I gave Mr. Wellard orders to test the glasses against each other, sir, said Bush.
He was intervening reluctantly, but to intervene was less painful than to stand by as a witness. The captain looked at him as if this was his first appearance on deck.
You, Mr. Bush? Youre sadly deceived if you believe there is any good in this young fellow. Unlessthe captains expression was one of sudden suspicious fearunless you are part and parcel of this infamous affair. But you are not, are you, Mr. Bush? Not you. I have always thought better of you, Mr. Bush.
The expression of fear changed to one of ingratiating good fellowship.
Yes, sir, said Bush.
With the world against me I have always counted on you, Mr. Bush, said the captain, darting restless glances from under his eyebrows. So you will rejoice when this embodiment of evil meets his deserts. Well get the truth out of him.
Bush had the feeling that if he were a man of instant quickness of thought and readiness of tongue he would take advantage of this new attitude of the captains to free Wellard from his peril; by posing as the captains devoted companion in trouble and at the same time laughing off the thought of danger from any conspiracy, he might modify the captains fears. So he felt, but he had no confidence in himself.
He knows nothing, sir, he said, and he forced himself to grin. He doesnt know the bobstay from the spankerboom.
You think so? said the captain doubtfully, teetering on his heels with the roll of the ship. He seemed almost convinced, and then suddenly a new line of argument presented itself to him.
No, Mr. Bush. Youre too honest. I could see that the first moment I set eyes on you. You are ignorant of the depths of wickedness into which this world can sink. This lout has deceived you. Deceived you!
The captains voice rose again to a hoarse scream, and Wellard turned a white face towards Bush, lopsided with terror.
Really, sir began Bush, still forcing a deathshead grin.
No, no, no! roared the captain. Justice must be done! The truth must be brought to light! Ill have it out of him! Quartermaster! Quartermaster! Run forard and tell Mr. Booth to lay aft here. And his mates!
The captain turned away and began to pace the deck as if to offer a safety valve to the pressure within him, but he turned back instantly.
Ill have it out of him! Or hell jump overboard! You hear me? Wheres that bosun?
Mr. Wellard hasnt finished testing the glasses, sir, said Bush in one last feeble attempt to postpone the issue.
Nor will he, said the captain.
Here came the bosun hurrying aft on his short legs, his two mates striding behind him.
Mr. Booth! said the captain; his mood had changed again and the mirthless smile was back on his lips. Take that miscreant. Justice demands that he be dealt with further. Another dozen from your cane, properly applied. Another dozen, and hell coo like a dove.
Aye aye, sir, said the bosun, but he hesitated.
It was a momentary tableau: the captain with his flapping coat; the bosun
looking appealingly at Bush and the burly bosuns mates standing like huge statues behind him; the helmsman apparently imperturbable while all this went on round him, handling the wheel and glancing up at the topsails; and the wretched boy beside the binnacleall this under the grey sky, with the grey sea tossing about them and stretching as far as the pitiless horizon.
Take him down to the maindeck, Mr. Booth, said the captain.
It was the utterly inevitable; behind the captains words lay the authority of Parliament, the weight of agesold tradition. There was nothing that could be done. Wellards hands rested on the binnacle as though they would cling to it and as though he would have to he dragged away by force. But he dropped his hands to his sides and followed the bosun while the captain watched him, smiling.
It was a welcome distraction that came to Bush as the quartermaster reported, Ten minutes before eight bells, sir.
Very good. Pipe the watch below.
Hornblower made his appearance on the quarterdeck and made his way towards Bush.
Youre not my relief, said Bush.
Yes I am. Captains orders.
Hornblower spoke without any expressionBush was used to the ships officers by now being as guarded as that, and he knew why it was. But his curiosity made him ask the question.
Why?
Im on watch and watch, said Hornblower stolidly. Until further orders.
He looked at the horizon as he spoke, showing no sign of emotion.
Hard luck, said Bush, and for a moment felt a twinge of doubt as to whether he had not ventured to far in offering such an expression of sympathy. But no one was within earshot.
No wardroom liquor for me, went on Hornblower, until further orders either. Neither my own nor anyone elses.
For some officers that would be a worse punishment than being put on watch and watchfour hours on duty and four hours off day and nightbut Bush did not know enough about Hornblowers habits to judge whether this was the case with him. He was about to say hard luck again, when at that moment a wild cry of pain reached their ears, cutting its way through the whistling wind. A moment later it was repeated, with even greater intensity. Hornblower was looking out at the horizon and his expression did not change. Bush watched his face and decided not to pay attention to the cries.