Aye aye, sir, said Buckland.
The captains sentence had condemned him, Bush and Roberts to be roused and awakened every hour, day and night.
Chapter IV
Bush! whispered Bucklands voice.
Yes.
The others are here.
Ten minutes before, at two bells, in the middle watch Bush and Roberts had reported to Buckland in his cabin in obedience to the captains order. A wink, a gesture, a whisper, and the appointment to meet here was made; it was an utterly fantastic state of affairs that the lieutenants of a Kings ship should have to act in such a fashion for fear of spies and eavesdroppers, but it had been necessary. Then they had dispersed and by devious routes and different hatchways had made their way here. Hornblower, relieved by Smith on watch, had preceded them.
We mustnt be here long, whispered Roberts.
Even by his whisper, even in the dark, one could guess at his nervousness. There could be no doubt about this being a mutinous assembly. They could all hang for what they were doing.
Suppose we declare him unfit for command? whispered Buckland. Suppose we put him in irons?
Wed have to do it quick and sharp if we do it at all, whispered Hornblower. Hell call on the hands and they might follow him. And then
There was no need for Hornblower to go on with that speech. Everyone who heard it formed a mental picture of corpses swaying at the yardarms.
Supposing we do it quick and sharp? agreed Buckland. Supposing we get him into irons?
Then we go on to Antigua, said Roberts.
And a courtmartial, said Bush, thinking as far ahead as that for the first time in this present crisis.
Yes, whispered Buckland.
Into that flat monosyllable were packed various moodsinquiry and despair, desperation and doubt.
Thats the point, whispered Hornblower. Hell give evidence. Itll sound different in court. Weve been punishedwatch and watch, no liquor. That could happen to anybody. Its not grounds for mutiny.
But hes spoiling the hands.
Double rum. Make and mend. Itll sound quite natural in court. Its not for us to criticise the captains methodsso the court will think.
But theyll see him.
Hes cunning. And hes no raving lunatic. He can talkhe can find reasons for everything. Youve heard him. Hell be plausible.
But hes held us up to contempt before the hands. Hes set Hobbs to spy on us.
Thatll be a proof of how desperate his situation was, surrounded by us criminals. If we arrest him were guilty until weve proved ourselves innocent. Any courts bound to be on the captains side. Mutiny means hanging.
Hornblower was putting into words all the doubts that Bush felt in his bones and yet had been unable to express.
Thats right, whispered Bush.
What about Wellard? whispered Roberts. Did you hear him scream the last time?
Hes only a volunteer. Not even a midshipman. No friends. No family. Whats the court going to say when they hear the captain had a boy beaten half a dozen times? Theyll laugh. So would we if we didnt know. Do him good, wed say, the same as it did the rest of us good.
A silence followed this statement of the obvious, broken in the end by Buckland whispering a succession of filthy oaths that could give small
vent to his despair.
Hell bring charges against us, whispered Roberts. The minute were in company with other ships. I know he will.
Twentytwo years Ive held my commission, said Buckland. Now hell break me. Hell break you as well.
There would be no chance at all for officers charged before a courtmartial by their captain with behaving with contempt towards him in a manner subversive of discipline. Every single one of them knew that. It gave an edge to their despair. Charges pressed by the captain with the insane venom and cunning he had displayed up to now might not even end in dismissal from the servicethey might lead to prison and the rope.
Ten more days before we make Antigua, said Roberts. If this wind holds fairand it will.
But we dont know were destined for Antigua, said Hornblower. Thats only our guess. It might be weeksit might be months.
God help us! said Buckland.
A slight clatter farther aft along the holda noise different from the noises of the working of the shipmade them all start. Bush clenched his hairy fists. But they were reassured by a voice calling softly to them.
Mr. BucklandMr. Hornblowersir!
Wellard, by God! said Roberts.
They could hear Wellard scrambling towards them.
The captain, sir! said Wellard. Hes coming!
Holy God!
Which way? snapped Hornblower.
By the steerage hatchway. I got to the cockpit and came down from here. He was sending Hobbs
Get forard, you three, said Hornblower, cutting into the explanation. Get forard and scatter when youre on deck. Quick!
Nobody stopped to think that Hornblower was giving orders to officers immensely his senior. Every instant of time was of vital importance, and not to be wasted in indecision or in silly blasphemy. That was apparent as soon as he spoke. Bush turned with the others and plunged forward in the darkness, barking his shins painfully as he fell over unseen obstructions. Bush heard Hornblower say, Come along, Wellard, as he parted from them in his mad flight with the others beside him.