A Treacherous Coast by David Donachie

Author:David Donachie [David Donachie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749020576
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2016-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

It seemed to take an age, from the first hint of grey light in the east, until it spread enough along the still lowering clouds to show their ship. HMS Flirt was hove to with, from what Pearce could see from his low elevation, the normal activities of the day taking place, as though a goodly proportion of the crew was not absent. The guns were run out, everyone was at their stations and still, with Henry Digby on deck, a telescope to his eye as he swept the horizon for threats.

‘Of which,’ Pearce opined in a mordant tone, ‘he will find none.’

The call from the lookout was faint evidence that they had been spotted, dark dots on a sea that matched the sky, and had those on Flirt possessed supernatural vision they would have found themselves surveying a most miserable scene. Their shipmates had been rendered listless by half the night spent in the boats, with the oars still in the water. The only real rowing had been done in order to get blood flowing and ward off the cold. Doubly galling to Pearce, Digby, who could not have failed to spot them, was acting as if they did not exist.

‘Do you think we should wait till they house the cannon,’ he shouted to Grey. ‘Mr Digby may wish to test them?’

If it was a jest to lift the spirits, it signally failed to do so; what he got were grim looks that hinted he might have the right of it. Pearce immediately regretted the remark for it would only make worse a situation already bad enough and a sharp order to close was quickly obeyed. He saw his men aboard before he made the deck himself, to find Digby gone, Conway with his hat raised and his expression grim.

‘You are to attend upon the captain immediately, sir.’

‘Now there’s a surprise.’ He then turned to O’Hagan. ‘Get yourself some breakfast and then me also. I doubt I shall be long.’

‘He also ordered that the men you took ashore should resume their duties immediately.’

‘Most of them have not rested for twelve hours.’

‘His instructions were specific and he said not to be questioned.’

Which was exactly what Pearce wanted to do, but where would that leave Conway? The lad was just starting out on his naval career and if he did not get his head knocked off by a cannonball it might be a fine one. Digby had given the youngster a direct and unequivocal order. To countermand it would not do much good for anyone, so his voice was loud as he responded.

‘Mr Conway, if you hear grumbling – and you will – stamp on it using my authority.’

He expected the cabin door to be opened for him as usual as he approached; it was not and given the eyes of the marine sentinel would not meet his, it was as good as saying you need to knock, which he did, to be met with a shout telling him to wait.

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