Colours Aloft! by Alexander Kent Page A

had been alone with the girl. Bolitho knew he trusted him, but it was more important that others should know it.
    The climb to the top took longer than Bolitho had imagined but he was secretly pleased that he had managed it. The others looked weary and wet with sweat. Only Bankart seemed fresh. As Allday used to be. The thought stabbed Bolitho like a marline spike.
    Bolitho looked down at the cutter again, her deck alive with tiny antlike figures, while the boats moved slowly between her and the beach like water beetles.
    He moved his glass to the lookout and saw the sunlight flash from the man’s glass. He had sensibly put some dried branches on his back to protect himself from the rising glare, and his hat was pulled across the telescope as an extra shield.
    It felt good to be here. Bolitho wished he was completely alone. Stayt would soon protest if he even suggested it. He sat down on the hot ground and unfolded his small map. Where was Jobert now, he wondered? What was the overall intention of the French fleet?
    He heard the others resting, the sound of a water flask being shaken. What would he not give for some of Ozzard’s clear hock which he always managed to keep cool in the bilges?
    Bolitho slipped one hand inside his shirt and touched his skin. It was only too easy to picture her in his arms. Her hands on him, whispering to him, arching with pleasure when he entered her. He folded the map with sudden despair. Of whom was he really thinking?
    Stayt said, “Look at the birds, there are enough of them now!”
    A vast flock of gulls swept round and down as if held together by thread. There must be a thousand of them. As they dived down and past the anchored Supreme Bolitho saw swift darting movements in the water and remembered the fish he had seen. The gulls had timed it perfectly, and even at this distance Bolitho could hear them mewing and shrieking as they plunged to the attack.
    Work on the cutter’s deck had stopped as the seamen paused to watch as gull after gull rose flapping wildly, a shining fish gripped in its beak.
    Stayt said, “We’ve a good lookout, sir. Never took his eyes off the proper bearing even for that. I’ve never seen birds act like—”
    Bolitho said abruptly, “The lookout?” He snatched his glass and opened it quickly. As he swung it across the bright water and darting seabirds his eyes stung with sweat. For some reason the old wound was throbbing. What was the matter with him?
    Bolitho relaxed very slowly; the bronzed lookout was still in position. He said, “Put a ball into the rocks below the crest. The bloody man’s asleep.”
    Stayt scowled and gestured angrily to one of the seamen.
    â€œDid you hear that, man?”
    The seaman grinned. “Aye, sir. I’ll wake Jake up, right ’nough.”
    He dropped on one knee and raised the musket to his shoulder. It might startle the boats’ crews, but a sleeping lookout was a real danger.
    The crack of the musket sent the birds wheeling and flapping away while here and there a fish dropped once more into the sea.
    Bolitho closed his telescope and stood up, his face impassive even though he thought his heart was bursting. The lookout had not moved although the telescope still glinted as before.
    â€œThat man is not asleep.” He tried to keep his voice level. “I fear we are in some peril.” He felt them stir, their eyes swivelling from the drifting musket smoke to his face.
    Stayt exclaimed, “ Here, sir?” He sounded stunned.
    Bolitho snapped, “Mr Sheaffe, you are the youngest, run back to the beach. Warn Lieutenant Hallowes.”
    The midshipman was watching his mouth, his lips forming the words as if he could not believe what was happening.
    â€œYou, Bankart, go with him.” He forced a smile. “As fast as you like.”
    As the other two blundered downhill and into the trees Bolitho said, “See to your weapons.” He cursed