Modyford knew that Byam’s dart was aimed at him and was quickly on his feet. He claimed that in the present circumstances he was in favour of resisting any attempt to take Barbados by force as the island’s strength was more than adequate for it to defend itself. Only if the balance were to change for any reason might it be wise to seek an alternative solution to their predicament.
‘It was typical of the shrewd Modyford,’ said Adam, ‘ruling nothing out and nothing in and giving an opponent little room for manoeuvre.’
It had satisfied the Assembly and the meeting had ended with a resolution steadfastly to continue the defence against incursion or invasion by Parliamentary forces.
Adam, however, having become through Charles’s good offices one of Lord Willoughby’s inner circle of advisers, knew that although in public he was treating Ayscue with disdain, the governor was privately worrying about what he might do next. Ayscue would not return to England without having at least attempted an invasion and he would have to act soon. Eight weeks was a long time for soldiers to be confined to ships. So heavily outnumbered was he that Ayscue could not risk a single assault and would try to stretch their defences along the coast. And Willoughby was now receiving more representations from planters desperate to load their sugar and see it off to Europe. The blockade had become more serious than he chose to admit.
‘If I were Ayscue, I would attack at two points,’ Willoughby had told Adam. ‘His skirmishes in the north have had some limited effect and he knows where he can land larger forces near Holetown and Speightstown. He might try to take those towns while we are engaged in the south. We will strengthen our defences in the north and prepare ourselves for another assault on Bridgetown. Ayscue will want to take control of the harbour and the Assembly House.’
He decided to send five hundred men to guard the five beaches in the north where landings could be made and asked his old friend Charles Carrington to command them. ‘Put a hundred men with lookouts at each place,’ he ordered, ‘and be ready to move your troops quickly to any point of attack. You will have the advantage of prepared positions and good cover.’
Delighted to be doing something positive, Charles made arrangements for the transfer of five hundred men to his command in the north and issued detailed orders to his captains for their deployment. When he called at the Lytes’ house to tell Mary of his new commission, he was met by Thomas.
‘Thomas, better news at last,’ he said. ‘An end to the foreplay and on with the real thing. The sooner we send the insolent beggars packing, the sooner you’ll be home.’
‘In that case, kindly waste no time in doing so,’ replied Thomas with a weak smile, and went to fetch Mary.
‘Charles, this is a pleasant surprise. We imagined you were occupied with our visitors in the south. Do you bring news from there?’ she asked.
‘In part, I do. I had hoped also to speak to Adam.’
‘He will be back from the mill soon. What news do you bring?’
When Charles had told her, Mary did not share his enthusiasm. ‘You’re not a proper soldier, Charles,’ she pointed out. ‘Why has Willoughby asked you to do this?’
‘Matter of trust, I suppose. No danger of my changing sides.’ He grinned. ‘And I have two swords, of course.’
‘I really cannot see what difference that makes. Just don’t do anything foolish.’
‘Foolish? Me? Come now, my dear, surely you’re thinking of someone else.’
Mary was spared having to respond by the arrival of Adam. ‘There you are, brother. Captain Carrington has come to give us news.’
‘Have you been given a commission, Charles?’
‘I have. Willoughby has asked me to organize defences around Holetown and Speightstown. We think it likely that Ayscue will launch assaults in the north as well as on Bridgetown. I have command of five hundred men for the purpose.’
Mary interrupted. ‘Has there been no progress towards a peaceful resolution? We have been hoping for better news.’
‘I fear not, and Ayscue is running out of time. He will have to attack soon or go home empty-handed.’
‘That would not endear him to Cromwell.’
‘No indeed. So we are expecting something to happen.’
‘And how may I help, Charles?’ asked Adam.
‘I had thought that now you have men expertly trained and hardened to battle, you might care to augment our force. With you in command, of course.’
‘Does one skirmish with a rabble of runaways constitute battle-hardening?’
‘Certainly it does. It’s more fighting than most of our men have seen. I do not ask for your slaves – you will need them to keep the estate working – but your indentured men would be useful. We shall need all the bodies we can find.’
‘Of course we will do as you ask. Just tell us what you want us to do.’
An hour later, Charles had outlined his plan and asked his new commander to bring his platoon to Six Mens Bay, just north of Speightstown, the following day. There it would be deployed in defensive positions. They would all have to come prepared to spend some days in the open and to bring their own rations. Five hundred men reliant upon the goodwill of the local people for food and water would be quite enough. Anyone who could should fend for himself.
‘Well,’ said Mary when Charles had left, ‘runaway slaves and now Roundheads. Do look out for Viking longboats, won’t you.’
‘Mary, we could hardly refuse him. The island’s in danger. What would you have us do?’
‘It is hardly up to me, brother, but something not involving swords and muskets would be an improvement.’
‘And how, pray, should we do that? Welcome Ayscue with open arms and take an oath of loyalty to Cromwell?’
‘Would that be so terrible a thing? And as you’ve never sworn the oath to the king, I doubt you’d have to swear one to Cromwell.’
Adam laughed. ‘Odd, isn’t it, that the charming Gibbes brothers had to swear but Charles and I were never asked to? Perhaps Walrond didn’t care about us.’
‘Perhaps, or perhaps he wasn’t as even-handed as he liked to make out. Well, off you go then, both of you. Thomas and Patrick and I will manage perfectly well. There are no runaways left in the woods, so unless we’re attacked by a troop of monkeys with loaded muskets we shall be quite safe.’
For the first time since Adam had returned, Thomas spoke. ‘Mary, I should like to accompany Adam.’
Mary was astonished. ‘Really, Thomas? What on earth for?’
‘I cannot sit here any longer and do nothing or I shall lose my wits.’
‘Are you willing to fight?’ asked Charles.
‘Only if there is no alternative. Could I not help with the administration – supplies, orders, that sort of thing?’
Charles pondered for a moment. ‘Why not? I shall need a quartermaster, Thomas, and it might as well be you. Consider yourself appointed.’
Chapter 25
FOR SEVERAL DAYS neither the garrisons in the south nor Charles’s men in the north had much to do but watch and wait. Charles divided his forces into five companies, each charged with defending one of the vulnerable beaches. While he set up his camp at Goding’s Bay, Adam and Thomas took their platoon of twenty-five men, now named white platoon, north to Six Mens Bay to join a company led by a Captain Brown. Adam put Thomas in charge of all matters administrative – food, water, shelter, casualties and settlement of the occasional dispute. Thomas had arranged for any casualties to be taken to the Serpent Inn.