Damn it, said Buckland in pathetic selfdefence, we did our best. Anyone could run aground in that channel. It wasnt our fault that the helmsman was killed. Nothing could get up the bay under that crossfire.
Hornblower was suggesting a landing on the seaward side. In Scotchmans Bay, sir. Bush was speaking as cautiously as he could.
Another of Hornblowers suggestions? said Buckland.
I think thats what he had in mind from the start, sirs A landing and a surprise attack.
Probably it was because the attempt had failed, but Bush now could see the unreason of taking a wooden ship into a situation where redhot cannon balls could be fired into her.
What do you think?
Well, sir
Bush was not sure enough about what he thought to be able to express himself with any clarity. But if they had failed once they might as well fail twice; as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. Bush was a sturdy soul; it went against his grain to yield in face of difficulties, and he was irritated at the thought of a tame retreat after a single repulse. The difficulty was to devise an alternative plan of campaign. He tried to say all these things to Buckland, and was sufficiently carried away to be incautious.
I see, said Buckland. In the light of the swaying lamps the play of the shadows on his face accentuated the struggle in his expression. He came to a sudden decision. Lets hear what he has to say.
Aye aye, sir. Smith has the watch. Hornblower has the middleI expect he has turned in until hes called.
Buckland was as weary as anyone in the shipwearier than most, it seemed likely. The thought of Hornblower stretched at ease in his cot while his superiors sat up fretting wrought Buckland up to a pitch of decision that he might
not otherwise have reached, determining him to act at once instead of waiting till the morrow.
Pass the word for him, he ordered.
Hornblower came into the cabin with commendable promptitude, his hair tousled and his clothes obviously hastily thrown on. He threw a nervous glance round the cabin as he entered; obviously he suffered from not unreasonable doubts as to why he had been summoned thus into the presence of his superiors.
What plan is this Ive been hearing about? asked Buckland. You had some suggestion for storming the fort, I understand, Mr. Hornblower.
Hornblower did not answer immediately; he was marshalling his arguments and reconsidering his first plan in the light of the new situationBush could see that it was hardly fair that Hornblower should be called upon to state his plan now that the Renown had made one attempt and had failed after sacrificing the initial advantage of surprise. But Bush could see that he was reordering his ideas.
I thought a landing might have more chance, sir, he said. But that was before the Dons knew there was a ship of the line in the neighbourhood.
And now you dont think so?
Bucklands tone was a mixture of relief and disappointmentrelief that he might not have to reach any further decisions, and disappointment that some easy way of gaining success was not being put forward. But Hornblower had had time now to sort out his ideas, and to think about times and distances. That showed in his face.
I think something might well be tried, sir, as long as it was tried at once.
At once? This was night, the crew were weary, and Bucklands tone showed surprise at the suggestion of immediate activity. You dont mean tonight?
Tonight might be the best time, sir. The Dons have seen us driven off with our tail between our legsexcuse me, sir, but thats how itll look to them, at least. The last they saw of us was beating out of Samaná Bay at sunset. Theyll be pleased with themselves. You know how they are, sir. An attack at dawn from another quarter, overland, would be the last thing theyd expect.
That sounded like sense to Bush, and he made a small approving noise, the most he would venture towards making a contribution to the debate.
How would you make this attack, Mr. Hornblower? asked Buckland.
Hornblower had his ideas in order now; the weariness disappeared and there was a glow of enthusiasm in his face.
The winds fair for Scotchmans Bay, sir. We could be back there in less than two hoursbefore midnight. By the time we arrive we can have the landing party told off and prepared. A hundred seamen and the marines. Theres a good landing beach therewe saw it yesterday. The country inland must be marshy, before the hills of the peninsula start again, but we can land on the peninsula side of the marsh. I marked the place yesterday, sir.
Well?
Hornblower swallowed the realisation that it was possible for a man not to be able to continue from that point with a single leap of his imagination.
The landing party can make their way up to the crest without difficulty, sir. Theres no question of losing their waythe sea one side and Samaná Bay on the other. They can move forward along the crest. At dawn they can rush the fort. What with the marsh and the cliffs the Donsll keep a poor lookout on that side, I fancy, sir.