Chapter 13

James retired to the solitude of his quarters to reflect upon the interesting turn of events this mission had brought about. As he washed the grime of blood and gun powder from his face, his mind flicked through what had happened.

He chuckled at the stunned looks upon the faces of Butler, Smith and Ferrars as they unwrapped the hessian package to reveal the flag of the Spaniards. "Hoist these colours, as soon as we are in the raft. Hoist it, I say" Benwick urged, at the stirrings of doubt seen in their eyes. "Though they are devils, I would say these men aren't fools. They were sly enough to attack under blackened colours and so will immediately suspect another vessel doing the same. With this decoy, you will be able to approach unharmed."

James had left them to follow his orders and with no room for otherwise. As he sailed away with 11 of the crew to board the Laconia, he prayed that the decoy would work and that their cannon fire would aim true. They did not seek to sink the vessel, as then anything of true value would be lost to the sea. But a de-masted ship was a captured ship and a sure path to victory in any skirmish.

Pouring himself a tumbler of amber liquid he recalled the sound of their raft sliding across the inky water. The men were silent and grim-faced, determination glaring out from their eyes. An unnatural wind seemed to skip them across the water, recalled James, as they came upon the smaller boat carrying the enemy toward the Laconia much sooner than they had anticipated.

Their shots echoed across the water as the marksmen took down those of the enemy remaining in the small boat. James could see that they had had enough time to throw a rope ladder up and over the side of the Laconia and looked up to see a body climb its way over on to the deck. James ordered two of his men to commandeer the enemy raft and return it to The Grappler; then in a manoeuvre reminiscent of his time aboard the Laconia, pulled upside of the ship and threw a ladder of their own over the side. Indicating silently that the small crew should make use of both ladders, James hoisted his weapon over his shoulder and began the ascent toward the affray.

Ever the strategist, James had discussed a plan with the men as they had left The Grappler. "Naval warfare is a little like chess. While the king is important, it is really the Queen that should be protected at all costs. Gentlemen, Captain Wentworth is the King. Knowing him as I do, he will be in the midst of whatever it is we come across tonight. If you find yourself fighting alongside him, do what you can to aid him. But it is the main mast that is the queen. The French will try any means to bring it down, from cannon fire to true fire. If we can cut off access to the main deck, the French will be at a distinct disadvantage." Each man had his role and now it was to them to fulfil it.

James alighted onto the deck of the Laconia to the sound of yelling, screaming and shooting. The smoky air carried with it the cloying smell of metal and blood. Knowing his role, James fought his way toward the stairs of the main deck and was horrified as the haze cleared to find Harville laid back on the ground, hand stemming an unsightly amount of blood flowing freely from his leg. Standing over him, the enemy was rambling in his native tongue. Harville struggled to reach for his sword as the devil kicked it from his reach, using his bayonet to pin Harville's hand to the deck. A cry rang out from both Harville and Benwick. Dashing forward, James watched as the Frenchman reached to his boot and pulled out a small sharp knife. As the man rose his arm, undoubtedly, to plunge the knife into his friend, James took his chance and lunged ahead, piercing the devil through his side.

Wasting no time, Benwick freed Harville's hand, then grasping him below the arms, dragged him up the stairs to the main deck and into the Captain's cabin. He was pleased to find the doctor had set himself up in the room and was already treating some of the wounded with the assistance of Mr Fairchild. "Benwick!" Fairchild exclaimed in surprise, as he looked up from tending the wounded leg of a grizzled sailor, "How come you to be here? I would swear I spied the Spanish flag as I looked out the doorway just now!"

"Ha! Let us hope the French think the same." James noticed the intrigued look upon the weathered face of the grizzled sailor, but didn't have time to elaborate, "It is looking dire out there Fairchild. Doctor keep everyone in the cabin and do not panic. I am trying something out here to protect the masts."

"Can I be of any assistance Benwick?" Enquired the reverend. "If I know you at all, 'trying something'-"

"Just see to Harville. With a wife, children and another babe on the way, his life cannot be spared. And pray. Always pray," and with that James dashed back out the door to meet up with his men at the edge of the main deck.

