Alexander Kent - Stand into Danger

Rhodes took him aside as Gulliver joined Colpoys and the purser at the table.

“Was he hard on you, Dick?”

“I lost my temper.” Bolitho smiled ruefully. “I think we all did.”

“Good. Stand up to him. Don’t forget what I said.” He made sure nobody else was listening. “I’ve told Jury to wait for you in the chartroom. You’ll be uninterrupted there for a while. Get it over with. I’ve been through all this myself.” He sniffed and exclaimed, “I can smell that pork, Dick. You must have influence.”

Bolitho made his way forward to the small chartroom which was just beside the main companion. He saw Jury standing by the empty table, probably seeing his career wiped away like Gulliver’s calculations.

Bolitho said, “I was told what you did. Murray ’s case will be investigated, the captain has given his word. You will not be put ashore when we join the nearest squadron. You are staying in Destiny.” He heard Jury’s quick intake of breath and said, “So it’s up to you now.”

“I-I don’t know what to say, sir.”

Bolitho could feel his determination crumbling. He had once been like Jury, and knew what it was like to face apparent disaster.

He made himself say, “You did wrong. You told a lie to protect a man who may well be guilty.” He silenced Jury’s attempted protest. “It was not your place to act for one in a way you might not have acted for another. I was equally at fault. If I was to be asked if I would have cared as much if Murray had been one of the bad apples in the barrel, or had you been like one of the other midshipmen, I should have had to admit to being biased.”

Jury said tightly, “I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. Especially to you.”

Bolitho faced him for the first time, seeing the pain in his eyes.

“I know. We have both learned something from all this.” He hardened his tone. “If not, we are neither of us fit to wear the King’s coat. Carry on to your berth, if you please.”

He heard Jury leave the chartroom and waited for several minutes to recover his composure.

He had acted correctly, even if he had been late. In future Jury would be on his guard and less willing to depend on others. Hero-worship, the captain had termed it.

Bolitho sighed and walked to the wardroom. Rhodes looked up at him as he opened the door, his eyes questioning.

Bolitho shrugged. “It was not easy.”

“It never is.” Rhodes grinned and twitched his nose again. “It will be a delayed dinner because of the pork’s late arrival in our midst, but I feel the waiting will put a worthwhile edge to the appetite!”

Bolitho took a goblet of wine from Poad and sat in a chair. It was better to be like Rhodes, he thought. Live for today, with no care for the next horizon and what it might bring. That way, you never got hurt. He thought of Jury’s dismayed features and knew otherwise.

TWO more days passed with no sign that the Portuguese Viceroy had returned, or, if he had, that he intended to receive Dumaresq.

Sweltering under a blazing sun, the seamen went about their work with little enthusiasm. Tempers flared, and on several occasions men were taken aft to be awarded punishment.

And as the bell chimed each passing watch, Dumaresq, whenever he appeared on the quarterdeck, seemed to be growing more intolerant and angry. A seaman was given extra work merely for staring at him, and Midshipman Ingrave, who had been acting as his clerk, was sent back to his normal shipboard duties with “Too stupid to hold a pen!” still ringing in his unhappy ears.

Even Bolitho, who had little experience of the politics used in foreign ports, was aware of Destiny’s enforced isolation. A few hopeful craft hovered near the ship with local wares for barter, but were openly discouraged by the vigilant guard-boat. And there had certainly been no message sent by the man called Egmont.

Samuel Codd, the purser, had gone aft to complain about his inability to preserve his supply of fresh fruit, and half of the ship must have heard Dumaresq’s fury break over him like a tidal wave.

“What do you take me for, you miser? D’you think I have nothing to do but buy and sell like a common tinker? Take a boat and get ashore yourself, and this time tell the merchant the stores are for me!” His powerful voice had pursued Codd from the cabin. “And don’t return empty-handed!”

In the wardroom the atmosphere was little changed. The usual grumbles and exaggerated yarns about what had happened during the daily routine. Only when Palliser appeared did the climate become formal, even strained.

Bolitho had seen Murray and had confronted him with the accusation of theft. Murray had firmly denied any part of it, and had pleaded with Bolitho to speak on his behalf. Bolitho was deeply impressed by the man’s sincerity. Murray was more resentful at the prospect of an unjust flogging than fearful. But that would come unless something could be proved.

Poynter, the master-at-arms, was adamant. He had discovered the watch in Murray ’s ditty-box during a quick search of several messes. Anybody could have put it there, but what was the point? It was obvious that something would be done to discover the missing watch. A careful thief would have hidden it in one of a hundred secret places. It did not make any sense.

On the evening of the second day the brigantine Heloise was sighted heading for the land, her sails shining in the dying sunlight as she completed a leisurely tack for the final approach.

Dumaresq watched her with his telescope and was heard to mutter, “Taking his damn time. He’ll have to do better if he wants promotion!”

Rhodes said, “Have you noticed, Dick? The freshwater lighters have not been sent out to us as promised? Our stocks must be running low. No wonder the lord and master grows pink with anger.”

Bolitho recalled what Dumaresq had told him. That Destiny was to take on water the day after anchoring. He had forgotten, with so much else to occupy his thoughts.

“Mr Rhodes!” Dumaresq strode to the quarterdeck rail. “Signal Heloise to anchor in the outer roadstead. Mr Slade’ll not likely attempt an entrance in the dark, but just to be sure, send a boat with my instructions to moor clear of the headland.”

The trill of calls brought the boat’s crew running aft. There were several groans when they saw how far the brigantine was standing from the land. A long, hard pull in two directions.

Rhodes sought out the midshipman of the watch. “Mr Lovelace, go with the boat.” He kept his face straight as he looked at Bolitho. “Damned midshipmen, eh, Dick? Must keep ’em busy!”

“Mr Bolitho!” Dumaresq was watching him. “Come here, if you please.”

Bolitho hurried aft until they were both at the taffrail, well out of earshot of everyone.

“I have to tell you that Mr Palliser is unable to discover any other culprit.” He watched Bolitho closely. “That troubles you, I see.”

“Yes, sir. I have no proof either, but I am convinced Murray is innocent.”

“I’ll wait until we are at sea. Then punishment will be carried out. It does no good to flog men before the eyes of foreigners.”

Bolitho waited, knowing there was more to come.

Dumaresq shaded his eyes to stare up at the masthead pendant. “A fair breeze.” Then he said, “I shall need another clerk. There is more writing and copying in a man-of-war than powder and shot.” His tone hardened. “Or fresh water, for that matter!”

Bolitho stiffened as Palliser came aft and then paused as if at an invisible line.

Dumaresq said, “We are done. What is it, Mr Palliser?”

“Boat approaching, sir.” He did not look at Bolitho. “It is the same one which brought the pork for cabin and wardroom.”