De Block nodded. "There is only a mission and a few fishermen. They are due to return here before the storms come again."
Pelham-Martin said, "Quite so. Now let us continue. There is much to do, and very little time left."
Bolitho was surprised by the sharpness in his tone. It was as if Pelham-Martin could not act fast enough now that he was committed.
"As soon as this meeting is concluded Captain Farquhar will weigh and proceed to the nor'-west. If he is to make this passage through the reefs it is essential for Spartan to be in position by first light tomorrow." Pelham-Martin looked at Bolitho again. "I will hoist my broad pendant in Hyperion, and together with Hermes we -will beat to the north-east of the islands. That will give us the wind-gage if and when the enemy breaks out." He glanced at the Dasher's captain. "Your sloop will patrol to the south'rd. If the enemy succeeds in escaping you will have to maintain contact as best you can."
He paused and sipped at his glass. "Questions?"
De Block asked, "You have made no mention of the Telamon?"
"That is true." Pelham-Martin studied the chart as he spoke. "I cannot further. order you to take station under my command. With the schooner lost, the Telamon is your one link with the outside world. Your only protection against privateers or pirates. With all respect, she is an old ship, and her days in the line of battle are long past."
Bolitho watched the two men, feeling the tension around him like a wall.
It was difficult to measure Pelham-Martin's true concern. He could still be looking for an excuse, some reason to give in a future defence. Without the Telamon's support, outdated and undergunned though she was, he might be able to justify any further retreat in the face of heavy odds.
De Block replied softly, "There is no doubt in my mind, or in that of her captain. When you saved St. Kruis from Lequiller all of us here knew we had a debt to repay. And should Lequi ler escape and return to his own country, then I think our future is doomed anyway. His country was reborn under a reign of terror. If he escapes to tell how we defied him, who can say what will become of us?"
Then he looked at Bolitho, his eyes suddenly sad. "Kapitein Mulder told me what you said. It seems our two countries will soon be at war again. If it comes, it comes, but I should like one small piece of honour to remember when all this is over."
Farquhar said, "Then if everything is settled, sir, perhaps I could meet this master's mate?"
His interruption seemed like a splash of cold water, but Bolitho felt it was welcome nevertheless. The sooner it was finished then the quicker they could get back to sea, if only to prolong the deception.
As his brother entered the room Bolitho pressed his spine against the chairback and tried not to watch him as he approached the table.
The commodore said, "I am told you can pilot the Spartan through the reefs on the western side of the islands?"
"Aye, Sir."
Farquhar leaned over the chart. "There are few marks, Mr. Selby." For once he was displaying his inner feelings, those of a captain about to entrust his ship, and possibly his career to a man entirely unknown to him.
They all watched as the master's mate traced a course with his finger.
"There's a good channel here, sir. Deep water, but with 248
two difficult ridges of reef. I' suggest that you have the boats. swung out in case the wind drops. We could warp her through under such circumstances." He rubbed his chin. "And we shall need two good leadsmen in the chains." He broke off, aware of Farquhar's searching stare. "Sir?"
Farquhar asked, "Are you sure you have never sailed under me before?"
"Quite certain, sir."
"I see." Farquhar still watched him thoughtfully. "Where did you serve to gather such knowledge?"
Bolitho gripped the arms of his chair, feeling the sweat gathering on his brow as he waited for Farquhar's expression to change to sudden recognition.
But the reply was calm and assured. "In the old Pegasus, Sir. We were doing a survey out here some years back."
Farquhar's frown faded. "Then you did not waste your time, Mr. Selby. Have you never considered seeking a commission?"
"I am content, sir." He bent over the chart again. "You know what they say, sir. Aft the most honour. But forrard the better men!"
For an instant Bolitho thought he had gone too far. Farquhar stepped back as if suddenly conscious of close contact with an inferior, his mouth tightened into a thin line.
Then he shrugged and gave a curt nod. "Do they indeed?"
Pelham-Martin stood up. "Then we are done here, gentlemen." He paused as if seeking some phrase which they might all remember. "If we find Lequiller see that your people fight bravely and with no thought of defeat." He lowered his glass to the table and stared at it without recognition. "Return to your ships and recall all boats immediately. If we are to clear the reef and claw to windward of Pascua then we must suffer no further delays. "
Bolitho crossed to the table as the other officers began to file from the room. "That was a wise decision, sir. And if I may say so, a brave one."
Pelham-Martin looked past him, his eyes opaque. "Damn you, Bolitho!" He did not raise his voice. "If you are mistaken about this place and what we might discover there, no amount of good intentions will save me." His eyes swivelled round and fixed on Bolitho's face. "Or you either. If, as I very much doubt, you live long enough, you will discover that bravery is not always sufficient. I hope, if that time ever comes, you will be equal to it!"
Bolitho picked up his hat. "Yes, sir."
As he made his way down the stairway he still retained a picture of Pelham-Martin in his mind, so that his words seemed to follow him like an epitaph.
Perhaps after all Pelham-Martin was more entitled to pity than respect for his authority. Unlike so many others he was desperately afraid. Not just of dying or making a mistake. But fear of failure and of showing his own uncertainty, and things which Bolitho could only try to imagine. Yet in all his career he must have realised his own weakness, but had seemingly allowed himself to be carried on and upward by a system he had failed to master and understand.
Earlier or later in his life it might not have mattered so much. But now, at this very moment in time, while the little Nisus spread her sails and gathered way from the bay, he could see nothing but complete disgrace, and worse, the scorn of those he had tried for so long to emulate.
Inch asked, "Are you ready, sir?"
Bolitho glanced along the jetty and saw Farquhar speaking with his first lieutenant while they waited for their boat to arrive. His brother was standing a little apart, arms folded, his eyes on the distant frigate as she rolled uneasily at her cable. Then he saw Bolitho watching him and walked slowly to meet him.
Bolitho waited until Inch and Gossett were out of earshot and then said fiercely, "You fool! You nearly gave yourself away back there!"
"He made me angry. If he did know who I was he'd let 250
his ship founder rather than have me at the helm!" He smiled sadly. "You'll take care of the boy if anything happens to me, won't you?"
Bolitho studied him for several moments. "You know that." He heard Farquhar yelling, "Bring that boat alongside, damn your eyes!" It made a sudden urgency, and he had to check himself from touching his brother's arm. "Take care of yourself."
Then he turned and walked back to the others.
Inch said cheerfully, "Poor old Selby! Out of one ship into another!"
"Kindly lend your thoughts to receiving the commodore on board, Mr. Inch!" Bolitho turned his back to watch the barge drawing nearer and did not see Inch's confusion or Gossett's unsympathetic grin. He knew the brief anger was only to cover his own uncertainty. To hide the fact that he did after all care about his brother, even though he suspected Hugh was really laughing at him in spite of his constant danger. It had always been so between them, and it seemed now that even the threat of arrest and a traitor's rope could change nothing.