Mir Pacifica

Published: 25 Dec 2017

Over the next three days Thomas and Roger were kept busy with uniform designs, signing on men that had been a part of his land forces and had a desire to go with him across the oceans. There were also a small number of young men who were beached by the Royal Navy as the Napoleonic war wound down. The need for the naval blockades had lessened as the French Navy tried to avert disaster from the roving squadrons of the Royal Navy that had continued to keep a tight rein along the continental coast line.

There was one surprise applicant for the position of Captain on one of the Frigates. The Captain of the Cutter HMS Ranger, Captain Bertram Samson. It appeared that Captain Samson was to be put ashore after his next trip on the cutter. It had been felt by the Admiralty that there was no longer a need for the fast packets now that Wellington had the new French Grande Armee on the run and almost with their backs to the wall and the war was all but over.

Captain Samson, although still young and with a wealth of experience was to be beached in favour of older and more connected Officers. His commission would be put aside until or unless there was another outbreak of war which in this time and age was a possibility but even then he may not secure a berth to his liking.

It was with these facts in hand that Captain Samson had made the decision to seek other placements and once hearing of the possible travel to the oceans on the other side of the world and he had put aside his anger at being pushed aside by the Royal Navy. He went in search of a possible berth on the new adventure.

What really turned out to be a boon for Thomas and Roger was that Captain Samson had carried with him copies of not only the famous Captain Cook’s almanac of his travels to the South-seas but also copies in translation of both Dutch and Portuguese almanacs. It was immediately seen by Roger Scully how truly valuable these could be when they ventured forth on their planned adventure.

After some discussion by the three, it was decided that Captain Samson would take over as Captain of the MSC Scully as Roger himself would be too involved as Commodore of the fleet to have time to partake in the day to day running of a single ship. There was now a need to find two more captains for the other two ships and so the hunt was on.

It did not go unnoticed by the three men that young Snot Morgan spent a great deal of time in the tavern barroom doing odd jobs but seemingly always close to the talks that were going on. It was Roger Scully that finally looked at the other two men and then smiled before calling out.

“Midshipman Morgan, why don’t you come and join us? I have something in mind that you may find interesting and may be right up your ally.”

A great beaming smile broke out over Snot’s face as he quickly found a stool at the table and sat with a rapt look of attention at being addressed by Mister Scully.

“Thank you Sir, how can I help?”

“Well I will have to start at the point when I was taken in after losing my ship so you may have to bear with me for a few minutes before I get to the crux of the matter.”

Roger looked at the other two and then back at Snot before continuing.

“During my time with the good people who saved me and tended to my wounds, I had the opportunity to observe something the French were using to make their ships safe when entering a difficult harbour. It was a high tower with two swinging arms fitted to it. With these arms they could signal a ship as to which channel they should take when entering or leaving the harbour. I asked around over some time and found that the French called them Semaphore Towers and the position of the wooden arms spelt out the orders so the Captains could understand them much faster than the old way of using long halliards of smaller flags. Now I have been giving it some thought for quite a while and I think we could make a few changes and make use of the same system aboard ship.”

Roger paused as he looked at the others as they tried to see where he was going with this new revelation. Roger continued, “What I have been thinking on is how we can adapt it to what we need and without the use of the fixed towers and I have come up with the idea of having a small number of seamen trained in using two small flags to make the signals and this is where you come in Midshipman Morgan. I want to train you and some others to use this form of communication between our ships. It will mean you will have to work hard and diligently until you are proficient and you will have to know your letters by heart if this is to succeed. Do you want to give it a try?”

“Uhm…I think so Sir but how does it work for spelling words and things?”

“It’s the position of the flags in relation to your body. Your trunk taking the place of the main body of the tower and your arms will be like the wooden ones. The small flags will be easily seen at a distance and should be able to be read by those watching from afar. I was thinking of making the flags blue and white on the diagonal so they are like nothing else normally used. Of course there may be a way we can make use of lanterns during the night for the same thing but I have not yet given too much thought on that one.”

“I think I would like to try that Sir. When would I start?”

“Well not just yet, we will have to find some others that are capable of knowing their letters and then train you all together. It would be better if you were all trained at the same time so there is no chance for errors. Errors could cost lives where we are going.”

