The Hawk Read online

  'Ah, there you are, Soames.' Admiral Hapgood made an impatient, beckoning gesture, and Mr Soames noted with displeasure and a twinge of vexed dismay that he was no longer 'Mister'. He came into the room and saw a figure seated beyond the admiral's desk, silhouetted against the light from the window. Mr Soames peered at the figure, and heard a deep, vibrant familiar voice:

  'Soames, good morning to you.' The silver-topped ebony cane, the silver-buckled shoes.

  'Sir Robert.' Mr Soames came forward and was about to extend his hand, but Sir Robert Greer did not rise from his chair, nor extend his own hand, and Mr Soames instead adjusted the kerchief in his sleeve.

  'Since we met last at Kingshill, there have been – developments.'

  'D'you mean – ' Soames saw Sir Robert's warning glare, and did not ask his question.

  'Developments, and here we are.'

  'Indeed, Sir Robert.'

  'Sir Robert has matters he wishes to discuss with you, Soames,' said Admiral Hapgood now, anxious to assert his authority on his own ground. 'Matters which I think you wished to discuss with me, on an earlier occasion, but felt constrained by etiquette, and so forth – '

  'Yes, thank you, Admiral.' Sir Robert now stood up, and moved to the window, and stood there leaning on his cane.

  'Naturally I would wish to aid you, gentlemen, in any way I can,' continued the admiral. 'However, I cannot do so, you know, without I am told what is afoot.'

  'Afoot?' The single word delivered with such dry rejecting disdain that the admiral was shocked.

  'Hm. Perhaps you will like a glass of sherry, Sir Robert?' Very stiff. 'Before we begin?'

  'No, thank you.'

  'Brandy, perhaps? Pell!'

  'Nothing, thank you.' And as Mr Soames began to say that he would indeed like sherry, Sir Robert, over him: 'And nothing for Mr Soames, neither.'

  The admiral's man had appeared, and the admiral made a show of: 'Ah, Pell. Bring sherry, a decanter of sherry.'

  'Nay, Admiral, we do not want sherry,' said Sir Robert. 'We will like to be left alone.'

  'Hm. I myself wish to drink a glass of sherry,' began the admiral, and was again cut off.

  'Y'may take refreshment in another room, Admiral, if y'please,' said Sir Robert. 'I have business in this one.'

  'You – you wish to turn me out of my own office?' Admiral Hapgood was further shocked, then he saw his man hovering and waved him away irritably.

  'You do not wish for sherry, sir?'

  'No no, go away.' And when the man had gone, Admiral Hapgood drew a breath through his nose. 'Really, you know, Sir Robert, I do not care to be thrust precipitate out of my own door, when there – '

  'Yes yes, in course, I do beg your pardon, Admiral. Will you do me the kindness of allowing me the privacy of your room? Thank you.' A dismissive nod.

  Admiral Hapgood made a last attempt to assert his authority. 'Sir Robert, surely you have adequate rooms at Kingshill where you may conduct private business, if that is – '

  'This is official business, sir.' Over him, cold and hard, without raising his voice.

  'But, good heaven, if it is official business, then I myself must be – '

  'You are not party to it.' Curtly.

  'Not party to official Admiralty business! What the devil d'y'mean, sir? Hey?'

  'Admiral Hapgood. Spain threatens our interests in the Americas. France is governed by a demonic rabble. His Majesty's government, and its instrument the Admiralty, must look to the nation's interests, and take certain measures of precaution. You will not wish, I think, to commit the folly of interruption to such business – will you?'

  Admiral Hapgood closed his eyes in a display of contained ire, drew himself up, and: 'I do not perfectly understand why you should require my room to conduct such business, Sir Robert.' Opening his eyes. 'If I may iterate, ye've more than adequate premises not five mile distant. Would not the nation's interests be best – '

  'A person is to come to me here at this place. I did not wish him to come to Kingshill, where his arrival would probably have been remarked. Far better that he should come here, unobtrusive, in the general hubbub of a busy port. Now d'you apprehend me, sir?'

  'As you wish, Sir Robert.' Defeated, Admiral Hapgood retired, black brows thunderous as he went out of his own door and closed it with a barely governed violence. A moment, then a muffled bellow on the stair: 'Pell! Pell, damn you! Where are you when I want you?'

  If Sir Robert heard this outburst he gave no indication, but turned again to the window, and:

  'You are to return to London, Soames.'

