There was consternation in the high command, for no one had realized that the rebels had captured the artillery's guns. And the cannon were being manned by experts who had enjoyed long practice with naval ordnance. Thus, although the manpower of Caroline's cohorts was dwarfed by that of the brigade, the possession of the big guns tipped the scales heavily in favor of the insurrectionists, and for the first time there was serious doubt as to the eventual outcome.
The boucanier attack against the palace continued to be pressed with considerable fervor, and the feebleness of the return fire from within was an indication to the experienced ear that unless relief was forthcoming quickly King's House would soon fall. A second salvo of artillery fire sent the entire brigade scurrying for cover, but Sir Arthur continued to sit his horse, and his staff remained clustered around him. Jeremy Stone, an interested bystander, watched from a short distance. The governor general's stern features and hard eyes discouraged subordinates from expressing their sympathies for the unenviable presence of his lady in the beseiged palace, and he himself made no mention of the fact.
Scouts brought in word that the Citadel was occupied by a strong force under the command of Sir Ian MacGregor and that the Duchess herself was ensconced in the virtually impregnable stone structure, but no officer allowed his mind to linger on the possibilities of first striking the boucaniers there. King's House would be difficult enough to capture; the Citadel might hold out indefinitedy against a force equipped with as little long-range fire power as that which the enfeebled brigade could muster. It was obvious that the initial move would have to be made against the hard-bitten desperadoes who surrounded the palace that was the seat and symbol of Crown power in the Western world, but not one of the staff dared to express his views until Sir Arthur asked for them.
Jeremy Stone felt under no obligation to keep silent, however. As a civilian he was free to speak his mind, and as one who was currently in favor with the governor general he had little to lose. And so while the officers maintained a respectful distance between themselves and the man who acted as William and Mary's viceroy Jeremy edged his mount closer to Sir Arthur.
"Your Excellency,*' he said, "I hope you won't think me forward for interrupting your thoughts, but I have something of an idea."
"You, Master Stone?" The governor general spoke absently.
"Yes, sir. I'm only an amateur student of war, but my father had considerable experience in the field and I learned much from him. And I'm more or less acquainted with artillery '*
"Unfortunately we have none," the older man replied dryly, never removing his eyes from the skirmishing figures in the distance. "I thank you for your good intentions, Master Stone, but I fear there is only one approach open to me. My brigade is a disciplined, cohesive unit, while the boucaniers are—shall we say?—specialists in individual combat. Although they are not lacking in personal valor, they have had little experience against trained troops. You'll pardon this little lecture in tactics, but perhaps you can understand now why the enemy will be most vulnerable if he is attacked by a unified force which strikes as one body."
"Won't the captured artillery create heavy casualties in the ranks of the brigade. Sir Arthur?"
"Yes, unfortunately." The governor general turned and beckoned to a lieutenant colonel, to whom he gave specific orders. The elements of the brigade were to be drawn up in battle order m five different streets approaching the palace; the cavalry was to be pulled back and held in reserve.
Jeremy, rebuffed, moved to the side of the road and kept out of the way while the maneuver was accomplished. He had not been given an opportunity to explain his thoughts but would try again at the right moment. His fingers touched the hilt of his sword, and he smiled quietly to himself. He had offered both the blade and pistol to Michael when the Maroon had been about to depart into the hills to tell his people of the pardon. But Michael had insisted that he keep the weapons, and Gabriel had agreed enthusiastically. The commander and Arnold, they had said, would want him to keep the Toledo blade and the slender pistol as an expression of their gratitude. Jeremy's prompt action in hastening to tell the governor general of Jamaica about the conspiracy in Port Royal had doubtless saved many Maroon lives. And so the weapons were now his, the first he had actually owned since his arrest as an impostor.
A feeling of impotence stole over the young gunsmith, and he fingered the sword hilt nervously. King's House was the gateway to Port Royal, and Janine Groliere was in the town. He was consumed with worry over her, and only if the brigades could capture the palace would there be a chance to reach her. Anything might be happening to her, and it was vital, urgent that he be given the opportunity to fight his way to her side.
The sun broke through a layer of clouds, and the heat became more intense. In a few minutes now the command would be given for the brigade to begin its attack, and Jeremy roused himself. The chance to speak to Sir Arthur again had not come his way, so he would create his own opportunity. The governor general sat his horse fifty feet down the road; alone and preoccupied, he was awaiting word that the battalions were in position. Taking a tight grip on the reins of his horse, Jeremy rode straight to him and pulled up short.
"Your Excellency," he said quickly, "as you're no doubt aware, the enemy range is short, and the heated shot they're aiming at us is merely setting fire to those flimsy houses on the near edge of the plaza."
"That is obvious. Master Stone," Sir Arthur snapped. "The fires will soon die out, and I shall then begin my attack. Be good enough to withdraw, sir."
The young gunsmith ignored the command. "I propose, Sir Arthur, that you wait until the flames are beginning to die, just before the buildings are gutted. Begin the attack then. If the men move fast enough, they won't be burned by the dying fires and the flames will act as a screen, as a protection for the troops. The enemy won't see them until they're within infantry range, and they can surely handle themselves satisfactorily against nothing stronger than musket fire. The enemy artillery can't be used at that short a range, for they might hit their own men."
The governor general's attention was captured now, and he frowned in concentration. "It might be possible," he conceded, "but on the other hand I'd be risking the burning alive of my own troops."
"The stratagem isn't original with me, Your Excellency," was the rapid rejoinder. "It was used about thirty years ago when the army of Savoy attacked Venice."
Sir Arthur listened, nodded, and fell silent. For several long seconds he did not move; his was the authority at stake, his the trust of William and Mary to protect this distant corner of their empire, his the responsibility to live up to the obligations of high office. But at last he made up his mind. "Thank you, Master Stone," he said, and his voice was firm. "I shall accept your suggestion. It would appear that I am increasingly in your debt."
He turned to give the new tactical plan to his subordinate commanders, and Jeremy retired to the background. Although he longed to join actively in the fight against the wildly gesticulating, capering boucaniers on the King's House lawn, two of the colonels had already explained to him that strict regulations forbade a civilian from taking part in a military campaign. So for the moment he would have to content himself with the role of a mere onlooker.