“Very good Sir, I’m sure some of those who were with our Patron would also be interested in something new.”

“Good then that’s set, if you find some of the boys we need you can tell them they will be given the rank of Midshipman and be divided between the ships. At this stage I think we will need at least eight or ten as we may lose some if they find they cannot perform the task to the standard we will need. This can be your first duty Midshipman Morgan, you can go out and see whom you can find to fill in the other places if you have no other duties here at the tavern.”

“None Sir and I shall get right to it. There is one thing though Sir.”

“What is that Midshipman?”

“Well Sir there is still a number of boys still over in Portugal and I’m sure some of those will want a chance to go adventuring with us. Many had no families and General Thomas is the only family they have. I don’t think they would want to be pushed aside without a chance to speak for themselves.”

“I’m sure you are correct, well we can wait until we return to Portugal later in the week and find out. It will still be two months before the ships are fully ready to depart. Now then is there anything else?”

“No Sir but I think I had better go and talk to me Da so he knows what I’m going to be doing so he won’t worry none about me.”

“Good idea, then off you go and have your kit ready to move by Friday’s high tide when we take the packet back to Portugal.”

As Snot left the men to discuss other things, Thomas noticed that George was looking in his direction. It took Thomas a few seconds to realise that George was talking to him in the silent sign language of the spies. Thomas read the message and nodded his head before telling the other two he had to leave for a moment. Leaving Roger and Captain Samson to continue with their own talks. Thomas took the stairs up to Peter Morgan’s office where he found both Henry and Peter waiting for him.

“Thanks for coming Thomas.” Peter said as he stepped through the door.

“What do you need Peter?”

“I just thought you might like to know that the Avante has just docked. If you keep her at dockside you could use her to carry the men with you back to Portugal as there won’t be enough space on the packet for the hundred or so you have signed up. If you like you and the other Officers could go ahead and have Craven watch over the others on the other ship. With the Avante being slower than the packet you should arrive a day or two ahead of them and have time to get organised before they get there.”

“Yes that sounds like a good idea. I’ll pass it on to Roger and then we can make plans for their arrival in Oporto. I don’t know yet where we will put them all but I’m sure something will work out once we get there and can see for ourselves.”

“Well as you know, if there’s anything you need help with then you have the Council fully behind you.”

“Thank you Peter, I only hope things go well and we can find some good trade to make it all pay.”

“I’m sure you will have little trouble finding trade over there, although you will have to watch out for the Dutch. They have a large hold in many places in the east so it might not be an easy task that you have taken up.”

Thomas nodded his understanding and tried to let his thoughts look for hidden problems. Before he turned to leave, Peter said one more thing. “I just want to check that you don’t mind taking George with you. While it is a few years since he has put to sea I know he really wants to return to his homeland and you may also find him rather helpful in some areas once you get into the Pacifica region. Remember James Cook thought he was well appointed and ended up losing his life there, so not everybody is friendly.”

“Yes I am beginning to understand that and have no fear, George is welcome whenever he wants to take part and I will value his help.”

“Good then I will let you get back to your planning. The tide will be high two hours before dusk on Friday so you only have two days left to find anyone you need from here.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you again Peter and you also Captain Henry. For everything you have done, not only for myself but also my family.”

“Think nothing of it lad.” Replied old Henry. “That land needed watching over and your Da is a good man. I’m glad I was able to help one of the King’s heroes.”

Thomas could only nod his head as he turned and left the large upstairs office to rejoin his friends waiting below. There just seemed so much to consider when trying to organise such a large venture and he was not sure he was properly equipped to do so. Had it not been for the experience of Roger and the good Captain Samson, he doubted he would ever have been able to organise things as they were going.

Friday was another one of those overcast days that London seemed to be plagued with during the spring. The time was just past four of the clock as Thomas, Roger and Captain Samson were making their way along Morgans dock to where they could see the HMS Ranger berthed in front of the Avante.

The HMS Ranger had made the short trip from the Admiralty docks that morning in preparation for their departure back to Portugal. As was normal for the time of day when the tide was on the rise, the docks were filled with the hustle and bustle of commerce.

