Livingstone paused. His unshaven face was grey with fatigue, and when he mentioned the explosion his expression changed to one of helplessness.
It was the powder-barges higher up the river, sir. I dont know who set them off. Maybe it was a shot from the shore. Maybe Capn Bush, sir
You had not been in touch with Captain Bush since the attack began?
No, sir. He was at the other end of the line to me, and the barges were in two groups against the bank. I attacked one, an Capn Bush attacked the other.
I understand. Go on about the explosion.
It was a big one, sir. It threw us all down. A big wave came an swamped us, filled us to the gunnels, sir. I think we touched the bottom of the river, sir, after that wave went by. A bit of flying wreckage hit Flame s boat. Gibbons, masters mate, was killed an the boat smashed. We picked up the survivors while we bailed out. Nobody was firing at us from the bank any more, so I waited. It was just the top of the tide, sir. Presently two boats came down to us, Camilla s second launch and the fishing-boat that the marines manned. We waited, but we could not see anything of Nonsuch s boats. Mr. Hake of the marines told me that Capn Bush an the other three boats were all alongside the powder-barges when the explosion happened. Perhaps a shot went into the cargo, sir. Then they began to open fire on us from the bank again, and as senior officer I gave the order to retire.
Most
likely you did right, Mr. Livingstone. And then?
At the next bend they opened fire on us with field-pieces, sir. Their practice was bad in the dark, sir, but they hit and sank our second launch with almost their last shot, and we lost several more menthe current was running fast by then.
That was clearly the end of Livingstones story, but Hornblower could not dismiss him without one more word.
But Captain Bush, Mr. Livingstone? Cant you tell me any more about him?
No, sir. Im sorry, sir. We didnt pick up a single survivor from the Nonsuch s boats. Not one.
Oh, very well then, Mr. Livingstone. You had better go and get some rest. I think you did very well.
Let me have your report in writing and list of casualties before the end of the day, Mr. Livingstone, interposed Dobbsas Assistant-Adjutant-General he lived in an atmosphere of reports and Lists of casualties.
Aye aye, sir.
Livingstone withdrew, and the door had hardly closed upon him before Hornblower regretted having let him go with such chary words of commendation. The operation had been brilliantly successful. Deprived of his siege-train and munitions, Quiot would not be able to besiege Le Havre, and it would probably be a long time before Bonapartes War Ministry in Paris could scrape together another train. But the loss of Bush coloured all Hornblowers thoughts. He found himself wishing that he had never conceived the planhe would rather have stood a siege here in Le Havre and have Bush alive at his side. It was hard to think of a world without Bush in it, of a future where he would never, never see Bush again. People would think the loss of a captain and a hundred and fifty men a small price to pay for robbing Quiot of all his offensive power, but people did not understand.
Dobbs and Howard were sitting glum and silent when he glanced at them; they respected his sorrow. But the sight of their deferential gloom roused Hornblowers contrariness. If they expected him to be upset and unable to work, he would show them how mistaken they were.
Ill see those court-martial reports now, Captain Howard, if you please.
The busy days work began; it was possible to think clearly, to make decisions, to work as if nothing had happened, despite the feeling of being drained dry by unhappiness. Not merely that; it was even possible to think of new plans.
Go and find Hau, he said to Howard. Tell him Id like to see the Duke for a moment.
Aye aye, sir. Howard rose to his feet. He allowed himself a grin and a twinkle as he pompously reworded Hornblowers language.
Sir Horatio solicits the favour of a short audience with His Royal Highness if His Royal Highness will be so kind as to condescend to receive him.
Thats right, said Hornblower, smiling in spite of himself. It was even possible to smile.
The Duke received him standing, warming the royal back before a cheerful fire.
I do not know, began Hornblower, if Your Royal Highness is acquainted with the circumstances which first brought me to the waters on this part of the coast.
Tell me about them, said the Duke. Maybe it was not etiquette for royalty to admit ignorance on any subject. The Dukes attitude did not seem to convey a feeling of much interest in any case.
There was a mutiny in one of His Majestysone of His Britannic Majestysships of war.
Indeed?
I was sent to deal with it, and I succeeded in capturing the vessel and most of the mutineers, Your Royal Highness.
Excellent, excellent.
Some twenty of them were tried, convicted, and have now been sentenced to death.
Excellent.
I would be glad not to carry those sentences out, Your Royal Highness.