Richard Bolitho – Midshipman

But I think that when you reach higher authority your efforts will be better rewarded.' He nodded. 'Carry on, gentlemen.' They left the cabin in a daze, the captain already in conference with Verling and the surgeon. Bolitho shook Starkie's rough hand and exclaimed, Tm glad for you! But for your skill, and accepting an idea which to most people would have seemed quite mad, we would not be here at all! ' Starkie studied him gravely, as if searching for something he could not understand. 'But for you, I'd still be in irons and awaiting death.' He turned as Tregorren strode to the companion ladder on his way down to the wardroom. 'I wanted to speak out.' Starkie's eyes were bitter. 'But as you said nothing, I thought it best to hold my peace. He is without honour! ' Eden stammered, 'It's n-not r-right, D-Dick! H-he'll get the c-credit! ' He was almost weeping. 'He j-just stood th-there and t-took it all! ' Dancer smiled. 'I think the captain knows more than he's prepared to admit. I watched him. He is balancing the value of the victory against damaging it with envy and shame.' He grinned at Eden. 'And midshipmen who go round trying to poison their betters! 'Bolitho nodded. 'I agree. Now let us go and eat. Anything, even a ship's rat, will do for me.' They turned towards the companion ladder and froze. A figure in an ill-fitting uniform, that of a lieutenant, blocked their way. He said, 'Nothing to do, eh? Midshipmen are not what they were in my day! ' They crowded round him, and Bolitho said, 'John Grenfell! We thought you dead! ' Grenfell gripped his hand, his face very grim. 'When City of Athens was destroyed, some of us managed to find safety on drifting spars. We hauled them together like a little raft, not knowing what was happening.' He dropped his gaze. 'Most of our people were killed. The lucky ones in the cannon fire, the rest when the sharks tore amongst us. The third lieutenant, oh, so many old faces, were slashed to fragments before our eyes.' He shrugged, as if to free himself of the memory. 'But we drifted ashore, and as we made our way along the coast, there, as large as life, was the ship standing in to the beach, and Dewar's bullocks with a dhow full of screaming slaves, an Arab crew and two Portuguese merchants who were so terrified that I think they believed their end had come.' He plucked at his borrowed coat. 'So I have been made acting sixth lieutenant. It will do no harm when my examination is called.' He looked into the distance. 'But I got the chance at a price I would dearly repay if it were possible.' Bolitho said quietly, 'ButjyoM are safe.' Starkie yawned. 'I could sleep for a year.' He grinned at Grenfell. 'Sir.' Grenfell walked with them to the ladder. 'I suggest you all get some rest. I have a feeling it will be all the hotter tomorrow, in more ways than one! ' Mr Turnbull's knowledge of weather did not desert him. By the time the first dog watch had run its course both vessels were under way again, their sails filling to the breeze. An hour later the wind had steadied to a fresh northerly, and when the hands were assembled aft the air was like a tonic after the sweaty furnace between decks. The lieutenants and marine officers were by the poop ladder, watching the captain, who was conferring with Verling and the sailing master. Petty officers moved amongst the assembled seamen, checking their muster lists and calling out names, while from the lower gundeck Bolitho could hear the screech of a grindstone as the gunner's mates attended to the sharpening of cutlasses and boarding axes. The very sound made him shiver, as it always had. A lookout bawled, 'Deck there! Vessel at anchor off the larboard bow! ' Dancer had been peering across at Sandpiper's sails. They were creamy in the fading light, and there was nothing visible of the shot holes and patches. Dallas, the second lieutenant, had taken charge of her for the attack. A man Bolitho knew nothing of, and had barely heard utter more than a few necessary orders since he had joined the ship. But the captain's choice showed that he trusted Dallas for the task. It also suggested he was not entirely satisfied with Tregorren's part in the cutting-out. When Bolitho had seen Starkie over the side to be taken back to the brig, the master's mate had stared aft towards the captain's slowly pacing figure. He had grinned. 'It's how you gets to be a post-captain, young feller, knowing them things! ' 'All midshipmen lay aft to the quarterdeck! ' They hurried along the gangway and found Verling waiting by the lee nettings, one foot tapping with impatience. 'Three of you will be required for the attack.' He scowled as Marrack made to speak. 'Not you. You will be needed for the signal party.' His cold eyes rested on Bolitho. 'As you have just returned to your proper duties with us, I cannot order you to take part either. Mr Pearce, ' he turned to the sulky looking midshipman from the lower gundeck, 'and…' Bolitho glanced at Dancer who gave the briefest nod. He called, 'Mr Dancer and I would like to volunteer, sir. We sailed very close to the island. It might be of some use.' Verling smiled wryly. 'Now that Mr Grenfell has placed his foot on the bottom rung of promotion, you three, apart from Mr Marrack, are the oldest. So I suppose I'd better allow you to go.' Eden stepped smartly from the rank of midshipmen.