Alan Evans - Thunder at Dawn

Buckley replied cheerfully, oblivious to his own wetting, “He’s alive all right, sir, but he’s still out. Looks like he took a clout on the head.”

Somebody tried to drape a blanket around Smith. It was Lambert. Smith shrugged it away impatiently, “Use it in the cabin.” He moved to stand between Somers and Quinn, who was clicking the hand signal-lamp. The clicking stopped and he saw the answering blink from Thunder .

Somers said, “I told them to expect survivors, sir.”

“Very good.” Smith’s clothes were clammy against his skin, seeming to freeze in the wind. He was an impatient fool. He should have taken the blanket. He was cold to the bone. He said, “You all did very well. You were very quick.”

Somers kept his eyes on Thunder as she came up. “We saw the aeroplane take off, sir, and where it came from. Then when Miss Benson came off a while ago and said you were up in it, well, we hung about more or less ready to bring you off.”

“On whose orders?”

“It just seemed like a good idea, sir, and Mr. Garrick said I could do it.”

“I’m glad you followed me.”

Somers said absently, preoccupied with the business of bringing the pinnace alongside, “Follow you anywhere, sir.” And was instantly embarrassed by his own sincerity.

Somers swung the pinnace alongside the ladder, Lambert and Quinn hooking on. Smith snapped, “Get that man aboard as quick as you can.” And ran up the ladder.

Albrecht was waiting for him with a little group of hands with stretchers and blankets. “If you’ll come this way, sir.”

Smith pushed past him. “See to the man coming aboard.”

“Your head, sir.”

Smith ignored him. Garrick was there beside a number of others. He stepped close to Smith and muttered, “ Ariadne and Elizabeth Bell , both masters here to see you, sir.”

Smith said, “Prepare to get under way.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

Garrick left and an instant later the pipes shrilled to his bawled order. Smith turned to the group that waited on him on his quarterdeck. Sarah Benson was there and she looked drawn, eyes fastened on the head of the ladder. He turned his back on them briefly while he saw Bradley brought aboard and hurried forward to the sick-bay but not before Smith said, “Word at your earliest, please.”

Albrecht answered, “Aye, aye, sir.” He did not lift his eyes from his patient.

Smith turned back to the group. “Miss Benson. Gentlemen. I don’t want to appear perfunctory but you’ll realise my time is limited.”

Hands were shaken. Smith’s was wet and the water dripped from him to form a widening pool around his feet. His face was very pale and his hair was plastered to his skull. A thread of water and blood ran thinly down over his temple.

Ballard of Ariadne was hefty and handsome, his uniform well-cut. He looked the picture of what he was, the commodore of a line. Graham of Elizabeth Bell was short and solid with a little round paunch that shoved out his waistcoat with its looped watch-chain. He carried a bowler hat in his hand to go with the blue serge suit and his hair was a halo of fluffy white round an island of pink scalp.

Ballard said, “One of your officers brought us word that we couldn’t, or shouldn’t sail. Some story about German cruisers being loose in these waters!” He grinned.

Smith nodded. “My information is that two cruisers are out and I expect them on this coast at any time.”

Ballard’s grin faded. “That’s what he said. They’ve been sighted?”

“No, they have not.”

Ballard looked relieved but puzzled. “Then what makes you think they are bound for these waters?”

Smoke billowed and rolled around them as Thunder raised steam. Smith eyed that smoke, pleased to see it. “I haven’t time for a lengthy explanation, but among other factors I received information that two colliers were on this coast, loaded steam coal and manned by Germans. There is no doubt in my mind that the cruisers have this coast as their objective.” His voice was hard with certainty.

Ballard glanced at Graham. Neither seemed happy. Graham said, “Understand, Commander, we don’t want to be unreasonable nor rash but in the merchant service time is money. If I waste time idling here my owners will take a loss and they’ll want to know why. All you’re saying is that you think those cruisers are headed this way.”

Smith nodded sympathetically. “I appreciate your difficulty.” But he went on firmly, “I’m certain about the cruisers. Now look here, gentlemen. I expect to return to this port within thirty-six hours. If I do not then you may decide at the end of that time whether or not to sail in the light of the situation then. If you sail before without my escort then you do so against my advice.”

Ballard glanced at Graham then turned to Smith. “Well, that seems reasonable. It will give us time —”

But Albrecht appeared and Smith asked quickly, “Yes, Doctor?” He was conscious of Sarah Benson, intent.

Albrecht said, “Slight concussion and shock but nothing serious, sir.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Can he be moved?”

“He can.”

“Get him up here.” And to Ballard: “Can you take Miss Benson and that injured young man as passengers? Neither would be welcome ashore. I’d be grateful.”

The request was also a broad hint that it was time to leave. A party was already hovering, waiting to stow the accommodation ladder and both skippers knew what they were waiting for.

Ballard said, “As I’ve told your First Lieutenant, I’m already overcrowded. I will disembark a number of passengers at Guaya, but until then — I can put the man in the sick-bay, of course. Graham?”

Graham said immediately, “I’ve a cabin for the young lady and she’s right welcome, but we’re no liner, miss.”

Sarah grinned at him. “Lor’ love you, I’m no fine lady, either.” She winked at him impudently but Smith saw Graham smiling.

Smith sighed with relief. “Excellent.”

Sarah looked at him ironically but Graham was addressing Smith. “Only one more thing, Commander. There are a lot of rumours flying about ashore and those fellers spin a yarn a bit and we can hardly credit … they say a neutral ship was boarded in Guaya last night by a British naval party, and blown up.”

“That is not a rumour. She was German though claiming to be neutral but I’ve explained that. I sank her.” He waited as they stared at him then: “Anything else?”

Graham sucked in his breath. “No.” He thought, “That’ll do to be going on with.”

Smith shepherded them to the head of the ladder and as he handed Sarah on to the ladder he said awkwardly, “Thank you, I’m grateful — we’re all grateful for all you’ve done.”

“No more than my duty, Commander.” But she added, “Good luck.” And he saw her fingers touch that barbaric medallion. So they parted.

Before Bradley on his stretcher went down into Ariadne’s boat he managed a fragile smile at Smith. “Seems I bust one more airplane so nobody can straighten it out again. But I’ve been thinking: if I hadn’t smashed it up you would ha’ done because you wouldn’t have left it for Richter to fly reconnaissance for those cruisers. Right?”

Smith nodded. “Right. But it was a gallant piece of flying. No one could have done more.”

Bradley shook his head and winced. “They were right. You’re mad.” But his grin took the sting out of the words. He said seriously, “For you I’d try it again. I’m just damn sorry I didn’t find that ship for you.”

“I know where she isn’t and that will be enough.”

Bradley went down and the boats pulled away. Smith found Garrick and Aitkyne on the bridge and retired Aitkyne to the chart-room, leaving Garrick to take the ship to sea.