Caribbee(37)

‘Very well, they’re spared the rope. Get them below,’ Kydd grunted.

Curzon waited until they had been escorted away, then said, in an undertone, ‘I suspect you’d be interested in other articles I relieved them of.’

Kydd called Renzi and, in the privacy of his cabin, they went through the haul. Innocent papers, such as would be found on any working ship: invoices for stores received, goods landed, repairs completed. Nothing to raise suspicion – except that the sea-port common to all was Puerto de Barahona, some fifty-odd miles further to the north.

‘Aha! We have his bolt-hole, the devil,’ Kydd declared, with satisfaction. Any privateer needed a repair base, supplies to stay at sea and, even more importantly, a safe haven to which it would send back its prizes.

‘You’re not thinking …’

‘I am.’

‘Then I’m obliged to remind you that this port lies in Santo Domingo – or should I say Haiti? – and by this we should be violating its sovereign neutrality.’

Kydd hesitated. ‘Good point, Nicholas, but there’s another side to it. I know privateering, and to put a private cruiser to sea needs funds and backing. I’ll wager it’s a joint venture of the port, and if this is so, then Haiti won’t want to know of it or they’d be obliged to admit they’re allowing military operations by a foreign power on their soil.’

‘Possibly. But even the sight of a frigate heading into the coast will—’

‘She won’t. They’re expecting this Infanta to return after a cruise, and she will – bearing a surprise below decks.’

Kydd grinned. Even more effective a blow than capturing one was the elimination of a privateer nest. Energised, he summoned Gilbey immediately and outlined the situation. ‘First, we get rid of the prisoners.’

‘Sir?’ the first lieutenant spluttered.

‘Yes. We land them on Alto Velo, pick ’em up later.’

‘Oh, I see, sir.’

‘Then I’m calling for volunteers for a species of cutting out in the Infanta.’

‘Aye aye, sir,’ Gilbey said, brightening. ‘May I know who’s to command?’

‘I’m thinking on it,’ Kydd said, but he’d already made up his mind.

A little later Lieutenant Buckle hesitantly appeared. ‘You sent for me?’

‘I did. To say I’m sorry for doubting your sighting earlier.’

‘Oh, er, thank you, sir, that’s good of you.’

‘And by way of amends – to offer you a chance.’

‘Sir?’ he said warily.

‘Your first command.’

When a disgruntled Gilbey reported the lower deck cleared, Kydd appeared on the quarterdeck before his men.

He was satisfied by what he saw. Deeply tanned, fit and as individual as any long-service ship’s company, they returned his gaze with confidence and trust.

‘Mr Gilbey, take the names of the first fifty. Volunteers for a cutting out – step forward!’

To his astonishment there was only an embarrassed shuffling. ‘Volunteers! Step up to Mr Gilbey, lively now!’

After a space there was an apologetic call from the mass of men. ‘Who’s t’ be in command?’

‘Why, Mr Buckle as made the sighting,’ Kydd said sharply.

Something like a sigh went through the crowded deck. The seamen looked down at their feet awkwardly.

Kydd was furious but there was nothing he could do about it: he had called for volunteers and there had been none. He could order Curzon in Buckle’s place but that would destroy what authority the man still had.

Thinking quickly, he folded his arms and said casually, ‘Oh, and I perhaps omitted to say, Infanta being quite another vessel to L’Aurore, any prize recovered will naturally be to the account of her crew only.’

‘You can’t say that!’ Renzi hissed at him.

‘Oh?’ Kydd said quietly. ‘What else can I do?’ He lifted his chin. ‘In any case, I’m sure you’ll not fail to correct me in proper form – after it’s over?’

The first to step forward was a defiant Doud, quickly followed by his long-time messmate Pinto.

Then boatswain’s mate Cumby mumbled, ‘I’ll go if’n Poulden does.’

He was duly joined by the coxswain, who clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I’m not leaving th’ cobbs all to you, mate.’ He sniffed.

Others moved forward. Then Clinton took off his hat in a mock bow and declared, ‘Should there be a confrontation ashore it would be singular indeed if the Royal Marines are to be excluded. Would a file of lobsterbacks be welcome?’

Kydd had his fifty.

‘Shove off!’ came Buckle’s somewhat un-naval command.