of the earth. Some are even beginning to feel like seamen, when just weeks back they had thumbs where their fingers should be.'
Herrick's smile widened. 'Due to you, sir. I am sometimes very thankful that I hold no command. Or chance of one either.'
Bolitho watched him thoughtfully. The rift was healed.
'I am afraid the choice may not be yours, Thomas.' He stood up. 'In fact, I shall see that you get command whenever the opportunity offers itself, if only to drive some of your wild idealism into the bilges!'
They grinned at each other like conspirators.
'Now be off with you while I change into a better coat.' He grimaced. 'To show our Spanish friends some respect, eh?
A little over an hour later, gliding above her own reflection, Undine moved slowly towards the anchorage in the roads. In the bright sunlight the island of Teneriffe seemed to abound with colour, and Bolitho heard several of the watching seamen gasping with awe. The hills were no longer hidden in shadow, but danced on the glare with every shade and hue. And everything was brighter and larger, at least it appeared so to the new hands. Shimmering white buildings, brilliant blue sea, with beaches and surf to make a man catch his breath and stare.
Allday stood aft by the cabin hatch and remarked, 'I'll bet some Don'd like to rake us as we come by!'
Bolitho ran his eye quickly along his ship, trying to see her as those ashore would. She looked very smart, and gave little hint of the sweat and effort which had gone to make her so. The best ensign fluttered from the gaff, the scarlet matching that of the marines' swaying lines athwart the quarterdeck. On the larboard gangway Tapril, the gunner, was having a last hurried discussion with his mates in readiness to begin a salute to the Spanish flag which flew so proudly above the headland battery.
Old Mudge was beside the wheel, hands hidden in the folds of his watchcoat. He seemed to retain the same clothing no matter what the weather might do, hot or cold, rain or fine. He kept a variety of instruments and personal items in his capacious pockets, and Bolitho guessed that sometime, long past, he had been made to rush on deck and stay there with half of his things still scattered around his cabin.
He growled to the helmsmen and they edged the wheel over a few spokes, the main topsail filling and then drooping again as the ship idled beneath the land's protection.
Herrick trained his glass on the land and then said, 'Passing the point now, sir!'
'Very well.' Bolitho waved his hand to Tapril. 'Begin the salute.'
And as the English frigate continued slowly towards her anchorage the frail morning air shook and trembled to the regular crash of cannon fire. Gun for gun the Spanish replied, the smoke hanging almost motionless above the shallowing water.
Bolitho gripped his hands together behind him, feeling the sweat exploring his spine under his heavy dress coat and making one of his new shirts cling like a wet towel.
It was strange to stand so impassively as the slow barrage went on around him. Like some trick or dream. At any moment he half-expected to see the bulwark blast apart, or a ball to come screaming amongst the rigid marines and cut them to a bloody gruel.
The last shot hammered his ears, and as the drifting smoke moved away from the decks he saw another frigate anchored at the head of the roads. Spanish, larger than Undine, her colours and pendants very bright against the green shore beyond. Her captain, too, had probably been remembering, he thought.
He glanced up at the masthead pendant as it whipped halfheartedly in the breeze. Soon now. More orders. A new piece to fit into the puzzle.
Mudge blew his great nose loudly, a thing he always did before carrying out some part of his duties. 'Ready, sir.'
'Very well. Man the braces. Hands wear ship, if you please.' Bare feet padded across the newly-scrubbed decks in a steady rush to obey his repeated order, and Bolitho breathed out slowly as each man reached his station without mishap. 'Tops'l sheets!'
The flag above the battery dipped in the glare and then returned to its proper place. Some small boats were shoving off from the land, and Bolitho saw that many were loaded with
fruit and other items for barter. With all their bread ruined in the first storm, and few fresh fruits to rival those in the boats, Triphook, the purser, would be busy indeed.
'Tops'l clew lines!'
A boatswain's mate shook his fist at some anonymous figure on the fore topsail yard. 'Yew clumsy bugger! You 'old on with one 'and or yew'll never see yer dozy again!'
Bolitho watched the narrowing strip of water, his eyes half closed against the searing glare.
'Helm a'lee!'
He waited, as with dignity Undine turned quietly into the wind, her remaining canvas shivering violently.
'Let go!'
There was a yell from forward, followed by a splash as the anchor plunged down beneath the golden figurehead.
Herrick waited until the last of the canvas had vanished as if by magic along the yards and said, 'They did quite well, I thought, sir?'
Bolitho watched him, holding back the smile. Then, relent ing, he replied, 'Quite well, Mr. Herrick.'
Herrick grinned. 'You'll not need the gig today, sir. A boat's heading out to us in fine style.'
Allday strode forward and presented Bolitho's sword. He frowned and muttered, 'Not the gig, Captain?' He sounded aggrieved.
Bolitho held out his arms to allow the coxswain to buckle the belt around his waist.
'Not this time, Allday.'
It was terrible how both Herrick and Allday watched over his every move.
The marines were stamping and shuffling into a new formation by the entry port, Sergeant Coaker's face shining beneath his black shako like a great sweating fruit.
Bolitho turned to watch the approaching launch, a grand affair with a gilded and canopied cockpit. Beside it, Allday's poor gig would look like a Falmouth harbour boat. A resplendent officer stood watching the anchored frigate, a scroll under one arm. The usual welcoming words. The first link to w hatever lay ahead.
He said quietly, 'You will remain aboard, Mr. Herrick. Mr. Davy will accompany me ashore.' He ignored the obvious disappointment. 'Take good care of matters here, and make certain our people are ready for anything.'
Herrick touched his hat. 'Aye, aye, sir.' He hurried away to tell Davy of his good fortune.
Bolitho smiled gravely. With shore boats and other temptations, it would need all of Herrick's skill to keep the ship from being swamped by traders and less respectable visitors.
He heard Flerrick say, 'Sojou are to accompany the captain, Mr. Davy.'
Davy hesitated, gauging the moment and Herrick's mood. Then he said calmly, 'A wise choice, if I may say so, Mr. Herrick.'
Bolitho turned away, hiding his smile, as Herrick snapped, 'Well, you are damn little use here, are you?'
Then as the four minute drummer boys struck up with their flutes and drums Hearts of Oak and Bellairs' sweating guard presented muskets, Bolitho stepped forward to greet his visitor.
The Governor's Residence was well situated on a gently sloping road above the main anchorage. On his way from the ship by barge and carriage Bolitho was relieved to discover that his official escort, a major of artillery, spoke very little English, and contented himself wtih occasional exclamations of pleasure whenever they passed anything unusual.
It was obvious that everything was well planned, and that from the moment Undine's topgallants had been sighted the previous evening things had begun to move.
Bolitho barely remembered meeting the Governor. A bearded, courteous man who shook his hand, received Bolitho's formal greetings on behalf of King George, and who then withdrew to allow an aide to conduct the two British officers to another room.
Davy, who was not easily impressed, whispered, 'By God, sir, the Dons live well. No wonder the treasure ships stop here en route for Spain. A ready market for 'em, I would think.'
The room into which they were ushered was spacious indeed. Long and cool, with a tiled floor and a plentiful selection of well-carved furniture and handsome rugs. There was one huge table in the centre, made entirely of marble. It would take seven gun crews to move it, Bolitho decided.
