your information and we may well talk again.’
After Waine had left, Popham sat down, his brow furrowing. ‘You heard that. From one who has nothing to gain by concealing the truth. This sharpens the urgency considerably.’
With Renzi’s words and sarcasm still ringing in his ears, Kydd asked, ‘Dasher, you can’t
really
be thinking to invade South America?’
Popham looked up with a lopsided smile. ‘Invade? Of course not. But here’s a thought: the Dons have left an open door to seaward while they deal with Miranda in the north, and the population is simmering with revolt. Should a British squadron appear, offering liberation from the oppressors and at the same time throwing open the entire port at last to free trade – which is precisely what we did with such success here in Cape Town – then wouldn’t you, as a South American, feel just a little bit inclined to side with us?’
‘I’d think so, but the size o’ the continent! How can we—’
‘No, no,
not
an invasion. We haven’t the resources and that was never in my thinking. While we can, we seize Montevideo and neutralise the Spanish military. The people rise up and we ride in triumph into the capital. By the time Spain hears of it, for them it’s too late. They’ve lost their seat of power in the south and Miranda is raising the standard of revolt in the north. A mighty empire of three centuries standing – brought down by us!’
It was nothing short of mind-shattering. To go from humble overlooked naval squadron to empire toppling? There had to be a reason why not.
‘Er, we’ll need an army of quite some size, I’d warrant,’ Kydd said, trying to keep his voice steady, ‘as can be transported in what vessels we have to command. The guns? And horses, o’ course.’ He was flailing about now, trying to find solid ground under his feet.
‘Leave that to me,’ Popham said, with a seraphic smile. ‘As soon as our Mr Waine can give me details on their barracks and forces, we’ll know how to proceed. I’m sanguine a regiment of Highlanders is worth three of the Spanish. And guns – do remember that there’s been no threat to South America since the days of Francis Drake, and never to the River Plate. Even a brace of our paltry field guns will send ’em packing the first time they smell powder.’
‘You really
are
going after the Spanish!’ Kydd said in awe. This was a breathtaking display of moral courage, not only in the conceiving but the firm self-reliance in initiating and planning the entire matter.
‘I am! Should I be satisfied in the odds and what we have to face them, that is.’
Kydd looked at him for a long moment. ‘Then, Dasher, you have m’ full support. Is there anything I can do?’
‘Why, thank you. I suppose there is, old fellow. This is no small matter. I’d be obliged to you if we could get our heads together in the planning. With so many strands coinciding in our favour at this time, there’s not a moment to lose. Say, at four?’
Renzi arrived late for breakfast, tousled and bleary-eyed.
‘Why, you wicked dog! You’ve been up carousing half the night!’
‘Your jest is ill-timed, brother. In truth I’ve been wrestling with chapters and endings and . . . things, and nothing will answer that would satisfy. How can a character be a feckless rake, yet take our sympathy at one and the same time? It’s just not logically possible,’ he said bitterly.
He flopped into a chair, picked up a new local newspaper, the
Cape Town Gazette
, and distractedly leafed through it.
‘Himself in a taking over
L’Aurore
? I shouldn’t have thought it,’ he murmured, when Kydd said he was going to the flagship shortly.
‘Oh, just an enquiry,’ Kydd said casually. With Renzi’s attitude to Popham, he could see no reason that his friend should know of what was afoot until it was at a more mature stage of planning.
‘Then you’ll have time for a small discussion of
Portrait
, brother?’ Renzi said
After Waine had left, Popham sat down, his brow furrowing. ‘You heard that. From one who has nothing to gain by concealing the truth. This sharpens the urgency considerably.’
With Renzi’s words and sarcasm still ringing in his ears, Kydd asked, ‘Dasher, you can’t
really
be thinking to invade South America?’
Popham looked up with a lopsided smile. ‘Invade? Of course not. But here’s a thought: the Dons have left an open door to seaward while they deal with Miranda in the north, and the population is simmering with revolt. Should a British squadron appear, offering liberation from the oppressors and at the same time throwing open the entire port at last to free trade – which is precisely what we did with such success here in Cape Town – then wouldn’t you, as a South American, feel just a little bit inclined to side with us?’
‘I’d think so, but the size o’ the continent! How can we—’
‘No, no,
not
an invasion. We haven’t the resources and that was never in my thinking. While we can, we seize Montevideo and neutralise the Spanish military. The people rise up and we ride in triumph into the capital. By the time Spain hears of it, for them it’s too late. They’ve lost their seat of power in the south and Miranda is raising the standard of revolt in the north. A mighty empire of three centuries standing – brought down by us!’
It was nothing short of mind-shattering. To go from humble overlooked naval squadron to empire toppling? There had to be a reason why not.
‘Er, we’ll need an army of quite some size, I’d warrant,’ Kydd said, trying to keep his voice steady, ‘as can be transported in what vessels we have to command. The guns? And horses, o’ course.’ He was flailing about now, trying to find solid ground under his feet.
‘Leave that to me,’ Popham said, with a seraphic smile. ‘As soon as our Mr Waine can give me details on their barracks and forces, we’ll know how to proceed. I’m sanguine a regiment of Highlanders is worth three of the Spanish. And guns – do remember that there’s been no threat to South America since the days of Francis Drake, and never to the River Plate. Even a brace of our paltry field guns will send ’em packing the first time they smell powder.’
‘You really
are
going after the Spanish!’ Kydd said in awe. This was a breathtaking display of moral courage, not only in the conceiving but the firm self-reliance in initiating and planning the entire matter.
‘I am! Should I be satisfied in the odds and what we have to face them, that is.’
Kydd looked at him for a long moment. ‘Then, Dasher, you have m’ full support. Is there anything I can do?’
‘Why, thank you. I suppose there is, old fellow. This is no small matter. I’d be obliged to you if we could get our heads together in the planning. With so many strands coinciding in our favour at this time, there’s not a moment to lose. Say, at four?’
Renzi arrived late for breakfast, tousled and bleary-eyed.
‘Why, you wicked dog! You’ve been up carousing half the night!’
‘Your jest is ill-timed, brother. In truth I’ve been wrestling with chapters and endings and . . . things, and nothing will answer that would satisfy. How can a character be a feckless rake, yet take our sympathy at one and the same time? It’s just not logically possible,’ he said bitterly.
He flopped into a chair, picked up a new local newspaper, the
Cape Town Gazette
, and distractedly leafed through it.
‘Himself in a taking over
L’Aurore
? I shouldn’t have thought it,’ he murmured, when Kydd said he was going to the flagship shortly.
‘Oh, just an enquiry,’ Kydd said casually. With Renzi’s attitude to Popham, he could see no reason that his friend should know of what was afoot until it was at a more mature stage of planning.
‘Then you’ll have time for a small discussion of
Portrait
, brother?’ Renzi said
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