Clive awaited a request for further information, and even though none was forthcoming he went on with his story.
We had to find the key to his desk. You would have thought we were going to cut his throat, judging by the way he wept and tried to hide. All the sorrows of the worldall the terrors of hell torment that wretched man.
But you found the key? persisted Lomax.
We found it. And we opened his desk.
And then?
Mr. Buckland found the orders. The usual linen envelope with the Admiralty seal. The envelope had been already opened.
Naturally, said Lomax. Well?
And now, I suppose, said Clive, conscious of the anticlimax, I suppose hes reading them.
And we are none the wiser.
There was a disappointed pause.
Bless my soul! said Carberry. Weve been at war since 93. Nearly ten years of it. Dye still expect to know what lies in store for you? The West Indies todayHalifax tomorrow. We obey orders. Helmaleelet go and haul. A bellyful of grape or champagne in a captured flagship. Who cares? We draw our four shillings a day, rain or shine.
Mr. Carberry! came the word from below. Mr. Buckland passing the word for Mr. Carberry.
Bless my soul! said Carberry again.
Now you can earn your four shillings a day, said Lomax.
The remark was addressed to his disappearing back, for Carberry was already hastening below.
A change of course, said Smith. Ill wager a weeks pay on it.
No takers, said Roberts.
It was the most likely new development of all, for Carberry, the master, was the officer charged with the navigation of the ship.
Already it was almost full night, dark enough to make the features of the speakers indistinct, although over to the westward there was still a red patch on the horizon, and a faint red trail over the black water towards the ship. The binnacle lights had been lit and the brighter stars were already visible in the dark sky, with the mastheads seeming to brush past them, with the motion of the ship, infinitely far over their heads. The ships bell rang out, but the group showed no tendency to disperse. And then interest quickened. Here were Buckland and Carberry returning, ascending the companionway; the group drew on one side to clear them a passage.
Officer of the watch! said Buckland.
Sir! said Smith, coming forward in the darkness.
Were altering course two points. Steer southwest.
Aye aye, sir. Course southwest. Mr. Abbott, pipe the hands to the braces.
The Renown came round on her new course, with her sails trimmed to the wind, which was now no more than a point on her port quarter. Carberry walked over to the binnacle and looked into it to make sure the helmsman was exactly obeying his orders.
Another pull on the weather forebrace, there! yelled Smith. Belay!
The bustle of the change of course died away.
Course souwest, sir, reported Smith.
Very good. Mr. Smith. said Buckland, by the rail.
Pardon, sir, said Roberts, greatly daring, addressing him as he loomed in the darkness. Can you tell us our mission, sir?
Not our mission. That is still secret, Mr. Roberts.
Very good, sir.
But Ill tell you where were bound. Mr. Carberry knows already.
Where, sir?
Santo Domingo. Scotchmans Bay.
There was a pause while this information was being digested.
Santo Domingo, said someone, meditatively.
Hispaniola, said Carberry, explanatorily.
Hayti, said Hornblower.
Santo DomingoHaytiHispaniola, said Carberry. Three names for the same island.
Hayti! exclaimed Roberts, some chord in his memory suddenly touched. Thats where the blacks are in rebellion.
Yes, agreed Buckland.
Anyone could guess that Buckland was trying to say that word in as noncommittal a tone as possible; it might be because there was a difficult diplomatic situation with regard to the blacks, and it might be because fear of the captain was still a living force in the ship.
Chapter VII
Renown RenownFor Gods sake, said Hornblower, hanging on to a belaying pin in the mizzen fife rail to save himself from sliding down the deck into the scuppers, cant he make up his mind?
There was something in Hornblowers stare that made Bush look at him more closely.
Seasick? he asked, with curiosity.
Who wouldnt be? replied Hornblower. How she rolls!
Bushs castiron stomach had never given him the least qualm, but he was aware that less fortunate men suffered from seasickness even after weeks at sea, especially when subjected to a different kind of motion. This funereal rolling was nothing like the free action of the Renown under sail.
Buckland has to see how the land lies, he said in an effort to cheer Hornblower up.
How much more does he want to see? grumbled Hornblower. Theres the Spanish colours flying on the fort up there. Everyone on shore knows now that a ship of the line is prowling about, and the Dons wont have to be very clever to guess that were not here on a yachting trip. Now theyve all the time they need to be ready to receive us.
But what else could he do?
He could have come in in the dark with the sea breeze. Landing parties ready. Put them ashore at dawn. Storm the place before they knew there was any danger. Oh, God!