Vincent heard sounds in the pantry. Morgan was standing by his captain, despite the lateness of the hour.
He said, "Rebellion, sir?"
"Whoever holds that fortress and commands the only good anchorage until Algiers, might determine the future of a nation. "He stretched his arms. "Given the right allies."
"The French?"
"Perhaps. When they're ready. "He gestured. "Take a seat, Mark. We can have a mug of something in a moment. "He moved to his old chair and ran a hand along the worn leather.
"But for us Nautilus would be a wreck, and her people dead.
What, I wonder, would have been the next move?"
He paused and looked at the deckhead, listening.
"She's sailing well. Running like a good mare with the scent of home. "He smiled. "You've done her proud, Mark. I shall not forget."
Vincent watched him, feeling the energy and the frustration driving him. He was by the quarter gallery now, his hand against the glass as if to hold the darkness beyond.
"Landfall today, Mark. If only.
Vincent could guess what he was thinking. Of the girl who could be sharing it with him.
Adam turned away from the windows.
"They're waiting for our return, at Gibraltar. As ordered. You can think me crazy, but I was of half a mind to come about and run down on that damned schooner, chase her inshore and cut her out, to hell with the risk! "He laughed shortly. "Maybe the wind waited until now, when it's too late, even for a touch of madness!"
"But for you, we would be taking bad news to the flagship."
"Us, Mark. It was a great deal to ask of a new company. "He glanced at the littered table. "I heard that they responded well to the sale of Harris's effects. It's little enough, but most of them gave what they could. I only wish.
Vincent waited, at last knowing why he was here, surprised that he had not understood. All the days and the long nights, the doubts and the first hint of danger. And fear. The Captain had been carrying it, sharing it with no one.
"I flogged a man because he fell asleep on watch, because he was insolent, and maybe had been drinking beforehand. "His hand moved. "I could call now for cognac and drink my fill, because I command here. And yet a murderer walks free amongst us, to blacken the name of the ship. I am not proud of it, Mark."
"We did all we could, sir. OtherwiseЦ "Something fell on the deck overhead and somebody laughed. He must have been standing close to the cabin skylight; another voice was hissing a warning. Then there was silence again.
Adam said, "Thank God they can still laugh. "He tugged out his watch and held it close to one of the lanterns. "I've kept you listening to my woes far too long. We've a long day tomorrow. Today."
Vincent walked to the screen door, oddly unwilling to leave.
He looked through the great cabin, remembering the envy and resentment he had felt; knowing this was a moment of special significance, and only later would he understand why.
Adam said, "Get some sleep. You have the forenoon watch.
I shall see you then."
The door was shut and Vincent was outside in the swaying circle of light once more, with the same sentry, his body leaning slightly as the hull dipped beneath them.
He could still see the cabin in his mind. A fresh shirt lying near the old chair. The uniform coat hanging nearby, not the faded seagoing one with its tarnished lace. And no doubt his coxswain would be on hand to shave him when dawn changed those stern windows from black to blue.
This night's conversation was something he would not forget. A privilege, and a warning.
13. Ships That Pass
Commodore Arthur Carrick waited for his servant to close the cabin door behind him and gestured to a chair.
"Be seated, Bolitho. I regret leaving you to cool your heels, but now I am all attention."
Almost an hour had passed since Adam had boarded the flagship, although he had seen no other visitor arrive or leave before him.
The same flag lieutenant had met him at the entry port, and had explained that the commodore was eager to see him but was extremely busy. That, despite the signal for Onward's captain to repair on board, which had been hoisted even before the anchor had hit the bottom.
Nothing had changed aboard Tenacious, although some awnings had finally been spread to protect the upper deck from the sun. Here in the great cabin the quarter windows were open, and there was a slight breeze from the harbour.
He sat in silence as Carrick unfastened the folder, which Adam had checked with care before climbing down into the gig. The guardboat had signalled Onward to a different anchorage this time, convenient for the shore, but a longer pull for the gig's crew. Even the urbane flag lieutenant had been unable to hide his surprise when Adam had requested that his men be allowed aboard the flagship, rather than left sitting tired and parched in the sun.
"If you say so, sir. "But it had been done. He had seen Jago's expression, and was glad.
The servant had padded in again and was speaking softly to his master.
The commodore was outwardly relaxed, even casual, his lean, bony features composed. Only the hard blue-grey eyes gave a hint of the man within.
Even the matter of the gig's crew had occasioned a cool jibe.
"Hope they appreciate it, Bolitho. Most Jacks would only take advantage, from my experience!"
He must have sensed a corresponding chill in Adam, and changed the subject.
"Now, in your own time, Bolitho, tell me what happened during your passage to Aboubakr. I will give full attention to your report, but I need to hear it from you in person. I have already gleaned some of the sorry detailsЦ even here on the Rock, we are not without news of the real world. "He smiled.
"As they say in our home county, bad news rides a fast horse!"
Then he swivelled round on his chair as if watching for passing vessels or inquisitive harbour craft, and waited.
Adam found himself listening to his own voice, flat and unemotional. The reports from the lookout. The midshipman, almost fainting with pain, managing to describe what he and the seaman had seen and interpreted. And the grim outcome, no heroics, no flags, except the ensign dipping in salute after the smoke had cleared.
Carrick spoke at last.
"Nautilus owes her survival to your prompt action. Your gun crews had good fortune."
Adam recognized the challenge, and felt the iron-cold eyes on him as he pulled a packet from his coat. He could still hear Lieutenant Squire's voice when he had handed it to him: "A prayer would have helped, but I couldn't think of one fast enough!"
He put it on the table.
"Part of the schooner, sir. Fell on our foc'sle deck. We were as close as that."
Carrick unwrapped the charred wood and held it to the sunlight.
"Indeed. "He nodded. "Too close for comfort."
The servant had returned, and placed a pair of goblets discreetly near the papers and Adam's rough map.
Carrick was saying, "Some local resistance, or a full-scale rebellion… I can understand why the French authorities will be concerned, and, it is to be hoped, grateful for your initiative.
There I trust it will end, at least while I still command the Strait Squadron. "He saw Adam's expression and laughed. "Rear Admiral Aylmer is still unwell, although I am informed that he expects a complete recovery, damn his eyes! "The laugh became a cold smile. "You did not hear that, Bolitho. So, now let us drink to you and your fine ship."
They touched glasses, although Adam had not seen them filled. If he slept when he went back to Onward, he thought, he might never wake up.
"When we last met, Bolitho, you reported that one of your company had been murdered. "He studied his goblet. "Some petty dispute, maybe? I take it there were no developments."
He did not seem to expect an answer. "No matter. If I shouldered the blame for every soul who's gone aloft under my command, I would be as sick as my admiral!"