Command a King's Ship by Alexander Kent Page A

horror. Whatever made that foul deed neces- sary, I intend to set the record right. And when I do, Capitan, I will make it a reckoning which our enemies will long remember.”
    There was a tap at the door and Midshipman Armitage stood outlined by the swinging lantern in the passageway.
    â€œMr. Herrick’s respects, sir. The wind’s freshening from the nor’-east.” He faltered, like a child repeating a lesson to his tutor.
    â€œI will come up directly.”
    Bolitho thought suddenly of Mudge, how he had prophesied a better wind. He would be up there with Herrick, waiting for the orders. Armitage’s message told him all that and more. Whatever was decided now might settle the fate of the ship and every man aboard.
    He looked at Puigserver. “It is settled then, Señor? ”
    â€œYes, Capitan. ” He was getting more drowsy. “You can leave me now. And send Raymond before I sleep like some drunken goatherd.”
    Bolitho followed the midshipman from his cabin, noting how stiffly the sentry at the door was holding his musket. He had prob- ably been listening, and by tonight it would be all over the ship. Not merely a voyage to display the Navy’s reach in foreign parts, but one with a real prospect of danger. He smiled grimly as he reached the quarterdeck ladder. It might make gun drill less irk- some for them in future.
    He found Herrick and Mudge near the helm, the master with a shaded lantern held over his slate, upon which he made his sur- prisingly neat calculations.
    Bolitho walked up the weather side, looking aloft at the bulg- ing canvas, hearing the sea creaming along the hull like water in a mill sluice.
    Then he returned to where they were waiting and said, “You may shorten sail for the night, Mr. Herrick. Tomorrow you can sign on any of the Nervion ’s people you find suitable.” He paused as another frantic cry floated up from the orlop deck. “Though I fear it may not be many.”
    Herrick asked, “We are not going about then, sir?”
    Mudge exclaimed, “An’ a good thing, too, if I may say so, sir.” He rubbed his bulging rump with one hand. “Me rheumatism will sheer off when we gets to a ’otter climate.”
    Bolitho looked at Herrick. “We go forward, Thomas. To finish what was begun back there on the reef.”
    Herrick seemed satisfied. “I’m for that.”
    He made to walk to the rail where a bosun’s mate awaited his orders, but Bolitho stopped him, saying, “From this night on, Thomas, we must keep our wits about us. No unnecessary pauses for fresh water if prying eyes are nearby. We will ration every drop if necessary, and stand or fall by our own resources. But we must stay clear of the land where an enemy might betray our course or intentions. If, as I now believe, someone is working against us, we must use his methods against him. Gain ourselves time by every ruse we can invent.”
    Herrick nodded. “That makes good sense, sir.”
    â€œThen I hope it may seem so to our people.” He walked to the weather side. “You may carry on now.”
    Herrick turned away. “Call the hands. We will shorten sail.”
    As the shouts echoed between decks and the seamen came dashing on to the gangways, Herrick said, “I almost forgot, sir. Mrs. Raymond is worried about her accommodation.”
    â€œIt is arranged.” He paused and watched the hands scampering to the shrouds. “Don Puigserver will sleep in the main cabin. Mrs. Raymond can retain her own cot with the maid.”
    Herrick sounded cautious. “I doubt she will like that, sir.”
    Bolitho continued his pacing. “Then she may say so, Mr. Herrick. And when she does I will explain what I think of a woman so pampered she will not lift a finger to help a dying man!”
    A master’s mate strode along the gangway. “All mustered, sir!”
    Herrick was still watching the pacing figure,