Dishonour in Denmark by Andrew Wareham

Author:Andrew Wareham [Wareham, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishNation
Published: 2023-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Bloody handed or not, Nick was in the mood for business when he returned to his cabin.

“Sailing on Monday, Mr Harrington? No change?”

“None at all, sir. The sole information from the Port Admiral is a confirmation that ‘it’ is definitely to go ahead.”

Harrington could not demand to be told what they were to do, but he dearly wished to know.

“I cannot divulge our orders until we have left Hull, Mr Harrington. Our destination will be fairly obvious, but our actions must remain secret until the last minute. I would point out that it is inevitable that the information will leak out. What you do not know, you cannot possibly have carelessly or otherwise have passed on.”

“It is so very secret, sir?”

“You will understand why just as soon as we leave the River Humber behind.”

That was little consolation. Harrington wanted to know then, not to wait another two or three weeks.

“What must be, sir, must be. It is the nature of the Service. To report, sir. All stores are at full. Some, somehow, are over that. Rum, for example, is remarkable well up…”

“Let me tell you about brandy, Mr Harrington. Even by Naval standards, this was a boozy ship!”

Harrington was fascinated, but wondered if there might not be a habit of disobedience formed amid some of the lesser warrant officers. He must watch them, he feared.

For the while, there was much of obvious benefit to be discovered in the situation.

“So, sir, we have at least a dozen uncovenanted issues to hand. Knowing your habits of rewarding the virtuous, that can only be to the good. We may splice the mainbrace with some enthusiasm.”

“Good. Rewards work better than exhortation or punishment. A tot in hand is far more appreciated than any church service telling them to be good!”

“We are definitely under the command of Dismal Jimmy, sir. We have already received a general instruction that the Fleet as created for Northern service is to be zealous in its Sunday Services. Captains are to ensure that a proper respect is displayed for the Sabbath. The Admiral will expect to hear more than a mere exposition of the Articles and recital of the Lord’s Prayer at Sunday Divisions.”

“He who expecteth much, will get little, Mr Harrington. I do not know if that is actually in the Bible, but it is appropriate on this occasion!”

Harrington believed the saying – a commonplace, often to be heard – had only the vaguest relationship to any Biblical text.

“More perhaps of folk wisdom than Biblical study, sir.”

“Strange that, Mr Harrington, for I cannot remember the ordinary folk in my village to have been at all wise. Not to worry! Dismal Jimmy may demand his services, but he ain’t going to get them from me. Nor will we be shipping a chaplain. I expect that to be the next demand. It will not be possible, I much fear. Should any chaplain report at quayside, do not let him aboard, Mr Harrington.”

“Very good, sir. I must report, sir, that we have had eight hands join us while you were away.

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