'
Maria said quietly, 'It was better that way. That dreadful man, the captain, be threatened my father with the guillotine, and he was going to seize you today when you came on shore. He was certain you would try to negotiate. And then tonight, after you had been . . . after you had been shot, they were going to board the Calypso . ..' 'And that was why you gave back the ring and Lausser resigned his commission?'
She nodded, weeping quietly. 'I could not ever marry a man who agreed with his captain doing that, and Major Lausser could not persuade my father . . .'
Ramage looked up at the three seamen and grinned. 'You will tell the ship's company that any further disobedience will be punished.'
'Oh, natcherly, sir,' Stafford said. 'Fact o' the matter is,' he added soberly, 'I 'spect that before next Michaelmas some of 'em will be regretting their disobedience!'
With that the three men left the room and Maria asked: 'What is a mickle mouse?'
'Ill tell you in a moment,' Ramage said. 'Now, Wagstaffe, as the second lieutenant you are in temporary command of the Calypso. I want a dozen Marines in each of the forts until we establish discipline on shore. I am making Major Lausser the acting governor, but all his orders will be countersigned by me. And have a guard boat rowing across the harbour entrance from sunset until sunrise. Can you think of anything else?'
'Bowen was worrying about your medical treatment, sir. That ball still in your arm . . .'
'You can report the evidence of your own eyes,' Ramage said, lie can inspect the ball tomorrow - the doctor removes it this afternoon. In the meantime it hurts, I can tell you that much.'
Two weeks later to the day Ramage climbed down into a boat, wearing a hat for the first time over the large scar on his scalp, and sat back as Jackson gave the orders which sent the boat surging towards the ship of the line which had just anchored a hundred yards to seaward of where the Delft had blown up.
Fifteen minutes after that he was on board the Queen, reporting to Admiral Foxe-Foote, whose first words were a complaint, not a greeting: 'I expected to receive a written report, Ramage, and all I get is a verbal report from your first lieutenant'
'I trust you received the instrument of surrender for this island, sir, and the former Governor.'
'Yes, yes,' Foxe-Foote said impatiently. 'Now, what about those privateers. Young Aitken tells me there are only nine left. And I hope the wreckage of this damned Dutch frigate hasn't blocked the harbour. The channel's narrow enough as it is.'
The area has been buoyed, sir.'
'I should think so. An enemy frigate and a schooner lost. Not a penn'orth of prize money; thousands of guineas just sunk. Bad business, Ramage; no forethought, that's your trouble. Oh yes, a convoy came in two days before I sailed, and some young woman was asking about you. She had a foreign name.'
Ramage looked blankly at Aitken, who was standing behind the Admiral. The Scotsman winked.
'A name like Volterra, sir?' Ramage asked.
'Yes, that was it. Miss Volterra. You know her?'
'I know a Marchesa di Volterra, sir.'
'Marchesa? Why, is she related to the lady that rules Volterra?'
'Yes, sir. In fact she is the lady.'
'Good heavens I Why - well, had I known, my wife would ...'
'I am sure the Marchesa is quite comfortable, sir,' Ramage said politely, watching the Admiral's face as he realized that this 'Miss Volterra' not only had her own kingdom, but probably had enough influence in London to make or break admirals on distant stations. 'Now, sir, about those nine privateers . . .'
AUTHOR'S POSTSCRIPT
The fourth edition of Steele's Naval Chronologist of the Late War was published in London in 1806, and on page 100, under the heading 'Colonies, Settlements &c, captured from the enemy', is the following brief reference:
The island of Curacao, in the West Indies, D[utch]: surrendered after having claimed the protection of his Britannic Majesty, to the Nereide, 36, Capt F. Watkins, September 12, 1800.
William James, in his Naval History of Great Britain, Volume III, gives more details:
On the 11th of September, while the British 12 - pounder 36 - gun frigate Nereide . . . was cruising off the port of Amsterdam, in the island of Curacao, the Dutch inhabitants of the latter, tired out with the enormities of the band of 1500 republican ruffians that were in possession of the west end of the island, sent off a deputation to claim the protection of England. On the 13th the capitulation surrendering the island . . . was signed . . . The vessels, large and small, lying in the harbour of Amsterdam, numbering 44; but no ships of war were among them.
The rest of the story is told by the redoubtable James, who recorded the whole war in great detail. The island was subsequently returned to the Dutch, and Amsterdam's name was later changed to Willemstad.
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