Command a King's Ship Read online

  'D'you think there is fever here, sir?'

  For just a moment there was fear in Herrick's eyes. Like most seamen he could accept blood and broadside, as well as the harsh discipline which guided his daily life. But the unknown, the terror of plague which could render a whole ship useless, turn her into a floating tomb, was entirely different.

  `That we will discover directly.'

  'Rosalind's acknowledged, sir!'

  Keen seemed his usual carefree self. Even Armitage was watching the land with something like expectancy.

  `Wear shipV

  'Man the lee braces !'

  Bolitho saw the helm going over, and moved to Conway'ss

  side to avoid the rush of seamen across the quarterdeck as the

  frigate turned slowly into the wind.

  `Will you wait for Don Puigserver, sir?'

  Conway looked at him, a nerve jumping in his throat, as the

  anchor plunged into the clear water in a mighty cascade of

  spray.

  `I suppose so.' He peered towards the brig which was already swinging easily to her cable. `I wish you to accompany me.'

  `An honour, sir.'

  `You think so?' Conway removed the gold-laced hat and ran his palm over his grey hair. He smiled bitterly. `We shall see.'

  Noddall came on deck with Bolitho's sword, but quailed as Aliday rasped, `Here, give me that!'

  He hurried to Bolitho's side and carefully buckled the scabbard into place, muttering, `The very idea!'

  Then he straightened his back and stared at the boats which were being swayed up and over the nettings.

  `A long way we've come together, Captain.' He turned to watch the brig's boats being lowered into the water. `It's not a happy place, I'm thinking.'

  Bolitho did not hear him. He watched the marines clambering out and down into the swaying boats, their coats very red, their boots slipping and clattering as they always did. Captain Bellairs was studying each and every one of them, especially the young corporal who carried the sheathed Union Flag which would soon be planted on foreign soil.

  Like many sea officers, Bolitho had often thought about such moments, but the mental picture had always been grander and vaster. Endless lines of men, bands playing, cheering people, and the anchored ships looking splendid and secure at the sea's edge.

  Now he understood differently. It was only a beginning. Small, but no less impressive because of that.

  Conway said, `Well, we had best begin. I see the Don is already on his way.'

  The brig's boats were indeed moving inshore, one bearing

  the Spanish flag, the others that of the Company.

  Bolitho was thankful Viola Raymond was remaining aboard

  the Rosalind.

  Conway followed him into the gig, and with the armed and crowded boats fanning out on either beam they started towards the nearest beach.

  Bolitho could smell the jungle long before they were within hail of the people by the frothing surf, like incense, heady and overpowering. He gripped his sword-hilt tighter and tried to compose himself. It was a moment he must always try to re

  member.

  He glanced quickly at Conway for some sign or reaction.

  He looked remote and sadly stern.

  The new governor of Teluk Pendang had arrived.

  Lieutenant Thomas Herrick walked a few paces across the quarterdeck, his movements restless as he watched Bellairs' marines and some seamen below the nearest palisade. It was ast noon, with the sun blazing down on the anchored ships with savage intensity. Most of the unemployed hands were sheltering by the guns beneath the gangways, but Herrick felt unable to leave the deck, even though his head was swimming, his shirt plastered against his body like a wet rag.

  Tugging at her cable, the Undine had swung her stern towards the long, pale beach, and with the visibility sharp and clear, it was easier to see the extent of Conway's new command. Larger than he had first imagined, it had obviously been planned and constructed by a military engineer. Even the unfinished timber pier looked neat and strong, but like the rest of the place, was in a state of bad neglect.

  As he had paced the quarterdeck, or peered across the taffrail, Herrick had seen Bolitho and some of the landing party moving along the wooden ramparts, or exploring the ground between the two separate palisades which guarded the approaches to the fort and its surrounding buildings. The boats lay like dead fish on the beach, exactly where they had ground ashore some four hours earlier. He had watched some marines hauling the swivel guns towards the fort, others, harried by the massive Sergeant Coaker, had manned the ramparts, or could now be seen patrolling near the pier. The handful of Spanish soldiers had withdrawn into the fort, and of the enemy, or whatever the garrison had been firing at, there was not a sign.