The three young men made their way through the throng of dock workers and stevedores and were looking forward to a change of climate now that they were almost free of England. As they approached the HMS Ranger Thomas took note of the three young officers standing at attention by the gangway as they waited for their Captain. Behind them Thomas could see the men of the Avante preparing to also make way with the last of the supplies being swung aboard under the supervision of their Captain who was standing high on the aft deck.

The Captain threw a casual half salute to Thomas and smiled at the three men before turning back to his work. Thomas and the other two were just paces away from the HMS Ranger when they stopped short and turned back to look behind them. The loud sound coming from around a far corner was one Thomas had never expected to hear again, especially not here in England.

The new men they had signed on were already standing on the dockside waiting for permission to board the Avante but of those who had been a part of Thomas’s forces during the war there had been no sight. Thomas was now aware of what had happened to his onetime guerrillas as from the far end of the docks the familiar loud rattle of massed drums could be heard moving closer and closer by the second.

At the sound of the massed drums it seemed the whole dock area became silent. Many of the workers had heard those drums before even though it was a number of years earlier and so stood silently to watch what was to happen.

Thomas and the other two also stopped and turned towards the approaching sound. From the far end of the docks there first appeared a very familiar figure dressed in an also familiar black uniform and carrying a large flag of pale blue which was decorated with the letters M.S.C. above a set of black horns with red tips. The smile on Snot Morgans face said it all as he proudly led the small parade of nearly one hundred black clad troops.

All were armed as they had always been when at war and at the front, just behind Snot Morgan were almost thirty of his old Originals, their drums polished and the drum sticks moving so fast it was at times hard to follow them. Behind the drummers was the well dressed and upright figure of Craven Morgan with his more experienced gunners in four ranks behind him.

At the back of the ranks of four came those friends who had been through the war with Thomas and they also were dressed in the full black uniforms with their double barrelled muskets on their shoulders; their boot knife with the horn handle was on plain display for all to see.

The one hundred or so men of the Don Thomasino Guerrillas marched in perfect step and their four ranks were shoulder to shoulder which made a grand sight for those watching along the way. There would be no mistaking who these young men were and they were going to leave an impression behind them that would be discussed for weeks to come by those who were there to see it.

It was Craven Morgan that gave the order to halt. Craven then stepped forward and saluted the three men before saying in a loud voice, “Sir, the men of Don Thomasino De Toro’s Guerrillas Espana request permission to board ship. The men also ask for the honour of guarding the Colours until we land in Portugal, Sir.”

Thomas was almost confused by Craven’s formality but decided to play along. It was after all quite an honour that the men of his old corps would go to all this trouble just for him and put on such a show on the docks.

“Thank you Major Morgan, the men have permission to board and to protect the colours. We shall wait for your arrival in Oporto.”

Craven once again saluted and then gave the order for the men to march to the gangway of the Avante and begin to board. Thomas looked at the other two friends and could only shake his head, he would have to find out whose idea it had been and let them know not to do it again.

Every man that had been there was now really a civilian and owed nothing to their former station in life but Thomas also knew that they would just have likely done it for no other reason than to show him they still cared about him. The bonds forged from battle were hard to break and most of them had stood back to back during the worst of times.

The three young officers of the HMS Ranger snapped to attention and saluted their Captain. Captain Samson returned the salute and then said to the senior amongst the men, “Lieutenant, prepare to cast off and let’s get this ship underway while the tide is still making.”

“Aye Sir.”

The young Lieutenant snapped another salute before beginning to shout orders for the men to get the ship ready to leave the dockside. Thomas and Roger were in civilian clothing and had not given the idea of wearing their old uniforms a single thought. With steady steps they mounted the gangway just behind Captain Samson and once on the deck they spied someone they had not expected to see.

Thomas was the first to gather his wits as he looked at the smiling face standing waiting for them. He was also dressed in the old uniform and carried his weapons much as those on the dock had. Thomas could not believe his eyes, in all the time he had been ashore he had given no thought as to what had happened to most of his men and he knew for a fact that this particular one had stayed in Portugal when Thomas had come home.

“Fairley! What the bloody hell are you doing here?”

“Well good afternoon to you to Sir. I’m under orders Sir, so had little say in the matter.”

“Who’s bloody orders? You’re a civilian now Fairley, you don’t have to take orders from anyone.”

