Damn it, here was a man who was willing to risk everything for the sake of his country’s future. ‘For what it’s worth, Dasher, this is what I feel. As a patriot and an Englishman, I can think of no greater cause before me at this moment than South America. But as a professional naval officer I find that we’re sailing a mort close to the wind, at peril of disobedience to the wishes of their lordships.
‘As a man – why, with all there is to be gained, I’d a hundred times be hanged for doing something as doing nothing at all.’
‘Bravo, my friend!’ Popham cried, the worry melting away. ‘As I’d hoped you’d say! It’s my decision – and it’s to go forward with the enterprise.’
Kydd grinned. ‘And we’ll see those politicking trimmers in Parliament change tack at the run, once they see what we’ve achieved for ’em.’
‘Damn them all for a parcel o’ rogues. They’ll see their way clear to consolidating us once we’ve done the initial hard work, of course. Now, there’s much we’ve to do, the chief of which is to find berths for our reinforcements.’ There was not a prayer of cramming any more men into their ships but it would be doubly ironic if they and their guns had to be left behind for lack of room.
‘It’s by way of a puzzler, Dasher,’ Kydd said cautiously.
‘Yes. But I’m leaving it entirely to you, old chap. I’m bound up for the next few hours in working up dispatches as will persuade the Admiralty that it’s to be their first duty to get those consolidating reinforcements to us as soon as they may. It has to go off before we sail.’
Kydd gave a rueful grin. ‘So it’s my own good self who must conjure a way to get four hundred more men to Montevideo, it seems.’
‘As you can. And, by the way, we’ll keep it to ourselves, Mr Pitt’s untimely demise. Morale, of course.’
‘From the officers as well?’
‘I would think so.’
Four hundred men. Close to double the number of a frigate’s entire complement. And their guns and impedimenta. It simply couldn’t be done – the ships had already been loaded to safe limits and, with every conceivable space taken up, they would be hard pressed to fight in such crowded conditions if confronted by an enemy.
No – there was only one possible course: to find another ship. There were no naval vessels available but a co-opted merchant ship – if any could be found – would demand hire as a transport to compensate for lack of a commercial cargo, which would necessarily be at considerable cost as there was an empty return voyage to include. And where was the ready cash to come from? And what would they do with her existing cargo?
There was no question of the Crown taking over a merchantman for the task. While the law looked on impassively as ships were stripped of their crews by a press gang, if a ship itself were taken it would be deemed nothing less than an act of piracy. In fact, in these matters there was an entire Board of Transport department of the Admiralty to deal with the intricate details. That the Board was hopelessly distant was no excuse.
It was one of those unwritten naval laws: at the end of everything, and even to the end of time, there was always to be a due accounting.
No ship, no precious troops. In despair Kydd looked about the James Bay roadstead. There was shipping a-plenty but only one of size. What were the chances that it was going to South America? Or could be persuaded to render a loyal service to its country? There was only one way to find out and time was crucial.
In the boat out there were only himself and the purser, Owen, with Curzon as a counter-signatory if they achieved a miracle. As to Kydd’s exact authority to incur expenditure, whether as ship’s captain or proxy for the commodore, the purser was hard put to establish a clear line and had wrung his hands in dismay: without the requisite form or written order from above there was no source of credit against which to issue a note.
Kydd noticed that the ship was high in the water, then spotted a lighter leaving from the opposite side. Transshipping cargo – was that a good or bad sign? But she was a sturdy, ship-rigged vessel that would not need nursing in the ocean crossing.
‘Go about her stern,’ he ordered. He saw that Justina was of British registry, a considerable advantage.
The three boarded amidships by the wooden-runged pilot ladder. The hold was open, displaying a nearly empty cavern, and they were quickly confronted by a suspicious individual with a deeply lined face. ‘Hardiman, master,’ he growled.
Conscious of eyes on them and the need for privacy, Kydd introduced himself in a friendly manner, adding, ‘Not the press, sir, but I’d be obliged for five minutes of your time, if you would.’
The master gave him a piercing look, then grunted and took them aft to his cabin.
‘Could I ask where you’re bound?’ Kydd began.
‘Cape Town for orders.’
‘Not so profitable therefore. Captain, I’ve a proposition to make to you, as will be to your advantage.’ Nothing could be learned from the man’s stony expression so he pressed on.
‘We have need to ship a parcel of soldiers to South America and were wondering if you-’
‘Not possible. M’ papers say we’re cleared for Cape Town and be sure that’s where we’re going.’
‘A cash profit on a straightforward voyage? I’m surprised you refuse even to hear me.’
‘South America – you’re off t’ some war or other. No.’
‘Not even if you’ll render a great service to your country, sir?’
Hardiman gave a cynical grunt, then got to his feet abruptly. ‘I’ll see you off.’
Kydd felt a rising anger. ‘Be so good as to ask your supercargo to join us, Captain,’ he said, with a touch of steel. His single voyage as master in the merchant service had taught him many useful wrinkles. A supercargo was there to look after the interests of the freighting party against that of the ship.
‘He won’t-’
‘Please.’
The master gave him a foul look but leaned out of the door and bellowed orders to send for a Mr Maycock. After some delay a flustered little man came in. ‘This’n wants t’ talk with ye,’ Hardiman said coldly.
‘Ah, Mr Maycock, Captain Kydd. Sorry to have interrupted you, but I have a proposition for your principals. Should I offer you a cargo this very day for a quick voyage to the River Plate, as will be a bareboat charter party, would you be willing to talk?’ If it was taken up, the master would most surely find himself overruled.
There was an unmistakable gleam of interest. ‘Cargo?’
‘Soldiers is all.’
‘A transport.’
‘Of sorts. We must move very quickly on this, Mr Maycock.’
‘Ah. With a return voyage empty, I’d think a sum of . . . let me see . . .’
Kydd had only one card to play, and he gave it all he had. ‘Before we discuss rates, there’s a little proposal I’m authorised to make.’ This was not quite true for he had only just thought of it, but he knew Popham would back him.
‘I can say to you in confidence that we are on an expedition to Montevideo to join with rebels in overthrowing Spanish rule in the viceroyalty, which we have every confidence will be achieved rapidly. If you feel able to assist us, then the leader of the expedition states that, when the port of Buenos Aires is thrown open to free trade, this ship will be given the status of preferred vessel. This means that with the merchants there starved of export, all other shipping present must nonetheless first wait for you to take your pick of any cargo you desire, bound for anywhere to your best profit.’
It was irregular, if not downright illegal, but was within Popham’s power to carry out simply by forewarning Justina of dates and times ahead of any declaration. The pickings to be had would be princely, vastly outweighing any considerations of delay in reporting to Cape Town for orders.
He was rewarded with a quick intake of breath. ‘I understand you, Captain. We accept your offer.’ He rose, offering his hand. Kydd took it, suppressing a surge of elation.
The act was revealing: Maycock was not expecting anything written down that could later be used against either of them.