feelings about slavery - he hadn't any experience of it — but the effect of uncontrolled freedom on those who had been enslaved would have the situation spinning out of control.
Renzi spoke quietly. 'It means that with a single move of diabolical genius, this Victor Hugues has turned the tables on us. A large slave population now loose and in disorder is something no military commander can have in his rear. We are finished.'
There was a horrified silence.
'As far as we know—'
From the shop came the sudden sound of splintering glass and low animal growls. Kydd pushed open the door, and in the breaking dawn saw figures clambering through the wreckage of the front window.
'Get back! It's not safe!' Kydd called, slammed the door and shot the bolt. The terrified ladies hurried up the stairs while Renzi searched for arms.
There were more sounds of breaking glass, then quiet.
Kydd eased open the door and saw that the shopfront was in ruins. He crossed to the door and looked out into the street. It was deserted — but a plume of smoke billowed skyward a street away. Irregular, sinister sounds broke the peace.
'We'd better stay with the ladies, Nicholas,' Kydd called.
Renzi joined him. 'Hark!' he said sharply, holding up his hand.
Kydd couldn't be sure, but he thought he heard a sharp squeal against the silence. It chilled his blood. 'I thought—'
'Shut up!'
Then, from the top of the street, came a boatswain's call.
'Hands to muster!' exclaimed Kydd. He ran into the middle of the street and waved his arms.
The boatswain's mate looked him over with a lopsided smile. 'You, Kydd, get yer men 'n' their gear over to th' town square. We needs ev'ry man c'n carry a musket.'
At Kydd's reluctance, he snapped, 'Sharpish like! Lootenant ain't waitin' fer any wants ter dally.' He glared at Kydd and left.
Kydd looked back at the old shop, the front sad and threatening. How could he abandon the women at this time? He stole a glance at Renzi. His friend was looking steadily at him, his arms folded. He looked away. Perhaps there was time to get Louise and Madame Vernou away - but the schooner was still unfit for sea and .. . What was he thinking? Who was there to man any craft he could find? And how would it be seen by others? That he was running away from a hopeless situation to save himself? There was no alternative: he had his duty. He stiffened. 'What are ye waitin* for, Nicholas? Let's get our dunnage.'
Their room seemed a fragile relic of gentler times, Louise's fragrance soothing and poignant. Their sea-bags were stuffed in a trice, but the two women were at the door, the maid nowhere to be seen. At the sight of their set faces, Madame Vernou broke into weeping and Louise simply stared — neither accusing nor forgiving.
'We - that's t' say - we have t' go,' Kydd said awkwardly. To his consternation Madame Vernou fell to her knees and clutched at him, sobbing. Her words had no need of translation. Gently he disengaged her. Louise stood like a statue and, on an impulse, he tore off a button from his short blue seaman's jacket and pressed it into her hand. She took it, raised it to her lips and kissed it. Kydd saw her eyes glisten. 'We go now, Nicholas,' he said.
'Good. Just in time — you go with Mr Jowett.' The lieutenant was harassed and fretful, but his brow cleared at the sight of Kydd and Renzi. The square was crowded with men, milling about in anxious groups.
Jowett turned out to be a master's mate of uncertain temper. His men, including Kydd and Renzi, were formed up and the little band moved out They marched swiftly, Jowett eyeing the streets warily for trouble. Only the four marines had muskets.
'Where 're we headed?' Kydd asked the tattooed sailor next to him.
