lace on blue, but appeared curiously shrunken, an old man. Kydd knew he'd been a lieutenant at Quiberon Bay and with Rodney at his smashing victory in the Caribbean.
Hats flew off as naval discipline reasserted itself with marks of respect due a flag officer. Parker lifted his beaver cap, but did not remove it. 'Sir, we have come to escort you on a procession of honour to HMS Sandwich?
'Thank you, er ... ?' His voice was dry and whispery.
‘Richard Parker, president of the delegates.'
'Then, Mr Parker, shall we proceed? I have with me a plenary letter from their lordships that gives me authority to notify His Majesty's full pardon to you all.'
Parker reached inside his waistcoat, and withdrew papers bound with a red ribbon. 'Yes, sir, but you may wish to read these in the boat before we sit down together.'
'Wh-what are they?' Buckner said, taking them.
'Why, sir, this is the substance of our negotiating. Be free to read them now, if you wish.'
Buckner untied the ribbon. His hands trembled as he read. 'I — I cannot! No, no, sir — this is impossible!'
Parker frowned. 'Sir, I cannot see that these articles in any way—'
'No! You do not know what you are asking. I cannot do it - I have no authority. I cannot discuss anything, you understand.'
'You can't discuss anything?' asked Parker, with barely concealed scorn. 'Then, sir, who can?'
'Er, it is for their lordships to—'
'Then that is where we must address these grievances.'
The old admiral stared at Parker in horror. 'Common seamen? I mean — not an officer? It would be most improper, sir.'
The papers dropped from Buckner's fingers. He stooped hastily to pick them up again, straightening painfully.
Parker folded his arms and stared back. 'Then, sir, we are at a stand. You cannot treat with us, and the ear of the Admiralty is stopped to us.'
Murmurs arose from the rest of the deputation. 'We'll give 'em to OF Knobbs 'imself, then.'
'The King! You — you must not! Recollect yourselves, I beg you!'
Parker held up his arms. 'Hold, you men, we're pleased to grant Admiral Buckner a period of reflection on this matter. May we see you at nine tomorrow, sir?'
Soon after dawn, the sloop Firefly approached from the north under all sail. She went about under the lee of Sandwich, her boat in the water before she had lost all way. It stroked swiftly to Sandwich with five passengers.
Parker lost no time in introducing them to Kydd. 'These are delegates from the North Sea fleet, Tom,' he said, satisfaction rich in his voice. 'This is our man from the Leopard, and this is the delegate from Agamemnon? Kydd shook hands; the men looked hard and capable. 'Come from Yarmouth to let us know what they think of our eight articles,' Parker continued.
'We like 'em main well, Mr Parker,' the older delegate said, looking curiously around him. 'It's right good in yer to set us straight about their tricksy lordships, an' I can say we're with ye.'
Later, in the capacious cabin, Parker exulted, 'Damn me eyes, but this is rare good news!'
Kydd was scratching away at a letter but stopped immediately.
'Tom, it means that in one go we've doubled our numbers. With the North Sea fleet, they dare not act against us now, and we will be heard.' Parker stared raptly into space.
Kydd picked up on the
