STO'B 48

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The strongest possibility, though, was that the sail was Spanish, Philip thought as he took a glass from the binnacle and climbed into the shrouds. “Where away,” he asked Higgins as he swung into the top.

“Just forward of that spit of land, sir,” said Higgins, pointing over the Badger’s side. “You should see her from there.”

Philip steadied the glass on a ratline and peered through it. A blurred ship came into view, and he cautiously twisted the barrel until it suddenly sprang into sharp focus. A frigate, he saw, under full sail on the larboard tack. No plume of smoke, so if she had an engine, steam wasn’t up. No tell-tale smoke stains on her sails, but he was really too far away to expect to see them. Spanish built, most likely, and the cut of her sails suggested Spanish ownership. “On deck,” he called, “stoke up the main engine and get those last casks aboard. Hoist the blue peter!”

He turned to look at the shore, where the sailors under Mr South were hammering the bungs into the last of the water casks. “On deck,” Philip called, “send up a speaking trumpet!” The Spaniard didn’t seem to have noticed him yet - firing a gun to alert the shore party would alert her as well.

On deck, hands stepped the funnel, and the engine gave a preliminary puff of smoke. Out to sea the Spaniard luffed up in preparation for changing tack, but the action was leisurely, and Philip suspected he still had not been seen. Badger cut a low figure, and the forest behind her would serve to camouflage her and her smoke from the Spaniard.

The rigging creaked, and a moment later one of the ship’s boys appeared over the edge of the top, touching his curly blond hair with his knuckles and solemnly offering a speaking trumpet. “Thank you, Mr Blakey,” said Philip, and once the trumpet was to his mouth, “Mr South!”

On the shore, the master turned, cupping one hand behind his ear, then to his mouth. “Sir!”

“Those will be the last barrels. Collect the marines and return to the sloop!”

“Yes, sir!” Mr South saluted.

“On deck, prepare to weigh once the last of the water is aboard!”

“Yes, sir!” shouted the gunner, turning and issuing the appropriate orders.

“Chasseur!” Philip hailed, “There is an enemy in the offing! prepare to weigh!”

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GLOSSARY