man jack before long. I understand that your first lieutenant was wounded in the fight, Captain?'
He saw him nod, and then turned to Gilchrist.
You will take charge of Buzzard and sail her to Gibraltar with a skeleton company. Avoid trouble, and you should make a safe passage. I will give you your orders, and also the recommendation that you be promoted to commander at the first opportunity. '
Gilchrist, who had been listening to his decisions with obvious dismay, jerked to his feet and exclaimed, 'Thank you, sir! I’m only sorry that-' He sat down again without finishing what he had started.
Bolitho said, 'We have three ships of the line. They must be commanded by men of experience.' He glanced briefly at Probyn, but the man stared through him. 'And courage.' Herrick asked, 'shall I order the squadron's badly wounded to be transferred to Buzzard, sir?'
'If Captain Javal is satisfied she is seaworthy after the guns have been jettisoned, I think it should be done.' He raised his head to listen. 'The wind has eased, I think. So let us be about it directly.' He gave Inch a pat on the arm. 'And you, Commander Inch, will be able to carry the news of our discovery to your new friend, Sir Horatio Nelson!'
As they prepared to leave the cabin, Herrick said, 'Farquhar would have wished to be with us.'
'Aye, Thomas.' He saw Gilchrist waiting to say something. 'see the others into the boats and then tell Pascoe to signal the squadron on the matter of wounded.'
He turned to Gilchrist. 'What is wrong? I thought you were happy with your appointment, temporary though it will be. ' 'I am, sir.' Gilchrist looked wretchedly at the deck. 'J am not a rich man, but I have had great hopes in the King's service. Now you have given me the first real chance-'. He sounded near breaking point. 'And I cannot accept it. '
Bolitho watched him impassively. 'Why? Because of Captain. Probyn? The influence he has used on you to unsettle the flagship's affairs?' He saw the astonishment on his face and continued, 'I knew that something was wrong. No man who wished to better his position in the Navy, and wanted to marry his captain's sister, would have acted so foolishly, unless he was affeared of something.'
'Yes, sir. It was from a long while back. My father was sent to prison for debt. He was a sick man, and I knew he could not endure it. He was. weak in many ways and had no one to sustain him.' He spoke fiercely, reliving his despair. 'I borrowed money from the wardroom funds which we had built up to pay for extra wine and fresh food whenever possible. I intended to return it when I could. The first lieutenant found out about it. Made me write a confession which he threatened to use if I ever failed in my duty again. '
'He did wrong, Mr. Gilchrist. As did you.'
Gilchrist did not seem to hear. 'When I came to Lysander, and eventually became senior lieutenant,' I thought I was going to be safe. I admired Captain Herrick, and I found his sister, crippled though she is, a most gracious person. Then we joined the squadron under your flag, sir. And with it came the Nicator and Captain Probyn.'
'Your old first lieutenant from the past. '
'Aye, sir.'
So that was it. All the years since his capture by the enemy, Probyn had nursed his hatred for Bolitho, the one face in his memory which he could reach and hurt. And when he had found Gilchrist again, he had been prepared to use threats to make him force a breach between himself and Herrick.
The effect on Herrick had been for the good. But it had cost others dearly, and had indirectly put Farquhar to an early death.
Gilchrist said desperately, 'After your kindness, sir, I’d not allow myself to profit further at your expense.' He gave a short, bitter laugh. 'And my father died anyway. For nothing. '
Bolitho watched the other ships through the salt-caked windows. Buzzard would be safe now, he thought. Lighter without her guns, strong in the knowledge that she could avoid any sort of fight or manoeuvre beyond survival. She would survive.
He said quietly, 'I am giving you Osiris's surgeon. They say he is a sound doctor. Take good care of our wounded. They have suffered enough. Do not allow them to be left stranded at Gibraltar.' He turned, seeing the surprise and gratitude on Gilchrist's face. 'I am counting on your vigilance, on their behalf.'
Gilchrist nodded dazedly. 'You have my word, sir.' 'Then get about your business.' Bolitho could not bear to watch his emotion. Like a man released from a great weight of worry. From the shadow of the gallows itself. 'You’ve a lot to do.'
Gilchrist walked towards the screen door, his long legs ungainly, his steps without their usual bounce. He turned aft, his face in shadow.
'I’ll tell them when I get home, sir. About what we did… '
'Just tell them we tried, Mr. Gilchrist.'
He heard him walking very slowly towards the quarter- deck.
Allday came out of the sleeping cabin, his face grave. 'Let me pour you a glass of wine.' He glanced meaningly at the closed door. 'You were too easy on that one, sir, if you'l1 pardon the liberty.'
'He learned a hard lesson, Allday. I think others will profit from it one day.'
Allday watched him sipping the wine. 'What about Cap'n Probyn, sir?'
Bolitho smiled sadly. 'A good question. But he’ll fight when he has to. ' He looked at Allday. 'Three captains. It is all 'we have. Personal differences must wait their turn.' Allday grinned. 'We do have a commodore, sir. And with all respect, he's not a bad one at that.'
Bolitho smiled at him. 'Go to hell, Allday.'
'Aye, sir. I don’tdoubt I will.' He made for the door. 'If there's any deck space with so many flag officers in residence!'
Bolitho walked to the windows and leaned against the warm timbers. All the weeks and delays, the hopes
