Read Online Watery Grave by Bruce Alexander - Free Book Online Page A

sympathy for him, since he had clearly intended to put me down on the deck in a similar state, I did regret the incident and hoped blame would not be put to me. However, I was quite unprepared for the response of the crewmen. They gathered round silently. Then, as he attempted weakly to rise, there were a few giggles from the crowd, one right hearty guffaw, then suddenly all joined in and the ship rang with laughter at Mr. Boone’s misery. They came from belowdecks to see, and then these, too, became quite panicked with hilarity to see the boy struggling painfully to his feet. None moved to help him. I could only surmise that young Mr. Boone was not much loved by the crew.
    “What is this? What has happened here? ‘
    I looked up and tound, standing beside me, that officer I took to be the acting captain—which is to say, the author of that statement of charges which Sir Robert had read aloud to us. He was, as the admiral, of a rubicund complexion but appeared to be in a high emotional state, as if choleric by nature. Tall he was, as well, with a loud, commanding voice.
    “He seems to have fallen down the stairs, sir,” said I, all innocent.
    He gave me a sharp look but made no reply to me. Instead, he addressed himself to the crew: “You men, leave off that laughing. It is goddamned unseemly is what it is. ‘
    The merriment ended more sudden, even, than it had begun.
    “Now, tAA’o of you—you and you— ” He pointed them out of the crowd.” Help Mr. Boone down to the surgeon.”
    “No longer with us, sir,” spoke up one of the designated helpers.
    “Then take him to the surgeon’s mate, you fool!”
    “Aye-aye, sir!”—with a salute.
    And then, suddenly solicitous, the two seamen gently brought Mr. Boone erect, and he hobbled off between them toward belowdecks.
    With that, the acting captain turned abruptly on his heel and in a few long strides returned to Sir John and the admiral. I trailed along after him and quietly took a place next Sir John. I felt his hand grip me strong upon the shoulder. I was certain I should have some explaining to do.
    “I suggest,” said the acting captain, “that we continue our discussion in my cabin —that is if you are agreeable.”
    Sir Robert murmured his assent.
    “Mr. Grimsby,” said—yes, his name was Hartsell, as I remembered at last —“send down for one of the other midshipmen to take Mr. Boone’s place, will you?”
    At that request, a young officer stepped forward, whom I had not before noticed. He seemed to have stood apart from the rest, as if to distance himself from the discussion.
    “I’ll attend to it, Mr. Hartsell,” said he.
    “Gentlemen?”
    All moved forward as Lieutenant Hartsell showed us the way, Sir John and I bringing up the rear. As another, even narrower stairway presented itself, my blind companion kept his hand firmly upon my shoulder. Just as we were about to descend, he held me back a bit.
    “Hadyou anything to do with that?” he whispered sharply.” Didyou push that midshipman down the ladder?”
    “Sir John,” said I, “I give you my word most solemnly that I did not touch the fellow.”
    He hesitated but a moment. Then: “I accept that, Jerem”
    Then a pat on the shoulder and we began our descent.
    “Careful here, sir, it is quite tight.”
    “You need not tell me,” said he.” At your age I had walked many a ladder such as this one. I allow, though, I was closeryour size then than mine today.”
    We were brought into a cabin, the first of a few along a very narrow corridor, which by shipboard standards was most spacious. It was the captain’s cabin, which. Lieutenant Hartsell explained, he had occupied since the death of Captain Markham. There were chairs enough for all, but out of respect to Sir John, I chose, rather, to stand beside him, as if in attendance.
    “Now that we are seated here in the privacy of your cabin, Mr. Hartsell, ” said Sir Robert, “I wish you to repeat the story as you told it to me