Form Line of Battle! by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent [Kent, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9781590132760
Publisher: McBooks Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

10 A GOOD OFFICER

SIR Edmund Pomfret stood at one side of the great stern windows in his day cabin, being careful to avoid the rectangle of hard sunlight thrown back from the harbour beyond. He had maintained the same stance throughout Bolitho’s report, with his feet apart, arms folded across his chest and his back turned so that it was impossible to see his face or gauge his mood.

Hyperion had dropped anchor below the hill fortress in the early morning after waiting until the transports and the battle-scarred Harvester had preceded her into the sheltering arms of the natural harbour. Bolitho had half expected to be summoned aboard the Tenacious immediately, but for reasons best known to himself Pomfret had waited until seven bells of the forenoon watch before issuing his curt signal, “Captain repair on board forthwith.”

Now as he concluded his description of the battle to defend the convoy Bolitho could feel the tiredness sapping his strength like a drug, and was able to listen to his own words with something like disinterest, as if they concerned someone else entirely.

Pomfret had not asked him to sit down, and he was conscious the whole time of the cabin’s other occupant, a florid-faced army colonel whom Pomfret had briefly introduced as Sir Torquil Cobban, the officer commanding the soldiers encamped on Cozar. But Pomfret had remained standing also, and in spite of his straddled legs and unmoving shoulders he seemed edgy and irritable.

The admiral said suddenly, “So you lost the Snipe, did you?”

It sounded like an accusation, but Bolitho replied wearily, “If I had had another escort things might have been different, sir.”

Pomfret’s head bobbed impatiently. “If, if! That’s all I hear these days!” In a calmer tone he added, “And your own losses?”

“A total of sixteen dead and twenty-six wounded, sir. Most of the latter seem to be holding their own.”

“Hmm.” Pomfret turned slowly and walked to his table where lay a huge coloured chart. He said offhandedly. “I would have waited a few more days for you, but after that I intended to sail with or without these supplies.” He shot Bolitho a searching glance. “I have received news from Lord Hood. His forces have landed at Toulon, and my orders are to proceed with the capture of St Clar.”

“Yes, sir.” Bolitho had been waiting for this news, but now that it had come it seemed like an anticlimax. He knew Pomfret and the colonel were studying him and made an effort to control his thoughts. He asked, “Do you wish me to make another parley with the town, sir?”

Pomfret frowned. “Certainly not. I have not been idle while you have been away. Everything is in hand, I can assure you.” He smiled quickly at the soldier. “The Frogs will have to watch their manners now, eh?”

Colonel Cobban spoke for the first time. He had a thick, resonant voice, and had a habit of tapping his fingers on his impeccable scarlet tunic with each word.

“God, yes! With General Carteau marching on Toulon, our new ‘allies’ in St Clar have no choice but to support us.

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