Mr. Abbott, bring down that glass! shouted Hornblower.
As Abbott descended the steps Hornblower addressed a further comment to Bush.
If theyre making a bolt for it the moment they know weve got the fort it means theyre not feeling too secure over there, sir.
I suppose not.
You might have expected em to try and recapture the fort one way or another. They could land a force up the peninsula and come down to attack us. I wonder why theyre not trying that, sir? Why do they just unstick and run?
Theyre only Dagoes, said Bush. He refused to speculate further about the enemys motives while action was imminent, and he grabbed the glass from Abbotts hands.
Through the telescope details were far plainer. Two large schooners with several guns aside; a big lugger, and a vessel whose rig they still could not determine, as she was the farthest away and, with no sail set, was towing behind her boats out from the anchorage.
Itll be long range, Mr. Hornblower, said Bush.
Yes, sir. But they hit us with these same guns yesterday.
Make sure of your aim. They wont be long under fire.
Aye aye, sir.
The vessels were not coming down together. If they had done so they might stand a better chance,
as the fort would only be able to fire on one at a time. But the panic feeling or every man for himself must have started them off as soon as each one separately could get under wayand perhaps the deep channel was too narrow for vessels in company. Now the leading schooner had taken in her sail again; the wind here, what there was of it, was foul for her when she turned to port along the channel. She had two boats out quickly enough to tow her; Bushs telescope could reveal every detail.
Some time yet before shes in range, sir, said Hornblower. Ill take a look at the furnace, with your permission.
Ill come too, said Bush.
At the furnace the bellows were still being worked and the heat was tremendousbut it was far hotter when Saddler drew out the grating that carried the heated shot. Even in the sunshine they could see the glow of the spheres; as the heat rose from them the atmosphere above them wavered so that everything below was vague and distorted. It could be a scene in Hell. Saddler spat on the nearest cannon ball and the saliva leaped with an instant hiss from the smooth surface of the sphere, falling from it without contact to dance and leap on the grating under it until with a final hiss it vanished entirely. A second attempt by Saddler brought the same result.
Hot enough, sir? asked Saddler.
Yes, said Hornblower.
Bush had often enough as a midshipman taken a smoothing-iron forward to the galley to heat it when there had been particular need to iron a shirt or a neckcloth; he remembered how he had made the same test of the temperature of the iron. It was a proof that the iron was dangerously hot to use when the spittle refused to make contact with it, but the shot was far hotter than that, infinitely hotter.
Saddler thrust the grating back into the furnace and wiped his steaming face with the rags that had shielded his hands.
Stand by, you bearer men, said Hornblower. Youll be busy enough soon.
With a glance at Bush for permission he was off again, back to the battery, hurrying with awkward galvanic strides. Bush followed more slowly; he was weary with all his exertions, and it crossed his mind as he watched Hornblower hurrying up the ramp that Hornblower had probably been more active than he and was not blessed with nearly as powerful a physique. By the time he came up to him Hornblower was watching the leading schooner again.
Her scantlingll be weak, said Hornblower. These twentyfourpoundersll go clean through her most of the time, even at long range.
Plunging shot, said Bush. Maybe theyll go through her bottom.
Maybe so, said Hornblower, and then added sir.
Even after all his years of service he was liable to forget that important monosyllable when he was thinking deeply.
Shes setting sail again! said Bush. Theyve got her head round.
And the tows have cast off, added Hornblower. Not long now.
He looked down the line of guns, all charged and primed, the quoins withdrawn so that they were at their highest elevation, the muzzles pointing upward as though awaiting the shot to be rolled into them. The schooner was moving perceptibly down the channel towards them. Hornblower turned and walked down the row; behind his back one hand was twisting impatiently within the other; he came back and turned again, walking jerkily down the rowhe seemed incapable of standing still, but when he caught Bushs eye on him he halted guiltily, forcing himself, with an obvious effort, to stand still like his superior officer. The schooner crept on, a full half-mile ahead of the next vessel.
You might try a ranging shot, said Bush at length.
Aye aye, sir, said Hornblower with instant agreement, like a river bursting through a broken dam. It seemed as if he had been compelling himself to wait until Bush should speak.
Furnace there! hailed Hornblower. Saddler! send up one shot.