  He turned as a heavy step fell on the tinder-dry planking and saw Soames shading his eyes with one hand, and munching a biscuit with the other.

  `Any sign yet, sir?' Soames eyed the distant settlement without enthusiasm. `What a place to end your years, eh?

  Herrick was worried. Something should have happened by now. There were supposed to be some three hundred Spanish soldiers and followers in the settlement, and God alone knew how many local natives. From what he had seen there were hardly any. The same old thought crossed his mind. Plague perhaps? Or something even more terrible.

  He replied, `They appear to be examining the inner defences. I am not surprised the Dons wish to be rid of it.' He shuddered. `From here it looks as if the damned jungle is pushing the whole lot back into the sea.'

  Soames shrugged and pointed his half-eaten biscuit at the gun deck. `Shall I dismiss the gun crews? There seems to be little here to excite action.'

  `No. There are only five of them manned. Change 'em round and send the others below for a spell.'

  He was glad when Soames walked away. He needed to concentrate, to decide what to do if he was suddenly required to act without Bolitho at his elbow. It had been different the last time. A sort of wild recklessness had come over him, prompted as ever by the need to dash to Bolitho's aid in the only way he knew.

  But here were no yelling savages, no darting canoes which a few bursts of canister could scatter. Silence, and depressing immobility.

  Midshipman Penn called in his shrill voice, `One of the boats is being launched, sir!'

  Herrick felt his heart lift as the distant figure thrust Undine's green-painted gig into the shallows. He saw Bolitho's tall figure striding down the beach, pausing to say something to Davy before swinging his legs over the gunwale.

  At last. Soon they would know what was happening. Only four hours, but to Herrick it felt an age.

  `Muster the side party. Stand by to receive the captain!'

  Bolitho looked strained and thoughtful as he climbed up through the entry port, his coat covered with sandy dust, his face damp with sweat. He glanced at the motionless side party but did not seem to see them.

  He said, `Have the surgeon and his mates sent ashore to report to Mr. Davy. When the other boats arrive I want powder and shot, food and fresh fruit sent over, too.' He peered towards the anchored brig and at another boat which was pulling quickly towards her. `I have sent word for Rosalind to assist in every way she can.' He looked at Herrick's round face and smiled for the first time. `Easy, Thomas. It is not the end, though it was nearly so. Come to my cabin when you have dealt with my orders. Allday has a list of things required.'

  When Herrick finally joined Bolitho in the stern cabin he found him stripped to the waist and drinking a large tankard of lemon juice.

  `Sit down, Thomas.'

  Herrick sat, aware that although Bolitho sounded controlled and level, there was something else, something familiar which told him his mind was busy along another tack.

  `When the war ended there was a garrison of about three hundred here.' It was as if he was drawing a picture, just as it had been painted for him. `The commandant, the King of ;Spain's trusted controller, was Colonel Don Jose P
astor, a dedicated soldier to all accounts, and one well used to building such settlements. He gained some trust from the natives, and by barter and other inducements, as well as the usual Spanish use of force, he was able to create a strong defence line, as well as clear much of the surrounding land. There is even a road of sorts, although that now is overgrown. A wilderness.'

  Herrick ventured, `Fever?'

  `That, of course, but no more than you might expect in such a place.' He studied Herrick for several seconds, his eyes very grey in the reflected light. `The settlement has been under almost constant attack for over a year. At first they thought it was only the work of marauding tribesmen, Dyak pirates maybe who were becoming worried by the spread of Spanish influence in their midst. Colonel Pastor had set up a Catholic mission above the settlement. The monks were found terribly mutilated and headless.' He did not see Herrick's expression of horror. `Then others died when the fresh-water pools were, poisoned. The garrison had to fall back upon its own little stream within the walls. But for it, the fight would have ended long ago. Think of it, Thomas, if you had been an officer here. Trying to hold up morale, fighting an unseen enemy, while day by day your strength is dwindling. Each dawn you would be watching the horizon, praying for a ship, any vessel which could bring relief. Only one came in the whole of that time, but would not land its people for fear of the plague. She merely dropped despatches and left. God knows, I can understand that. They are like living skeletons over yonder.' He looked round as a boat pulled clear of the hull. `Let us hope our surgeon will find others to help and think less of himself.'

