Empire: The Dorset Boy Book 13 by Christopher C Tubbs

Author:Christopher C Tubbs [Tubbs, Christopher C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-09T05:00:00+00:00

“Sir, the squadron have entered the river.” Adam popped his head through the door with a message slip in his hand. “There is also something about the Unicorn having a broom attached to her topmast.”

“A broom?” Marty said.

“A clean sweep?” Justine said from her desk.

“That would be just what that German would do.” Marty laughed. He took the slip from Adam and noted the time on it.

“They will be here around three o’clock. Let’s organise a welcome.” He went to see Francis Hastings.

Messages were sent and orders given. An army band was commandeered, and an honour guard detailed. It was short notice but when the commander in chief barked, his dogs howled.

Justine sent a message to Caroline in Marty’s name informing her that the ships were coming home. Marty had completely forgotten to inform his wife in the excitement of organising the welcome. He was on his way to the dock when he stopped and slapped his forehead,

“I forgot to tell Caroline!” he cried.

“I sent her a message,” Justine said. “She is on her way.”

Marty smiled his gratitude, a look of relief on his face.

The dock was crowded, as well as the honour guard and band, most of the officials from Government House took the opportunity to stretch their legs.

“Word got around fast!” Marty said.

“It’s the office telegraph,” Justine said. “News travels fast.”

“It is the same on a ship except we call it scuttlebutt. The men know what the captain is going to do almost as soon as he has decided.”

A carriage arrived and Caroline dismounted. How she managed to look so good with hardly any notice always amazed Marty.

“Hello, darling,” she said and kissed him on the cheek, “any news of James?”

“Not yet, but you will not have to wait long.” He nodded at the Unicorn which was rounding the last bend before the dock.

The ships sailed smartly up and tied on to a lively tune from the band. The people cheered, Marty wasn’t sure they knew why they were cheering, but he was sure the boys would appreciate it. When the gangplank dropped into place, he took Caroline by the arm and led her onboard. Wolfgang met them with a full side party.

“Permission to come aboard?” Marty said and doffed his hat to the quarterdeck.

“Permission granted,” Wolfgang said with all the formality he could muster.

As Marty stepped on the deck his pennant was unfurled on the mainmast. The master had returned.

“I assume from that witch’s stick on the topmast that you had a successful trip?” Marty said as he shook his hand.

“Completely successful, we eradicated the threat and captured prisoners who can tell us what was behind it.”

Marty was curious but decided to wait until the welcomes were over. The Silverthorn was the fourth ship in line and moored alongside the Nymphe, the dock wall not being long enough to accommodate all the ships end to end. They stepped across to the deck.

“Commodore, Lady Caroline welcome.” Angus then stepped aside so James could be greeted by his parents.

“James, you look intact,” Marty said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.