To the French in the batteries the presence of a French ship of the line off that coast was susceptible
of explanationshe might have ventured forth from Toulon, or have come in from the Atlantic, or she might be a refugee from some Ionian island attacked by the British, seeking refuge after long wanderings. He could not believe that they would open fire without allowing time for explanation.
At a word from Hornblower the Sutherland turned on a course parallel with the shore, heading northward with the wind abeam. She was creeping along now, in the light breeze, only just out of gunshot of the shore. The sun was blazing down upon them, the crew standing silently at their stations, the officers grouped on the quarterdeck, Hornblower with the sweat running down his face, sweeping the coast with his glass in search of an objective. The little wind was calling forth only the faintest piping from the rigging; the rattle of the blocks to the gentle roll of the ship sounded unnaturally loud in the silence as did the monotonous calling of the man at the lead. Suddenly Savage hailed from the foretop.
Theres a lot of small craft, sir, at anchor round the point, there. I can just see em from here, sir.
A dark speck danced in the object glass of Hornblowers telescope. He lowered the instrument to rest his aching eye, and then he raised it again. The speck was still there; it was a tricolour flag waving lazily in the wind from a flagstaff on the point. That was what Hornblower had been seeking. A French battery perched on the top of the cliff. Forty-two pounders, probably, sited with a good command, probably with furnaces for heating the shotno ship that floated could fight them. Clustered underneath, a little coasting fleet, huddling there for shelter at the sight of a strange sail.
Tell your men to lie down, said Hornblower to Morris. He did not want the red coats of the marines drawn up on the quarterdeck to reveal his ship prematurely for what she was.
The Sutherland crept along, the grey cliffs growing more clearly defined as at Hornblowers order she was edged closer in shore. Beyond the cliffs mountain peaks were revealing themselves with startling suddenness whenever Hornblowers rigid concentration on the battery relaxed. He could see the parapets now in his glass, and he almost thought he could see the big guns peeping over them. At any moment now the battery might burst into thunder and flame and smoke, and in that case he would have to turn and fly, baffled. They were well within gunshot now. Perhaps the French had guessed the Sutherlands identity, and were merely waiting to have her well within range. Every minute that the Sutherland approached meant another minute under fire when she tried to escape. The loss of a mast might mean in the end the loss of the ship.
Mr. Vincent, said Hornblower, without shifting his gaze from the battery. Hoist MV.
The words sent a stir through the group of officers. They could be certain now of what plan Hornblower had in mind. The trick increased the risk of detection at the same time as, if it were successful, it gave them more opportunity of approaching the battery. If MV were the French recognition signal, and was being correctly employed, well and good. If notthe battery would soon tell them so. Hornblower, his heart thumping in his breast, judged that at any rate it might confuse the issue for the officer in the battery and induce him to delay a little longer. The signal rose up the halliards, and the battery still stayed silent. Now a signal hoist soared up the batterys flagstaff.
I cant read that, sir, said Vincent. One of ems a swallowtail we dont use.
But the mere fact of the batterys signalling in reply meant that they were at least doubtful of the Sutherlands identityunless it were part of the plan to lure her closer in. Yet if the battery delayed much longer it would be too late.
Mr. Bush, do you see the battery?
Yes, sir.
You will take the long boat. Mr. Rayner will take the launch, and you will land and storm the battery.
Aye aye, sir.
I will give you the word when to hoist out.
Aye aye, sir.
Quarter less eight, droned the leadsmanHornblower had listened to each cast subconsciously; now that the water was shoaling he was compelled to give half his attention up to the leadsmans cries while still scrutinising the battery. A bare quarter of a mile from it now; it was time to strike.
Very good, Mr. Bush. You can go now.
Aye aye, sir.
Back the main topsl, Mr. Gerard.
At Bushs orders the dormant ship sprang to life. The shrilling of the pipes brought the boats crews to the falls at the run. This was the time when the painful drill would reveal its worth; the
more quickly those boats were swung out, manned, and away, the less would be the danger and the greater the chance of success. Long boat and launch dropped to the water, the hands swarming down the falls.
Throw the guns down the cliff, Mr. Bush. Wreck the battery if you can. But dont stay a moment longer than necessary.