A Sea Unto Itself Read Online Free PDF Page A

was considered a promotion where he was concerned. At thirty-two guns, Cassandra was a fifth rate warship, while his previous command, Louisa at twenty-eight guns, had a sixth (and lowest) rating. Charles’ pay would be increased a step to reflect his greater responsibilities.
    He had also discovered the barest description of her particulars: 140 feet along her gun deck, sixteen feet of draft, and a burthen weight of eight hundred tonnes. Her compliment would be 220 officers and men with an additional thirty-six marines. As the commander of a fifth rate, he was also entitled to three lieutenants, instead of the two he’d been authorized on Louisa. Since Charles was determined to put off his departure from home to the last possible moment, he had requested Daniel Bevan, Stephen Winchester, and Isaac Beechum, known and trusted officers from his previous command, and arranged that they report ahead of him so that any last-minute difficulties in preparing for sea should be well in hand.
    Outside the coach window he noticed that it was now broad daylight and the morning overcast had given way to sunshine, turning the passing fields and pastures a brilliant rolling green. They were somewhere in Shropshire, he supposed. Augustus slumped against the coach bench, snoring rhythmically. Charles again settled back and crossed his arms over his chest in an attempt to imitate him. Again his thoughts turned back to home, keeping sleep away. In the very best of circumstances, he realized, he could not return to England for at least a year, more likely a year and a half, very possibly longer. During that time no mail might reach him. There would be no word that a child had been born, whether it was a boy or girl, healthy or sickly, or even if the infant or its mother had survived. The thought settled like a stone in his breast and would not go away.
    *****.
    At long last, the coach reached the outskirts of the great city of London, galloping past Regent’s Park to much honking of its horn, scattering foot traffic and farm carts alike. Its progress slowed in the thickening congestion of Tottenham Court Road, although the incessant blaring of the horn did not. The two men finally climbed down close by Covent Garden in the late afternoon. Charles found himself shaken and stiff and happy to have his feet once more on unmoving ground. Augustus stared around him at the streets crammed with buildings. There were peddlers loudly hawking everything from puddings, sausages, and cheeses, to live chickens, or cut flowers. Unceasing crowds swirled past. Charles handed a gratuity to the coachman and postilion. With his new steward sitting on the sea chests, he went to find a hackney to carry them to Lothian’s Hotel on Albemarle Street where he had arranged lodgings. Here he found no difficulties with the management, who were accustomed to a broad range of naval clientele and their sometimes unique servants. Charles was shown to a spacious room on the second floor, Augustus being directed to the servant’s dormitory in the attic. In the morning, well rested, bathed, and breakfasted, he dressed in his best uniform to call upon the Admiralty. Preparing to leave, he found his servant pulling on his own outer clothing as if to go outdoors. “It’s not necessary for you to accompany me, Augustus,” he said. “I expect to be back in time for supper.”
    “I’ll just follow along, if I may, Cap’n,” Augustus said.
    “It’s not necessary,” Charles repeated. “I assure you that I can manage on my own.”
    Augustus stood firm.
    Charles had a suspicion. “Did Mrs. Edgemont put you up to this?” Penny had a habit of requesting his seamen to look after his wellbeing as if she thought him incompetent to get by on his own.
    Augustus nodded. “Afore we went off she asked me to set my eye on you, no matter what. I give my word on it.”
    Charles sighed. “In that case I suppose you had better obey orders. I assure you that it will be quite safe where