Under Enemy Colors by Sean Thomas Russell, Sean Russell, S. Thomas Russell Page B

mischief that resulted from Barthe’s drinking. He had a tendency to gamble, though without a matching tendency to win. He was, at the time of his court-martial, much in debt. But not all his friends deserted him; Mrs Barthe, who must be a tower of saintly strength, did not abandon him to his dissipation but appealed to him again and again to change his ways, giving him opportunity after opportunity to redeem himself. And, surprisingly, given the history of many similar marriages, he did. A captain whom he had once served obtained him a master’s warrant and he sailed for several years with this officer until the poor man died of yellow fever. Barthe’s luck looked as though it had turned against him again, when Hart took him on, perhaps being unable to find another to fill the position.
    “Mrs Barthe has a brother who has made a great success of himself in some branch of trade, and he eliminated all of Mr Barthe’s debts, allowing the sum to be paid back slowly and at no interest, which our good sailing master has been diligently doing these many years, to the great impoverishment of his family, I fear. Did you know that Barthe has six daughters? They all, very happily, have taken after their mother where it comes to their looks, and are beauties from the eldest to the youngest. Mr Barthe is at great pains to keep our good lieutenant of marines away from them.” Griffiths laughed.
    “Has Hawthorne a bad reputation, then?”
    “It depends upon whom you ask. Among the crew he is much admired. Mr Hawthorne has the same weakness for women that Mr Barthe had for drink; he is constitutionally unable to resist. And, happily for him, the female of our species cannot more easily resist the dashing Hawthorne. Much trouble has come of it. Hawthorne has fought two duels, with great misfortune on the other side.”
    “Every ship must have at least one rake. It is good to know we have our quota…”
    “Hawthorne is as far from villainy in his heart as a man can be, I am convinced, but he is no more in control of his actions regarding women than an opium-eater is where it comes to his pipe. I have seen him in great distress over his conduct and the heart-break it has caused, but it does not long check his actions. He was blessed with too pleasing a countenance, I fear, and in both manner and address he lacks nothing. He is the most agreeable man aboard, and a great favourite in the gunroom, but if there is a woman to whom you are particularly attached do not introduce her to Hawthorne. You have been given fair warning.”
    “I shall heed your words, Doctor; the fairer sex show no signs of being unable to resist my charms. In truth, they manage it with very little effort, I fear.”
    “In this you have many a brother, Mr Hayden.” The doctor’s mouth turned down slightly at the corners—as though he had tasted something bitter. “You will find this crew an odd collection of misfits and fumblers, I fear.”
    Hayden was not quite sure what to say to that, but knew full well it reflected badly upon the captain.
    “The middies seem first-rate,” Hayden observed.
    “Indeed they are. Outside of the service Captain Hart has a different character, I am told, and through Mrs Hart, many an influential friend.”
    “Which explains the presence of Lord Arthur Wickham…”
    The doctor nodded. “But not all of the ship’s people have landed here because of incompetence. Some of us merely have no interest.”
    Hayden glanced quickly at Griffiths, wondering if the doctor referred to him, but then decided the comment was not meant so. “I am sure there is many a good man aboard ship, Doctor. I shall not tar the entire crew with one brush.”
    Griffiths made a small bow of acknowledgement, or perhaps of thanks. “I must see to my charges, if I may, Mr Hayden.”
    “By all means, Doctor, do not let me detain you.”
     
    Mr Landry had assigned him a servant, a boy of twelve who went by the name of Joshua. He’d served the previous