Betrayal tk-13 Page 31

  ‘No. Get back and cover me.’ Clinton hoisted the wounded marine over his shoulder and stumbled back towards the fort. Other soldiers were racing to get there, too. This must be the last act – every man was being pulled back into the citadel.

  With a roar of triumph the crowd pressed forward, but Beresford had positioned guns at the gate and smaller-calibre weapons on the roof – and with the square now evacuated there was a clear field of fire. A double charge of grape erupted, and the far side of the square was instantly transformed into a carpet of dead and wounded, the remainder fleeing.

  Musket fire was futile against the thick stone of the fort and under the threat of the British guns there would be no sudden storming.

  It was stalemate.

  Beresford stood among his officers, gravely troubled. ‘Gentlemen. It now appears time to consider the last sanction. We have done what we can but the reinforcements have not arrived. Therefore I have decided to withdraw. Where is Mr Kydd, pray?’

  ‘I’m sorry to say, sir, that he has not returned from the diversionary raid. We can only assume he is captured or …’

  A shadow passed across the general’s face. ‘So many good men,’ he whispered.

  Clinton spoke: ‘Sir, any evacuation by sea cannot now be in contemplation. There is open ground before the mole, and with the state of the tide as it is, then-’

  ‘I understand you, sir.’

  Pack said heavily, ‘An’ there’s no route south, the blandengoes are there in strength.’

  ‘And the gauchos to the north,’ added another.

  It was Beresford’s decision and his alone. ‘Then I have no alternative. Gentlemen, to avoid vain loss of life, in two hours I shall ask General Liniers for terms. Pray do what you must to prepare.’

  In the shocked silence he turned on his heel and left them.

  That the British Army, the conqueror of Cape Town and so recently Buenos Aires, was to capitulate to a few Spanish regulars and a ragtag host of militia, cow-herders and townsfolk was an intolerable shame, and tears could be seen in the eyes of some officers.

  His mind reeling at the turn of events, Clinton called the faithful Dodd to his office and together they went through papers, adding them to a pile destined for destruction.

  As they worked, a lump rose in his throat. It was likely that as an officer he would at some point in the future be exchanged but men like Dodd, through no fault of their own, would now face incarceration in an enemy land for possibly years.

  In the heightened atmosphere the thought threatened to unman him; he excused himself and pretended to look for something.

  He couldn’t let it happen – not to this man.

  Finding his pen he scribbled fast on a paper, signed it, carefully folded it twice, then sealed it. The outside he left blank, no address.

  ‘Er, Dodd. I have a last service for you, if you can.’

  ‘Sah.’ There was no resentment, no sullen reproach, just a calm acceptance of how things had turned out.

  ‘Now this is a secret dispatch, and it is to go to the commanding officer of HMS L’Aurore.’

  ‘Sah.’

  ‘It’s of vital importance – do you think it possible you could deliver it?’

  Dodd hesitated, his open face working with emotion. ‘Sir, if they-’

  ‘You’re a reliable, long-service sergeant. Who else may I trust if not you?’

  Snapping to rigid attention, Dodd threw off a quivering salute to his officer. ‘He’ll get ’em, sir. I knows how!’

  ‘Right. Well, go now, and the best of luck.’

  The British colours at the flagstaff lowered and when they were raised again they were over a white flag of truce, seeking a parley.

  This was greeted by an instant roar of gratification. The square was invaded by a joyous, incoherent rabble cheering and firing into the air – there would be no respectful falling back to allow the principals of both sides to conduct negotiations on neutral ground.

  The scene quickly became rudely chaotic, some planting field guns opposite the gateway and many shouting taunts and firing muskets at any British they could see, in a wild and uncontrollable uproar.

  A yell of triumph heralded the arrival of an officer. It was Quintana, who was carried shoulder-high through the seething mob to the very gates of the citadel.

  At a sign from Beresford they were flung open and the rabble found themselves at the muzzle of two guns and a ring of steel and held back angrily. Quintana went in, to redoubled fury and shooting. After the gate had been closed, he bravely ran up to the roof and, throwing open his splendid coat to show himself, berated the rabble for their indiscipline.

  Negotiations were brief. In the circumstances there was no other recourse – immediate and unconditional surrender.

