Invasion

you lie off half a mile, a pistol-shot apart to await the signal.

'Then we'll have our sport. Shot b' shot you'll advance on the target and see who'll be first to hit.' As they drew closer it would be easier and thus one would eventually be sure to strike, with suitable effect on their confidence.

'Oh, and tell 'em that the winner will be presented with Mr. Duckitt's very own gun lanyard as will, er, be worked with a three-way Turk's head and other proper ceremonials.'

The barrel was cast off, bobbing jauntily, and Teazer hove to at a safe distance to await events, her sides lined with seamen pleased at the entertainment and, no doubt, happily placing wagers on the outcome.

The two gunboats squared off and, at the signal, first Vixen and then Wolf let fly. It would not have answered in a prime man-o'-war but at least the sudden plumes arising were in sight. Trying to wield rammers and gunpowder in the bluster out to sea without injury was a triumph in itself—but Kydd had seen it done before, and by the French, off Calais . . .

'Some sort of fishing boat, I think, sir.' Hallum pointed to a small craft under a single lugsail emerging from the river.

'If the codshead can't see what we're about he soon will.'

Kydd laughed, watching one lucky shot skim the tops of the waves to miss the cask narrowly.

'I do conceive he wishes to speak us,' Hallum said apologetically, looking at the direct course steered and the dark figure angrily gesturing by the fore-stay.

'He thinks we're frightening th' fish!' Purchet chuckled.

On balance Kydd thought that Vixen was making better practice, for Wolf was gamely taking seas over the bow, which must have been making it hard to keep a footing at the gun.

'Er, it seems there's a naval officer aboard,' said Hallum.

'Give that t' me,' Kydd said, snatching the telescope. The gesturing figure of a hatless post-captain leaped into view. 'Man the side—we've a visitor.'

'You'll give me an explanation, sir, this minute!' fumed the officer, after he had heaved himself energetically aboard.

'I beg your pardon, sir?' Kydd said coldly.

'Austen, Captain Francis Austen, district captain of the Sea Fencibles and I'll have your explanation as to why you're stirring up my command to no purpose.'

Kydd allowed his gaze to move to the final stages of the engagement where, to the raucous joy of the seamen, Wolf's next shot smashed the barrel to flying wreckage. 'I have a roving appointment from Admiral Keith as Inspector of Sea Fencibles, and—'

'Inspector? And you a commander?' Austen said, in disbelief.

'Shall we go below, sir? I'd be happy to explain.'

It took all of a bottle of Kydd's best claret to make good his position, that the inspectoring was no more than a cover for a deeper game but that he had to make a good show of it.

Austen made clear his conviction that the Sea Fencibles, by taking the second line of defence, were releasing the Navy for their aggressive first line at the French coast and, furthermore, by being part-time were able to support themselves between times providing fish for the nation and at no cost to the government.

As to the business at Ramsgate—which had sent him after Kydd in hot pursuit—Austen pointed out that the Fencibles had their own range and gun for live practice safely out of the way near North Foreland. Any dilatoriness Kydd had seen in mustering at the harbour was because their instructions were that, in the event of an alarm, maroon rockets would boom over the town and each then would know his duty.

Only after it was discovered that both had fought at the Nile and shared an admiration for Horatio Nelson did the atmosphere thaw and Austen accept the convenience of a passage back to Ramsgate.

'And you'll oblige me exceedingly, dear fellow, should you now allow my Sea Fencibles to go about their business without alarums and anxieties. Please believe, they're a fractious crew if they see themselves practised upon.'

'Ceased as of this minute, and my report will be a warm one, you may be assured, sir.'

Idly picking up a book lying on the sideboard Austen raised his eyebrows. 'Descartes, Regulae ad directionem ingenii—Rules for the Direction of the Mind no less! I find I must admire your choice of literature, Mr. Kydd.'

'Oh, er, that belongs to my ship's clerk and particular friend. He's a prime word-grinder, Renzi, and is now engaged in writing a book.'

'Goodness me. How curious! I wish he could meet my sister, Jane—she takes such satisfaction in scratching away and swears she will be published some day, bless her heart,' Austen said fondly.

CHAPTER 10

'NICHOLAS! TAKE A SEAT, m' friend. It seems the waters o' Bath are in truth a sovereign cure, you looking so well.'

Renzi sat in his usual chair by the stern windows and stretched lazily. 'Such a quantity of women, each with a tongue that simply could not be still. That a man must find peace in a man-o'-war is a singular thing.' Then he gave Kydd a quizzical look. 'Far be it for me to lay criticism at the feet of my worthy commander but did I not see a gaudy red at the ensign staff supplanting the pristine blue of our noble Admiral Keith?'

'Aye, you did. For now we are an unattached ship while I top it the inspector of Fencibles.'

'Oh?'