  'To London, Sir Robert? Do not you need me here?'

  'It ain't what I want, Soames, nor you, neither. I have had a communication, placing in my hands particular facts. I must act upon these facts. You must put the matter of the Hawk and her people from your mind entire.'

  Mr Soames stared at him. 'Sir Robert, I do not think I am able to do so. If you will recall, it was I that drew the Hawk to your attention. Surely I am the person most fitted, therefore – '

  'Y'will return to London by the noon coach.' Sir Robert moved to the admiral's desk. 'Please to take this sealed packet with you, and give it into the hand of Sir Philip Stephens, at the Admiralty.'

  'The First Secretary. May I know – '

  'Y'may not.' Giving him the sealed packet. 'Into his hand, you mark me?'

  'Very well, Sir Robert.' Taking the packet.

  Sir Robert consulted his silver pocket watch. 'Ye'd better be away to the Marine Hotel at once, Soames. The coach departs in two-and-twenty minutes.'

  'Oh, but I have not packed my things, at the barracks – '

  'Your baggage will be sent on to you.'

  Miserably: 'Sent on? Oh, very well.' He put the sealed packet safe inside his coat, and sighed.

  'Forget all about the Hawk, Soames, and your little excursion to Portsmouth. Your servant, sir.' The briefest bow, and Sir Robert sat down at the desk and opened his pocket snuffbox.

  'Your servant, Sir Robert.' Mr Soames bowed in turn, and quitted the room.

  Presently there came into the room unannounced a figure in a large dark boat cloak with a dark hat pulled low over his face. The hat and cloak – when the door was safe shut – were thrown off, revealing a stocky man in his thirties wearing a plain blue frock coat, and cream waistcoat and breeches. His face was pleasant without being handsome, his hair cut close to his head.

  'Your Royal – '

  'Nay, nay, Sir Robert.' Waving a hand. 'As we agreed, as we agreed, hey?'

  'Very good, sir. Mr Hope.' A bow.

  'Indeed, Hope is who I am, and what I represent. I see you wear the ring.'

  Sir Robert touched the ring, pale fingers straying over the red stone. 'I do wear it, sir. Am honoured to.'

  Mr Hope nodded and wandered to the window, taking a pinch of snuff.

  'I do not think it advisable for you to stand at the window, sir . . .' Sir Robert, an anxious frown.

  'Eh?' In mild surprise.

  'In full view, there is always the risk that you – '

  'Ah. Ah. Quite right, Sir Robert, quite right.' Stepping away from the window. 'Lord Howe is to take overall command.' Nodding in the direction of the sea. 'Old Holly will not like it, but he ain't the arbiter of what shall be, or not. Eh?'

  'No indeed, sir.'

  'Hey, now, listen . . .' Mr Hope's manner grew confidential. 'What is the difference between a cockerel, and a cock?'

  'I – have no notion . . .'

  'One stands up and crows, and t'other stands up and snowshhhhh!'

  'Indeed . . . a capital joke, sir.'

  'Hhhhh-snows-hhhhh!'

  'If I may draw your attention to the question of the moment, sir? The business particular to us here, this morning . . . ?'

  Everything of Sir Robert's demeanour now would have astonished his earlier interlocutors, Admiral Hapgood and Mr Soames, or indeed most of his acquaintance. He was if not quite obsequious then certainly deferential, very correct,
very polite; his care of expression was nearly humble. His guest, sobering:

  'Yes, yes, business. We must get down to it, by all means.'

  A pause, raised eyebrows. 'Have ye by chance a glass of madeira and a biscuit to hand, I wonder? I did not eat breakfast.'

  'In course, sir.' Sir Robert went to the door, opened it and called: 'You there – Pell!'

  The man came cautiously up the stair, and peered at Sir Robert. 'You wish for – '

  'Madeira and biscuits. Knock, and I will take the tray.' He shut the door.

  When the tray had been brought, wine was poured, and Mr Hope drank it off in one draught, munched biscuits, and refilled his glass.

  'Now then . . .' munching '. . . the Hawk.'

  Several days passed, and the fleet remained in readiness at Spithead, Portsmouth continued crowded to overflowing, and James was permitted by Dr Stroud and Dr Wing to leave the Haslar Hospital, and return to the Mary Rose Inn. On the same morning of his release a letter came to Catherine at the inn, by hand from Mrs Fenway.

