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Authors: T. Davis Bunn
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as he patted Matt’s shoulder. “My steward informs me you survived the storms with your courage intact.”
“And his voice,” Soap added. “I almost forgot the blow, he sang so sweet.”
“Then perhaps you will honor us with a song later.”
Matt cast a glance at Falconer, who nodded. “If you wish it, sir.”
“Always did enjoy a tune following supper. Do you know hymns?”
“Oh yes, sir. Back in Salem town I sing with the unmarried men’s choir.”
“How very interesting. Every one of your answers provides another door I’m eager to enter.” He straightened and turned to Falconer. “But first there are several matters regarding your father to which I must attend.”
Falconer started to object, foreseeing the direction the conversation might take. But at that moment, Lieutenant Bivens managed to catch his eye from his station directly behind the captain. Bivens shot him a warning glance and gave his head a fractional nod.
Falconer held his peace.
Harkness came to attention before Falconer and spoke with somber formality. “Before setting sail I greeted you with less than proper hospitality. You responded with honor. Twice in the night watch I appeared on deck to find you there first, alert as any officer I’ve ever served with. You were first to sight the coming storm. In so doing, you may well have saved the ship and all who sail her, including the company’s owner.”
From his place by the rear window, Reginald Langston said, “Here, here.”
“Were that not enough,” Harkness continued, “you added your own considerable strength to steering our ship through what was the worst blow I have ever encountered. You saved the life of my trusted first lieutenant. You risked your own life in doing so, and then again when you went for the lieutenant’s blade and helped free us of the trapped rigging. And finally, you saved my own life.”
Falconer felt awkward, both from the compliments and the need to remain silent. Not to mention the fact that Matt was watching him with a face glowing with love and pride.
Harkness paused for breath. “John Falconer, I must apologize for my response to your presence on board. And I salute you as a fellow officer. One of merit. One worthy of both praise and trust.”
As the surrounding company applauded, Harkness bowed low, and Falconer returned the courtesy. He was most grateful when the captain turned to the group and announced, “Gentlemen, our meal awaits.”
There was smoked fish to start, with real oat bread and cheese sliced so thin it might have been mistaken for butter. This was followed by a leg of goat boiled to submission and spiced with cloves and pepper. For dessert they enjoyed fresh orange slices nearly drowned in syrup. Matt’s three portions left him so overfull that when the captain asked him to sing, he piped the words like a leaky calliope. But the ship’s company smiled him through, then bade him a warm good-night as his eyelids drooped upon what had been a truly momentous day.
Harkness bade Falconer remain as Soap steered the lad back to the cabin. He then suggested the other officers retire, all but Bivens, saying their watch would soon begin and they needed their rest. When the door shut behind them, the captain said, “What a truly remarkable young lad you have there.”
“His voice is far more winsome than what you heard tonight, sir.”
“No doubt, no doubt.” But the captain had no continuing interest in such things. “One storm is behind us, another ahead. I would be amiss in denying that I had hoped to lead the charge to rescue Mistress Lillian’s son.”
Falconer glanced at Reginald, who had remained strangely silent throughout dinner. “I could not possibly object if you insisted, sir.”
Harkness fiddled with his dessert spoon. “I awoke this evening to a realization, sir, one that came to me as a prayer gifted from beyond myself. Do you know of what I speak?”
“I have on occasion sensed prayers spoken
“And his voice,” Soap added. “I almost forgot the blow, he sang so sweet.”
“Then perhaps you will honor us with a song later.”
Matt cast a glance at Falconer, who nodded. “If you wish it, sir.”
“Always did enjoy a tune following supper. Do you know hymns?”
“Oh yes, sir. Back in Salem town I sing with the unmarried men’s choir.”
“How very interesting. Every one of your answers provides another door I’m eager to enter.” He straightened and turned to Falconer. “But first there are several matters regarding your father to which I must attend.”
Falconer started to object, foreseeing the direction the conversation might take. But at that moment, Lieutenant Bivens managed to catch his eye from his station directly behind the captain. Bivens shot him a warning glance and gave his head a fractional nod.
Falconer held his peace.
Harkness came to attention before Falconer and spoke with somber formality. “Before setting sail I greeted you with less than proper hospitality. You responded with honor. Twice in the night watch I appeared on deck to find you there first, alert as any officer I’ve ever served with. You were first to sight the coming storm. In so doing, you may well have saved the ship and all who sail her, including the company’s owner.”
From his place by the rear window, Reginald Langston said, “Here, here.”
“Were that not enough,” Harkness continued, “you added your own considerable strength to steering our ship through what was the worst blow I have ever encountered. You saved the life of my trusted first lieutenant. You risked your own life in doing so, and then again when you went for the lieutenant’s blade and helped free us of the trapped rigging. And finally, you saved my own life.”
Falconer felt awkward, both from the compliments and the need to remain silent. Not to mention the fact that Matt was watching him with a face glowing with love and pride.
Harkness paused for breath. “John Falconer, I must apologize for my response to your presence on board. And I salute you as a fellow officer. One of merit. One worthy of both praise and trust.”
As the surrounding company applauded, Harkness bowed low, and Falconer returned the courtesy. He was most grateful when the captain turned to the group and announced, “Gentlemen, our meal awaits.”
There was smoked fish to start, with real oat bread and cheese sliced so thin it might have been mistaken for butter. This was followed by a leg of goat boiled to submission and spiced with cloves and pepper. For dessert they enjoyed fresh orange slices nearly drowned in syrup. Matt’s three portions left him so overfull that when the captain asked him to sing, he piped the words like a leaky calliope. But the ship’s company smiled him through, then bade him a warm good-night as his eyelids drooped upon what had been a truly momentous day.
Harkness bade Falconer remain as Soap steered the lad back to the cabin. He then suggested the other officers retire, all but Bivens, saying their watch would soon begin and they needed their rest. When the door shut behind them, the captain said, “What a truly remarkable young lad you have there.”
“His voice is far more winsome than what you heard tonight, sir.”
“No doubt, no doubt.” But the captain had no continuing interest in such things. “One storm is behind us, another ahead. I would be amiss in denying that I had hoped to lead the charge to rescue Mistress Lillian’s son.”
Falconer glanced at Reginald, who had remained strangely silent throughout dinner. “I could not possibly object if you insisted, sir.”
Harkness fiddled with his dessert spoon. “I awoke this evening to a realization, sir, one that came to me as a prayer gifted from beyond myself. Do you know of what I speak?”
“I have on occasion sensed prayers spoken
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