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methods of his predecessor into a strictly enforced blockade, earning
himself the soubriquet of 'Billy Blue' from his habit of hoisting the
Blue Peter to the foremasthead the instant his flagship cast anchor
when driven off station by the heavy gales that had bedevilled his
fleet since the New Year. It was clear that the responsibility and the
monotony of such a task were wearing the elderly man out. Drinkwater
sensed he would have liked to agree with the current opinion in London
that the threat of invasion had diminished.
    'Did you see much of the French forces or the encampments,
Captain?' asked the stranger.
    'A little above Boulogne, sir, but I was fortunate in having a
favourable easterly and was ordered out by way of Portsmouth and so
favoured the English coast. I took aboard the Admiralty papers at
Portsmouth.'
    'It is a weary business, Captain Drinkwater,' Cornwallis said
sadly, 'and I am always in want of frigates… by heaven 'tis a
plaguey dismal way of spending a life in the public service!'
    'Console yourself, Sir William,' the stranger put in at this
show of bile, and with a warmth of feeling that indicated he was on
exceptionally intimate terms with the Commander-in-Chief. 'Consider the
wisdom of Pericles: "If they are kept off the sea by our superior
strength, their want of practice will make them unskilful and their
want of skill, timid." Now that is an incontestable piece of good
sense, you must admit.'
    'You make your point most damnably, Philip. As for Captain
Drinkwater, I am sure he is not interested in our hagglings…'
    The allusion to Drinkwater's junior rank, though intended to
suppress the stranger, cut Drinkwater to the quick. He rose, having no
more business with the admiral and having securely lodged his empty
glass against the flagship's roll. 'I would not have you think, Sir
William, that I am anxious to avoid any station or duty to which their
Lordships wished to assign me.'
    Cornwallis dismissed Drinkwater's concern. 'Of course not,
Captain. We are all the victims of circumstance. It is just that I feel
the want of frigates acutely. The Inshore Squadron is worked
mercilessly and some relief would be most welcome there, but if Lord
Keith has given you your orders we had better not detain you. What
force does his Lordship command now?'
    'Four of the line, Sir William, five old fifties, nine
frigates, a dozen sloops, a dozen bombs and ten gun-brigs, plus the
usual hired cutters and luggers.'
    'Very well. And he is as anxious as myself over cruisers I
doubt not.'
    'Indeed, sir.'
    Drinkwater moved towards the door as Cornwallis's eyes fell
again to the papers. These actions seemed to precipitate an outburst of
forced coughing from the stranger. Cornwallis looked up at once.
    'Ah, Philip, forgive me… most remiss and I beg your
pardon. Captain Drinkwater, forgive me, I am apt to think we are all
acquainted here. May I introduce Captain Philip D'Auvergne, Due de
Bouillon.'
    Drinkwater was curious at this grandiose title. D'Auvergne was
grinning at his discomfiture.
    'Sir William does me more honour than I deserve, Captain
Drinkwater. I am no more than a post-captain like yourself, but unlike
yourself I do not have even a gun-brig to command.'
    'You are a supernumerary, sir?' enquired Drinkwater.
    Both Cornwallis and D'Auvergne laughed, implying a knowledge
that Drinkwater was not a party to.
    'I should like you to convey Captain D'Auvergne back to his
post at St Helier, Captain, as a small favour to the Channel Fleet and
in the sure knowledge that it cannot greatly detain you.'
    'It will be an honour, Sir William.'
    'Very well, Captain,' said D'Auvergne, 'I am ready. Keep in
good spirits, Sir William. It will be soon now if it is ever to occur.'
    Unaware to what they alluded, Drinkwater asked: 'You have no
baggage, Captain D'Auvergne?'
    D'Auvergne grinned again. 'Good Lord no. Baggage slows a man,
eh?' And the two men laughed again at a shared joke.
     
    The meal had been a tense