  My dear Mrs Hayter,

  How very sorry I was – when I read your letter upon my return from Haslemere – not to have been at home when you called, a week since, and were in need of assistance. Lady Hayter is my very great friend, and I will like to make amends for my absence.

  Will you and dear James come to me at once at Tattham Grange, and stay with me here as long as you please? I do hope that yr husband is greatly improved in his health, but even if he is not, everything that could be wished for is at your disposal here – fresh air, a wide garden, plentiful food – to restore him to his usual self. You will be most welcome indeed.

  May I expect you today, without fail?

  Gwendolyn Fenway

  'And you are resolved on this course?'

  'I am, sir.'

  'I cannot dissuade you, in light of the very great difficulties you face?'

  'You cannot.'

  'Not least of them that you will be obliged to find new guns, and pay for them, above the repair?'

  'You cannot.'

  'Very well.'

  'I shall proceed alone. There is no need of anyone else. I am quite alone in this endeavour, and alone I mean to bring it to conclusion.'

  'Well well, I will say nothing more, except – '

  'Nay, do not say it, if you please. My mind is made up.'

  'I was only going to say – '

  'Sir, I beg you, do not.'

  ' – going to say – '

  'No! No!'

  ' – that I am still your man.'

  'Eh?'

  'I am still your man.'

  'You would risk everything – your whole career – to stand with me in this?'

  'I gave you my word, James.'

  This exchange took place in the garden at Tattham Grange, beneath a spreading tree, the sunlit lawn and flowering shrubs a scent-drifting backdrop. James and Rennie sat in the shade, James with a rug over his knees – in spite of the balmy warmth of the air – and Rennie with his face turned into a patch of sun. James was yet a little pale from his sojourn at the Haslar, and a little thin. A bumble-bee wove between them, and swerved away on its meandering flight. A long moment, then James, quietly:

  'You know that I would never hold you to such a promise, when everything has altered since it was made.'

  'I do not alter, my dear friend.'

  James saw the garden as a blur for a moment, and felt his throat constrict. He brought his kerchief from his pocket, and blew his nose. Then, clearing his throat: 'The air is cool, do not you find. I have a slight chill.'

  'It is cool, a little.' Knowing it was not.

  The sound of bees, and the chee-chee of a coaltit on the soft air. And now a voice, an enquiring voice, careful of breaking into a private conversation:

  'Gentlemen, I hope I do not disturb you?'

  Mrs Fenway approached, under a wide hat. She was a handsome woman in middle life, full-figured but not plump, with nothing artificial in her manner or appearance. When he had first come to the house to see James, Captain Rennie had liked her instantly, and now as he saw her, smiling at them as she walked towards the shaded spot where they sat, he found himself aware of her – charms. He rose and bowed. James made to rise, but Mrs Fenway:

  'Do not get up, my dear James. I have brought you a letter, just come. Bertha has gone into the village, so I have brought it myself.' She held it out to him.

  'That is very kind, Mrs Fenway.' James took the letter from her hand, recognizing the seal.

  Rennie also recognized it, and said to Mrs Fenway: 'Will you show me your garden, Mrs Fenway? I shall very much like to see it, with so charming a guide.'

  She smiled at him, saw that her younger guest should be left alone to read his letter, that this was what Captain Rennie meant, and: 'In course, I shall be delighted, on such a lovely day.' They fell into step, and moved away down the path. Mrs Fenway laughed at something Captain Rennie said, turning her head towards him under her hat, and presently they disappeared from view.

  James broke the seal, and unfolded his letter.

  FOUR

  The wind veered between due west and west-sou'west, mild in temperature but not in strength. The wind was brisk, and the sea getting rough. Spray was flung up and across the deck in hanging fans, and exploded under the bow. On the fall the living sea slid curling along the lee rail, rode over the deck, swirling and sucking at the gun carriages, and poured streaming away through the scuppers on the lift. The foot of each headsail streamed and dripped, the flat-steeved bowsprit streamed, the vessel shuddered and shook, and now the order came.

  'We will take another reef in the mainsail, Mr Dumbleton!' Shouted against the wind.

  The sailing master Garvey Dumbleton repeated the instruction, seamen jumped, and Hawk grew tractable, her bellied mainsail now harnessing the wind more efficiently. Lieutenant Hayter was satisfied. To the helmsman at the tiller:

  'Keep your luff. Hold her just so.' And he trod to the weather rail. 'Mr Abey!'

