Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure Read Online Free PDF Page B

prompted by hauling aloft a second signal with her name spelled out for all to read and a demand she acknowledge the signal.
     
                  " All ships acknowledged, sir, " Harry called to the First Lieutenant.
     
                  " Very good, Mister Heron, " Captain Blackwood replied, " Now make another, " Course South by West ' Sou ' West keep close company. "
     
                  Harry and his team obeyed, quickly bending on the required flags and sending these soaring aloft on the halyard so they streamed away from the yardarm clearly visible to all the ships. Again the acknowledgements were slow and most of the scattering flock adjusted their courses to suit. Again the Maid of Selsey seemingly ignored the signal and Captain Blackwood snapped, " Signal her to make more sail and to conform. "
     
                  " Aye, aye, sir. " Harry ' s team obeyed quickly, but the signal remained unacknowledged and the ship in question continued under easy canvas, slowly being overhauled by the Spartan .
     
                  Captain Blackwood said angrily, " That fellow is determined to annoy me. Very well, Mister Rae, clear away the bow chaser and get his attention please. "
     
                  Harry jumped as he watched the Maid of Selsey through the big signal telescope when the flat bang of the forward long nine sounded. The ball sent up a spout of water close astern of the errant ship and he watched as a number of figures suddenly appeared at the rail gesticulating. He focused the glass on the face of the man he recognised as the Master, seeing the angry scowl and the exchange of words with someone out of sight. Men began to straggle aloft and the acknowledgement jerked up the rigging.
     
                  " Maid of Selsey acknowledges, sir, " he said.
     
                  " And not before time. " Captain Blackwood had his own glass trained on the recalcitrant prison ship. " I shall not brook insolence from her Master. He may be a part owner of that ship, but he is under orders to sail in this convoy whether he likes it or no. "
     
                  " I think he will do all in his power to be laggardly, " remarked the First Lieutenant. " I believe his reputation for cruelty to those entrusted to his care is well known, as is his parsimonious attitude to any expense for repairs to his ship. "
     
                  " So I am informed. " The Captain turned his attention to his own ship, saying, " We will exercise the hands at gun drill once we clear the channel, it is fortunate we were able to fill so many vacancies with men from other ships and only a small number of landsmen. Still we are short handed. We must see what can be done to fill those before we leave home waters Thomas. "
     
                  " As you say, sir, " replied the First, " Though it will not be easy to put a Press ashore if we must keep close to these sheep I ' m thinking. "
     
    -
     
                  In the event it proved impossible for the ship to detach herself from the convoy and take the time needed to carry out a sweep for more hands along the Devon and Cornish coast. The wind freshened as they approached Ushant and backed southerly, forcing a long beat to the North West.
     
                  " If this wind holds, sir, we shall make landfall among the Scillies soon. "
     
                  " To be avoided I think. " Captain Blackwood studied the chart. " We will make a tack and stand to the South East. Signal the convoy to alter course. If necessary close with each ship and ensure compliance. " He thought for a moment. " It will be dawn in another hour; we will make the alteration then. "
     
    ***
     
                  Harry groaned as the pipes twittered along the decks and the cry of " All hands; All hands to shorten sail, " rang through the ship. He rolled from his hammock and