H.M.S. COCKEREL

them. We may have a day or two as a grace period.' Hood spoke with faint hope, even so. 'The Republican assaults resulted in many wounded among their troops. The weather is abominable, and the trails and goat tracks are slick and wet, everywhere they met with success. It may be some time before they are able to shift heavy guns in numbers sufficient to threaten our ships. Or mount another assault, so soon after the first, upon the city itself.'

Whistlin' in the wind, Lewrie thought: if they're smart, they'll be at us tonight! And I doubt we cost 'em tuppence.

'This should give us at least one full day and night… to prepare the basin, the arsenals and the magazines for destruction. Accordingly, every French ship which is in any forward condition, armed or able to go to sea, shall be taken from the basin at once, and anchored in the Great Road, there to receive troops as they come off shore. And those French Royalists who may wish transportation away from Toulon.'

Right, Lewrie sneered; as if any of 'em'd stay!

'Admiral Don Juan de Langara will be in overall command of firing the Inner Basin and the French fleet,' Hood announced. 'All the powder remaining will be concentrated in two prize-vessels and sunk, at the last. The destruction of the fleet will not be undertaken until we have safely extricated troops and innocent civilians under cover of darkness.'

Nelson's hand shot up at once, and Lewrie could see him quivering with eagerness to participate. Instinctively, he slid a half-step away from him. He'd seen Captain Horatio Nelson at work before, at Turk's Island, and didn't wish to take part in another of his harum-scarums, neck-or-nothing damn-all adventures. He'd had quite enough lately, thank you very much.

'Ahum,' Hood frowned, pulling at his florid nose as he gazed in Nelson's direction, shaking his head sorrowfully. 'To command the British party from the Royal Navy, which will assist Admiral Langara in his endeavour… I have selected Captain Sir William Sidney Smith.'

'Dear Lord,' Nelson whispered sotto voce, absolutely crushed he could not take part. He sounded truly, deeply disappointed. 'How did he come by that? That…swashbuckler.'

'Who's this Captain Smith when he's up and dressed, sir?' Alan whispered.

'The showy one,' Nelson sighed, tilting his head towards a man in almost a parody of naval uniform. He was big, bluff me-hearty, Smith was, the sort who wore a perpetual 'piss-me-in-the-eye' belligerence, an exuberant sort who positively swaggered, bold as a dog-in-a-doublet. The sort with abounding self-confidence, who knew no fear whatsoever.

'Came in a fortnight ago from Smyrna, on the Turkish Levant,' Nelson muttered from the side of his mouth. 'Purchased a little lateen rigged boat, called it Swallow. Hired on a crew of Englishmen who had been languishing, out of work, there. Hoisted his own commission pendant, wrote his own Admiralty orders, in essence. And has been perfectly thrusting himself forward since, sir.'

Ahead of you, has he? Lewrie deigned to think, with a dart at his putative 'host,' to see the envy burning in Captain Nelson's eyes. Sir William Sidney Smith wasn't the only enterprising and aspiring captain in the salon.

Hood made some dismissing statements; to gird their loins, stick fast, stout hearts and stalwart will… that sort of thing, just before they went their separate ways. Lewrie tagged along as Nelson approached the admiral.

'I'm sorry, Nelson,' Admiral Lord Hood said, giving him a faint grin and taking his elbow protectively. 'But I so prize your sterling qualities that I cannot find it in my heart to wager your future contributions upon a rather weak hand. And you have accomplished so much for me already. Tunis, Naples… though I would desire to reward you with a larger ship, a more important command. A 74, perhaps…'

'Milord, I am so completely in your debt, for all your many kindnesses, your espousal of my cause, with the finest, most gracious… and most indulgent patronage,' Nelson sighed. 'I would have liked to command the party, if only to, in the slightest wise, be able to reward all your goodness towards me with measure for measure, no matter the risk. I am, as always, at your instant command, of course.'

'I know you're disappointed, but, after all…' Hood beamed.

