the Gulf would hamper the transport of Spanish forces from Peru. Besides, the Admiralty would be glad of a survey of the Gulf and the Pearl Islands; Ansons charts were wanting in this respect. Yet for all these plausible arguments Hornblower knew quite well that why he had come this way was to get away from el Supremo.
A large flat ray, the size of a table top, suddenly leaped clear of the water close overside and fell flat upon the surface again with a loud smack, leaped clear again, and then vanished below, its pinky brown gleaming wet for a moment as the blue water closed over it. There were flying fish skimming the water in all directions, each leaving behind it a momentary dark furrow. Hornblower watched it all, carefree, delighted that he could allow his thoughts to wander and not feel constrained to keep them concentrated on a single subject. With a ship full of stores and a crew contented by their recent adventures he had no real care in the world. The Spanish prisoners whose lives he had saved from el Supremo were sunning themselves lazily on the forecastle.
Sail ho! came echoing down from the masthead.
The idlers thronged the bulwark, gazing over the hammock nettings; the seamen holystoning the deck surreptitiously worked more slowly in order to hear what was going on.
Where away? called Hornblower.
On the port bow, sir. Lugger, sir, I think, an standing straight for us, but shes right in the eye of the sun
Yes, a lugger, sir, squeaked midshipman Hooker from the fore top gallant masthead. Two masted. Shes right to windward, running down to us, under all sail, sir.
Running down to us? said Hornblower, mystified. He jumped up on the slide of the quarterdeck carronade nearest him, and stared into the sun and the wind under his hand, but at present there was still nothing to be seen from that low altitude.
Shes still holding her course, sir, squeaked Hooker.
Mr. Bush, said Hornblower. Back the mizzen topsl.
A pearling lugger from the Gulf of Panama, perhaps, and still ignorant of the presence of a British frigate in those waters; on the other hand she might be bearing a message from el Supremoher course made that unlikely, but that might be explained. Then as the ship lifted, Hornblower saw a gleaming square of white rise for a second over the distant horizon and vanish again. As the minutes passed by the sails were more and more frequently to be seen, until at last from the deck the lugger was in plain view, nearly hull up, running goose-winged before the wind with her bow pointed straight at the Lydia.
Shes flying Spanish colours at the main, sir, said Bush from behind his levelled telescope. Hornblower had suspected so for some time back, but had not been able to trust his eyesight.
Shes hauling em down, all the same, he retorted, glad to be the first to notice it.
So she is, sir, said Bush, a little puzzled, and thenThere they go again, sir. No! What do you make of that, sir?
White flag over Spanish colours now, said Hornblower. Thatll mean a parley. No, I dont trust em. Hoist the colours, Mr. Bush, and send the hands to quarters. Run out the guns and send the prisoners below under guard again.
He was not going to be caught unaware by any Spanish tricks. That lugger might be as full of men as an egg is of meat, and might spew up a host of boarders over the side of an unprepared ship. As the Lydias gun ports opened and she showed her teeth the lugger rounded-to just out of gunshot, and lay wallowing, hove-to.
Shes sending a boat, sir, said Bush.
So I see, snapped Hornblower.
Two oars rowed a dinghy jerkily across the dancing water, and a man came scrambling up the ladder to the gangwayso many strange figures had mounted that ladder lately. This new arrival, Hornblower saw, wore the full dress of the Spanish royal navy, his epaulette gleaming in the sun. He bowed and came forward.
Captain Hornblower? he asked.
I am Captain Hornblower.
I have to welcome you as the new ally of Spain.
Hornblower swallowed hard. This might be a ruse, but the moment he heard the words he felt instinctively that the man was speaking the truth. The whole happy world by which he had been encompassed up to that moment suddenly became dark with trouble. He could foresee endless worries piled upon him by some heedless action of the politicians.
We have had the news for the last four days, went on the Spanish officer. Last month Bonaparte stole our King Ferdinand from us and has named his brother Joseph King of Spain. The Junta of Government has signed a treaty of perpetual alliance and friendship with His Majesty of England. It is with great
pleasure. Captain, that I have to inform you that all ports in the dominions of His Most Catholic Majesty are open to you after your most arduous voyage.
Hornblower still stood dumb. It might all be lies, a ruse to lure the Lydia under the guns of Spanish shore batteries. Hornblower almost hoped it might bebetter that than all the complications which would hem him in if it were the truth. The Spaniard interpreted his expression as implying disbelief.