Gilchrist opened and shut his mouth like a landed fish… Then he said, "At once, sir."
Herrick appeared by the rail. "Is something wrong, sir?" Bolitho looked past them, his eyes angry. "Very, Captain. And when I discover what it is I will be glad to let you know. " He" glared at the others. "All of you!"
'show me again on the chart."
Bolitho stood beside the cabin table as Javal leaned across it. The other captains waited in silence, their bodies swaying while Lysander lifted and dipped heavily in irregular troughs.
Javal explained, 'sighted her at first light, sir." His tanned fingers cradled the Spanish coastline as if to trap what he had seen. 'small vessel. Schooner most like." He glanced calmly at Bolitho, his greasy hair still showing droplets of spray as.evidence of the haste with which he had been pulled to the flagship by his boat's crew. "I expect her master took sight of Buzzard and thought prudence to be more use than valour."
Farquhar did not try to hide his disappointment. "A schooner, you say? God damn it, Javal, I’d hardly think it proper to run for the squadron because of a mere toy!"
Javal ignored him, his dark eyes still on Bolitho. "I have good men for lookouts. I reward "em from my pocket if they do their work to my satisfaction. I find that more profitable than flogging "em for failing in their vigilance." His eyes seemed to flicker towards Osiris's captain. "Unlike some."
Herrick stepped nearer, as if to stop a flare-up of tempers.
"Then tell us, Javal. My sailing master assures me that a wind is close by, and I’ve little room for passengers. Especially the squadron's captains."
Javal showed his teeth. Like the man, they were jagged.
She was running with the wind and had all canvas spread. Yet she was making precious little headway. " He looked at Bolitho. 'strange for a Mediterranean schooner, I’d have thought, sir?"
Bolitho leaned above the chart, his mind.going back and forth over Javal's report. With Buzzard and Harebell sweeping ahead and to windward of the squadron it was unlikely they would have failed to sight the schooner had she over- reached them along the coast.
He saw Javal's strong fingers touch a point on the chart. Almost to himself he said, "Out of Malaga, you think?"
Javal nodded. "Almost certain, sir. And heading to the east"rd. In my opinion she’ll remain at anchor here," he tapped the chart again, "until nightfall, or such time as she believes her way is safe."
Bolitho walked quickly to the stern windows and watched the slow caress of wind over the blue water. Here and there, just the merest dab of white foam. Grubb was right. The wind was returning as he had prophesied.
Captain Probyn said thickly, "This damn schooner might be anything at all. Or nothing. I agree with Farquhar, there's no.point in-"
He turned as Farquhar strode to Bolitho's side, his hand- some features suddenly eager.
"I think there is a point after all." Farquhar watched Bolitho's profile. "The Dons have an arsenal at Malaga, I believe? A great foundry for artillery?"
Bolitho smiled slightly, his eyes searching. "Yes. I could be mistaken, as could Captain Javal's lookouts, but a coastal schooner makes good speed, unless well laden."
He returned to the table, the others crowding on either side of him.
"The Dons will wish to show their ally they can help in any future campaign against us. Bonaparte needs armaments of every kind, and the waters around Malaga dictate that small ships be used to carry just such weapons." He straightened his shoulders, feeling the wound beneath his coat like a bum. "It is a small beginning, but it is sooner than} had hoped. We will close the land at dusk and cut her out. At best we may gain information. At worst will seize another vessel for the squadron, eh?" He could not contain his smile of excitement. It was like a tonic. "Does anyone not agree?"
Probyn shook his head, his features still brooding over Farquhar's change of heart.
Javal said, "I know the bay where she is anchored." He was thinking aloud. "After dark we should be able to take her with little trouble."
Bolitho could sense them waiting for his next words. He said, "You will take charge, Captain Javal. I will make a" signal to Harebell to assume your duties until this affair is settled." He looked at Herrick. "I will transfer to Buzzard with some of our own people, say twenty or so good hands. Seamen, not marines. I want no boots and bayonets for this venture." He smiled at Javal. "I trust you will agree to that"?"
Javal gave a wolfish grin. "Willingly!"
Herrick asked quietly, "And the squadron, sir?"
"I will give you your orders." He said it deliberately, excluding the others. Showing Probyn and Farquhar where his trust lay. "You can stand closer inshore tomorrow, if you feel it prudent. If not, we will make a rendezvous to fit in with Captain Javal's plan of attack."
He glanced quickly around their faces. Farquhar, cool and expressionless. But his fingers tapping a little tattoo on the table betrayed his true feelings. Thinking perhaps that he could do the work better than Javal. Better than Herrick.
Probyn, his heavy face lined with doubt, watching Javal as if to discover something. Considering maybe the extent of Javal's prize money if he succeeded in taking the schooner, or what would become of the squadron if Buzzard and the commodore came to grief.
And Herrick? He was never any use at hiding his doubts.
His face was set with worry, his eyes almost hidden in a frown as he peered at the chart, seeing perhaps the whole venture laid in bloody ruins.
There was no such anxiety troubling Javal.
"Then I suggest we make a start, sir. "He rubbed his hands. "Or the bird may quit the coop."
If he was feeling any dismay at being accompanied by his commodore he was concealing it admirably, Bolitho thought.
He replied, "Yes. Return to your ships. My flag captain will make known the final orders by signal. "He lowered his voice. "I wish to make one thing clear. The squadron will stay together. I want no foolhardy risks taken, but if an opportunity presents itself I want no hesitation either."
They hurried from the cabin and he added slowly, "Pass the word, Thomas. Some volunteers and a boat to ferry them to Buzzard without delay. Send Allday to manage it, if you will." He looked up, seeing the same wretchedness on Herrick's face. "Well?"
Herrick said, "Must you go, sir? Let me take charge of the attack. "
Bolitho watched him. He was more afraid of controlling the squadron than he was of the raid. Of being killed even.
"No. Javal is a hard man. And two captains in one ship are never close to success. Rest easy, man, I have no wish to end up dead, or rotting in a Spanish prison. But we must make a beginning. Show our people that we can lead as well as we can command their daily lives." He reached out impetuously and touched his arm. It was as stiff as a teak rail. "It applies to the pair of us, as well you know."
Herrick gave a deep sigh. "I tell myself that I must never be surprised at your ideas. Ever since I can recall-" He shook himself. "I will pass the word to Allday at once." He swung round, his sudden determination making him appear almost pathetic. "But I’ll be greatly pleased to see you back inboard again!"
Bolitho smiled and walked to his sleeping compartment and the big chest in which he kept a pair of pistols. As he knelt over the lid he felt the ship tilting more readily to the wind, the urgent clatter of blocks and rigging to betray its growing power. He looked up, seeing himself in the small cabin mirror, the unruly lock of black hair above his right eye. He grimaced sadly, touching the deep scar which was partly hidden beneath the lock. An early reminder of what could happen in a split second. Like the dull ache in his shoulder. The small step between life and oblivion.