  Herrick asked quietly, `What will Admiral Conway do, sir?'

  Bolitho closed his eyes, remembering the small gathering in the room at the top of the wooden fort, hearing Puigserver's emotional voice as he had translated the report of the settlement's one remaining officer, Captain Vega.

  The attacks had gone on and on, and when once an armed picket had been ambushed, the fort's defenders had nearly been driven mad by the screams and pitiful cries as their comrades had been tortured to death within sight of the walls.

  Bolitho said, `To the west of us is a small cluster of islands. The Benua Group.'

  Herrick nodded, unable to understand. `Yes. We passed them a day back.'

  `They lie astride the strait between Borneo and the islands of Sumatra and Java.' His tone hardened. `This self-styled prince, Muljadi, has his stronghold there. The Dutch built a fortress in one of the isles many years ago, but abandoned it when disease killed most of the garrison.' He looked through the stern windows, his eyes grave. `Not like Conway's new domain, Thomas. It is built of stone.'

  Herrick attempted to shift Bolitho from his mood of passive despair. `But a few ships and men would soon destroy this damned Muljadi, surely?'

  `Once, perhaps.' Bolitho drained the glass and stared at it. `This morning there was a final attempt to overthrow the defences here. I expect the attacker saw Undine pass through the strait yesterday and knew they must make haste. Now they are gone into the jungle. Captain Vega of the garrison says they will head west to the marsh district, where they will be taken by sea to Muljadi's stronghold.' He gave a great sigh. `Of all the men at the settlement, there are but fifty survivors. Poisoned darts, musket balls, for they have our weapons, too, and fever have wrought a terrible price from them. There was even a mutiny, when Vega's men fought with their own native soldiers, most of them too crazed with drink and despair to know what they were about.'

  Herrick stared at him. `What of Colonel Pastor, Sir? Is he also killed?'

  Bolitho sat down and massaged the white scar above his ribs. `I am coming to that part. Weeks back, a ship did finally arrive. Not to bring help, or to offer relief to people from their own part of 'the world. She was the Argus, Thomas.' He swung round, the weariness falling away like a cloak. `Of forty-four guns, under the hand of Capitaine Le Chaumareys. He landed himself and met with Colonel Don Pastor. He brought a message from Muljadi. Personally.' He gripped the desk with both hands. `And required him to lower the flag, to relinquish all claims on the settlement in the name of Spain.'

  `My God.'

  `Indeed. Apparently the colonel told of help which would soon arrive, but Le Chaumareys laughed at him. Said there would be no relief, no ships coming to his aid.'

  `Then the French do have a hand in this, sir?'

  `A big one.' His face lit up. `Cannot you see it, Thomas? Le Chaumareys was instructed to force the Spanish to surrender their rights here. He knew better than most that Nervion or Undine, or both, would be delayed by any means available. With the settlement handed over to Muljadi, and a written agreement from Pastor, who after all is his King's representative here, there would be nothing we or anyone else could do. I have no doubt Le Chaumareys had further orders to recognise Muljadi's rule in the name of France, and to offer him whatever he needed to control his alliance.' He looked towards the beach, at the seamen who were unloading two of the boats. `But we did come, Thomas. Too late for Colonel Pastor, for he left in the Argus to parley for his men with Muljadi. I pity him, even if I admire his courage.'

  Herrick nodded slowly, his eyes clouded. `And when he had gone, the last attack began. No governor, few defenders. Dead men have little to say.'

  Herrick thought of their slow approach that morning, the mist on the water distorting the sounds of cannon fire. No wonder the remaining, ragged defenders had not been able to wave or greet them. Undine must have seemed like a miracle.

  Bolitho said, `Don Puigserver is our one real card. He can act in the name of Spain and assure Conway of his country's confidence.'

