In Gallant Company Read Online Free PDF Page B

followed him to the ship.
    And whenever Bolitho needed aid, or was in trouble, Stockdale was always there. Like that last time, when Bolitho had seen the screaming savage rushing at him with a cutlass snatched from a dying seaman. Later he had heard all about it. How Stockdale had rallied the retreating seamen, had picked him up like a child and had carried him to safety.
    When Bolitho’s appointment to
Trojan
had arrived, he had imagined that would be an end to their strange relationship. But somehow, then as now, Stockdale had managed it.
    He had wheezed, ‘One day, you’ll be a cap’n, sir. Reckon you’ll need a coxswain.’
    Bolitho smiled down at him. Stockdale could do almost anything. Splice, reef and steer if need be. But he was a gun captain now, on one of
Trojan
’s upper battery of thirtyeighteen-pounders. And naturally he just
happened
to be in Bolitho’s own division.
    â€˜What d’
you
think, Stockdale?’
    The man’s battered face split into a wide grin. ‘They be watching us, Mr Bolitho.’
    Bolitho saw the painful movements of his throat. The sea’s bite was making it hard for Stockdale.
    â€˜You think so, eh?’
    â€˜Aye.’ He sounded very confident. ‘They’ll know what we’re about, an’ where we’re heading. I wager there’ll be other craft hull down where we can’t see ’em.’
    Cairns’ feet hit the deck as he slid down a stay with the agility of a midshipman.
    He said, ‘Schooner by the cut of her. Can barely make her out, it’s so damn hazy.’ He shivered in a sudden gust. ‘Same tack as ourselves.’ He saw Bolitho smile at Stockdale, and asked, ‘May I share the joke?’
    â€˜Stockdale said that the other sail is watching us, sir. Keeping well up to wind’rd.’
    Cairns opened his mouth as if to contradict and then said, ‘I fear he may be right. Instead of a show of strength,
Trojan
may be leading the pack down on to the very booty we are trying to protect.’ He rubbed his chin. ‘By God, that is a sour thought. I had expected an attack to be on the convoy’s rear, the usual straggler cut out before the escort has had time to intervene.’
    â€˜All the same.’ He rubbed his chin harder. ‘They’ll not try to attack with
Trojan
’s broadsides so near.’
    Bolitho recalled Pears’ voice at the conference. The hint of doubt. His suspicion then had now become more real.
    Cairns glanced aft, past the two helmsmen who stood straddle-legged by the great double wheel, their eyes moving from sail to compass.
    â€˜It’s not much to tell the captain, Dick. He has his orders.
Trojan
is no frigate. If we lost time in some fruitless manoeuvres we might never reach the convoy in time. You have seen the wind’s perverse manners hereabouts. It could happen tomorrow. Or now.’
    Bolitho said quietly, ‘Remember what the Sage said.
Fog
.’ Hewatched the word hitting Cairns like a pistol ball. ‘If we have to lie to, we’ll be no use to anyone.’
    Cairns studied him searchingly. ‘I should have seen that. These privateersmen know more about local conditions than any of us.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘Except the Sage.’
    Lieutenant Quinn came on deck and touched his hat.
    â€˜I’m to relieve you, sir.’
    He looked from Bolitho to the straining masses of canvas. Bolitho would only go for a quick meal, especially as he wanted to know about Pears’ reactions. But to the sixth lieutenant, eighteen years old, it would seem a lifetime of awesome responsibility, for to all intents and purposes he would control
Trojan
’s destiny for as long as he trod the quarterdeck.
    Bolitho made to reassure him but checked himself. Quinn must learn to stand on his own. Any officer who depended on help whenever things got awkward would be useless in a real crisis.
    He followed Cairns to the