'As for a larger ship, milord, I am so very happy with Agamemnon. For a 64, she's the fastest two-decker in the Fleet,' Nelson rejoined proudly. 'And as I have stated before, milord… no officer has ever been so blessed with such a talented, chearly wardroom as I. Offered Victory herself, milord… I would be forced to demur. I cannot give up my officers!'

'And you, Lieutenant Lewrie,' Hood smiled pleasantly, turning to regard him. 'My condolences upon the loss of your gun-boat, Zele. No need to even muster a court, once I read the accounts. How do you keep, young sir?'

'Most excellently well, milord; your servant, as always,' Lewrie toadied to his patron, taking a page from Nelson's book on how to sound obsequious.

'Not that excellently, from what he told me, milord,' Nelson interceded for him, quickly outlining Lewrie's plight regarding Cockerel, at Naples and the time since. And the refugees now gathering under his wing. 'But I suspect Lieutenant Lewrie deemed his own problems too tiny to be of much concern, given the circumstances which obtain.'

'You are too modest, young sir,' Hood grumbled. 'I mind, when your captain came aboard Victory … I gathered the impression he'd been the one who had visited with King Ferdinand, and had spoken so eloquently for an alliance. Now I discover, from Captain Nelson, that such is not the case? Hmmm. And for him to strand you, bereft of any exchange of communications. I once rewarded Lieutenant Lewrie… well, twice I have given him a command. In '83, as you recall, Nelson… at your behest. And in '86. After actions in the Far East so perilous, yet done to a perfect turn… I believe, young sir, that you may serve me best…'

'Excuse me for intruding, milord, but I shall be going now,' Sir William Sidney Smith butted in. '1 simply wished to thank you again for the faith you place in me. Which shall be amply rewarded with a conflagration so intense, they'll see it in Paris, milord. My word on't!'

Must not have a jot of brains in his head to rattle, Alan thought: he's actually lookin' forward to it! How'd our British cavalry miss recruitin' this'un?

Introductions were exchanged, Sir William given the briefest thumbnail sketch of Lewrie's qualities, and source of his patronage.

'Gad, just the sort I need with me, milord,' Captain Smith said with a tooth-baring bray. 'Neck-or-nothin', stick at nothin' fellow! 'Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs o' war,' hey, Mister Lewrie?'

Oh, bloody Jesus, meek an' mild, save me from this I'll be good swear it never rattle another mort me entire bloody…! He prayed most earnestly.

'I am heartily sorry I cannot oblige you in this, Sir William,' Admiral Lord Hood said, glancing at Lewrie for an instant, thankfully not seeing the shivers he fought. 'I concur that Lieutenant Lewrie's courage would be of inestimable assistance to your endeavour, but… there are other duties I have in mind for him, in this fell instance.'

Thankee God, thankee milord, bloody damned right there are!

After Smith had bowed himself away, Hood turned to Lewrie again. 'There are ships in the Inner Basin, Lieutenant, nigh-enough ready for sea. This Lieutenant de Crillart of yours… he'd know them best. With his men and yours, you will ready one of them for departure. Warp her to the Great Road, soon as you are able. Provision her, and be ready to take aboard troops, refugees, or both. I recall your own worth, Lewrie. And I'll no more toss you away than I would my invaluable Captain Nelson. I fear this war will be much longer than any of us, at the onset, could have ever suspected. England will have desperate need of you both, in future. Orders will be forthcoming, empowering you to provision and arm to your personal satisfaction, Mister Lewrie. You have but to present those orders, which shall bear my personal signature, and be assured that any reasonable request will be granted you, instanter. Should I not see you again in the days to come before we quit Toulon,' Admiral Hood said a bit sadly, 'do present to me your compliments, once you have attained Gibraltar.'

He offered his hand for Lewrie to shake.

'And I wish the very best of good fortune go with you, sir. God speed, and fair winds.'

'Thankee, milord, for your goodness to me,' Alan said firmly, as he shook that offered hand. 'And for your trust. I will safely bring away all you send me, milord.'

'My dear Lieutenant Lewrie, I rely on that steadfast promise just as surely as I expect tomorrow's