Bolitho sat below the great span of windows, watching Osiris's yards swinging smartly, her sails retaking the wind as she assumed station astern of Lysander.
He said quietly, 'I want both captains aboard directly.' 'Yes, sir.' Herrick looked tired. 'I have already made the signal. I will heave-to when all ships are on proper station. Osiris wishes to communicate immediately.'
Bolitho nodded. Farquhar would have news for him. News important enough to explain his absence from the original rendezvous. Bolitho did not look at the sealed envelope on his desk. The news he in turn would give Farquhar would make even him take notice. He said, 'I have made no note in the official log, or my own report about what you told me earlier.' He saw Herrick's shoulders sag. 'But I accept your word, naturally.' He heard the clatter of blocks and the groan of cordage as the ship rolled heavily under reduced canvas, knowing that at any minute he would have to face the others. To begin again. He continued, 'I could shift my pendant to another ship, Thomas. But I recall only too clearly what happened when that was done when I held a similar command. The whole company took it as a personal slight, a lack of faith by the admiral in their ability and trust. I thought it unfair then, as I do now.'
Herrick's voice was husky. 'I understand. I don’trelish the prospect of failure, and what it will mean. Equally, I’ll not protest against something which I have begun.' He shrugged helplessly. 'Because of my feelings for the Navy, and for you, I’d kill myself rather than risk lives and a cause, to cover my faults.'
Bolitho watched him sadly. 'I am not removing you from duty.'
Herrick exclaimed, 'Then why have you agreed that-' Bolitho stood up quickly. 'What would you have me do, eh? Give Gilchrist command and send you home? Replace you with Javal perhaps, when we have but one frigate for this whole mission?' He looked away. 'I am giving you Osiris. She is a well-found ship, and trained to a high standard.' He heard Herrick's intake of breath but went on remorselessly. 'You will not have to worry about the affairs of the squadron for the present, but concentrate instead on command. What you make of it is up to you. But I trust you, above all else, to do your duty well.' He turned slowly and was shocked to see that Herrick was as before, unnaturally calm. 'Farquhar will assume your present duties until… '
Herrick nodded. 'If that is your order, sir.'
'Order? Bolitho made to move towards him. 'Do you think I want you faced day by day with the officers and men you have trained and commanded since you took Lysander! To know that every hour brings a doubt, a fear that you will let them down in some way?' He shook his head. 'That I will not do. Nor will I, can I, jeopardise the squadron's strength because of something which is precious to me.'
Herrick looked round the cabin. 'Very well. I will prepare to leave.'
'No slur will fall onyou, Thomas. I will see to that. But I’d rather see you captain of some worn-out brig than breaking your heart on the beach, deprived of the one life you love, and for which you have given so much.'
Herrick seemed momentarily confused. He said, 'Farquhar. I never liked him. Even as a midshipman, I never really liked him.' He turned to the door. 'I little thought it would end like this. '
Bolitho crossed the cabin towards him and held out his hands. 'Not end, Thomas!'
But Herrick kept his hands at his sides. 'We will see, sir.' He left without looking back.
Allday entered the cabin, and after a, slight hesitation took the sword from its rack and examined it.
Bolitho sat down on the bench seat again and watched him miserably.
'Cap'n Herrick's off then, sir?' Allday kept his eyes on the sword.
'Don’t you start at me, Allday.' But there was no bite to his tone. 'I have taken enough for one day. For a thousand days.'
Allday looked at him, his eyes very clear in the reflected light. 'You did right, sir.' He smiled sadly. 'I’m just a common seaman, who but for you would be working aloft or being punished for some petty fault or other. But I’m a man, and I’ve notions for those I serve, an'-' he seemed at a loss, '-and feel strong for.' He drew the old sword carefully and held the blade in line with the sun, apparently studying its edge. 'Cap'n Herrick is a good man. In another ship he will find his feet again.' The sword went into its scabbard with a sharp click. 'But if-not, then the deck of the flagship is no place for him, sir.'
Bolitho stared at him. It had happened often in the past, but never before had he needed Allday's support more. In his ship, indeed the whole of his little squadron, there was no man with whom he could really share his fears, his doubts. When he had crossed from wardroom to cabin, and then been given his own broad pendant, he had left such luxuries behind him for good.
Allday added calmly, 'When I was first pressed into your ship, I’d planned to give leg bail at the first opening. I knew the penalty for desertion well enough, but I was that determined. Then at the Saintes, when all God's protection was thrown aside under the cannon's bellow, I looked aft and saw you. And it was then that I knew there were some captains who did care for the likes of us, the poor buggers who were expected to cheer for King and country when we sailed into the enemy line.'
Bolitho replied quietly, 'I think you’ve said enough.'
Allday watched his lowered head with something like despair. 'And you never sees it yourself, do you, sir? You fret about Cap' n Herrick, or what chance we have against this foe or that, but you never take a watch to think of yourself.' He tensed as Ozzard padded through the other door, Bolitho's coat and hat in his hand. 'But it's said and done now.' He watched Bolitho stand up, his eyes blind as he held out his arms for the coat. 'And I reckon it will be all right.'
Bolitho felt the sword-belt around his waist. Allday had understood better than most would do. Had guessed his intention perhaps from the moment of Herrick's admission.
He said, 'I will go on deck now and greet the others.' And afterwards say goodbye to Herrick. 'And thank you for-' He looked at Allday's homely face. 'Reminding me.' Allday watched him stride from the cabin and then put his arm around Ozzard's shoulders.
'By God, I’d not have his position for a dozen wenches and a whole ocean of rum!'
Ozzard grimaced. 'Not likely to get the offer, I’d say.'
On deck it was still clear and bright, the afternoon sea choppy with lively cat's-paws and long shallow swells. The three ships of the line, sails in flapping confusion as they hove-to to drop and receive boats, would have gladdened Bolitho's heart at any other time. Now, as he stood on the poop deck and watched the two barges speeding towards Lysander s side, the marines already lined up at the entry port to receive the two other captains,
