Throughout the ship the company lived out their hopes and dreams in their own way?
In his tiny cabin Tyrrell was sitting on his sea-chest massaging his wounded thigh, while on the other side of the bulkhead Bolitho finished his letter to his father?
In the dimly lit wardroom Dalkeith was drowsing over a glass of rum, hearing Buckle re-telling a yarn about some woman or other in Bristol, while young Heyward listened to him with his eyes closed?
Right forward above the plunging beakhead, his hair blown by wind and drifting spray, Yule, the gunners squatted with his back against a stanchion, a bottle between his knees, his blurred mind thinking of Tilby, the good times they had shared together?
Deep in the hold, a lantern above his narrow head.
Lock, the purser, inspected a cask of lemons, examining each one like some robber with his booty, while he made notes in a ledger?
And below her pale canvas Sparrow held them all? Oblivious to their various troubles and pleasures, indifferent even to the sea. For she needed none ob them, and seemed content?
As soon as Bolitho reached the quarterdeck, he knew the wind was changing against them, and rapidly. He had been in a deep sleep when a master's mate had groped into the cabin to tell him that Lieutenant Heyward was requesting advice?
It was only halfway through the middle watch, and the stars still very bright above the mastheads, but as he hurried across the deck, his bare feet soundless on the damp planking, he heard the topsails shaking violently, the responding chorus from stays and shrouds?
Buckle was beside the wheel, and like himself was wearing only his breeches, evidence, if it was still needed, of Heyward's unwillingness to call for help until it was almost too late?
'Well?' He peered at the slanting compass bowl, seeing the helmsmen's eyes glowing faintly in the binnacle light.' I'm waiting, Mr. Heyward.'
He did not wish to fluster the young lieutenant, and at another time could appreciate his wishing to control his own watch without showing uncertainty. But this was not the time, and in such dangerous waters they would have to act fast?
Heyward explained, 'The wind backed a point or so, and I had my watch trim the yards.' He gestured vaguely above his head.' But now it has backed at a faster rate, I fear maybe from the north-east.'
Buckle muttered, 'We'll never be able to change tack in time to reach the head o' the shoals, sir.' He glared at the compass.' Never!'
Bolitho rubbed his chin, feeling the wind playing across his bare shoulders. Heyward had been foolish to let Sparrow have her head like this. Maybe he expected the wind to veer again, as it often did hereabouts, but whatever he thought or hoped, the ship's bow was now pointing almost northwest by north, and she was not holding that course very well either. Every minute was taking them further from the chain of shoals, and it would waste hours of wearing and tacking to fight round again towards their station as Colquhoun had directed?
Heyward said miserably, 'I'm sorry about this, sir. I-] thought I could hold her.'
Bolitho was thinking busily.' You cannot help the wind. But in future you must learn to call me the moment you are unsure of anything. I'll not think worse of you.' He looked at Buckle.' What is your opinion? We have four hours before dawn.'
Buckle was adamant.' Impossible.' He sighed.' I'm afraid we must remain close hauled and try to wear ship in perhaps three hours or so.'
Bolitho pictured the chart in his mind, recalling vividly the nearest sandbars, the set of the tide?
'Call all hands, Mr. Heyward. We will wear ship directly.'
'But, sir!' Buckle sounded anxious.' We'll never be able to take up our proper course! With the wind staying steady from the nor'-east it's not possible.'
Bolitho heard the shrill of calls below decks, the sudden stampede of feet on gangways and ladders.']
agree, Mr. Buckle.' He paused as Tyrrell came out ob the gloom, dragging his leg badly as he tried to buckle his belt.' I intend to pass through the bars.' He looked at Tyrrell.' If we stay as we are we will be unable to offer assistance if it is needed when daylight comes? Once inside the bank we will at least be able to use the wind if an opportunity presents itself.'
Graves ran to the quarterdeck, his feet very loud above the hushed voices. He had evidently found time to put on his shoes?
Bolitho said, 'Very well. Leadsmen in the chains, and then get the royals and t'gallants off her.' He was speaking fast in time with his thoughts.' Tell the bosun to unleash the sweeps in case the wind drops altogether.'
Tyrrell nodded.' Aye, aye, sir. I reckon we stand a fair chance of getting through. Th' set of th' tide is in our favour.' He hesitated.' When it drops a piece we may find it bothersome.'
Bolitho smiled in spite of his thoughts.' Well spoken!'
Shouts came along the gun deck where petty officers completed their count of topmen and hands for the braces. So well did most of them know the ship that darkness made little or no difference to them?
Bolitho nodded.' Shorten sail, Mr. Tyrrell.' He lowered his voice.' Quick as you can.'
Within minutes all canvas had vanished from the upper yards, and with her topsails and courses thrusting noisily to the wind Sparrow lifted and staggered in an uncomfortable swell?
Bolitho gripped the weather nettings, watching the thin slivers of spray darting across the gangway, the extreme angle of the yards as with sail and helm Buckle tried to hold her as close to the wind as he dared?
And all the while he was thinking rapidly. Once the ship had gone about the nearest strip of sandbar and shoal would lie some ten miles across the bows. E false estimate of speed and distance, a wrong or careless description on the chart, and he might drive her hard aground. But in his heart he knew the risk was worthwhile. No one could blame him for keeping to his original orders and thereby allow the wind to carry him away from the area. Colquhoun would probably be pleased to have him as far off as possible if only to deny Sparrow even the role of spectator for the final act. By ignoring the rigid span of his orders he might lay himself open to reprimand, but with luck he would be better placed to give Fawn assistance if the Frenchman decided to fight. With the wind backed to the northeyst, Colquhoun would be hard put to remain in his own sector when the time came, and that in itselb would offer some excuse for Bolitho's action?
'Ready, sir!'
He tightened his jaw.' Put the helm down!'
He tensed, feeling the sea dragging against the weeded keel in a strong undertow?
'Helm's a'lee, sir!'
Through the darkness he saw the headsails shaking wildly, heard the tramp of feet as the men hauled steadily at the braces to get the yards round?
'Off tacks and sheets!' Graves 's voice was hoarse above the din of canvas and blocks?
'Mainsail haul!'
A man fell in the darkness and a voice yelled harshly to restore calm on the gun deck?
Bolitho gripped the nettings, his body tilting with the hull as Sparrow lifted her jib-boom, hesitated and then sliced heavily across the wind?
'Braces there!' Tyrrell was leaning over the rail as if to seek out individual seamen in the gloom.' Heaves lads! Harder!'
Sparrow resisted awhile longer, then with sails filling and booming again she heeled over on the opposite tack, the spray sluicing up over the gangways and drenching the men beneath?
Bolitho had to shout to make himself heard above the noise.' Close as you can, Mr. Buckle!'
'Aye, sir.' He sounded breathless.' Full an' bye!'
More uncomfortable minutes while men scampered above and along the gangways. A pull here and belay? Men hauling busily at halliards, while in the bows the selected hands took their leads and lines to the forechain, in readiness to begin sounding?
Eventually even Buckle seemed satisfied.' Sou' by east, sir!'
'Very good.'
Bolitho peered tip at the hard-braced yards. Not even a frigate could sail this close to the wind. Nothing could?
Tyrrell staggered towards him, his shirt plastered to his body.' You wanted this, didn't you, sir?' He was