  After some hours, regular Spanish troops arrived to bring order, and Comandante General Liniers made his appearance; Beresford went out to meet him. After Liniers’s sincere expressions of regret at the behaviour of his men, terms were agreed and he accepted the general’s sword.

  Finally the Highlanders left their positions, marching out together, tears of frustration and rage on many. They halted and the colours of the 71st Highland Regiment were given up to the enemy.

  The officers were then separated from their men, who were taken off to the other end of the square where they were ordered to ground arms. Many threw down their muskets bitterly before being placed in three ranks under guard.

  Such a brave and pitiful sight brought a catch in Clinton’s throat. These few hundred who had achieved so much – then to be overcome by numbers so overwhelming.

  They were marched away to cat-calls and defiant shouts, which left no doubt that their captivity would not be easy.

  Quintana asked the officers to go back into the fort where they were invited to sign a book of parole. General Beresford stepped forward first, there seemed little point in refusing, and Clinton added his own name.

  After that, nothing seemed to matter any more.

  Chapter 15

  ‘ B oooat ahoy!’ the forward lookout yelled into the night.

  With L’Aurore at such a pitch of nervous tension and her first lieutenant pacing the deck like a penned-up hound, it would never do to allow a stranger to approach too near without challenge.

  An answering shout came, weak and distant.

  Gilbey arrived to stand beside the lookout. ‘Tell that lubber t’ stand away or he’ll get a cold shot in the guts,’ he said peevishly.

  The hail was dutifully made, but the little fisherman’s punt kept on obstinately, a single indistinct figure at the oars. When he was close enough he stood up swaying and hailed back in unmistakable English, ‘L’Aurore, ahoy – one t’ come aboard!’

  Men scrambled up from below, eager to hear any news, and with them Renzi, who had become increasingly troubled. Since the betrayal at Punta Pavon they had lain at anchor for several days waiting for orders – or even word of how matters stood for their friends and shipmates ashore.

  ‘One to come aboard,’ agreed Gilbey.

  Slowly and painfully the figure came up the side; by the time he swung inboard an eager welcoming committee was waiting for him.

  ‘Begob! It’s Sar’nt Dodd!’

  An excited babble broke out and Gilbey thundered, ‘Hold y’ tongues! Silence fore ’n’ aft! Make y’r report, Sergeant.’

  Dodd straightened with difficulty. ‘Bad news, sir. Th’ worst.’

  ‘Get on with it!’

  ‘Well, as we’ve struck t’ the Spanish, sir.’

  After a moment of shocked surprise, there was pandemonium. ‘Silence!’ Gilbey yelled. ‘Anyone says a word more goes t’ the bilboes.’

  He waited for quiet then said, ‘Carry on.’

  ‘I’ve to give ye this,’ Dodd said, fumbling for the dispatches. ‘Seein’ as you’re the new captain. From m’ officer, L’tenant Clinton, sir, urgent like.’ He managed a tired but proud salute.

  Gilbey snatched it and read it av
idly. He frowned, then reread the paper, his brow darkening. ‘What’s this nonsense? Do you know what’s in this, Sergeant?’

  Confused, Dodd shook his head. ‘M’ orders were t’ get it to you wi’ all dispatch, is all I know, sir.’

  Glaring, Gilbey thrust it at Renzi. ‘Can you make anything of this?’ he asked angrily.

  Renzi took it and read:

  To the commanding officer, HMS L’Aurore

  In fifteen minutes we shall be obliged to lay down our arms. In all conscience I cannot allow the bearer, Sergeant Dodd, a man I have come to value above all reason in these ruinous days, to be carried off to a vile captivity at the greatest loss to His Majesty’s service. This therefore is the only method I have of ensuring his obedience in quitting his men.

  Signed, Clinton, lieutenant Royal Marines

  Folding the paper, Renzi replied, ‘Well, Mr Gilbey, I see it to be Clinton’s thoughtfulness in providing us with one who may give us verbal news of conditions in Buenos Aires, this paper a means of getting him past our sentries.’

  ‘Oh. Well, what the blazes is happening, Dodd?’

  ‘Sir. After them Dons got across, th’ whole town rose up an’ we had t’ fall back on the fort. Too many on ’em, the general had t’ ask for terms, is all.’

