The captain had gone in under the halfdeck to his cabin; Buckland and Roberts were standing by the hammock nettings deep in conversation, and Bush joined them.
These articles apply
to my officers, said Buckland as he approached.
Ropeyarn Sunday and double rum, added Roberts. All for these good men.
Buckland shot a furtive glance round the deck before he spoke next. It was pitiful to see the first lieutenant of a ship of the line taking precautions lest what he should say should be overheard. But Hornblower and Wellard were on the other side of the wheel. On the poop the master was assembling the midshipmens navigation class with their sextants to take their noon sights.
Hes mad, said Buckland in as low a voice as the northeast trade wind would allow.
We all know that, said Roberts.
Bush said nodding. He was too cautious to commit himself at present.
Clive wont lift a finger, said Buckland. Hes a ninny if there ever was one.
Clive was the surgeon.
Have you asked him? asked Roberts.
I tried to. But he wouldnt say a word. Hes afraid.
Dont move from where you are standing, gentlemen, broke in a loud harsh voice; the wellremembered voice of the captain, speaking apparently from the level of the deck on which they stood. All three officers started in surprise.
Every sign of guilt, blared the voice. Bear witness to it, Mr. Hobbs.
They looked round them. The skylight of the captains fore cabin was open a couple of inches, and through the gap the captain was looking at them; they could see his eyes and his nose. He was a tall man and by standing on anything low, a book or a footstool, he could look from under the skylight over the coaming. Rigid, the officers waited while another pair of eyes appeared under the skylight beside the captains. They belonged to Hobbs, the actinggunner.
Wait there until I come to you, gentlemen, said the captain, with a sneer as he said the word gentlemen. Very good, Mr. Hobbs.
The two faces vanished from under the skylight, and the officers had hardly time to exchange despairing glances before the captain came striding up the ladder to them.
A mutinous assembly, I believe, he said.
No, sir, replied Buckland. Any word that was not a denial would be an admission of guilt, on a charge that could put a rope round his neck.
Do you give me the lie on my own quarterdeck? roared the captain. I was right in suspecting my officers. Plotting. Whispering. Scheming. Planning. And now treating me with gross disrespect. Ill see that you regret this from this minute, Mr. Buckland.
I intended no disrespect, sir, protested Buckland.
You give me the lie again to my face! And you others stand by and abet him! You keep him in countenance! I thought better of you, Mr. Bush, until now.
Bush thought it wise to say nothing.
Dumb insolence, eh? said the captain. Eager enough to talk when you think my eye isnt on you, all the same.
The captain glowered round the quarterdeck.
And you, Mr. Hornblower, he said. You did not see fit to report this assembly to me. Officer of the watch, indeed! And of course Wellard is in it too. That is only to be expected. But I fancy you will be in trouble with these gentlemen now, Mr. Wellard. You did not keep a sharp enough lookout for them. In fact you are in serious trouble now, Mr. Wellard, without a friend in the ship except for the gunners daughter, whom you will be kissing again soon.
The captain stood towering on the quarterdeck with his gaze fixed on the unfortunate Wellard, who shrank visibly away from him. To kiss the gunners daughter was to be bent over a gun and beaten.
But later will still be sufficient time to deal with you, Mr. Wellard. The lieutenants first, as their lofty rank dictates.
The captain looked round at the lieutenants, fear and triumph strangely alternating in his expression.
Mr. Hornblower is already on watch and watch, he said. You others have enjoyed idleness in consequence, and Satan found mischief for your idle hands. Mr. Buckland does not keep a watch. The high and mighty and aspiring first lieutenant.
Sir began Buckland, and then bit off the words which were about to follow. That word aspiring undoubtedly implied that he was scheming to gain command of the ship, but a courtmartial would not read that meaning into it. Every officer was expected to be an aspiring officer and it would be no insult to say so.
Sir! jeered the captain. Sir! So you have grace enough still to guard your tongue. Cunning, maybe. But you will not evade the consequences of your actions. Mr. Hornblower can stay on watch and watch. But these two gentlemen can report to you when every watch is called, and at two bells, at four bells, and at six bells in every watch. They are to be properly dressed when they report to you, and you are to be properly awake. Is that understood?
Not one of the dumbfounded trio could speak for a moment.
Answer me!
Aye aye, sir, said Buckland.
Aye aye, sir, said Bush and Roberts as the captain turned his eyes on them.
Let there be no slackness in the execution of my orders, said the captain. I shall have means of knowing if I am obeyed or not.