always desirable, and peculiarly so at this moment. The visitor came forward; a pair of bright, quizzical blue eyes studied Hornblower closely as he did so.
My Lord? he said. He at least could recognise an Admirals uniform when he saw it.
Yes. I am Admiral Lord Hornblower.
I fear to trouble you with my business, My Lord. He spoke English like an Englishman, like a Tynesider, perhaps, but obviously as if he had not spoken it for years.
What is it?
I came on board to address myself to your steward, My Lord, and to the president of the wardroom mess, and to the purser. The principal ship chandler of the port. Beef cattle, My Lord, chickens, eggs, fresh bread, fruits, vegetables.
What is your name?
Eduardo StuartEdward Stuart, My Lord. Second mate of the brig Columbine, out of London. Captured back in 1806, My Lord, and brought in here as a prisoner. I made friends here, and when the Dons changed sides in 1808 I set up as ship chandler, and here Ive been ever since.
Hornblower studied the speaker as keenly as the speaker was studying him. He could guess at much of what was left unsaid. He could guess at a fortunate marriage, and probably at a change of religionunless Stuart had been born a Catholic, as was possible enough.
And I am at your service, My Lord, went on Stuart, meeting his gaze without flinching.
In a moment Ill let you speak to the purser, said Hornblower. But tell me first, what impression has our arrival made here?
Stuarts face crinkled into a grin.
The whole town was out watching your chase of the Estrella del Sur, My Lord.
I guessed as much.
They all rejoiced when they saw her escape you. And then when they saw you coming in they manned the batteries.
Indeed?
The Royal Navys reputation for prompt action, both daring and high-handed, must still be very much alive, if there could be even a momentary fear that a single frigate would attempt to snatch a prize from out of the shelter of a port as well guarded as San Juan.
In ten minutes your name was being spoken in all the streets, My Lord.
Hornblowers keen glance reassured him that he was not being paid an idle compliment.
And what is the Estrella going to do now?
She has only come in to land a few sickly slaves and renew with water, My Lord. Its a poor market for slaves here. She sails for Havana at once, as soon as she can be sure of your movements, My Lord.
At once?
Shell sail with the land breeze at dawn tomorrow, My Lord, unless you are lying outside the port.
I dont expect I shall be, said Hornblower.
Then shell sail without a doubt, My Lord. Shell want to get her cargo landed and sold in Havana before Spain signs the Convention.
I understand, said Hornblower.
Now what was this? Here were the old symptoms, as recognisable as ever, the quickened heartbeat, the feeling of warmth under the skin, the general restlessness. There was something just below the horizon of his mind, some stirring of an idea. And within a second the idea was up over the horizon, vague at present, like a hazy landfall, but as certain and as reassuring as any landfall. And beyond, still over the horizon, were other ideas, only to be guessed at. He could not help glancing over at the Estrella, sizing up the tactical situation, seeking further inspiration there, testing what he already had in mind.
It was all he could do to thank Stuart politely for his information, without betraying the excitement he felt, and without terminating the interview with suspicious abruptness. A word to Fell made certain that Stuart would receive the business of supplying the Clorinda, and Hornblower waved away Stuarts thanks. Hornblower turned away with as great an appearance of nonchalance as he could manage.
There was plenty of bustle over there by the Estrella, just as there was round the Clorinda, with preparations being made for filling the water casks. It was hard to think in the heat and the noise. It was hard to face the cluttered deck. And darkness was approaching, and then would come eight oclock, when he would be making his call upon the Captain-General, and obviously everything must be thought out before that. And there were complications. Successive ideas were arising, one out of another, like Chinese boxes, and each one in turn had to be examined for flaws. The sun was down into the hills, leaving a flaming sky behind, when he came to his final resolution.
Spendlove! he snapped; excitement made him curt. Come below with me.
Down in the big stern cabin
it was oppressively hot. The red sky was reflected in the water of the harbour, shining up through the stern windows; the magnificent effect was dissipated with the lighting of the lamps. Hornblower threw himself into his chair; Spendlove stood looking at him keenly, as Hornblower was well aware. Spendlove could be in no doubt that his temperamental Commander-in-Chief had much on his mind. Yet even Spendlove was surprised at the scheme that was sketched out to him, and at the orders he received. He even ventured to protest.
My Lord he said.