  ‘Where’s Captain Kydd?’

  ‘Don’t rightly know, sir. Went off on a raid or such, sorry t’ say he didn’t come back.’

  ‘You mean … ?’

  ‘Taken maybe or, er, snabbled.’

  Dumbfounded, Gilbey simply stared.

  Renzi swallowed, tightly controlling his feelings. ‘Then our forces have capitulated?’ he asked gently. ‘And General Beresford and all others are captured?’

  ‘Must be, I suppose,’ Dodd said, scratching his head. ‘I got away before, y’ see.’

  Gilbey came to, and snapped irritably, ‘Then how many of the enemy are there now in the city? Come along, man, what’s their force?’

  ‘Er, can’t rightly say f’r sure, sir, seein’ as how m’ post was in the fort.’

  ‘What? You’ve no idea?’ said Gilbey, contemptuously. ‘You’re sent to inform us-’

  ‘Sir. The man is sorely tried after his ordeal,’ Renzi came in. ‘I’ll take him below and see he has something to recruit his strength while I build up an idea for you of how things are.’

  ‘Very well. I’ll see you in half a glass, Renzi.’

  In the privacy of his own cabin, Renzi teased out the story. Finding a hiding place, the wily sergeant had lain low while the surrender was completed, waiting as the city erupted into celebration. Then, after dark, he had stolen a fishing punt and made his escape, rowing single-handed against wind and the sea’s bluster. Mutely he held up his hands: they were piteously blistered and bloody.

  Asked about surrender terms, Dodd could shed no light on them, but believed they had been concluded rapidly as he’d heard the men being marched off within less than an hour after the guns had stopped firing.

  This implied overbearing force and therefore an unconditional capitulation of the whole city. ‘And you’ve no idea what happened to the captain?’ enquired Renzi, feeling a cold pit forming in his belly.

  ‘Sorry, sir,’ Dodd said sorrowfully. ‘Jus’ didn’t come back. Don’t mean t’ say he’s not in clink somewhere,’ he added, with loyal fervour.

  Renzi left the exhausted man wolfing cheese and hard tack, and appreciative of a jug of thin wine.

  Gilbey impatiently dismissed the report. ‘Clinton should have had more sense than t’ leave it to a Royal to get intelligence out to us. Completely useless.’

  Renzi bit back a hot retort, while Gilbey went on, ‘So Mr Kydd is taken, or more probably killed. It means I’m captain o’ the barky now.

  ‘I have m’ duty, and that’s to get to Commodore Popham an’ acquaint him of developments ashore. Likely he’ll confirm me in post on the spot, I wouldn’t wonder. Should I move into my captain’s quarters now, do y’ think, or wait till I’m confirmed?’

  ‘As being somewhat more important than we, the commodore will certainly have been advised by now,’ Renzi said icily. ‘And I believe your assumption of the dignity of captain should certainly wait.’

  ‘Wait? What for?’

  On impulse, Renzi rapped, ‘Until I’ve returned from Buenos Aires. I’m going back to find him.’

  It had been said, and he felt a fierce glee begin to swell in him.

  ‘You’re what? Be damned to it, man, you’re proposin’ to present yourself in a city new relieved an’ swarmin’ with poxy Spanish to demand what happened to y’r captain?’

  Fighting down the temptation to reveal that he’d done something like that in Revolutionary Paris, Renzi contented himself with a simple, ‘Yes, I am.’

  Gilbey sat back with a look of bafflement, then retorted, ‘You’re mad. Even if he’s still alive, how th’ devil will you find where he is? No! It’s lunacy, and I won’t have it.’

  ‘I’m going.’

  ‘You’re not – as acting captain o’ this ship, an’ you crew, Renzi, I forbid it.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ he said acidly. ‘You’ve not the authority. Recollect – I’m Captain Kydd’s confidential secretary, his personal retinue, not a member of the ship’s company.’

  ‘But …’

  Renzi waited for the implication to sink in, then added, ‘But I’d be beholden if you’d allow me to call for volunteers to assist me.’

  Gilbey recovered quickly. ‘No, I will not! Do y’ really think a foremast jack will want t’ go back into-’

  ‘I’m going alone. These are boat’s crew only, to lie to a kedge offshore. And, yes, I do think they’ll come forward.’

