Ramage and the drum beat

Pareja obviously sensed this was no idle threat and hurried after Marmion, repeating Ramage's words in a low voice. He then beckoned to Ramage, who ignored him and Pareja came back.

'My captain wishes to continue the conversation in his cabin.'

'Your captain will continue the conversation on board the cutter. He has five minutes to pack a bag. In the meantime your first lieutenant and I will discuss the details of towing.' Once again Pareja went back to Marmion and reported Ramage's words. The captain went below and Pareja told Ramage:

'He agrees under protest and only to save the lives of the ship's company. He regards an explosion boat as a barbarous and dishonourable method of waging war and unprecedented in history. He says that in the face of such barbarity it is his duty to protect his men.'

'Very well,' said Ramage. 'Now, you are the first lieutenant? Very well, these are your orders for the tow.'

As Marmion followed him on board the Kathleen, Ramage was pleased to see that in his absence Southwick had been busy. He'd changed into his best uniform and the rest of the ship's company were neatly dressed and, apart from those standing to attention at their carronades, drawn up on the quarterdeck. There was no sign of a wounded man nor a trace of blood. Every rope was neatly coiled; match and sponge tubs were spaced at geometrically precise intervals with sponges and rammers in their racks.

The impression of smartness and, compared with the Spanish ship's company, the natural confidence and determination showing in the men's bearing, would not be lost on Marmion, who was looking round carefully as he slowly unbuckled his sword.

When Southwick saluted Ramage, Marmion turned in surprise and exclaimed involuntarily, 'You are the captain?'

Ramage nodded since there was no further need to pretend he did not speak Spanish, and said,

'Yes, I am in command. You surrender your sword to me.'

The hard note in his voice left no doubt that it was an order and Marmion gave it to Ramage, who accepted it without comment and passed it to Jackson as if it was dirty.

Although Ramage felt contempt for the Spaniard because he had made no attempt to brazen it out and had accepted all the terms, he was wary. Those little watery, shifty eyes ... He wished he hadn't left Marmion and Pareja alone while he inspected the frigate.

Southwick, although still standing to attention, showed by his attitude and expression that he still did not know exactly what was happening, and Ramage said,

'This gentleman is the captain of the frigate. He is a prisoner. Detail two men to guard him. Rig up screens to make him some sort of cabin, and get a cot slung. Now, all the Spanish ship's company are prisoners on parole. They've given their word to obey my orders - which are to haul in and secure the cable, and then do all they can to safeguard the tow. They were impressed with the explosion ...'

Ramage broke off because the Spaniard's eyes were popping. He was staring at Gianna, who had just emerged from the companionway. Ramage guessed it wouldn't hurt to create a bit of a mystery and ignored her.

'Take the boat and pass the cable,' he continued. 'The frigate's first lieutenant speaks very good English. And make sure they have lights ready. At night they're to burn three white lights, one on either bow and the third on the centre line amidships but high, so we can always see how they are heading. Is that quite clear?'

'Aye aye, sir,' Southwick said and added with a grin, 'Shall I take our colours over, and hoist 'em over the Spanish?'

Ramage laughed. He had forgotten all about that. 'Yes, but you'll need something to rig 'em on - they've nothing longer than a boarding pike left!'

With that Southwick turned away and began giving his orders.

'Thirsty work, sir,' Jackson commented.

Ramage eyed him. 'Yes - for me. I've been doing all the talking. Tell my steward to bring me some lemon juice and water.'

Jackson looked crestfallen and Ramage relented. The capture of a frigate was worth an extra tot for all the men. 'Remind me again at supper time how thirsty you are.'

'Very good sir. You can rely on me.'

Two seamen with cutlasses left Southwick and came over to Ramage, who said: 'As soon as his cabin is prepared, the Spanish gentleman is to be taken below, under guard. For the time being keep him forward of the mast.'

As seamen lowered into the boat the messenger, the light line which would haul across the heavy cable, Ramage walked over to Gianna, who was talking to Antonio.

Her eyes were bright with excitement she was finding hard to control

'Nico - who is that funny man?'

'The captain of the Spanish frigate.'

'But why did you bring him over here?'

'He is our prisoner - a hostage, in fact.'

'But how can you control all those men in the frigate?' Antonio asked. 'Why, there are hundreds of them. Mr. Souswick let me look with the telescope.'

Ramage shrugged his shoulders. 'We have to continue to bluff."

Antonio said eagerly, tugging his beard, 'Nico - let me take a dozen men over to the ship. I'll make sure they behave!'

Ramage shook his head. 'But for one thing, I'd have asked you to do that.'

'What is the one thing?'

'Antonio - you and Gianna are the reason for theKathleen going to Gibraltar. You're in my care. If anything happened to you...'

'You and your orders,' Antonio said gloomily. 'It's hardly worth having escaped from Italy.'

'Antonio!' exclaimed Gianna. 'After all Nico has done for us!'

'No,' Antonio said hastily, 'no, I didn't mean it like that. You know I'm grateful, Nico; but those Spaniards - they're worse than the French. They've only come into the war because they think the French will win.'

'A successful man has many friends,' Ramage said wryly. 'But a failure is very lonely.'

Southwick came up and saluted. ' 'Scuse me, sir. All ready. I'm just going off in the boat.'

‘Very well. Don't stand any nonsense over there. Make 'em jump about, flagship style.'

Ramage silently cursed the frigate towing astern and then realized it was as stupid as cursing fame and riches because they led innkeepers to double your bill. But the sun dropping over the horizon took most of the wind with it and now, with the sky changing from purplish-mauve to the chilly and impersonal grey of dusk, the cutter was making barely two knots. He had four men at the helm to counteract the drag on the Kathleen's stern from La Sabina'soccasional sheer one way or the other.

Gianna and Antonio were standing at the taffrail with him, and Gianna shivered. 'I never like this time of the day and it's always worse if there's anything worrying you, because it's cold and grey.'

Antonio asked, 'What's worrying you?'

'Oh, nothing really - except that great thing,' she said, pointing at the frigate. 'I have a premonition ...'

'Of what?' asked Ramage.

'That ... it's silly, Nico, but I feel she will bring bad luck.'

Ramage laughed. 'You must ward off the Evil Eye for us, then!'

'Don't make jokes about the Evil Eye, Nico ...'

'Then don't be so serious. I noticed our Spanish friend couldn't keep his evil eyes off you!'

'He makes me feel unclean, the way he looks at me,' she shuddered. 'I don't trust him.'

'I should think not,' Ramage said. 'Nor do I. That's why two seamen are guarding him. After all, he is our enemy!'

'An enemy,' she mused, 'that fat man down there ...'

Antonio said coldly, That fat man down there would strangle you slowly - and everyone else too - if it would get him his ship back.'

'I'm feeling cold,' Gianna said. 'I am going to bed.'