They had already begun their work, having managed to lay out a foot-wide border of sand along the width of the deck of the Laconia. Rushing forward, James took the precious jars from his pocket and emptied them along the top of the sand, in a much thinner line. If this worked, it should give the Frenchie's cause for panic and if not, it would at least put the wind in their sails, James thought to himself with a strange mixture of hope and grimness flowing through his being. "When I give the signal, light her up," he commanded one of the men.

Then Benwick set off to find Frederick. Stage Two of the plan would require the knowledge that his men were aboard the ship. Something he could not guarantee that his friend would have noticed in the current melee. James seemed to be blessed with the wings of angels as he raced toward the bowsprit, where he believed Captain Wentworth would be manning the guns. Dodging swords and bullets, his near misses did not hinder his progress towards his goal, a true blessing for when he came upon his friend, the Captain was doing battle with three Frenchmen. Immediately, he could see the trouble that Frederick was heading toward, for though he had manoeuvred his way to the side of the ship, so that his back was protected, the three sailors were working hard to edge him out from his position. With a sword in one hand and knife in the other, James had never seen Frederick parry and thrust with such speed or purpose. He knew that his friend was fighting for his life. Thanking God that he had not been noticed by the duelling quartet, James arrived just as Frederick was dislodged from his position of safety. One of the enemy had now taken his place and was nestled up against the railing of the ship. Acting fast on this change in position, James dropped his shoulder and charged into the midst of the fight. A look and sound of surprise was all the Frenchman had time for as he tumbled over the edge of the Laconia, sword flying through the night, disappearing into the black depths of the sea below.

The unflappable Captain Wentworth nodded his thanks as he continued to do battle with the remaining two sailors. Falling into a comfortable routine of fencing that the two had often practiced, Benwick and Wentworth soon dispatched with the remaining opponents.

"I can only wonder at you being here, Benwick. I take it that Spanish ship is really The Grappler?"

"It is indeed. I am prepared to set off a decoy that should defend your main deck from the enemy. Do you recall our fence the sheep manoeuvre?"

"I do," and with a nod, Frederick and James climbed on to the rail of the ship and bellowed from their great barrelled chests, "Fence the sheep! Fence the sheep!" At once, all available men raced to the edge of the ship and lifted what appeared to be a great, long and heavy rope. As they began to force their way toward the middle of the ship, taking up the slack of the rope as they went, the main deck appeared to light up like a Guy Fawkes bonfire, white blue sparks flying through the smoke and haze. Shouts of surprise travelled through the atmosphere as the French who were coming upon the main deck quickly retreated and were trapped by the ring formed by the English sailors. An almighty crack ripped through the air, causing all to stop and turn to the see the main mast of the French frigate fall to the deck and into the sea. A great cry of victory from The Grappler sounded across the way and was joined by the victorious Laconians. The French, recognising their defeat, gave up their weapons.

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If James Benwick had not been a praying man before, he certainly was now. Never had he called on God to aid him before so many times in one night. Never before had he truly felt that his best laid plans had come to fruition so perfectly. Harville had been seen to by the Doctor immediately, both leg and hand saved. He thought of Fanny, Margaret and the children. How close they had come to losing a brother, husband and father... such a fine line between victory and grief.

The true surprising turn of events had come during the clean-up from the skirmish. The prisoners had been ordered into the brig; the wounded settled in to their bunks. James was preparing to return to The Grappler when Frederick called on him to join him in his quarters for a drink. Once inside, James was met with the grizzled sailor once again.

Closing the door behind them, Frederick spoke, "Commander Benwick, allow me to introduce you to Lord Admiral Nelson".

James was stunned. He knew the name but had never seen the face. Bowing, he said, "It is an honour to meet you Admiral."

"The Laconia was charged with a covert mission," continued Frederick, "to transport the Admiral to Cape Trafalgar. There is to be some negotiating there with Spanish authorities and the Navy did not want it known that the Admiral would be in attendance. Travelling under the cover of darkness would assist us in keeping this secret."

