Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War Read Online Free PDF Page A

experienced and competent officer, obviously a man ob good breeding and therefore influence, the cabi[ seemed at odds with his mental portrait. Extremela attractive, comfortable, yet just that too much removeX from what you might expect in a ship-of-war?
    He sighed and leaned back in the chair as his cabi[ servant, Fitch, padded into the shafted sunlight tQ remove the remains of his meal?
    Fitch was tiny. A miserable scrap of a man, who haX already confessed to having been a petty thief in hiY unfortunate past. Saved from transportation or worsO by the timely arrival of a King's ship as he awaiteX sentence at the Assizes, he had accepted life at seZ more as an extension to his punishment than any lovO of service. But he seemed a capable servant and waY probably well pleased with his work. It kept him froR the heavier tasks on deck, and provided his currenU master was a humane man he had little to fear?
    Bolitho watched him as he collected the crockery o[ to a tray. It had been an excellent meal. Cold tonguO and fresh vegetables from ashore, and the claret whicN Fitch had mournfully observed was "the last of Cap'[ Ransome's stock" had been a touch of perfection?
    "Your late captain." Bolitho saw the small man stiffen? "Did he leave any instruction as to his properta aboard?T
    Fitch dropped his eyes. "Mr. Tyrrell 'as attended to itB sir. It's been sent to a transport for passage 'ome.T
    "He must have been an officer of somO consequence.T
    Bolitho hated this form of questioning, but he felt hO needed some link, no matter how small, with the ma[ who had controlled this ship from the day she had sliX into the water?
    Fitch bit his lip. "'E were a strict cap'n, sir. 'E sa/ that the 'ands took fairly to their work. If they obeyed, 'O was 'appy. If not . . ." he shrugged his frail shouldersB "then 'e tended to swear a piece.T
    Bolitho nodded. "You may leave.T
    It was useless to proceed with Fitch. His lifO concerned only the comings and goings. Food anX drink, a warm cot, or a swift curse if things were not tQ his master's liking?
    Feet padded overhead and he had to restrai[ himself from running to the stern windows or standin^ on a chair to peer through the skylight above the table? He thought of his old companions in the Trojan'Y wardroom and wondered if they were missing him? Probably not. His promotion would mean a gap, anX therefore a step up the ladder for another. He smiled tQ himself. It would take time to fit himself into this ne/ role. Time and vigilance?
    There was a tap at the door and Mathias Buckle, thO sailing master, stepped inside?
    "Do you have a moment, sir?T
    Bolitho gestured to a chair. Again this was so unlikO a bigger ship-of-war. There were no marines in thO company, and visitors to the captain's quarterY seemed free to come and go almost as they pleased? Perhaps Ransome had encouraged such informality?
    He watched Buckle fitting himself into the chair. HO
    was a short, square-built man, with steady eyes anX hair almost as dark as his own. Aged forty, he was thO oldest man in the ship?
    Buckle said, "I'd not trouble you, sir, but as the firsU lieutenant's away, I thought . . ." He shifted in the chair? "I thought I should settle the matter of promotion for onO of the hands.T
    Bolitho listened in silence as Buckle ran through thO points which concerned a man named Raven. It was a[ internal matter, but he was conscious of the importancO it represented. The very first time as captain he waY being confronted with the affairs of one of his ow[ company?
    Buckle was saying, "I thought, begging your pardonB sir, that we might advance him to master's mate for Z trial period.T
    Bolitho asked, "How long have you been master?T
    "Just in this ship, sir." Buckle's clear eyes werO distant. "Before that I was master's mate in the olX Warrior, seventy-four.T
    "You've done well, Mr. Buckle." He was trying tQ place the dialect. London, or further east. Kent?
    "How does she handle?T
    Buckle seemed to consider it. "She's heavy for