Richard Bolitho – Midshipman

'S-sir! I'd 1-like to v-volunteer, too! Veiling glared down at him. 'Don't you stutter at me, you urchin! Get back in line and hold your noise! ' Eden retreated, beaten before he had started. Verling nodded, apparently satisfied. 'Boats will be lowered as soon as we heave-to. All the marines and sixty seamen will transfer to that floating hell yonder.' Dancer whispered, 'The captain is sending everyone he can spare.' Verling rasped, 'After the raid, should you be spared, Mr Dancer, you will be awarded five days extra duty. Be silent! ' The captain walked aft towards the poop, as if on a stroll ashore. He paused and asked evenly, 'All well, Mr Verling?' 'Aye, sir.' The captain glanced at the three midshipmen who stood where they had been called. 'Be vigilant.' He looked at his first lieutenant. 'Mr Verling will command the attack, so he will expect your best support, as will I.' He leaned forward, seeking out Eden 's small shape. 'You, er, Mr er, will probably be useful assisting the surgeon in your new and er, surprising capacity.' Neither he nor Verling gave even the hint of a smile. It was almost dark by the time the transfer of men and weapons had been completed. Even before they reached the large dhow Bolitho could smell the stench of slavery. Once on board it was almost overpowering as the seamen and t marines clambered below, stooping beneath the 5 crude deck beams and slithering on filth and t broken manacles. Major Dewar's corporals were spaced at intervals along the hull to lead or push the new arrivals into! the proper places where they would remain until the: actual moment of attack. It was as well Eden had been j left behind, Bolitho thought. This stench, and the cramped journey, would have made him as sick as; a dog. Several swivel guns were swayed up from the longboats and mounted on the bulwarks and aft by the high poop. There was a smell of rum in the air too, and Bolitho guessed that the captain had thought it prudent to give the attackers something to sustain them. Bolitho and the other two midshipmen made their way aft to the poop to report that all the extra seamen and marines were crammed below like pork in a barrel. In the half-darkness the marines' cross-belts stood out very white, their coats merging with the background.

Hoggett, the Gorgon's leather-lunged boatswain, was in charge of the dhow's sails and steering, and Bolitho heard one seaman mutter unkindly, * 'E'd be right at 'ome on a blessed slaver, 'e would! ' Verling snapped, 'Break out the anchor and get this vessel under way, Mr Hoggett! Perhaps the wind will take the stench out of her! He turned as another shadowy figure climbed to the poop. 'All ready, Mr Tregorren?' Dancer said, 'So he's coming too, damn him! ' 'Anchor's aweigh, sir! ' Bolitho watched the two seamen using the great sweep oar which stood in place of wheel or tiller. The strange lateen sails creaked up the masts, the sailors slipping and cursing with unfamiliar, and to them, crude rigging. Verling had brought a small boat's compass, and handed it to the boatswain. 'We will take our time. Stand well offshore. I'd rather not finish the attack like that frigate ended her life, eh, Mr Tregorren? It must have been quite a moment.' Tregorren sounded as if his breathing was hurting him. He replied thickly, 'It was, sir.' Verling dropped the matter. 'Mr Pearce, show the lantern to Gorgon.' Bolitho saw the light blink briefly as Pearce lifted the shutter. Captain Conway would know they had started. In the small glow from the compass Bolitho saw Verling's beaky profile, and was suddenly glad he was in command. He wondered what Tregorren would say to him when next they spoke. If he would continue his deception, or admit that he was not responsible for Pegaso's destruction. Verling's voice bit into his thoughts. 'If you have nothing to do, I suggest you sleep until you are called. Otherwise I will discover a task t of some enormity for you, even in this vessel! ' 5 Hidden by the deepening darkness, Bolitho grinned t broadly. 'Aye, aye, sir. Thank you, sir.' He settled down against an ancient bronze cannon ', and rested his chin on his knees. Dancer joined him, and together they stared up at the tiny, pale stars, [against which the dhow's great sails showed like wings.; 'Here we go again, Martyn.' Dancer sighed. 'But we kept together. That's the main thing.'

10. A Name to Remember