“You had better tell that to the man who gave them Sir.”

“And who the hell was that Fairley?”

“Why his Honour Don Carmelo Sir, now who am I to say nay to such as him?” The smile on Fairley’s face told he was having fun at seeing the discomfort that Thomas was going through.

“So just what are you doing here then?”

“His Honour Don Carmelo wanted to make sure that you did not forget your head Sir and so he sent me here to make sure everything was put aboard all right and correct Sir. We all know you have a bad memory for the important things in life.”

Thomas could hear the soft chuckle coming from Roger Scully as he watched the by-play between his friend Thomas and his onetime Cabin boy Fairley. Thomas could only sigh as he looked at the smiling boy in front of him.

“Do I have to put up with your bloody cheek again Fairley or are you staying behind when we leave on our journey?”

“Sorry Sir but Don Carmelo has given strict instructions that I follow you around to make sure you keep your head on your shoulders. Besides Sir, I have Mister Scully to keep alive now as well. Last time I left him alone he damn near got his self killed and second time they might get lucky.”

“Fairley you should be hung, drawn and quartered but then I suppose you would just be a pain in the arse for the devil and we don’t want him getting angry. Right then Fairley lead the way. I presume you have already seen to our accommodations for this trip?”

“As much as they are Sir. This way Sir. I have all your luggage put in the hold except for what you will need right now.”

“Well at least you are good for something. What about Mister Scully’s luggage?”

“Put away in a dry spot in the hold with yours Sir.”

“OK, lead the way.”

Thomas held in his smile until Fairley had turned towards the stern of the ship and then he looked at the smiling face of Roger Scully before saying in a quieter voice.

“Did you ever want to hang the little bugger?”

“Often but then where would I have gotten anyone half as good as he is? Makes you want to retire from all life when he gets started.”

“You are right on that point Roger. Still, I doubt I would have seen it through the war without him.”

“What’s the rank he’s wearing on that uniform? I know you all had your own rank system so it’s all confusing to me.”

“Sergeant Major, at least that way I can always threaten him with the cat-o-nine tails; that and the fact he refused to be an officer.”

“Well that’s a turn-up for the books; I always thought he would get himself into so much trouble that someone would hang him before he got to an age where his voice deepened.”

“Fat chance on that happening. Besides he is now always armed so I pity the poor sod that tries it on with him.”

“Well let’s see what he has got for us, these packet boats don’t have a lot of space for passengers so I suppose we will be dining with the good Captain for the trip. It will also give you a chance to get your sea-legs back again. At least this time we shouldn’t have some bloody Frenchman trying to blow us out of the water.”

Thomas smiled and nodded his head as he continued to follow Fairley into the hatch that led to their rooms. He could feel the ship starting to move as the rattle of sails being raised and the thump of bare feet on the wooden deck told of the activity needed to get the fast ship to sea. It took only a few seconds to take in the entirety of the small cabin and, as Roger had said there was very little space.

One narrow bunk was above the other and barely enough space to dress in the space between the bunk edge and the wall. Thomas presumed that on the other side of the wooden wall was where the rooms of Captain Samson such as they would be in the small fast packet boat. The gentle rocking of the ship told Thomas they were now out in the main stream of the river. It was time to return to the deck to watch London Town disappear yet again. Not that Thomas really minded the fact he may not see the old town ever again.

The smells of the docks, the fishmonger’s stands and the rather fetid odour of the murky water of the Thames slipped away under the growing pace of the HMS Ranger. Once on deck Thomas could see that the Avante was also slipping her moorings and leaving the dockside to make her way into the stream for the trip out to the estuary and the freedom of the open water of the channel.

As Thomas and Roger appeared below the quarterdeck they were called by Captain Samson and invited to join him while they made their way down river. Once on the upper deck Thomas looked around at the crew below as they worked hard to raise the oversized sails; it was now even more obvious this little ship had been made for speed and not fighting.

The main deck had only eight six pounder guns mounted four to a side; they would not be much help if they were attacked but then there were few ships asea that would be able to catch her. The oversized mast towered above them with the second mast placed forward. From the foremast were stretched four triangular jibs that were already tight with the wind blowing at ten knots from the northwest.

