Read Online HMS Aurora: A Charles Mullins Novel (Sea Command Book 3) by Richard Testrake - Free Book Online
Book: HMS Aurora: A Charles Mullins Novel (Sea Command Book 3) by Richard Testrake
Read Free Book Online
Authors: Richard Testrake
Ads: Link
needed to be picked up.
This morning, as soon as the sun lit up the beach area, one of Aurora’s slop shirts was seen displayed on the sea wall.
The launch and cutter were deployed, both full of armed men, the launch having mounted its twelve-pounder boat carronade. As the boats were pulled to the shore, a detachment of French Army cuirassiers, attracted by the naval activities, trotted out to the beach and began searching. As they rounded the seawall, the ship’s guns opened on the horsemen. The cuirassiers were magnificent troops, big men mounted on big horses, but their breastplates offered no protection against the hurtling balls from Auroras ‘guns.
A devastating broadside left a half-dozen men and horses thrashing on the beach, then the launch deployed its carronade, loaded with grape, doubling the casualties. The dismembered body of the troop’s officer was left on the beach, while its surviving sergeant led the survivors away
It was then the charge in the magazine exploded. Even from the ship, it was a deafening noise, on shore, it must have been terrible. The remnants of the cavalry patrol were all down, but Dooley and Strake had survived in their holes, also protected by the seawall.
With the tormentors gone, Dooley and Strake emerged from their holes dug in the sand and made their way to the cutter, which had run up to the beach. An hour later found them on board Aurora. His primary mission had failed, through no fault of his own, but the crewmen on the sloop-of-war were happy with the prize taken during the action. The brig had been loaded with tanned hides and harness and would bring a good price at auction. In addition, the damage to the encampment as well as the information brought back should be enough to keep Whitehall happy.
Later in the afternoon watch, Mullins ordered Dooley be brought to him. The intelligence agent entered the cabin in good order, with little evidence of his recent activities visible.
“Now then, Mister Dooley, what am I to do with you? It seems your plans for the First Consul must be suspended for a bit.”
Dooley replied, “Sir, if you could arrange I be dropped off anywhere on the British coast, I will make my way to London and report. I expect they will have other missions to the French mainland for me to consider.”
“Mister Dooley, do you have some sort of death wish? You have already survived a most deadly mission. Why would you consider returning to the continent?”
“Captain, I regard it my duty. I realize many of my countrymen may consider my recent actions treasonous. However, I look upon myself as an Irish patriot who is attempting to bring to Ireland the best possible solution to the recent troubles.”
“I know Ireland can never receive complete independence, at least in my own life. There are forces, especially in the British Army, who would visit my country with untold carnage. But, there are also reasonable Englishmen who would grant us the same rights as others. Many of my superiors in the intelligence service feel the same. As long as there is a chance for a peaceful resolution for Ireland’s problem, I will do what I can.
“Mister Dooley, my orders only extend to delivering you to the enemy coast. This I have done, so my next course of action will be to proceed to Portsmouth and report to the port admiral there. You may accompany me, and begin your journey to Whitehall from there.”
HMS Aurora swung at anchor at Portsmouth for a matter of weeks. Dooley and his charge left the ship, and, using funds donated by Captain Mullins, bought coach seats to London. It was necessary to exchange Luitenant Strake’s uniform for civilian attire. Dooley slop clothing would suffice for the trip, but Mullins gave the two men a letter explaining they were on official Royal Navy business. Hopefully, this would protect them from the clutches of the Press.
Unusually, there was some uncertainty as to the ship’s next mission, and week-by-week, carefully trained
This morning, as soon as the sun lit up the beach area, one of Aurora’s slop shirts was seen displayed on the sea wall.
The launch and cutter were deployed, both full of armed men, the launch having mounted its twelve-pounder boat carronade. As the boats were pulled to the shore, a detachment of French Army cuirassiers, attracted by the naval activities, trotted out to the beach and began searching. As they rounded the seawall, the ship’s guns opened on the horsemen. The cuirassiers were magnificent troops, big men mounted on big horses, but their breastplates offered no protection against the hurtling balls from Auroras ‘guns.
A devastating broadside left a half-dozen men and horses thrashing on the beach, then the launch deployed its carronade, loaded with grape, doubling the casualties. The dismembered body of the troop’s officer was left on the beach, while its surviving sergeant led the survivors away
It was then the charge in the magazine exploded. Even from the ship, it was a deafening noise, on shore, it must have been terrible. The remnants of the cavalry patrol were all down, but Dooley and Strake had survived in their holes, also protected by the seawall.
With the tormentors gone, Dooley and Strake emerged from their holes dug in the sand and made their way to the cutter, which had run up to the beach. An hour later found them on board Aurora. His primary mission had failed, through no fault of his own, but the crewmen on the sloop-of-war were happy with the prize taken during the action. The brig had been loaded with tanned hides and harness and would bring a good price at auction. In addition, the damage to the encampment as well as the information brought back should be enough to keep Whitehall happy.
Later in the afternoon watch, Mullins ordered Dooley be brought to him. The intelligence agent entered the cabin in good order, with little evidence of his recent activities visible.
“Now then, Mister Dooley, what am I to do with you? It seems your plans for the First Consul must be suspended for a bit.”
Dooley replied, “Sir, if you could arrange I be dropped off anywhere on the British coast, I will make my way to London and report. I expect they will have other missions to the French mainland for me to consider.”
“Mister Dooley, do you have some sort of death wish? You have already survived a most deadly mission. Why would you consider returning to the continent?”
“Captain, I regard it my duty. I realize many of my countrymen may consider my recent actions treasonous. However, I look upon myself as an Irish patriot who is attempting to bring to Ireland the best possible solution to the recent troubles.”
“I know Ireland can never receive complete independence, at least in my own life. There are forces, especially in the British Army, who would visit my country with untold carnage. But, there are also reasonable Englishmen who would grant us the same rights as others. Many of my superiors in the intelligence service feel the same. As long as there is a chance for a peaceful resolution for Ireland’s problem, I will do what I can.
“Mister Dooley, my orders only extend to delivering you to the enemy coast. This I have done, so my next course of action will be to proceed to Portsmouth and report to the port admiral there. You may accompany me, and begin your journey to Whitehall from there.”
HMS Aurora swung at anchor at Portsmouth for a matter of weeks. Dooley and his charge left the ship, and, using funds donated by Captain Mullins, bought coach seats to London. It was necessary to exchange Luitenant Strake’s uniform for civilian attire. Dooley slop clothing would suffice for the trip, but Mullins gave the two men a letter explaining they were on official Royal Navy business. Hopefully, this would protect them from the clutches of the Press.
Unusually, there was some uncertainty as to the ship’s next mission, and week-by-week, carefully trained
Similar Books
