Some boats pulled abeam, being careful to keep well away from the burning two-decker in case there should be an even worse explosion.
Herrick said, 'There go the French, sir. They fought well, but were vanquished without the loss of a man to us. We took them in surprise. To us as much as them, I suppose.' Bolitho craned over the side and watched the nearest boat.
He saw a thin officer, one arm in a sling, and his uniform streaked with blood, staring up at him, his face dull with pain.
'Their commodore.' He raised one hand above his head and saw the French officer's companions return the salute. 'I know how it feels to lose. What he is thinking at this very moment.'
Herrick regarded him anxiously. 'He has his freedom, sir.' 'From his thoughts, Thomas? I think not.'
He turned abruptly inboard. 'Once we are clear of this place I want a full report from Captain Probyn. '
Herrick watched him, sensing his bitterness and anger. 'Aye, sir.'
Bolitho faced him again. 'But I'11 not let anything more spoil the pleasure of seeing you again, my friend!' He smiled, his exhaustion making him appear somehow defenceless. 'I had a message for you anyway, Thomas. From a delightful lady, who even now is planning a welcome for you in Kent!'
Herrick stammered, 'Hell, sir, I mean-' He grinned. 'Did you meet her then?'
'It is what Iam saying, Thomas.' He took his arm. 'I hope I am there at your wedding, as you were at… ' He stopped and looked away.
'I’d be honoured, sir, if it ever comes to it.'
Veitch hurried across the quarterdeck, grinning to the laughs and taunts which attended his wild entrance.
Herrick smiled. 'Another Lysander has got home, sir.' He looked at Bolitho and added, 'But if you’ve no objection, I’d like to make him my first lieutenant immediately. Mr. Fitz- Clarence can command the corvette and Mr Gilchrist the French seventy-four. That is, until other appointments can be arranged.'
'As I said, Thomas, you are the flag captain. Your opinions are mine. I suppose always have been without either of us knowing. But have you asked Captain Javal about his officers?'
Herrick smiled. 'I hailed him in the battle. He escaped unscathed, but…'He looked Bolitho in the eyes.' We have only one frigate. She needs to be better than all she meets. Anyway, Javal will be content with his prize money.'
He became serious again as Fitz-Clarence hurried aft, his face full of questions. 'I’ll deal with him, if I may.' Pascoe came to the side and said quietly, 'It feels strange to be back.'
Bolitho nodded. 'For you especially, Adam.'. 'For me?' The dark eyes were surprised. 'With Gilchrist and Fitz- Clarence in temporary command of the prizes,' he saw Pascoe's face clear with understanding, you will step up two places to Lysander's fourth lieutenant. And at eighteen that is fair gain!'
He thought suddenly of Guthrie, Osiris's second lieu- tenant. At least Pascoe had not got his advancement by another's death, or a gap left by someone like Guthrie, his mind unhinged by the cruelty of battle. And he thought, too, of Probyn, seeing him again as a lieutenant. His excuses, his constant drunkenness.
If all these men had died today because of him, there was no influence or authority in the world to save him.
He saw Pascoe's expression and knew he must have shown his own anger as he thought of Probyn.
He said, 'You’ve earned it, and far more beside.' He turned to watch the white flag of parley being pulled past on one of Lysander's boats. 'Y our father would have been proud of you.'
Bolitho walked away to join Herrick by the gangway. He did not see Pascoe's face, but knew in his heart he had just given him a far greater reward than promotion.
Bolitho was writing in the cabin when Herrick came aft to see him. It was a full week since they had sailed from Corfu with its bitter sights and memories, and after steering south and east around the countless Greek islands they had discovered a safe anchorage where further repairs could be carried out.
For the time of year, the weather was surprisingly bad. If he hoped to return to Syracuse with his squadron intact, Bolitho knew he would have to make sure they could withstand the passage there.
Buzzard had been badly mauled, and had received several holes below her waterline. Once, in a heavy gust of wind as they had fought to shorten sail, he had thought that the frigate was about to founder. But Javal had kept Buzzard alive, working her and his men until the immediate danger had passed.
The captured two-decker, Immortalite, had also endured several hazards in the gales. With her company of spare hands taken from all the squadron, and the bulk comprising Osiris's survivors, she had not found the time to settle into a single unit. Her jury steering had carried away twice before she had been brought under command, and Bolitho could do nothing but admire the determination of her temporary cap- tain, Lieutenant Gilchrist. Herrick had certainly been right in his choice. In fact, with their resources stretched and reduced by battle, it was hard to know how they would have managed without him.
He looked up and smiled as Herrick entered the cabin. 'sit down, Thomas. Have some wine.'
Herrick sat, and waited until Ozzard had brought him a goblet.
Bolitho said, 'I’ve been making my report. As soon as the weather eases I want Fitz-Clarence to sail for Syracuse and then on to Gibraltar. 'He added, 'D'you think he can do that?' Herrick grinned over his glass. 'I think he will find his way, sir.' He grimaced as a gust of wind brought spindrift splashing across the stem windows. 'But it may be a while yet. I’m grateful we found this little island. Major Leroux had his pickets ashore, but says it seems uninhabited. It will give us shelter at least, until Javal and Gilchrist have done some more repairs.'
Bolitho looked at his thick report. 'Mr. Gilchrist has shown up well, Thomas.' He glanced across the cabin, seeing faces in his imagination. 'I’ve recommended that he be made commander at the first opportunity and given a ship of his own. A brig, most likely. It should teach him the more human side of command. A small ship with a vast amount of work!'
'Thank you, sir. I’m glad. I know he got off badly with you, and I blame myself for it. But he's had a hard climb