The large mainsail was still being hoisted as were the tops; the main sail seemed to be far oversized to Thomas’s inexperienced eyes but once it billowed out and filled with the steady wind he felt the small ship almost jump in the water as the solid mast took the strain. The halyards creaked as the wind filled the sail and those below began to curse as they tried to hold the lines while securing them to the bollards and pins.

Thomas turned to look back at the fast receding docks just in time to see the Avante also hoisting sails but they were very quickly falling astern as the HMS Ranger quickly took to her heels in the calm water of the river; even once they were well into the estuary and they could feel the first of the low ocean swells, the ship only seemed to gather even more speed.

Had Thomas be able to take a guess he may well have thought they were racing at a speed in excess of twelve knots, something almost impossible in such a small ship and unheard of in a three deck Man-O-War.

Thomas turned to Captain Samson and asked, “Captain, how is it that your ship does not turn turtle with such a heavy load of sail, I would have thought it to be a dangerous venture to carry so much canvas on such a small ship?”

“Well Sir it’s all in the design. This here ship was specially designed for speed and was launched only two years ago when the Admiralty was in need of fast packets. The design was new and caused some controversy among the older Officers but, I can tell you here and now Sir, this little ship will out-sail and out manoeuvre anything the Admiralty has asea at present.”

“How does that work Captain?”

“Well Sir, as Commodore Scully would be well aware, the Ranger is narrower and a little longer than the traditional Cutter; there is also the addition of two strakes below the water that run the length of the boat and are angled at thirty five degrees; it is mainly these that gives us the stability when under full sail. Of course the added strakes also mean we can turn her on a sixpence if the need arises. As you can plainly see we have only eight pop guns for defence so our best defence is our speed and ability to manoeuvre under full sail.”

“What happens if you do come under fire and need to use your guns; I don’t think those six pounders would do much damage to a larger ship before they destroyed you?”

“Well that’s the advantage of a small and faster ship Sir. First they would have to catch us and if they managed to do that, then they would have to range their guns fast enough to match our manoeuvres. Once they have fired their broadside we then would close fast and fire on the crew and rigging. It would be a waste of time to fire solid shot into their hull as we would not do the damage needed to slow them down so we fire on their means of crewing the ship.”

“I can’t see how you would do much damage to their crew or rigging with only four balls?”

“We don’t use or carry solid shot. My Bosun came up with the idea and worked with some armourers to develop our own form of a Flechette. When they are fired they spread wide and are like a mass of spinning discs, cuts men down and slices nicely through halyards, rigging and sails which slows them enough for us to once again use our speed to escape.”

“Flechette’s? What are they Captain?”

“Let me show you.”

The Captain looked down onto the main deck until he spied the man he was looking for.

“Bosun Carter!”

Thomas saw what appeared to be a middle aged sailor with broad shoulders and the scars of a long service in the Navy on his face as the man looked up to the quarterdeck.“Sir?”

“Mister Bosun would you be so kind as to bring one of your Flechette’s up for our guests to look at?”

“Sir, be right there Sir.”

Thomas watched the man disappear below deck and only moments later reappear with what looked like a thick paper cylinder in his hands. It was about ten inches long and was the same diameter as that of the guns barrel. Bosun Carter carried the unusual cylinder up from the main deck and stood before the small group of Officers while he waited for his next orders.

“Pop it open for our guests to see it in full Mister Carter, it was your idea after all.”

“Yes Sir.”

Bosun Carter placed the paper cylinder on the deck and then took out his knife and slit around the top of the paper. With a small shake he tipped what to Thomas appeared to be about twenty thin discs of metal; each had its edge sharpened and Thomas could see where they would indeed do great damage to any man unlucky enough to be hit by one. Thomas waited while Bosun Carter went on to explain the strange cartridge.

“Well Sirs it’s like this; we don’t got the guns to play around with no Frigates and the like but this here will certain and sure cut any man down in right quick order and, as for rigging and such; well Sirs as you can see no rope would stand after being cut about by this little lot. We done tried them Sirs and they do right amount of damage once the gun fires; like a hundred hot and spinning bees they be Sirs.”