  Gilbey gave him an intense look and snapped, ‘You go, then. However, you’ll get no men from me.’

  Renzi leaned across. ‘Then I’d ask you to conceive of your standing as captain among your Jack Tars if it becomes known you’d not allow me even to try a rescue of their Mr Kydd! Comprende?’

  There were many volunteers. Far too many for L’Aurore’s smallest boat, the gig, which was all a grudging Gilbey would allow. As he’d also been adamant that there were to be no officers or midshipmen, it was just Poulden on the tiller, Stirk in the bow and old shipmates Pinto and Doud to tend sail and oars. All others had to be content with a well-meant and noisy farewell, which inevitably finished in a three times three hearty cheer.

  ‘We sail after twenty-four hours!’ growled Gilbey. ‘Not a minute later!’

  Renzi had no idea how it was to be done when they pushed off into the darkness, the fishing punt in tow. He realised they would need the rest of the night to make passage, lying at one of the many hard sand shoals mid-estuary during the day and closing to within a mile or so of the city the next night. Gilbey would not dare to put to sea before dawn the following day.

  A plan crystallised: it all hinged on the traitor – or patriot – Serrano. If he could persuade him with sufficient threat to divulge Kydd’s fate, or possibly his whereabouts, it would radically change the odds.

  In his somewhat worn, plain shore-going rig, he would be a confused Italian merchant, unsure of what was happening, seeking news, reassurance. It would suffice.

  The boat’s crew were not to be risked, for this matter was what he owed his friend personally. To pen a sorrowful letter to Kydd’s sister without knowing his ultimate fate was unthinkable. They could come inshore but the final dash would be his alone in the punt, brought along for the purpose.

  The lights of Buenos Aires were visible miles to seaward, and as they crept in, there were soaring fireworks, gunshots and all the signs of a city very much awake. ‘Lie off for me, Poulden. Be sure if I’m not back an hour before first light to return immediately to L’Aurore. Is that clear?’

  There was some mumbling, but Renzi was having nothing of it. ‘I say quit this place an hour before. No later. Compree?’

  ‘Aye,’ Poulden said grudgingly.

  Renzi stepped into the punt
and took the oars, looking shoreward to take bearings for the return.

  The punt swayed dangerously. He looked round – Stirk was climbing in.

  ‘Shift y’ arse, I’m coming wi’ ye,’ he announced.

  ‘Toby, you can’t-’

  ‘Can’t I? Two reasons – y’ need a pair o’ peepers as’ll watch y’r stern, an’ blow me down, what’ll they say o’ the Billy Roarer that they lets orficers take th’ oars?’

  He shouldered Renzi out of the way and shipped oars professionally. ‘Give way, sir?’

  There was one spot that suggested itself as a place for landing. Below the fort, he remembered, was where the washerwomen plied their trade. There would be none there at this hour and Renzi conned the punt in, conscious that they would be under observation – but he also knew that this was the time when flounder fishermen were about in England, and might not the equivalent be abroad in Buenos Aires?

  It seemed to work: there were the silhouettes of sentinels behind the parapets of the fort but they were taking no notice and the foreshore was deserted.

  The punt nudged in to the muddy shore; they pulled it up beyond the tide line and prepared to set out.

  ‘Er, Toby – if you’d kindly allow me …’ He bent down, then came up suddenly to slop mud in his face. Stirk spluttered with indignation but Renzi inspected him critically. ‘Perhaps a little more. Just here possibly …’

  Looking around, he found a pile of fishermen’s sacks waiting for the morning and helped himself to one, bulking it out with seaweed and thrusting it at Stirk. ‘Ready? Then follow me, my man.’

  On the streets knots of revellers drifted by; figures laughed, brawled and argued. They took no notice of the woebegone merchant trudging along with his servant behind.

  It was not far to the back street where he had discovered Serrano lived with his woman. Renzi had no real animosity towards the young man, who must have done as he had more out of ardent patriotism than perfidy, and he was the only possible lead to Kydd’s fate.

  If, however, he suspected Serrano was aware of his friend’s whereabouts, he would have no qualms at all about doing what was needed to wrench the information from him. After his time with French royalist agents, he knew the ways.