Baltic Mission by Richard Woodman

Author:Richard Woodman [Woodman, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780750517355
Google: YBeNPwAACAAJ
Amazon: 1574090976
Publisher: Sheridan House
Published: 2000-06-14T14:00:00+00:00

June 1807

9 Mackenzie

Drinkwater felt awkward under Mackenzie’s uncompromising scrutiny. He hesitated, then took the outstretched hand. Everything about the stranger irritated Drinkwater, not least his proprietorial air in Drinkwater’s own cabin.

‘Mr Mackenzie,’ he said coldly, ‘Colonel Wilson mentioned you.’ Drinkwater was not ready to say the British Commissioner had urged him to offer this cold-eyed man as much assistance as he required. The manner of Mackenzie’s arrival seemed to indicate he already had that for the time being.

‘So,’ Mackenzie smiled, ‘you have met Bob Wilson. I wonder where he is now?’

Drinkwater indicated a chair and Mackenzie slumped into it. ‘Thank you.’

‘A glass?’ Drinkwater asked.

‘That is very kind of you. What did Wilson say?’

Drinkwater poured the two glasses of wine and handed one to the Scotsman. He did not hurry to answer, but observed the man as he relaxed. After a little he said, ‘That I was to afford you such assistance as you might require. It seems we have already done so.’

The two men were still weighing each other up and Drinkwater’s manner remained cool. Now, however, Mackenzie dropped his aloofness.

‘I’m damn glad you did, Captain. I had to ride for my very life. I am almost sure those dragoons knew who I was . . .’ He shrugged, passing a hand over his dust-stained face. ‘The Russians were smashed, you know, on the fourteenth, at a place called Friedland. Bennigsen got himself caught in a loop of the River Alle and, though the Russians fought like bears, the French got the better of them. Bennigsen was forced to retreat and Königsberg has fallen. The Russians are falling back everywhere to the line of the Nieman. I was lucky to get out . . . and even luckier to find you.’ He smiled, and Drinkwater found himself feeling less hostile. However he did not pass up the opportunity to goad Mackenzie a little.

‘What exactly is your function, Mr Mackenzie? I mean what was it you feared the French dragoons took you for?’

Mackenzie looked at him shrewdly, again that strangely disquieting smile played about his mouth, again Drinkwater received the impression that their roles were reversed and that he, in goading Mackenzie, was in some obscure way being put upon.

‘I am sure you are aware of my function as a British agent.’ He paused and added, ‘A spy, if you wish.’

Drinkwater shied away from the dangerous word-game he felt inadequate to play. This was his ship, his cabin; he switched the conversation back onto its safer track.

‘I heard that the French were defeated at a place called Heilsberg. After Eylau we were expecting that the Russians might throw Boney back, once and for all.’

Mackenzie nodded tiredly, apparently equally relieved at the turn the conversation had taken. ‘So did I, Captain. It was true. The Russians and Prussians moved against the French at the beginning of the month when Ney’s Corps went foraging. Le Rougeard was caught napping and given a bloody nose. But Napoleon moved the whole mass of the Grand Army, caught Bennigsen ten days later at Friedland and crushed him.

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