haY been hard worked so her mission must be important.T
He had watched the newcomer while she had forgeX towards the uneven cluster of ships, had seen the greaU scars on her hull where the sea had pared away thO paintwork like a giant knife. Her sails, too, lookeX much repaired, evidence of a rapid voyage?
Bethune shouted, "Miranda's hoisted another signalB sir!" He swayed in the shrouds as he tried to level hiY big telescope. "To Fawn. Captain repair on board.T
Once again Fawn's response was swift, her big gi^ being swayed out within minutes of the signal. BolithQ could imagine Colquhoun hurrying to the other ship anX the Miranda's consternation when they discovered thaU he was senior to their own captain?
Whatever it entailed, the matter was obviousla urgent, and not merely an exchange of gossip at thiY chance encounter in open waters?
Bolitho rubbed his chin and said, "I'm going below?
Call me if anything happens.T
In the cabin he found Stockdale waiting with his coaU and sword, his lopsided grin very broad as hO muttered, "Thought you'd be wantin' these, sir.T
Fitch was gripping the table, his legs spread aparU as the sloop rolled and staggered in the uncomfortablO troughs, the power gone from her sails. He was starin^ at the breakfast he had just brought, his narro/ features resigned?
Bolitho smiled. "Never fear, I'll find time to eat iU later.T
It was strange that the mere sight of another ship, thO obscure hint of excitement, had given him an appetitO at last. He gulped down some coffee as StockdalO adjusted his swordbelt before handing him the coat?
Perhaps Miranda had discovered an enemy anX needed help to attack them. Maybe the war was overB or another had broken out elsewhere. The possibilitieY seemed endless?
He looked up and saw Tyrrell peering through thO open skylight?
"Cap'n, sir! The Fawn's gig is shoving off from thd frigate.T
Bolitho replied, "Thank you." He forcibly disguiseX his disappointment. "That was quick.T
Tyrrell vanished and he added quietly, "There'll bO time for breakfast after all.T
He was mistaken. Even as he began to unfasten hiY swordbelt Tyrrell's face reappeared at the skylight, hiY words filling the cabin as he shouted, "From Fawn, sir? Repair on board forthwith.T
Stockdale bounded from the cabin, his hoarse voicO bellowing for the gig's crew which the boatswain haX already thought prudent to muster?
With frantic haste the boat was swung outboard anX dropped alongside, where with little thought for dignita or safety, Bolitho hurled himself into the sternsheetsB his sword clattering against the gunwale and almosU tripping him on top of the oarsmen?
Stockdale bawled, "Give way all!" In a lower but nQ less menacing tone he added, "An' remember, ma beauties, if one o' you misses a stroke you'll 'ave me tQ answer!T
The gig seemed to fly across the water, and when aU last Bolitho regained his composure and looked aster[ he saw the Sparrow was already a cable clear. ShO was pitching steeply in the swell, her sails rippling anX flashing in disorder while she lay hove to in the palO sunlight. In spite of his own busy thoughts and anxieta he could still find time to admire her. In the past he haX often watched the stern cabin of a passing man-of-wa_ and pondered about her captain, what sort of personB his qualities or lack of them. It was very hard to accepU that the Sparrow's cabin was his own and that otherY might be wondering about him?
He turned and saw Fawn's outline overlapping thaU of the idling frigate, figures moving round her entry porU to receive him with all formality. He smiled to himself. I[ the face of hell it seemed likely that no captain, nQ matter how junior, was expected to go without hiY proper acknowledgment?
Bolitho was met at the entry port by Maulby, Fawn'Y commander. He was very thin, and but for Z pronounced stoop would have stood well over six feet? Life between a sloop's decks must be uncomfortablO for such a man, Bolitho thought?
He appeared a few
He had watched the newcomer while she had forgeX towards the uneven cluster of ships, had seen the greaU scars on her hull where the sea had pared away thO paintwork like a giant knife. Her sails, too, lookeX much repaired, evidence of a rapid voyage?
Bethune shouted, "Miranda's hoisted another signalB sir!" He swayed in the shrouds as he tried to level hiY big telescope. "To Fawn. Captain repair on board.T
Once again Fawn's response was swift, her big gi^ being swayed out within minutes of the signal. BolithQ could imagine Colquhoun hurrying to the other ship anX the Miranda's consternation when they discovered thaU he was senior to their own captain?
Whatever it entailed, the matter was obviousla urgent, and not merely an exchange of gossip at thiY chance encounter in open waters?
Bolitho rubbed his chin and said, "I'm going below?
Call me if anything happens.T
In the cabin he found Stockdale waiting with his coaU and sword, his lopsided grin very broad as hO muttered, "Thought you'd be wantin' these, sir.T
Fitch was gripping the table, his legs spread aparU as the sloop rolled and staggered in the uncomfortablO troughs, the power gone from her sails. He was starin^ at the breakfast he had just brought, his narro/ features resigned?
Bolitho smiled. "Never fear, I'll find time to eat iU later.T
It was strange that the mere sight of another ship, thO obscure hint of excitement, had given him an appetitO at last. He gulped down some coffee as StockdalO adjusted his swordbelt before handing him the coat?
Perhaps Miranda had discovered an enemy anX needed help to attack them. Maybe the war was overB or another had broken out elsewhere. The possibilitieY seemed endless?
He looked up and saw Tyrrell peering through thO open skylight?
"Cap'n, sir! The Fawn's gig is shoving off from thd frigate.T
Bolitho replied, "Thank you." He forcibly disguiseX his disappointment. "That was quick.T
Tyrrell vanished and he added quietly, "There'll bO time for breakfast after all.T
He was mistaken. Even as he began to unfasten hiY swordbelt Tyrrell's face reappeared at the skylight, hiY words filling the cabin as he shouted, "From Fawn, sir? Repair on board forthwith.T
Stockdale bounded from the cabin, his hoarse voicO bellowing for the gig's crew which the boatswain haX already thought prudent to muster?
With frantic haste the boat was swung outboard anX dropped alongside, where with little thought for dignita or safety, Bolitho hurled himself into the sternsheetsB his sword clattering against the gunwale and almosU tripping him on top of the oarsmen?
Stockdale bawled, "Give way all!" In a lower but nQ less menacing tone he added, "An' remember, ma beauties, if one o' you misses a stroke you'll 'ave me tQ answer!T
The gig seemed to fly across the water, and when aU last Bolitho regained his composure and looked aster[ he saw the Sparrow was already a cable clear. ShO was pitching steeply in the swell, her sails rippling anX flashing in disorder while she lay hove to in the palO sunlight. In spite of his own busy thoughts and anxieta he could still find time to admire her. In the past he haX often watched the stern cabin of a passing man-of-wa_ and pondered about her captain, what sort of personB his qualities or lack of them. It was very hard to accepU that the Sparrow's cabin was his own and that otherY might be wondering about him?
He turned and saw Fawn's outline overlapping thaU of the idling frigate, figures moving round her entry porU to receive him with all formality. He smiled to himself. I[ the face of hell it seemed likely that no captain, nQ matter how junior, was expected to go without hiY proper acknowledgment?
Bolitho was met at the entry port by Maulby, Fawn'Y commander. He was very thin, and but for Z pronounced stoop would have stood well over six feet? Life between a sloop's decks must be uncomfortablO for such a man, Bolitho thought?
He appeared a few
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