Success to the Brave by Alexander Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

rain.
    The other ship had also set more canvas and appeared to be drawing away.
    Bolitho felt the deck quiver as Achates lifted and smashed down into a shallow trough. He could sense the rising power of the extra sails, and watched the huge main course spread and thunder out to the wind as the seamen freed it from its yard.
    Bolitho climbed on to a gun-truck and steadied his glass on the leading ship. The light was strengthening rapidly and already he could see the gilded gingerbread around the other vessel’s poop and quarter gallery, the pale sunlight reflecting in her stern windows as if she had taken fire.
    Keen said, “Not a Frenchie.”
    Someone else suggested, “Dutch maybe.”
    They were all wrong. Bolitho had seen ships very similar to this one and could be pretty certain which yard had laid down her keel.
    He said, “Spanish. I’ve crossed swords with her like before.”
    Nobody spoke and Bolitho hid a smile. Right or wrong, you never argued with an admiral, no matter how junior.
    Keen nodded. “I agree with the flag-lieutenant, sir. She’s too large for a frigate. She’s well armed by the look of her, fifty guns at least, by my reckoning.”
    â€œSignal her to shorten sail.”
    Bolitho sensed the sudden indifference of the men near him. The game was over before it had begun.
    Flags soared up the yards and broke into the wind. Above the other ship’s deck nothing appeared, not even an acknowledgement.
    â€œShe’s falling off a mite, sir.”
    Bolitho trained his glass again. He thought he saw the sun glint on a telescope near one of her poop lanterns. Achates ’ change of station during the night must have surprised them if nothing else.
    Keen called, “Follow her round. Alter course to west by south.” He glanced at Bolitho’s impassive features.
    Bolitho said, “Keep the signal hoisted.”
    Both vessels were in line now, as if the other one was towing Achates on an invisible cable.
    Keen strode this way and that as he tried to estimate the stranger’s next move. If he fell off to leeward Achates would hold the advantage. If she tried to claw upwind with so close a chase she would lose ground and precious time and Achates could drive alongside if so ordered.
    The lieutenant of the after-guard lowered his glass.
    â€œShe does not acknowledge, sir. Even the Dons should know our signals by now!”
    Quantock shouted, “Take those men’s names, Master-at-Arms!” He gestured angrily with his speaking-trumpet towards an eighteen-pounder’s crew who had left their positions to peer at the other ship. “God damn it, what are they thinking of!”
    Keen was saying, “If the wind holds I’ll get the stuns’ls on her . . .”
    Bolitho wiped his eye and raised the glass yet again. Achates was keeping pace with the other ship, even though the stranger had set her royals in an effort to draw away. But the wind might drop or go altogether. If they could not catch up before nightfall they might never know what she was doing.
    It was very strange. He concentrated on the small, silent world within the telescope’s lens. She was well painted, as if freshly out of a dockyard like Achates. But the broad red band across her counter had no name upon it. She had either put to sea with great haste or wished her identity to remain a secret.
    He heard Achates ’ wheel begin to creak as the other ship’s rudder moved further to leeward.
    He blinked and peered through the glass again. For an instant he thought the light or his eye was playing tricks. On either side of the ship’s rudder a gunport had opened, and even as he watched he saw the daylight play across a pair of long stern-chasers.
    Quantock exploded, “Hell’s teeth, he’d never dare fire on a King’s ship!”
    The air cringed from a double crash of cannon fire, and as the smoke rolled downwind in a thick cloud Bolitho