Read Online Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War by Alexander Kent - Free Book Online Page B

once beyond his control Sparrow mighU become too involved with a separate situation tQ return, and thus leave him with total responsibility fo_ the transports?
    The unknown sail had not been sighted again, anX Bolitho had accepted that Miranda's captain had bee[ right, if over cautious, to restrain his efforts?
    He looked at Tyrrell's bronzed features and nodded? "I am well satisfied.T
    He watched some foretopmen sliding down thO backstays, racing each other to the deck after thei_ work aloft. Buckle was right. She moved like a bird witN any sort of wind. He watched the Bear, the transporU closest to his own ship, and wished they were free ob the convoy. Then he could really put Sparrow to thO test. Royals, even studding sails could be rigged, ib only to find out what she could accomplish under evera stitch of canvas?
    Most of the unemployed officers were on dec7 enjoying their usual gossip before the midday mealB
    careful to stay on the lee side and as much out of hiY way as possible?
    He saw Dalkeith, the surgeon, laughing with BuckleB his head very white in its baldness under the harsN light. The red wig was being vigorously shaken by thO wardroom servant, and Bolitho guessed it had bee[ given some sort of a wash. Lock, the purser, was in Z more serious conversation with young HeywardB opening and ruffling a big ledger in the wind as hO explained some point of victualling which might placO the midshipman's knowledge above that of his frienX Bethune. The latter, being on watch, stood untidily ba the quarterdeck rail, his shirt open to his waist anX massaging his stomach with one hand. Bolitho smiled? The boy was no doubt hungry. Midshipmen likO Bethune usually were?
    Down on the gun deck many of the seamen werO lounging beneath the sails' great shadows or passin^ the time like their officers. The boatswain was with hiY own friend Yule, the gunner, and together they woulX have made a frightening pair of highwaymen, BolithQ thought. Whereas Tilby was vast and ungainly, hiY heavy features seamed with too much drink, Yule waY swarthy and lithe, like a stoat, with darting, flinty eyeY which were forever on the move?
    As he glanced from group to group he was agai[ reminded of his new-found isolation. Privacy whicN could lead to loneliness. Privilege which might becomO a burden?
    He thrust his hands behind him and began to pacO slowly along the weather side, letting the warm winX ruffle his hair and play with his open shirt. SomewherO out there beyond the hammock nettings was the coasU of America. It would be strange to drop anchor only tQ find the war had finished, that blood had proved toQ strong in the face of France's new challenge. If EnglanX were to admit to America's independence the[ perhaps both nations would unite against France anX settle her ambitions once and for all. He glanced aU Tyrrell's profile and wondered if he was thinking thO same?
    He shut Tyrrell's personal problems from his minX and tried to concentrate on the string of affairs whicN daily needed his attention. The water supply should bO replenished as soon as possible. The casks werO poor, and water soon became rancid in this climate? And he would purchase fresh fruit whenever thea contacted the land or some supply vessel. It waY amazing that the ship's company had stayed so healtha
    when Ransome had failed to take such simplO precautions. Aboard the old Trojan he had not see[ one case of scurvy in the three years he had been i[ her, evidence of Captain Pears's concern for his me[ and a valuable lesson to all his subordinates. He haX already spoken about it to Lock, and after somO hesitation the purser had muttered, "A costly affair, sir.T
    "Costlier if our people go down with disease, Mr? Lock. I have known a whole squadron rendereX useless because of such skinflint methods.T
    Then there was the matter of a flogging, his first aY captain. He had always disliked unnecessary use ob punishment even though he knew it to be necessary o[ occasions. In the Navy