"We do not know yet if it was mere coincidence that our paths crossed with the French or if they were expecting our crossing, we merely thank God for your assistance. The honour is mine, Commander," spoke the Admiral in a surprisingly gruff manner. "I am led to believe that the turn in our fortunes tonight is down to you and your men. That would be correct, I suppose?"

"I would hardly say that, Sir. I know the Laconia. Captain Wentworth is a strong and courageous leader. The men are well-trained, confident, efficient. We were merely ready to be of assistance and I knew we could provide an unexpected advantage to the proceedings."

"The battle would not have been brought to a close so speedily, Admiral, if it were not for The Grappler's assistance," Wentworth interrupted. "Benwick is all diplomacy but I cannot vouch for even my presence in this conversation if it had not been for his intervention. Helped me out of quite the tight spot with a trio of Frenchmen tonight."

"I see," replied Admiral Nelson, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "And Lt. Harville also tells me you were instrumental in saving his life."

"That is correct, Sir," James acknowledged. "Though I would add that I did not act in any way that is not already expected of an officer in his Majesty's service."

"And yet you continue to do unexpected things."

"Sir?"

"I had heard of you before tonight Commander Benwick. Known to be quite the strategist. Handy with chemicals and weaponry. Saved Mrs Admiral Croft from that blasted Baldwin. And now tonight, you come to our aid, despite commanding only a merchant vessel, ill equipped for warfare. That was quite a display you organised. I would not call any of these actions... expected."

Not really understanding what the Admiral needed from him, James remained silent.

"And so we come to the point of our little tete-e-tete. I believe," the Admiral thoughtfully continued, "and Wentworth here agrees, that unexpected acts of bravery deserve unexpected... responses from the Navy."

James looked quizzically to Frederick but Frederick gave nothing away, staring back at James with a steadfast look.

"Rules of engagement dictate that the first ship to engage in enemy action is entitled to all prize money obtained. Captain Wentworth has declined this honour, requesting that the prize money be transferred to The Grappler."

"I think not, Sir!" James exclaimed, shocked into action.

"Don't be a fool, James. It is a significant sum of money and a promotion for you to full Captain" Frederick interceded.

"I am honoured but consider gentlemen, there is nothing unexpected about doing our patriotic and moral duty to our fellow sailors. It would not do to be rewarded so handsomely, surely there are other circumstances in which this has happened."

"Indeed I'm sure there have been! But I am also sure that equally there have been many merchant vessels who have chosen not to act. You and your men saved our lives tonight Benwick."

"Think of your own men, Frederick. They too made sacrifices tonight, do they not deserve to be rewarded?"

"We have many more journeys to make yet Benwick and will have ample opportunity to reap the bounty of our efforts."

Looking to the Admiral, James said, "Surely you cannot support this, Sir. I cannot accept such a flagrant disregard for our rules of engagement simply because I chose a course of action that any self-respecting officer would choose."

"Well Sailor, what would you have us do? Think carefully now, would you offend your friend by declining such a boon?" The Admiral's steely gaze bore through James.

Thinking on his feet James replied, "Well, let us split the prize. That way all of our men receive a sum for their efforts tonight."

"A fine idea young man, but that will reduce your own share too. You will not have made enough to qualify for a promotion, you understand."

"I understand Admiral. As Captain Wentworth has said, I have many journeys ahead of me yet and time enough to make Captain. For now I can think of no greater honour than sharing such a prize with my fellow officers and men."

"A statement worthy of Solomon. Very well, I see no need to discuss this further. You are in accord, Wentworth?"

"Certainly, Admiral," replied Frederick.

"Then so it will be."

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A surprising turn of events indeed! Little did he know that the next missive he would pen to his beloved would include the information that they were to be in possession of prize money. And only 2 weeks into his new command!

He planned how he would describe the action to her, commending his men on their courageous conduct.

Having left the Laconia to escort the French frigate home to England, he anticipated completing his own mission of delivering supplies to the Spanish coast. Within three days they would begin their homeward journey. Within the fortnight he would be home, holding his beloved in his arms.