No one on board begrudged the constant labour involved in getting every yard of speed out of Crab, the continual hauling in and letting out of the sheets as the sails were trimmed to the least variation of the wind, the lightening and urgent shortening of canvas at the last possible moment as squalls came hurtling down upon them, the instant resetting as the squalls passed on their way. All hands constituted themselves as unofficial lookouts; there was really no need for the Admiral to have offered a golden guinea to the man who should first sight Daring there was always the chance of an encounter even before reaching the Tobago Channel. Nobody minded wet shirts and wet beds as the spray burst over Crab s bows in dazzling rainbows and found its way below through the deck as the over-driven schooner worked her seams open in the heavy swell. The hourly casting of the log, the daily calculation of the ships run, were eagerly anticipated by men who usually displayed all the fatalistic indifference towards these matters of the hardened sailor.
I am shortening the water allowance, My Lord, said Harcourt to Hornblower the first morning out.
To how much? Hornblower asked the question trying to appear as if he were really interested in the answer, so that his misery over something else should not be apparent.
To half a gallon, My Lord.
Two quarts of fresh water a day per manthat would be hardship for men labouring hard in the tropics.
You are quite right, Mr. Harcourt, said Hornblower.
Every possible precaution must be taken. It was impossible to predict how long the voyage would last, nor how long they would have to remain on patrol without refilling their water casks; it would be absurd if they were driven prematurely into port as a result of thoughtless extravagance.
Ill instruct Giles, went on Hornblower, to draw the same ration for me.
Harcourt blinked a little at that; his small experience with Admirals led him to think they led a life of maximum luxury. He had not
thought sufficiently far into the problem to realise that if Giles had a free hand as regards drinking water for his Admiral, Giles, and perhaps all Giless friends, would also have all the drinking water they needed. And there was no smile on Hornblowers face as he spoke; Hornblower wore the same bleak and friendless expression that he had displayed towards everyone since reaching his decision when they went to sea.
They sighted Cape San Antonio one afternoon, and knew they were through the Yucatan Channel; not only did this give them a fresh departure, but they knew that from now on it would not be extremely unlikely for them to sight Daring at any moment; they were pursuing very much the same course as she would be taking, from this point onwards. Two nights later they passed Grand Cayman; they did not sight it but they heard the roar of the surf on one of the outlying reefs. That was a proof of how closely Harcourt was cutting his corners; Hornblower felt that he would have given Grand Cayman a wider berth than thatit was a moment when he chafed more than usual at the convention which prohibited an Admiral from interfering in the management of his flagship. The following night they picked up soundings on the Pedro Bank, and knew that Jamaica and Kingston were a scant hundred miles to windward of them. From this new departure Harcourt could set a fresh course, direct for the Tobago Channel, but he could not hold it. The trade wind took it into its head to veer round south of east, as was not surprising with midsummer approaching, and it blew dead foul. Harcourt laid Crab on the starboard tacknever voluntarily would any captain worth his salt yield a yard to the southward in the Caribbeanand clawed his way as close to the wind as Crab would lie.
I see youve taken in the topsls, Mr. Harcourt, remarked Hornblower, venturing on ticklish ground.
Yes, My Lord. In response to his Admirals continued enquiring glance Harcourt condescended to explain further. A beamy schooner like this isnt intended to sail on her side, My Lord. We make less leeway under moderate sail like this, My Lord, as long as were close-hauled with a strong breeze.
You know your own ship best, of course, Mr. Harcourt, said Hornblower, grudgingly.
It was hard to believe that Crab was making better progress without her magnificent square topsails spread to the breeze. He could be sure that Daring would have every stitch of canvas spreadperhaps a single reef. Crab thrashed on her way, once or twice shipping it green over her starboard bow; those were the moments when it was necessary for every man to grab and hold on. At dawn next morning there was land right ahead, a blue line on the horizonthe mountains of Haiti. Harcourt held on until noon, raising them farther and farther out of the water, and then he went about. Hornblower approvedin an hour or two the land breeze might set in and there was Beata Point to weather. It was maddening that on this tack they would actually be losing a little ground, for it was perfectly possible that Daring, wherever she was, might have the wind a point or two more in her favour and could be able to hold her course direct. And it was quite remarkable to see the foremast hands raising wetted fingers to test the wind, and studying the windward horizon, and criticising the way the quartermaster at the tiller struggled to gain every yard to windward that he could.