Free Tyger by Julian Stockwin

very ugly.
    The inner truth was, of course, that he had gone with the scheme for its audacity and prospects but—
    “Sir Thomas?”
    He was only too aware of Popham’s intent gaze as he waited for the reply.
    “My conclusion at the time was that should orders be given for a move on Buenos Aires it would be difficult to conceive a better time.”
    Jervis struck like a snake. “
Should orders be given
… Then pray tell the court, Sir Thomas, what your objections were when an attack on the Spanish was formally proposed.”
    It was a loaded question and Kydd floundered for a reply. His very nature rebelled at anything other than a faithful account, but this would be to say that he did not in fact object and therefore he was in favour of an expedition.
    His next words could …
    “If it please the court, I found it difficult to object to the
practicality
of what was being put forward, which as we know did result in a success for His Majesty’s arms.”
    He dared a glance at Popham and from the slumped shoulders and bowed head realised that he’d failed him. It clutched at his heart. That long-ago time in the old
Diadem
’s cabin when they’d talked of being left to rot in a backwater station, the boredom and lack of a chance at distinction, then an opportunity for both of them—and now this.
    He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came.
    The president snapped, “Sir Thomas, thank you and you may stand down.”
    “Are there any further witnesses?”
    It seemed there were not.
    “I rule therefore that you should now look to closing your defence, Sir Home.”
    It was all but over.
    Popham had only a brief closing speech to make before the court retired for deliberation to a verdict.
    “I here close my defence and I throw myself on the wisdom and justice of this honourable court. My feelings and character have suffered severely but I trust to your judgement to relieve the one and rescue the other.
    “If I have, in the exercise of my zeal, exceeded the strict bounds of discretion, I hope it will be evident that I have been actuated solely by a desire to advance the honour, glory and interest of my country …”
    It was noble, uplifting rhetoric and concluded with a Shakespearean quotation from
Othello
, defending the Venetian state: “That the very head and front of my offending hath this extent—no more!”
    A stirring among the members of the court seemed to show that they were not unmoved, and as the prisoner was led away by the Admiralty marshal they all rose to their feet.
    “Clear the court.”
    As with all who had been present for the days of the trial there was a reluctance to leave the ship before the verdict was reached, and Kydd found himself pacing the upper deck with them, engaging in awkward small-talk as the time passed.
    It was not until hours later, when the sun was going down, that a sudden excited buzz from the cabin spaces indicated that the moment had arrived.
    They crowded into the great cabin where the president sat with a grim expression, flanked by the gold lace of the seven admirals who had made their judgement.
    “Bring in the prisoner.”
    Popham entered, his face pale but giving nothing away.
    “The court, having maturely considered the nature of the charges, heard all the evidence and having deliberated upon the whole of this case, are of the opinion … that the charges
are proved
against the said Captain Sir Home Popham.”
    He waited for a wave of murmuring to die then continued: “The court is further of the opinion that the conduct of the said Captain Sir Home Popham in withdrawing the whole of the naval force under his command from the Cape of Good Hope and proceeding with it to the Rio de la Plata was highly censurable.
    “In consideration of the circumstances, however, the court doth adjudge him to be only severely reprimanded, and he is accordingly severely reprimanded.”
    This time there was no holding back the excited babble as a stunned Popham was handed his