  `How did he react to the news?'

  Bolitho thought of the Spaniard's face as he had listened to Vega. Anguish, shame and then fury. He had seen it all. Only Conway's attitude still remained in shadow. He had said little, and not even argued with Raymond when he had started off on what Parliament would or would not support. Only one thing was certain. The affair had to be contained. No build-up of additional force, no acceptance that there had been a change in rulership, here or anywhere else. As Raymond had explained more than once, the Dutch were too busy recouping their losses caused by the war to want another conflict in their midst. If France thrust more naval might into the area, then Spain, too, might change her views about her untried allegiance with Britain. It could be war, all over again.

  Only when Bolitho had made to leave for his ship had the rear admiral drawn him into a corner.

  He had said very calmly, `Politics, a need for furthering trade or colonial power, all are attitudes. Only one thing is properly clear to me, as it must be to you, Bolitho.' He had held his gaze, searching for a reaction before adding, `Every puzzle must have a key. This one has two. Undine and Argus. Governments may try to use more power later on, but by then it will be too late for us all. If Undine is lost, so are we. Be sure that Le Chaumareys is already well aware of it!'

  When Bolitho had made to question him further he had said, `He is a good officer, make no mistake. Our squadrons had cause to damn his eyes in the war. France has loaned Muljadi their best, as I hope England has aided me in the same manner!'

  Much of his thoughts Bolitho had spoken aloud, for Herrick exclaimed, `But it is not war, sir! No Frenchman will cross swords for fear of starting one!'

  Bolitho watched him and was glad he was here. 'Le Chaumareys will have a letter of marque. He is far from a fool. When he runs out those forty-four guns it will be Muljadi's flag at his peak, not the Fleur de Lys of France.' He stood up and moved vaguely about the cabin. `But behind each breech will be an experienced crew, the cream of his navy. While we .'He half turned, his face suddenly drained again. `But that is enough. Battles are not won or lost on daydreams.'

  Herrick nodded. `And what will we do now, sir?'

  Bolitho tugged the shirt over his head, the same stained one as before.

  `We will weigh when the tide is right. If IIuljadi has vessels in the area we must close with them. Show him we mean to continue
what we have begun.'

  He pulled Herrick towards the stern windows as a bugle wailed sadly across the glittering water. Above the fort there was Conway's new flag, the little group of marines beneath it glowing like tiny red insects.

  `See, Thomas, there is no drawing back. Not for Conway. Not for any of us.'

  Herrick watched the little tableau doubtfully. `Better to await the Bedford, surely? With troops and more cannon we would stand a better chance.'

  `That is what Le Chaumareys will be thinking.' He smiled, his face suddenly very young. `At least, I hope that is so!'

  Herrick groped for his hat, glad of something to occupy his mind and to hold back the apprehension Bolitho's news had brought.

  `Will we leave Bellairs and his marines?'

  `Half of them. There is much to be done. With corpses lying unburied, the place is a dunghill. The defences are stout, but in need of good men to patrol them. Rosalind will remain also under the protection of the battery, such as it is. I think her master is eager to get clear of this place, but Conway is more than a match for him.'

  Herrick moved towards the door. `It is not what I was expecting, sir.'

  `Nor I. But like it or not, we have a duty. If Muljadi and his threat is to be overcome, then he must be seen as a common pirate.' He ran his hands along the desk top. `Argots or no!'

  Herrick hurried out, his thoughts tugging in several directions at once. He found IVIudge in the wardroom staring gloomily at a plate of salt beef.

  The master asked, `Are we off again, Mr. 'Errick?'

  Herrick smiled. Fact soon grew from rumour in a small ship.

  `Yes. The Argus is busy here, it seems. As a privateer, and not openly in the name of France.'

  Mudge yawned. Unimpressed. 'Nothin' new. We used to do the same for the Company in India. A few ready muzzles always seemed to impress a doubtin' rajah if a little strength was called for.'

  Herrick looked at him and sighed. `So the Frogs will back an armed uprising, and we will support the protection of trade. But what of the people in between, Mr. Mudge?'