Thomas and Roger looked at the small innocuous discs and then looked at the kneeling Bosun; the look on the man’s face was one of pride at his accomplishment. Had he been on any other ship but the HMS Ranger he might never have thought of the idea. Thomas tucked away the information in case he had need of it in the future.

“Thank you Mister Carter, I would never have thought of something so effective; where we are eventually going they may come in handy. Can you tell me how to get a hold of you should the need arise sometime in the future?”

“Well Sir me time is near up with the Navy, this may be my last trip as they be talking about putting up the Ranger and most of us will then be put ashore so I don’t rightly know where I will be Sir.”

Thomas looked over at Captain Samson and asked him.

“Captain, do you think we might have a place for a good man in one of our ships?”

“I’m sure we could find somewhere for him Sir but they won’t be ready for sea for a few months yet so Mister Scully says.”

“Don’t worry about that Captain Samson, if the Bosun is in agreement we can always find a place for him to stay in Oporto until the ships are ready if he has a mind to join us. Bosun Carter, what say you? Would you like to join us on our voyage of discovery to the south-seas?”

“Well Sir right nice to be asked it is, but I would like time to give it thought as I am still under the orders of the Admiralty Sir.”

“Well Bosun Carter, if things turn out to be too quiet for you then come and see me, I will find accommodations for you and then you can join one of our ships should you wish to do so.”

“Thank you Sir, I shall keep it in mind for the future.”

“Thank you Bosun, you may return to your duties.” Captain Samson said as Thomas got a thoughtful look on his face.

The Ranger made it to the open channel and it was there that Thomas truly saw just how fast the ship really was. With the open channel the wind was fresher and the slight chop on the water gave the Ranger even more lift. It seemed to take only minutes and the fast packet boat felt to Thomas as though it was skipping over the chop and flying like the wind itself; it was an exhilarating feeling as the light spray flew up from the dipping bow and the tall mast creaked with the strain of the full sails.

Dusk was falling as the HMS Ranger quickly got into its full stride; it was time to go below and prepare for their dinner. It would be the best part of three days before they could make the coast of Portugal and their return to what Thomas considered his second home. There was much to catch up on and the feeling in his chest was one of freedom and expectation. At dinner that evening they were joined by the other Officer and the two Midshipmen. It was a convivial meal and much of Thomas and Roger’s past history was discussed as was the efforts of Captain Samson during his time under Nelson in 1805 at Trafalgar and the experience he had gained under the great Admiral.

That night for Thomas was to be one of the few times he really slept the sleep of the dead. Whether it was the movement of the fast ship or the soothing sound of the waves passing by only inches from his head, he did not know. But there was something soporific about the salty smell and the muted sounds of the night watch that gave him a feeling of security and peace.

It was not long after sunrise with Thomas and Roger standing on the quarterdeck with Captain Samson that they heard a call from far above where the small crows-nest was located on the high main mast; a very precarious place to be even when the sea was not trying to rattle the solid planks of the fast paced Ranger.

“Ahoy the deck, Ship to larboard and bearing down upon us.”

Captain Samson immediately got a concerned look on his face as he opened his glass to look to larboard before calling loudly to the man in the rigging.

“Is she French?”

“Could be Sir but she is not flying the French colours. Three masted she be Sir but her colours are like nothing I be seeing before.”

Captain Samson put his glass to his eye and stood silently for a few minutes while he surveyed the fast approaching ship. That it was trying to set a course to intercept the smaller but faster ship there was little doubt but was its intent friendly or dangerous; the Captain had to make the decision with time to spare if he needed to make an escape.

The HMS Ranger was far outgunned but the twin decks of cannon that the oncoming ship had aboard but as yet had not run out in preparation for an attack; in fact the closed gun ports would indicate that it had a peaceful intent and so Captain Samson bided his time.

From high above came the lookouts voice once again.

“Ahoy the deck; she be running up her signal flags Sir.”

Captain Samson turned back to his glass once again and began to watch as halyards were run up with the many varied coloured flags that would spell out a message. Captain Samson was now more inclined to think the ship was at least friendly if it was taking the time to make signals and not open her gun ports in readiness for an attack.

Captain Samson began to read the small signal flags out aloud for his guests so there would be no errors or misgivings.

