As the American Revolution rages on the mainland, the British Navy prepares for action at sea. Against a growing fleet of American and French privateers, the navy must maintain its blockade of Washington's vital military supplies. Caught up in the turmoil, junior officer Richard Bolitho finds himself having to make momentous decisions in the heat of battle—decisions that could affect the lives of many men and, perhaps, even the fate of nations. Published in 1977, 1975, and 1980, respectively, these are the first three installations in Kent's ongoing series of the adventures of protagonist Richard Bolitho. The plots follow Bolitho's various exploits in the Royal Navy in the late 19th century. McBooks will eventually reprint all 23 Bolitho novels. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. "Critics . . . dubbed Kent a worthy successor to C.S. Forester. . . . This hardly seems fair, for Kent's writing is fresh, singular, and worthy of judgement solely on its own high merit." -- Philadelphia Bulletin "Tales of stout men under sail, hurling iron across the water at one another were absolute dynamite in the early 19th century. . . . Now that Alexander Kent is patrolling the same sea lanes, the stories are as good as ever." -- The New York Times -Critics . . . dubbed Kent a worthy successor to C.S. Forester. . . . This hardly seems fair, for Kent's writing is fresh, singular, and worthy of judgement solely on its own high merit.- -- Philadelphia Bulletin -Tales of stout men under sail, hurling iron across the water at one another were absolute dynamite in the early 19th century. . . . Now that Alexander Kent is patrolling the same sea lanes, the stories are as good as ever.- -- The New York Times Alexander Kent, pen name of Douglas Edward Reeman, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, and eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. In Gallant Company The Bolitho Novels: 3 By Alexander Kent McBooks Press, Inc. Copyright © 1977 Bolitho Maritime Productions Ltd. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-935526-43-1 CHAPTER 1 SHOW OF S TRENGTH The stiff offshore wind, which had backed slightly to the northwest during the day, swept across New York's naval anchorage, bringing no release from the chilling cold and the threat of more snow. Tugging heavily at her anchor cables, His Britannic Majesty's Ship Trojan of eighty guns might appear to a landsman's unpractised eye as indifferent to both wind and water. But to the men who continued with their work about her decks, or high above them on the slippery yards and rigging, her swaying motion made her anything but that. It was March 1777, but to Lieutenant Richard Bolitho, officer of the afternoon watch, it felt like midwinter. It will be dark early, he thought, and the ship's boats would have to be checked, their moorings doubly secured before night closed in completely. He shivered, not so much because of the cold, but because he knew there would be little relief from it once he was allowed to go below. For despite her massive size and armament, the Trojan , a two-decked ship of the line, whose complement of six hundred and fifty officers, seamen and marines lived out their lives within her fat hull, had no more than the galley fires and body-warmth to sustain them, no matter what the elements might do. Bolitho raised his telescope and trained it towards the fading waterfront. As the lens passed over other anchored ships of the line, frigates and the general clutter of small supporting craft he found time to wonder at the change. It had been just last summer when Trojan , in company with a great fleet of one hundred and thirty ships, had anchored here, off Staten Island. After the shock of the actual revolution within the American colonies, the occupation of New York and Philadelphia with such a show of force had seemed to those involved as a start on the way back, a compromise. It had been such a simple and leisurely affair at the time. After placing his troops under canvas along the green shoreline of Staten Island, General Howe, with a token force of infantry, had gone ashore to take possession. All the preparations by the Continentals and local militia had come to nothing, and even the Staten Island force of four hundred men, who had been commanded by General Washington to defend the redoubts at all costs, had grounded their muskets and obligingly sworn allegiance to the Crown. Bolitho lowered the glass as it blurred in drifting snow. It was hard to recall the green island and crowds of onlookers, the Loyalists cheering, the rest watching in grim silence. Now all the colours were in shades of grey. The land, the tossing water, even the ships seemed to have lost their brightness in the persistent and lingering winter. He took a few