In a sudden revulsion of feeling Hornblower wondered if lofty sentiment would armour the boy against cannon shothe remembered another ships boy who had been smashed into a red jam before his eyes by a shot from the Natividad.
Chapter VIII
SutherlandGerard shut his telescope with a snap.
Boat pulling toward us from Lord Mornington, sir, he said. He wanted to warn his captain of the approach of visitors, so that if he thought fit he could make himself unapproachable in his cabin; but he knew, as well as Hornblower did, that it might be unwise for a captain to act in too cavalier a fashion towards the notabilities on board the East India convoy.
Hornblower looked across at the boat creeping beetle-like towards him. Ten days of a strong north-easterly wind had not merely hurried the convoy to the latitude of North Africa where he was to leave them to their own devices, but had prevented all intercourse and visiting between ships, until yesterday. Yesterday there had been a good deal of coming and going between the ships of the convoy; it was only natural that today he should receive formal calls, which he could not well refuse. In another two hours they would be parting companyit could not be a prolonged ordeal.
The boat ran alongside, and Hornblower walked forward to receive his own guestsCaptain Osborn of the Lord Mornington, in his formal frock coat, and someone else, tall and bony, resplendent in civilian full dress with ribbon and star.
Good afternoon,
Captain, said Osborn. I wish to present you to Lord Eastlake, Governor-designate of Bombay.
Hornblower bowed; so did Lord Eastlake.
I have come, said Lord Eastlake, clearing his throat, to beg of you, Captain Hornblower, to receive on behalf of your ships company this purse of four hundred guineas. It has been subscribed by the passengers of the East India convoy in recognition of the skill and courage displayed by the Sutherland in the action with the two French privateers off Ushant.
In the name of my ships company I thank your Lordship, said Hornblower.
It was a very handsome gesture, and as he took the purse he felt like Judas, knowing what designs he was cherishing against the East India convoy.
And I, said Osborn, am the bearer of a most cordial invitation to you and to your first lieutenant to join us at dinner in the Lord Mornington.
At that Hornblower shook his head with apparent regret.
We part company in two hours, he said. I was about to hang out a signal to that effect. I am deeply hurt by the necessity of having to refuse.
We shall all be sorry on board the Lord Mornington said Lord Eastlake. Ten days of bad weather have deprived us of the pleasure of the company of any of the officers of the navy. Cannot you be persuaded to alter your decision?
This has been the quickest passage I have made to these latitudes, said Osborn. I begin to regret it now that it appears to have prevented our seeing anything of you.
I am on the Kings service, my Lord, and under the most explicit orders from the Admiral.
That was an excuse against which the Governor-designate of Bombay could not argue.
I understand, said Lord Eastlake. At least can I have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of your officers?
Once more that was a handsome gesture; Hornblower called them up and presented them one by one; horny-handed Bush, and Gerard handsome and elegant, Captain Morris of the marines and his two gawky subalterns, the other lieutenants and the master, down to the junior midshipman, all of them delighted and embarrassed at this encounter with a lord. At last Lord Eastlake turned to go.
Good-bye, Captain, he said, proffering his hand. A prosperous voyage in the Mediterranean to you.
Thank you, my lord. And a good passage to Bombay to you. And a successful and historic term of office.
Hornblower stood weighing the pursean embroidered canvas bag at which someone had laboured hard recentlyin his hand. He felt the weight of the gold, and under his fingers he felt the crackle of the banknotes. He would have liked to treat it as prize money, and take his share under prize money rules, but he knew he could not accept that sort of reward from civilians. Still, his crew must show full appreciation.
Mr. Bush, he said, as the boat shoved off. Man the yards. Have the men give three cheers.
Lord Eastlake and Captain Osborn acknowledged the compliment as they pulled away; Hornblower watched the boat creep back to the Lord Mornington. Four hundred guineas. It was a lot of money, but he was not going to be bought off with four hundred guineas. In that very moment he came to his decision after twenty-four hours of vacillation. He would display to the East India convoy the independence of Captain Hornblower.
Mr. Rayner, he said. Clear away the launch and the long-boat. Have the helm put up and run down to leeward of the convoy. I want those boats in the water by the time we reach them. Mr. Bush. Mr. Gerard. Your attention please.
Amid the bustle and hurry of wearing the ship, and tailing on at the stay tackles, Hornblower gave his orders briefly. For once in his life Bush ventured to demur when he realised what Hornblower had in mind.