“Well there’s a turn up for the books if I may says so. It would appear that yonder ship would like to parlay and is asking permission to lay alongside and send someone aboard with a message. What do you think Gentlemen? Should we extend our permission to her? She has us at a disadvantage if it comes to a fight and we don’t have the time to escape but as yet her gun ports are still closed which would indicate she is not about to do that.”

Roger was the one to reply to Captain Samson’s question as Thomas felt he did not have the experience of the two seamen.

“It is your ship Captain we are only guests so whatever your decision we would of course stand by you.”

“Thank you Commodore. Midshipman Williams?”

The young teen standing beside the helmsman replied smartly.

“Yes Sir!”

“Make the signal. ‘We will come about and await your messenger’ smartly if you please Midshipman Williams.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Lieutenant Manning, relay orders to come about and furl sails then prepare the Marines to the boarding ladder just in case there is a threat at the last moment.”

Captain Samson’s second in command immediately relayed the orders to the First Mate and then left the deck to call for the ten Marines from below decks to set a guard at the gunnel where the rope ladder was being set out.

The HMS Ranger came about and into the wind where the huge spread of sails soon deflated and the smaller ship lost way very quickly as the larger oncoming ship also lost way and was within a few more minutes approaching at a very slow pace; all her gun ports remained closed and there was no sign of any overt actions to indicate an attack.

It was not long before both ships were sitting only a few hundred yards apart and being gently pushed forward only by the wind and tide on their superstructures. From the large ship which they now knew was named the ‘Louisa St Clair’ a small dory was put into the water and four oarsmen clambered down and were soon followed by two others who appeared to be the more important of the small group.

The men on the HMS Ranger watched as the four oarsmen took to the task and soon had the small dory moving swiftly towards their ship, the two men sitting in the stern seemed totally unconcerned to be under the guns of the smaller ship.

It was not until the dory was almost under the shadow of the HMS Ranger that Thomas began to smile and breathe out a sigh of relief; he had recognised one of the men in the dory and knew there was no threat to him or the HMS Ranger.

Sitting in the stern of the dory was the smiling and unconcerned face of Captain Jean Pierre Baptise, the French Captain from the Brotherhood. Thomas felt himself relax as he saw the smiling face looking up at him. Beside Jean Pierre sat a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties and was attired in the fashion of a French noble; something almost unheard of in this day of Napoleon Bonaparte and his penchant for sending the nobility to Madam Guillotine.

The dory was quickly brought alongside the HMS Ranger and the two men climbed up with long practiced ease; once on the deck Jean Pierre Baptise gave a low bow and swept the hat off his head in an old fashioned gesture of greeting before saying in his most charming accent.

“We meet again Captain Toro; it is indeed a great pleasure. May I introduce my nephew Le Compte Martime Du Maurier? Please forgive my intrusion on your journey but I had heard you may be in need of an experienced Captain for one of your ships and that you need one with some experience of the south-seas. My nephew can ably fulfil all of these rolls should you wish to employ him in such a capacity.”

“Captain Baptise it’s good to see you once again. This is Captain Samson who is in command of this ship; he will also be joining the endeavour to the south-seas with us. Does your nephew have a good command of captaining a ship of the size of a Frigate?”

“Indeed he does Captain Toro; he was the third Officer of the 72 gun Man-O-War the Marie Bouquet, I believe it was once attacked by a young Royal Naval Captain who sacrificed himself to delay the pursuit of an English convoy and forced the Marie Bouquet to turn for port due to damages inflicted by the young Captain. It would seem that Napoleon’s Admirals considered it something of travesty and so dismissed the Captain and placed the second Officer in the Bastille. Fortunately I was able to rescue my nephew and get him out of France before they sent him to join the rest of his family under Madam Guillotine.”

Thomas could not hide the surprise he felt at this latest revelation. Thomas turned to Roger and saw the same look of surprise on his friends face before replying to Jean Pierre Baptise.

“Then Captain Baptise, perhaps you will allow me to introduce Commodore Roger Scully once of His Majesty’s Royal Navy and now the Commodore for my shipping company. There is also the fact he is also the young Captain of the ship you just mentioned.”

