Read Online How Dark the Night by William C. Hammond - Free Book Online

cabin.”
    Richard did understand. He understood and sympathized far more than Agreen realized. But he decided that this was neither the time nor the place to confess his own doubts about his future as a captain in the U.S.Navy. Katherine’s illness had sparked those doubts. He could not possibly deny that, nor would he ever wish to; but his doubts were also tied to what he had said to Horatio Nelson in the San Anton Palace in Malta two years earlier. George Hunt was correct: war drums were once again pounding out their ugly beat. And if war were to come, Richard had long ago concluded, it would be fought for control of the seas, and it would be fought against England. Even before Trafalgar, France had lacked the means to effectively challenge U.S. neutrality at sea. And war could not be far in the future. The war hawks in Congress were already demanding satisfaction against England, but for what Richard considered to be relatively minor issues. Impressment, Indian raids on the frontier fomented by British agents, and American merchant vessels detained in British ports were violations of neutrality, treaties, and maritime law, and might be viewed as egregious acts. Richard himself had been a reluctant eyewitness to several such violations. Britain was fighting for its very survival in a global war that was not of its making. In any case, such trespasses did not justify a war that in all probability would be an act of suicide for the young republic. He had also told Lord Nelson that if such a war were to come about, he would have no role in it. He would never again fight against his own family; nor would he fight against men like Nelson, whatever the matters of national honor or political expediency involved. His resolve remained unchanged.
    Aloud he said, “I was hoping you might want to step up , Agee, not down. You know that I have put in your name for promotion. Lord knows you have earned your own command. I am quite certain that Mr. Smith concurs.”
    â€œI do know you did that for me, Richard, and I thank you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you. But whether or not the secretary of the Navy and the Navy Department concur, it doesn’t change anything. Five, ten years ago, I would have jumped at the opportunity. But not today. Sure as hell I can sit here as merry as you please and draw half pay until I’m recalled; but because I will not accept that call when it comes, such a thing just don’t sit right with me.” He took a drink of coffee and then broke into a grin. “Besides, if I resign now, I’ll not only have a clear conscience, I’ll make out a lot better in the long run. Unless, of course, you’ve promised my former position in Cutler & Sons t’ that highfalutin’ ex–Royal Navy post captain brother-in-law of yours.”
    â€œThat would be Caleb’s decision, not mine,” Richard said, smiling back at him. “But I wouldn’t fret if I were you, Agee. Cutler & Sons willcertainly welcome you back, assuming you’re rock-hard in your decision to resign your commission in the Navy.”
    â€œI am, Richard. Rock-hard.”
    R ICHARD SPENT the latter part of February and into March catching up with family business and disposing of his ship and crew. With peace declared, Portsmouth was to be laid up in ordinary, meaning that she would be taken out of service and her guns, stores, and masts would be removed, leaving only her shell intact until the clarion call to duty forced her reactivation. The petty officers and topmen who had been employees of Cutler & Sons and had signed on for the duration of the war against Tripoli to serve under Richard Cutler returned comfortably to their former civilian jobs, as did most of their shipmates. George Lee, the second lieutenant, volunteered to go on half pay and sailed home to Cape Ann. Eric Meyers, Portsmouth ’s third lieutenant, did no such thing, however. He was, as Agreen put it, “a