Mutiny

 

_{'Did he, by God!' Parker heard the seaman out, his face darkening. 'Is he not aware who is the power in this anchorage? Does he think to top it the mandarin in our presence? Pass the word for Bill Davis, if you please, Tom, we're going ashore to set straight our Admiral Buckner.'}

_{The barge glided in to the steps, and the president of the delegates and his staff stepped ashore. They strode direcdy across to the fort gate, ignoring the sentry, and went straight to the commissioner's house. 'Mr Parker, president o' the delegates, t' see the admiral,' Kydd told the flag lieutenant at the door.}

_{'He is not to be disturbed,' the officer replied, his face tight.}

_{'He'll see Mr Parker now,' Kydd said, moving closer.}

_{'Impossible. He's hearing charges at this moment.'}

_{Parker stiffened. 'Why do you think we're here, sir?' He moved closer.}

_{'Very well. I will tell the admiral.'}

_{Parker did not wait. Following the lieutenant into the room, he stood, feet astride, surveying the occupants. 'Captain Hartwell,' he acknowledged to the dockyard commissioner. 'Captain Cunningham,' he added, seeing the captain of Clyde to one side. They glowered back at him.}

_{'Yes, what is it, Mr Parker?' Admiral Buckner asked, obviously embarrassed.}

_{'You have two marines in your custody, I understand, Admiral,' Parker snapped. 'Please to yield their persons to me.'}

_{'I don't understand, Mr Parker. These men were taken up in the town drunk and riotous, and as they are members of the fleet it is of course my duty to detain them.'}

_{'That, sir, is precisely why I am here,' said Parker, in hard tones.}

_{'Sir?' Buckner's voice was weak and unsure.}

_{Parker paced forward. 'Sir, your flag no longer flies and your authority is now gone. These are then my prisoners and will be disciplined by the fleet.'}

_{The old admiral's face sagged. 'Mr Parker, my flag is struck, it is true, but, sir, consider my feelings.'}

_{Around the room there were expressions of astonishment at this display of emotion from so senior a personage.}

_{'I have feelings too, Admiral Buckner, and I do consider yours. I'm sorry to say it, but it's not in my power to change things.'}

_{There was an appalled silence. Then a chair crashed to the floor as Captain Cunningham leaped to his feet and drew his sword. Kydd lunged across and seized his arm, smashing his wrist down on the chair back. The sword clattered to the floor.}

_{'You bloody dog!' Cunningham shouted. 'I'll run ye through, you base-born rogue! God rot your bones for a vile mutineer an' blackguard!'}

_{Parker looked at the captain with contempt. 'Have a care, sir. The men are not delicate in the matter of chastisement, should I put it to them.' He turned again to Buckner. 'Admiral, we have not had an answer respecting the Board of Admiralty's attendance on us. We will talk to no other, this is our solemn resolution.'}

_{Buckner's reply was hastened aboard Sandwich by early afternoon.}

_{'Worthless, I knew it.' Parker dropped the letter to the table. 'We can't waste time talking to that feeble loon. We bring their lordships to account direcdy. A letter; be so good as to agree its wording.. .'}

To the Lords Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland &c.

I am commanded by the delegates of the whole fleet assembled in council, on board His Majesty's Ship Sandwich, to inform your lordships, that they have received your letter at the hands of Admiral Buckner, which informs them that it is not your intention of coming to Sheerness, the same has been communicated to His Majesty's ships and vessels lying here, and the determination of the whole is, that they will not come to any accommodation until you appear at the Nore, and redress our grievances.

Richard Parker, President

By order of the Committee of Delegates of the Whole Fleet

_{'There, that should start proceedings,' Parker said, with satisfaction.}

_{Kydd went below to the starboard bay as soon as he heard of the return of Hulme: rumour had it that it had been quite an adventure to reach Lancaster.}

_{'Damme, but they wuz shyin' hot shot at us fr'm Tilbury fort, mates. Think on it! Two longboats an' a pinnace, they thinks it's the Dutch comin' up the river agen.' Hulme was grimed with powder smoke, looking tired but determined to tell his tale. 'We touches at Gravesend fer a spell, but after th' guns, the folk ashore think we're some kind o' pirates or somethin' and has at us wi' what they c'n find. We offs ter Long Reach, but th' Admiralty has smoked what we're about an' sends a rider ter warn off th' captain — Wells, 'is name. But, we're up th' side 'n' on the quarterdeck in a brace o' shakes. Bit of a mill, then Cap'n Wells, he legs it out o' the stern-lights an' is away.'}

_{'Hey, now, did they come across then?' Kydd wanted to know.}

_{'That they did! An' ter prove it, here's yer new cap'n of Lancaster, Cap'n James Wilson.'}

_{'Well met, cuffin!' Kydd was glad to shake his hand.}

_{Hulme wiped at the powder smoke on his face and finished his story: 'We gets balls aroun' our ears goin' up, we entertains 'em wi' muskets goin' down — 's only fair dos.'}

_{At this Kydd winced: such would not endear them to the townsfolk. Still, the Bloody Flag was now floating proudly high above, not much more than a dozen miles from White Hall itself.}

_{At six bells came extraordinary news. At his endless work transcribing and requisitioning, Kydd heard a sudden eruption of excitement on the decks above that swelled and spread. He potted his quill, and collided with Davis at the door. 'Tom, mate, better go topsides handy like, there's somethin' you better hear.'}

_{The whole ship's company, animated and noisy, appeared to be on the upper deck. The focus was Parker, who stood abreast the mainmast holding a paper. When he saw Kydd he flourished it in the air vigorously. 'Tom!' His face was wreathed with a seraphic smile. 'My dear friend! At last.' He drew Kydd aside. 'History,' he said quietly but proudly. He passed across the paper and watched for reaction.}

_{'Why, this is tremendous! It's — well, tremendous!' Here was the final consequence of all they had done, the pinnacle of their striving: a historic achievement. The First Lord of the Admiralty had agreed to come to Sheerness, together with the august Board of Admiralty, there no doubt to add plenary weight to decisions on the eight articles. And with him he would be bringing a King's Pardon.}

_{The news spread ashore. One by one, the red flags and crimson banners disappeared, and the Union Flag of Old England was welcomed back; people walked freely, shops reopened and Blue Town took on all the old jollity of a fleet in port.}

_{Kitty took the news with huge relief, dabbing her eyes. 'Leave it t' us, m' dear — jus' make sure y' have the main-deck rigged so.'}

_{Thus it was that at dusk the main deck of Sandwich was squared away fore and aft, lanthorns were placed above each gun and every piece of bunting that could be found was hung and draped in a brave display of colour.}

_{Seamen, their women on their arms, came aboard from every ship in the anchorage. The larboard side of the main deck was draped with ensigns of all the friends of England, especially at the centre, opposite the mainmast. There it was expected that President of the Delegates Parker would speak.}

_{Between the guns on the starboard side of the deck, tables were tastefully laid with festive fare and the main gratings were spread with jugs and baskets. An enthusiastic band scraped away forward - 'Britons Strike Home!' and 'Rule Britannia' particular favourites. These were interspersed with hornpipes and spontaneous dancing.}