Thomas saw the reaction not only of Baptise but also of the young man beside him; it was now obvious that Martime Du Maurier had a good working knowledge of English. It was less than two seconds later when Martime Du Maurier drew himself erect in the stance of Attention and looked Roger straight in the eye as he threw up a perfect salute and then said.

“Monsieur Commodore I must offer my most sincere congratulations on your escape from what we all thought was certain death after your brave, although foolhardy attack on the Marie Bouquet. During the investigation of how we were so easily damaged by a much smaller ship Admiral Ganteaume even noted that your delaying actions were those of a young man of exceptional bravery. Commodore Scully I would like to offer my hand in respect for a very valiant man and would ask with all humility for a place on one of your ships. There is nothing left for me in France and my Uncle has said that Captain Toro is an honourable young man and of great stature among the Iberians.”

For the first time that Thomas could ever remember he saw Roger Scully begin to blush as he pushed his right hand forward to grasp the offered hand of Martime; for those watching it was a poignant moment when two men who had once been bitter enemies became friends and a silent moment of respect was sealed by that single hand shake.

“Monsieur Du Maurier I would deem it a great pleasure to have you at the helm of one of our ships and would like to welcome you to the Marking Shipping Company.”

“Thank you Monsieur Commodore, I will not let you down. My Uncle was most insistent that I offer my services to Captain Toro and have the chance to escape from what he says will be the eventual collapse of France and the butchers who now rule over it.”

Captain Baptise then interrupted before much else could be said. Turning to Captain Samson he said.

“Captain Samson, will you allow me to offer you and these other gentlemen to dine aboard my ship; of course if you are in a great hurry to make your port I will fully understand but I would like to have you all at my table for the evening.”

Captain Samson looked at Thomas for a lead on the offer. Thomas found he was not really in that much of a hurry to get to Oporto and a single night with an old friend should not have been too much of a problem. Captain Samson saw the small nod from Thomas and turned back to Captain Baptise.

“Captain I thank you for your kind and generous offer; however we are in the middle of the channel and it may be dangerous for us to lay alongside in such open waters just to stop for dinner.”

“Ah do not fear Captain Samson, we are only five hours sailing from a very safe harbour and could easily make it before sunset where we will both be safe from French eyes and those of the Royal Navy but if you feel it is too dangerous then I would fully understand and perhaps we can make it another time.”

“I would certainly like to join you for dinner Captain Baptise; with the wind in the right quarter we are well ahead of schedule and should still be able to make Oporto in good time. Even though I am still under orders from the Admiralty, I don’t think it will change the future too much if there is a short delay in our arrival.”

“Good then if you would be so kind as to follow my ship to our port we can dine in comfort and security. Can you make twelve knots? I would not want to leave you in waters where a French ship may find you unprepared.”

“Yes Captain, twelve knots will not stretch us; perhaps you would like Monsieur Du Maurier to stay with us; it will give him a chance to talk with Commodore Scully as we travel?”

“I see no harm in that at all Captain Samson. Now then if you will excuse me I will return to my ship and get us underway. The port is not too far and is close to the Portuguese border so is safe from any French Naval interference.”

Captain Jean Pierre Baptise gave another low, old fashioned bow before turning and with great agility descended the rope ladder back into his dory where he was quickly rowed back to his ship. Within no more than ten minutes both ships were under way and sailing almost side by side as they picked up speed and their sails filled with the fresh nor-westerly wind that was blowing down the channel.

It turned out to be a very convivial dinner, the conversation was kept well away from any war talk and the fine French wines were easy to swallow. The evening was finished off with all of the new friends standing on the upper deck with a glass of Oporto’s finest and the gentle sound of small wavelets lapping against the side of the ship. Across the narrow bay the small fishing village was dark as the men slept in preparation for another day on the water chasing after their catch.

With the first hint of dawn breaking in the east, Captain Samson called for the sails to be raised for the final fast run to Oporto which, at full sail he would make by the next morning if the wind held as it had the day before. Martime Du Maurier stayed aboard the HMS Ranger for the night and was to travel with them to Oporto where he would see his new ship for the first time; at this stage he had not been told they were captured from the French Navy and Captain Baptise had seen no reason to tell him.

TBC

You are reading Book 3 of Thomas Markings incredible journey. Let Arthur know what you think of this latest chapter. Arthur at CastleRoland dot Net