Command

heaven's name could be there to justify a trading voyage? Sudden suspicion dawned.

'My cargo—'

'Will be stores, grain, tools and so on, the usual supplies for our colonies in Port Jackson.'

'And . . . ?'

'A small number of convicted felons, of course, but naturally you will have guards.'

A convict ship. His mind froze in horror. He was to command one of those hell-ships that transported unfortunates beyond the seas to Botany Bay? It was . . .

'Mr Kydd,' Russell continued earnestly, 'we have the utmost faith in your abilities at this very short notice and recognise that the post may not meet with your entire satisfaction. Therefore, subject to a successful conclusion to this voyage, we shall look to offering you a more permanent berth on your return.

'Now, sir, shall we look more closely at the details?'

CHAPTER 11

KYDD GRIPPED THE PAPER FIERCELY. 'This Charter Party of Affreightment made and Concluded upon . . . to Port Jackson in New South Wales, on the Terms and Conditions following, Viz . . . and shall be fitted and furnished with Masts, Sails, Yards, Anchors, Cables, Ropes, Cords, Apparel and other . . . the said Burns, Throsby Russell, do Covenant that . . . the said Convicts, their Births, Sickness, Behaviour, or Deaths . . . at the rate of Seventeen Pounds Seven Shillings and Sixpence per head for each Convict . . .'

It was a bewildering and disturbing sea world he was entering. The familiar sturdy dimensions of conduct of the Navy were replaced by a different imperative: success in his profession was now to be measured in cost and profit, his acumen in dealing with traders and authorities to the best advantage of the owners, and the securing of an uneventful and minimally expensed voyage. However, it was the life he had chosen: if he was to move up to a better class of vessel on his return then he had to make a good fist of this, whatever it took—and so little time to learn!

The master's cabin of Totnes Castle was small and utilitarian, gloomy with dark, oiled wood and a smell of close living. The ship herself was of a size, nearly double that of the lovely Teazer, but her interior was undoubtedly for one overriding purpose: the carrying of cargo.

As ship's master he had a dual role, as captain, and as representative to the world of the merchant company Burns, Throsby and Russell. In token of this, his signature was sufficient in itself to incur debt and expenditure without apparent limit in the company's name. To Kydd's disquiet, he had discovered that Totnes Castle did not rate a purser and he was expected to function as one, with the assistance of the steward, whose other duties were to wait at table.

Then there were the officers. The mate Cuzens, a fat, blustering man, did not inspire Kydd; neither did the second mate, a sharp-featured Dane. The third was not yet appointed. In deep-sea three watches, if he sailed without one he would end up himself taking the deck. And the others: a sly boatswain, elderly carpenter and witless sailmaker, whose senseless muttering as he worked had got on Kydd's nerves when he had first come aboard. That left only the eighteen seamen and four boys—apprentices they were termed but they had the knowing look of the London dockside.

Kydd had so little time left. He had worked into the night, trying to get on top of the terrifyingly large number of matters needing his attention. Even the most familiar were subtly different; he was beginning to feel punch-drunk at the onslaught.

With a casual knock at his door Cuzens entered before Kydd could reply. 'Y' papers, Mr Kydd,' he said, slapping down a thick envelope on his table. He had the odd habit of seldom looking directly at people—his eyes roved about restlessly. 'Hear tell they're comin' aboard when y' tips the wink,' he grunted.

Totnes Castle was moored out in Galleon's Reach, within sight of both the Woolwich Royal Dockyard and Deptford, making ready to take aboard her cargo of criminals. The banging and screeching Kydd could hear was the carpenter and his crew preparing the 'tween decks for use as a prison.

'Thank ye, Mr Cuzens,' Kydd said heavily. 'That'll be all.' With ill-natured muttering, the man left and Kydd spread out the contents.

One document of thicker quality than the others caught his eye: 'The Transportation Register.' He smoothed it open: columns of neatly inscribed names—and sentences. This was the reality of what was about to happen: the meaningless names were under sentence of law to be Transported to Parts Beyond the Seas for terms ranging from seven years to the heart-catching 'term of his natural life'—and Kydd was under the duty of ensuring that this took place.

He pushed the papers away in a fit of misery. That he had been brought so low! To be master of a prison-ship and personal gaoler to these wretches. Their crimes were dispassionately listed: the theft of lodging-house furniture, probably sold for drink; a soft-witted footman pawning a master's plate that no doubt bore an incriminating crest; a cow-keeper thinking to add to his income by taking game in the woods at night. A pickpocket, a failed arsonist. It went on and on in a monotonous round of idiocy and venality. These, of course, were the lucky ones: there were others at this very moment in Newgate prison whose next dawn would be their last.

At another knock on the door, Kydd called wearily, 'Come!'

He looked up dully as a stranger entered. 'Mowlett,' the man said quietly, and helped himself to Kydd's only armchair.

'Oh?' said Kydd, noting the deeply lined yet sensitive face.

'Dr Mowlett—your surgeon,' he said, in a tone that was half casual, half defiant.

'Ah. I was told—'

'I would think it imprudent to be too credulous about what one is told in this business, Mr, er, Kydd,' Mowlett said. 'Do you object?' he added, taking out a slim case and selecting a cheroot.

'If ye must, sir,' he said.

Mowlett considered for a space, then replaced the small cigar. 'Are you in any wise ready to show me your preparations, sir?'

'My preparations?'

'Of course.' Mowlett smiled. 'In that as surgeon I am also, as of this voyage, your government superintendent.