Across to America: A Tim Phillips Novel (War at Sea Book 9) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sickness had almost vanished, allowing Baynes to finally get some rest.
     
    Regardless, his presence was required on the quarterdeck, and Otis was ordered to go below and fetch the good doctor immediately.
    The hands stood there, chewing their quids and murmuring as the wait became longer. Finally Baynes appeared with the harried mid almost pushing the doctor up the ladder.
    The doctor was outraged when he learned the reason for his summons. He stated, at Phillip’s question, “Yes, I heard the call, but as a doctor I am not at the beck and call of any jumped-up sailor. Further, these proceedings have nothing to do with me.”
     
    With that, the doctor turned his back and began going down the ladder to the wardroom. Phillips goggled at this effrontery then turned to the Marine officer standing near him.
    “Mister Watkins, you will favor me by having Baynes brought back up. You may wish to have a few of your Marines assist you.”
     
    With a shout to Sergeant Wolfe who was standing close by, Lieutenant Watkins repeated the captain’s orders. A file of Royal Marines rushed below, and soon re-appeared, with the doctor’s elbows firmly grasped by a pair of burly Marines.
    Phillips almost laughed at the enraged, red-faced doctor, but held himself in check. Now was not the time to further inflame passions.
     
    Phillips addressed Baynes, still in the firm grasp of the Marines. “Doctor Baynes, I will not require you to tell me what you meant by the remark you mentioned about ‘jumped-up’ sailors. I do hope you were not referring to me. As it happens, you do have a place in these proceedings. Namely, you are required, as ship’s doctor, to pass judgment on Landsman Willis’ health. We must know whether his health at this moment is such to withstand a dozen lashes of the cat o’ nine tails.”
     
    The still furious Baynes lashed out himself. “You forced me up for this, you nincompoop? I’ll have you know I will bring charges against you when I next see a magistrate. I am Lord Forsythe’s physician. I have nothing to do with your shipboard brutality.”
    Captain Phillips considered. “Doctor, you seem to still have the wrong impression of your standing aboard. At the moment, you are not an imposing Harley Street physician. Instead, when you accepted the warrant the Sick and Hurt Board gave you before you came on the ship, you became a warrant officer of the Royal Navy, subject to the orders of all officers senior to you. Yes, you are Lord Forsythe’s physician, but you are also physician to every member of this ship’s crew.”
    “One of your duties is to examine defaulters before they come up for punishment. Should you refuse, you may be charged with mutiny.”
    Baynes sneered at the captain. “And what are you going to do to me if I refuse? Whip me also? I tell you, I am a gentleman and must not be threatened in this manner.”
    Phillips sighed. “Yes Doctor, you are a gentleman and holder of a Navy Warrant. You will not be triced up and lashed. However, I am charging you with mutiny at this time. You will be taken below, where you will remain confined in your cabin until such time as I can turn you over to higher authority. You will stand trial at court martial and suffer whatever sentence that may be imposed upon you. You may well hang, Doctor Baynes.”
     
    As the Marines began to hustle the doctor below, Lord Forsythe, who had been a silent witness to the events, spoke up. “Captain Phillips, I wonder if I may have a few words with the doctor?”
     
    “You may indeed Milord. However, time is fleeting, and we have another matter to dispense with.”
     
    Phillips called his ship’s officers as well as the sailing master over and ordered them to individually examine Landsman Willis and express their opinions on his ability to stand punishment, because of the refusal of the ship’s doctor.
    All officers stated after a brief glance at the prisoner they could see no reason that Willis could not