Part 4 (1/2)
”This is your first test. Officers of the Moghul's army are doubtless at the sh.o.r.e, observing. What will you do?”
”What do you think we'll do? We'll stand the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. And with Malloyre's gunners I think we can . . .”
”Then permit me an observation. A modest thought, but possibly useful.
Do you see, there”--he pulled erect and pointed toward the sh.o.r.e--”hard by the galleons, there where the seabirds swirl in a dark cloud? That is the river mouth. And on either side are many sandbars, borne there from the river's delta. Along the coast beyond these, though you cannot see them now, are channels, too shallow for the draft of a galleon but perhaps safe for these frigates. Reach them and you will be beyond range of all Portuguese ordnance save their stern demi-culverin. Then they will be forced to try boarding you by longboat, something their infantry does poorly and with great reluctance.”
”Are there channels on both sides of the river mouth? To windward and to leeward?”
”Certainly, my _feringhi _ captain.” He examined Hawksworth with a puzzled stare. ”But only a fool would not hold to port, to windward.”
Hawksworth studied the sh.o.r.eline with the gla.s.s, and an audacious gamble began to take form in his mind. Why try to keep both frigates to windward? That's what they'll expect, and any moment now they'll weigh and beat to windward also. And from their position, they'll probably gain the weather gage, forcing us to leeward, downwind where we can't maneuver. That means an open fight--when the _Resolve_ can barely muster a watch. How can she crew the gun deck and man the sheets? But maybe she won't have to. Maybe there's another way.
”Mackintosh.” The quartermaster was mounting the quarterdeck companionway. ”Order the mains'l and fores'l reefed. And the tops'ls shortened. We'll heave to while we run out the guns. And signal the _Resolve_ while I prepare orders for Kerridge.”
The grizzled Scotsman stood listening in dismay, and Hawksworth read his thoughts precisely in his eyes. There's nae time to heave to. And for wha'? We strike an inch o' canvas an' the fornicatin' Portugals'll take the weather gage sure. Ha' you nae stomach for a fight? Why na just haul down colors and ha' done with it?
But he said nothing. He turned automatically and bellowed orders aloft.
Hawksworth felt out the morning breeze, tasting its cut, while he watched the seamen begin swinging themselves up the shrouds, warming the morning air with oaths as the _Discovery _pitched and heeled in the chop. And then he turned and strode down the quarterdeck companionway toward the Great Cabin to prepare orders for the _Resolve_. As he pa.s.sed along the main deck, half a dozen crewmen were already unlas.h.i.+ng the longboat from its berth amids.h.i.+ps.
And when he emerged again on deck with the oilskin- wrapped dispatch, after what seemed only moments, the longboat was already launched, oarsmen at station. He pa.s.sed the packet to Mackintosh without a word, then mounted the companionway ladder back to the quarterdeck.
The Indian pilot stood against the banister, shaded by the lateen sail, calmly studying the galleons.
”Three of these I know very well.” His accented Turki was almost lost in a roll of spray off the stern. ”They are the _St. Sebastian_, the _Bon Jesus_, and the _Bon Ventura_. They arrived new from Lisbon last year, after the monsoon, to patrol our s.h.i.+pping lanes, to enforce the regulation that all Indian vessels purchase a trading license from authorities in Goa.”
”And what of the fourth?”
”It is said she berthed in Goa only this spring. I do not know her name. There were rumors she brought the new Viceroy, but early, before his four-year term began. I have never before seen her north, in these waters.”
My G.o.d. Hawksworth looked at the wars.h.i.+ps in dismay. Is this the course of the Company's fortune? A voyage depending on secrecy blunders across a fleet bearing the incoming Viceroy of Goa. The most powerful Portuguese in the Indies.
”They are invincible,” the pilot continued, his voice still matter-of- fact. ”The galleons own our waters. They have two decks of guns. No Indian vessel, even the reckless corsairs along our southern coast of Malabar, dare meet them in the open sea. Owners who refuse to submit and buy a Portuguese trading license must sail hundreds of leagues off course to avoid their patrol.”
”And what do you propose? That we heave to and strike our colors?
Without even a fight?” Hawksworth was astonished by the pilot's casual unconcern. Is he owned by the Portugals too?
”You may act as you choose. I have witnessed many vain
boasts of English bravery during my brief service aboard your s.h.i.+p. But an Indian captain would choose prudence at such a time. Strike colors and offer to pay for a license. Otherwise you will be handled as a pirate.”
”No Englishman will ever pay a Portugal or a Spaniard for a license to trade. Or a permit to p.i.s.s.” Hawksworth turned away, trying to ignore the cold sweat beading on his chest. ”We never have. We never will.”
The pilot watched him for a moment, and then smiled.
”You are in the seas off India now, Captain. Here the Portuguese have been masters for a hundred years.” His voice betrayed a trace of annoyance at Hawksworth's seeming preoccupation, and he moved closer.
”You would do well to hear me out. We know the Portuguese very well.
Better perhaps than you. Their cruelties here began a full century ago, when the barbarous captain Vasco de Gama first discovered our Malabar Coast, near the southern tip of India. He had the Portuguese nose for others' wealth, and when he returned again with twenty s.h.i.+ps, our merchants rose against him. But he butchered their fleet, and took prisoners by the thousand. He did not, however, simply execute them.
First he cut away their ears, noses, and hands and sent these to the local raja, recommending he make a curry. Next a Portuguese captain named Albuquerque came with more wars.h.i.+ps to ravage our trade in the north, that on the Red Sea. And when servants of Islam again rose up to defend what is ours, Allah the Merciful once more chose to turn his face from them, leaving all to defeat. Soon the infidel Portuguese came with many fleets, and in a span no more than a male child reaching manhood, had seized our ocean and stolen our trade.”