'I see.' He had noticed Tyrrell's limp getting more pronounced, but whenever he had mentioned it he had replied, 'It'll pass. Nothin' to bite on!'
'What d'you advise?'
Dalkeith sighed.' I can probe for more splinters. But if that fails…' He took another swallow of neat rum.'] might have to cut it off.'
'Oh God.'
Bolitho walked to the windows and leaned out over the transom. Below, the sea looked very clear, and he could see small darting fish in the rudder's frothing wake?
Behind him he heard Dalkeith add firmly, 'I could do it, of course. But it would have to be while he is still strong. Before the pain and this damn heat gets him down like some of the others.'
Bolitho turned, feeling the sun across his bared back?
'I was not doubting your ability. You've proved that more than enough.'
Dalkeith said grimly, 'I was at a fine hospital in London before I left England.' He grimaced.' We practised on the poor and worked for the wealthy. It was a hard training ground, but very useful.'
'Will you return when the war is over?' He tried not to think of Tyrrell being held on a table, the saw poised above his leg?
Dalkeith shook his head.' No. I'll settle out here somewhere. Maybe in America, who can tell?' He gave a wry smile.' I am afraid that I had to leave England in somewhat of a hurry. A matter of honour over a lady.'
'I have wondered these three years where you found your skill with pistols.'
Dalkeith nodded.' Unfortunately, I shot the wrong man. His death was considered a greater loss than mine, so I caught the packet from Dover, and eventually, two years later, I arrived in the Indies.'
'Thank you for telling me.' Bolitho massaged his stomach with the palm of one hand.' I will see what] can do to obtain a berth in another ship, if and when we are ordered home.'
The surgeon lurched to his feet.' I would appreciate that.' He watched Bolitho doubtfully.' And Tyrrell?'
'I'll speak with him.' He turned away.' In God's name, what do I say? How would I feel if it were me?'
Dalkeith rested his hand on the bulkhead until Sparrow had completed a slow uproll?
'I can't answer. I'm just a surgeon.'
'Aye.' Bolitho looked at him gravely.' And I'm just a captain.'
Midshipman Bethune clattered through the wardroom and paused outside the cabin?
'Mr. Graves's respects, sir. Heron has signalled she has sighted an unknown sail to the east'rd.'
'Very well. I'll come up.'
Dalkeith waited for Bethune to go.' Recall to New York, sir? If so, I could take Tyrrell to a hospital. They have facilities, proper care?
Bolitho shook his head.' I fear not. That sail will be from the south'rd to be on such a bearing. Friend or foe, we have yet to see.'
He heard Dalkeith sigh as he left him and hurried up the ladder to the quarterdeck?
He glanced quickly at the helmsman who called hoarsely, 'Nor' nor'-west, sir!' His lips were cracked in the heat?
Graves reported, 'Our masthead has not sighted her yet, sir.' His mouth jerked at one corner and he added quickly, 'Could be anything.'
It was an empty comment, but Bolitho knew it was merely to cover his embarrassment. He had seen the growing strain on Graves perhaps worst of all. Now the twitch in his jaw laid bare his inner torment like the mark of some disease?
'Very well. Call the hands and prepare to run down on Heron. Get the t'gallants on her and lay her on the starboard tack.' He saw Buckle climbing wearily through the hatchway and called, 'A sail, Mr. Buckle0 Maybe it'll bring us luck today!'
The master pouted.' 'Bout time, sir.'
Bolitho heard the familiar limping step and turned to see Tyrrell walking from the larboard gangway?
Tyrrell grinned.' A sail, did I hear, sir?' He shaded his eyes as he watched the men mustering at their stations.' Now there's a thing indeed!'
Bolitho bit his lip. It made it more painful to see Tyrrell's new contentment. To know what must be done? That was if Dalkeith knew his trade. And he did?
On the horizon he could see Heron's sails glinting brightly, and knew Farr would wait for him to join him? To break the monotony if nothing else?
Within the hour the stranger had identified herself. It was the Lucifer, her great schooner sails spread like wings as she ran before the wind, the spray bursting above her jib-boom in a lively silver pattern?
Fowler was in the lee shrouds with a telescope, his small, piggy face glowing with heat?
'From Lucifer. Have despatches on board.' He looked down at the quarterdeck as if proud of his revelation?
'Heave to, Mr. Tyrrell.'
Bolitho watched the mad dash aboard Lucifer to shorten sail and put her about before running down beneath Sparrow's lee. A fine little vessel. Had she been his instead of Sparrow, he wondered if his life would have been changed to the same extent?
He saw the haste with which the schooner's boat was being hoisted out above the water. Something acted like a small warning in his mind, and he said, «Signal Heron. Captain repair on board.'
'Aye, aye, sir!' Fowler snapped his fingers and continued to do so until the flags had broken from Sparrow's yard?
Farr's gig hooked on the chains within minutes ob Lucifer's jolly boat?
Odell had come aboard in person, and as he removed his hat to the quarterdeck and darted a sharp glance at Bolitho's bare torso, Farr climbed up beside him and said cheerfully, 'By God, what brings you heres man? Were you pining for us in Antigua?'
Odell walked a few paces clear and then faced them?
'The French are out, sir.'
For a moment nobody spoke. Bolitho held the words in his mind, yet was also aware of those about him? Stockdale by the hatchway, slightly stooped as if to hear better. Buckle and Tyrrell, their faces showing astonishment and more. Relief perhaps that the guessing was over?
'Come below.'
Bolitho led them to his cabin, the heat and the drudgery of patrol forgotten?
Odell sat on the edge of a chair, his features giving little hint of strain at driving his command all those miles from Antigua?
Bolitho said quietly, 'Now, tell us.'
'I carried the despatches to the fleet as ordered.'
Odell had a quick, erratic manner of speaking, nodding his head in time with his words. It was not hard to see how he got his reputation for being slightly mad? A man on a knife-edge, Bolitho suspected. But there was no doubting the accuracy of his report?
'Admiral Rodney despatched a fleet of fourteen ships-of-the-line to assist our forces at New York.'
Farr muttered, 'By God, that's more like it. I've no stomach for our Admiral Graves.'
Odell's eyes flashed dangerously at the interruption?
He snapped, 'Rodney has sailed for England. He is a sick man. Hood commands the reinforcements.'
Farr was unabashed.' Ah well, even better, I've served Admiral Hood and respect him.'
Bolitho said, 'Let us hear all of it. I suspect there is more.'
Odell nodded.' The Compte de Grasse set sail with some twenty sail-of-the-line. The patrols reported that he was escorting the season's convoy clear of the islands.'
Bolitho said, 'That is quite usual, I believe.'
'Yes. But de Grasse has not been seen since.' The words fell into the cabin like round-shot?
Farr exclaimed, 'A whole fleet! Disappeared? It's bloody impossible!'
'But fact.' Odell glared at him.' Admiral Hood's ships must have passed this area well to the east'rd? And there are severyl frigates searching elsewhere.' He spread his hands.' But of de Grasse there is no sign.'
'God!' Farr looked at Bolitho.' What d'you make ob that?'