  'Sir?' His senior mid, attending.

  'Pass the word for the carpenter, if y'please.'

  'Aye, sir.' Lifting his hat, going forrard.

  The carpenter came on deck. 'You wished to see me, sir?'

  'Aye, Mr Hepple. What depth of water in the well?'

  'Remarkable little, sir. A few inches only. Blewitt's has done us proud the large repair. Everything fitted true, and caulked and sealed admirable. She is a sturdy sea boat again.'

  'Very good, thank you. There is one other thing . . .'

  'Yes, sir?' A hand to a stay as Hawk pitched through a swell.

  'Yes, hm. I will like a very small partition built below. I know there ain't room for a quarter gallery in a cutter, in course. But I will like a light bulkhead, and a canvas door I can close or draw. I have made this sketch in pencil . . .' Giving his carpenter a page from his notebook.

  'Yes, sir, I see what you wish for . . .' Examining the sketch, scratching the back of his head.

  'You are doubtful, Mr Hepple.' Frowning at him.

  'No, sir, no . . . only there is so little room for me to place such a bulkhead. If I may make a suggestion?'

  'Yes, yes – by all means.'

  'If you was wishing for simple privacy, I could rig up a metal rail at the deck head, and run a canvas screen in a halfcircle round the space, that could be handed and tied off when not in use.' Pulling his own pencil from behind his ear, and making his own quick sketch on the page.

  'Ah, yes. Yes, I see.' James peered, nodded, grimaced. 'It would make for complete privacy, with only a canvas screen?'

  'Oh, indeed, sir. Rigged full length, in a half-circle, from the rail, it will answer right well.'

  'Very good, Mr Hepple. Make it so.'

  The screen had become a necessity, since he was obliged to share his great cabin with an official guest these next few days. The guest, presently below, was to be known in the ship as Mr Hope. Lieutenant Hayter knew that he was not Mr Hope, but a sea
officer of royal blood, with whom he was obliged to share his cabin, and who must be treated as if he were a person of minor importance, sent to him as a supernumerary observer. The reason for this subterfuge had been made apparent to him, and he understood it – but it did not make him comfortable.

  'Will not you like the great cabin to yourself, sir?' he had offered, when his guest first came aboard.

  'No thankee, Mr Hayter. I am like you a sea officer, and have learned naval ways from a boy – how to share, and be civil together, and not to mind cramped quarters below. I will gladly share, if you will have me?'

  'Am honoured, sir.' Bowing.

  'Good, good. And none of this bowing and scraping and such. To your people I am plain Mr Hope, civilian-dressed, come to observe.'

  'Very good, sir.' Stung by the accusation of 'scraping', but hiding it.

  'And by the by, Mr Hayter – never think I am here to examine your seamanship and shiphandling and the like. That ain't any part of my purpose.'

  'Thank you, sir.' A polite nod.

  'We rendezvous with Pipistrel at sea, I think?'

  'That is my design, sir.'

  'Commander Carr, Excise Board, hey? Acquainted with this officer, are ye?'

  'I am, sir. We have met.'

  'Well?' A keen stare – a naval stare.

  'Well – I think that Commander Carr is very likely a competent officer.'

  'In short, y'don't like the fellow.'

  'I would not wish to malign – '

  'Don't like him, but ye'll serve alongside him, in the nation's interest. Yes?'

  'I shall always like to serve the King, sir.'

  'Ha! The King! Indeed, indeed. Well said, sir.'

  And now as he trod his very small quarterdeck, the wind in his face, and his cutter beating close-hauled on the starboard tack, James reflected on all that had occurred over these past few busy weeks.

  The letter that had come to him at Tattham Grange, bearing an Admiralty seal, had not – as he had at once begun to think when Mrs Fenway gave it into his hand – been the communication to him of his ruin, his court martial and ruin, but a much happier document. The First Secretary, Sir Philip Stephens, begged to inform him of the decision of Their Lordships, in consideration of a report from the Navy Board, itself hinging upon the survey carried out by Jacob Tickell, quarterman, Portsmouth Dockyard. HM Hawk cutter, ten guns, was to undergo large repair at Blewitt's private yard at Bucklers Hard. As soon as that should be completed Hawk was to continue her commission. Certain conditions would henceforth attach to that commission: