Alexander Kent - Command a King`s Ship

Bolitho lowered the telescope and wiped his forehead with the back of one hand. The noon sun was merciless, but like most of the men around him, or standing high in the shrouds, he was momentarily unaware of it. Fifteen days out of Madras, and in spite of the wind's perversity, Undine had done well. Bolitho had made many landfalls in his time, but the sight of any shore after the hazards and doubts of navigation never failed to move him.

And now, just visible through the glare of sea and sky, he could see a smudge of green across the larboard side, and felt a fresh excitement and satisfaction. The narrowest part of the Malacca Strait. To starboard, hidden even to the masthead lookout, was the great scimitar-shaped island of Sumatra, poised as if to squeeze the strait shut and leave them sailing in a wilderness forever.

Herrick said, 'It seems a mite too narrow for comfort, sir.'

Bolitho smiled at him. 'It is wider than the English Channel even here, Thomas. The master assures me it is the safest course to take.'

'Perhaps.' Herrick shaded his eyes again. 'So that is Malacca, eh? It is hard to believe we have reached this far.'

'And in five days or so, with God's good grace, we'll anchor in Pendang Bay.' He paused, seeing the doubt in Herrick's blue eyes. 'Well, come on, Thomas, let us see that smile again!V

'Yes, sir, I know it is a good and fast passage, and I am well satisfied, as you are.' He fidgeted with his belt buckle. 'But I am more concerned with something else.'

'I see.'

Bolitho waited, knowing what was coming. He had seen the worry mounting in Herrick's face over the past fifteen days. Having to spend much of his time with the admiral, Bolitho had had little chance of enjoying Herrick's company. A walk together before dusk, a pipe of tobacco and a glass of wine.

Herrick said bluntly, 'Everyone knows about it, sir. It's not my place to speak on your behaviour, but…'

'But that is exactly what you are about to do?' Bolitho smiled gravely. 'It is all right, Thomas, I am not going to snap your head off!'

Herrick would not relent. 'It is no joke, sir. The lady is the wife of an important government official. If this sort of tale ever reached England, you would be in real danger, and that's the truth.'

'Thank you for your concern.' He glanced ahead where far beyond the gently spiralling bowsprit he saw Rosalind leading the way through the shallows and sandspits as she had no doubt done many times before. 'But it is something I do not wish to discuss. Even with you, if you are to disagree with everything I say.'

'Yes, sir, I'm sorry.' But Herrick added stubbornly, 'I can't stand by and see you in irons because of others, sir, not without trying at least to help.'

Bolitho gripped his arm. 'Then we will say no more of the matter, Thomas. Agreed?'

'Aye, Sir.' Herrick regarded him unhappily. 'If it is the way you want it.'

A seaman left the galley and darted down an open hatch below the forecastle. He was carrying a bucket and swab. Herrick said wearily, 'The surgeon is sick again. That man must be going to clean out his quarters.'

Bolitho looked at him. 'Drunk, I suppose?'

'It would seem so. But there is little to occupy him, sir, and our people have been remarkably free of illness.'

'That is just as well.' Bolitho felt unreasonably angry. 'What in hell's name am I to do with him?' 'He has a lot on his mind, sir.'

'So have many others.'

Herrick kept his voice even. 'He saw his young brother hanged for a crime of which he was later proved innocent. Even if he had been guilty it would still have been a terrible thing to watch.'

Bolitho swung round from the rail. 'How did you discover this?'

'At Madras. He came aboard drunk. I was a mite harsh with him and he started to rave about it. It is destroying him.'

'Thank you for telling me, even if it is somewhat late.'

Herrick did not flinch. 'You have been rather buoi, sir. I did not wish to trouble you.'

Bolitho sighed. 'I take your point. But in future I would like to hear everything. Most ship's surgeons are no more than butchers. Whitmarsh has been something more, but as a drunken sot he is a menace to everyone aboard. I am sorry for his brother, I for one can appreciate his feelings.' He looked steadily at Herrick. 'We will have to see what we can do to put things right for him, whether he likes it or not.'

Herrick nodded gravely. 'I agree, sir. The one afflicted is not always the best judge of his own malady.' He tried not to grin. 'If you see what I mean, sir.'

Bolitho slapped his shoulder. 'By God, Thomas, you go too far! I am not surprised your father sentyou to sea!'

Then he walked up the tilting deck to the weather side and left Herrick to supervise his watch.

So they knew all about it, did they? He touched the bulge in his breeches pocket. What would Herrick say if he saw the inscription inside the watch-guard, he wondered?

'We will wear ship directly, Mr. Herrick.' Bolitho strode to the compass and peered over Mudge's untidy shoulder. 'Steer nor'nor'-east.'

Herrick touched his hat. 'Aye, aye, sir.' He was equally formal.

It was five days since they had discussed Viola Raymond and the doctor's personal problem, and in that time Bolitho had never felt better. The ship had settled down to a regular, unhurried routine, and even the drills had passed off without complaint. At gunnery Undine's company still had a lot to learn, but at least they moved as a team and not a stumbling, confused rabble.

He raised his glass and studied the new shapes and patterns which parted sea from sky. Mudge had assured him that Pendang Bay lay some five miles distant, but it was difficult to accept that they had all but arrived at their destination. Over fifteen thousand miles. Another world. A different life.

'Hands wear ship! Man the braces there!'

Shoes scraped on the planking, and Bolitho turned to study Conway's reaction as he came on deck. It was early morning, and for a few seconds he thought he was imagining what he saw.

Conway was wearing his rear admiral's uniform, complete with laced cocked hat and sword. The latter he held like a pointer, as if unsure of his reception.

Bolitho said, 'Good morning, sir.'

He saw Herrick staring at them, his speaking trumpet in mid-air.

Conway joined him by the rail and raised his head to watch as the great yards creaked round in unison, while the straining seamen hauled and panted at the braces.

'Well?' His tone was wary. 'What do you think?'

'I think you look right for the occasion, sir.'

He saw the quick tightening of Conway's mouth, the lines on either side deepening still further. It was moving, if pathetic, to see Conway's gratitude, for that is what it was.

'It is a bit creased of course. I was merely trying it on to see if it required alteration.' He added sharply, 'If I am to be governor, I'll land as I intend to continue, damn their eyes!'

Midshipman Armitage was watching the brig as she trimmed her yards to take station off Undine's lee.

He remarked nervously, 'Thunderstorm, sir.'

But Bolitho was already snatching a telescope.

'Not this time, Mr. Armitage.' He looked at Herrick. 'Shorten sail, if you please, and then beat to quarters.'

He saw them all gaping at him. Like total strangers.

'That thunderstorm is of a kind I have come to respect!'

'Ship cleared for action, sir.' Herrick watched Bolitho's face anxiously.

Bolitho moved the telescope slowly from bow to bow, trying to avoid the overlapping mesh of shrouds and stays as he stared fixedly at the shore. Because of the glare which filtered through then morning haze it was impossible to fix any proper mark or to take an accurate'bearing.

He replied, 'Too long, Mr. Herrick. I want the time cut to twelve minutes.' He was speaking merely to give himself another moment to gather his thoughts.