Success to the Brave by Kent Alexander & Reeman Douglas

Author:Kent, Alexander & Reeman, Douglas [Kent, Alexander & Reeman, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: __Fixed, _rt_yes, Action & Adventure, Fiction, Historical, Napoleonic Wars; 1800-1815, Naval Battles - History - 18th Century
ISBN: 9781590133156
Publisher: McBooks Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

11 REVENGE

“ALL HANDS , all hands! Hands aloft an’ loose topsails!”

Bolitho stood at the quarterdeck rail and watched the dripping cutters being secured yet again on their tier. Achates had anchored for several hours while the boats had been lowered to examine an inlet where a ship might be concealed. As on all the other occasions, they had returned with nothing to report.

Bolitho shaded his eyes from the intense glare to look at the land. Santo Domingo was just a few miles to the northwest, then the Mona Passage, back to the northern approaches where they had started.

Two weeks wasted. Making use of winds which would barely move a leaf on an inland stream.

He watched the big topsails flapping and filling as the ship heeled slightly on her new tack.

Keen crossed the quarterdeck and waited for Bolitho to face him.

“With respect, sir, I think we should return to San Felipe.”

Bolitho replied, “I know these waters well, Val. You can hide a fleet if need be. You think I’m mistaken, don’t you?” He touched his crumpled shirt and smiled. “I don’t blame you. These past weeks have been hard on all of us.”

Keen said, “I’m worried for you, sir. The longer we wait …” Bolitho nodded. “I know. My head on the block. I’ve always understood that.”

The shrouds creaked as the wind increased a little to fill the sails. High above the decks the extra lookouts strained their eyes and silently cursed their officers for their discomfort.

Bolitho heard the heavy tap of Tyrrell’s wooden stump and turned to greet him. Keen made his excuses and moved to another part of the quarterdeck. His mistrust and growing suspicion were obvious.

Tyrrell glanced at Keen and said, “Don’t like me much, that one.” He sounded worried, less confident.

Bolitho asked, “Are you still certain, Jethro?”

“She could have gone elsewhere.” He pounded his fist on the rail. “But several friends told me she’d been usin’ one of the inlets as a restin’ place. She’s nothin’ to fear from the Dons. They know what she’s about, I’m certain of that too.”

Bolitho looked at him thoughtfully. “We’re inside their waters now. I’ve no authority even to be here unless that damned ship is sheltering behind the Spanish flag.”

Keen returned, his face expressionless. “We shall have to change tack again shortly, sir.” He purposely ignored Tyrrell. “After that it will be a hard beat up to the Mona Passage. The wind is poor enough, but it seems intent on holding us back.”

Even as he spoke the fore-topsail flapped and banged against the shrouds and men scurried to the braces to retrim the yards yet again.

Tyrrell said suddenly, “I know of a place. Give me a boat.” He was speaking quickly as if to stifle his own arguments against his suggestion. “You don’t believe me. I’m not even sure myself.”

They looked up as a lookout yelled, “Deck there! Sail to the nor’-west!”

Keen murmured, “Bloody hell! It’ll be a patrol boat out of Santo Domingo!”

Tyrrell regarded him bleakly. “They’ll have been

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