Hornblower's Legacy 05 Brewer and the Portuguese Gold by James Keffer

Author:James Keffer [Keffer, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781950586462
Publisher: Penmore Press LLC
Published: 2020-07-14T08:00:00+00:00

Lieutenant Greene paced the quarterdeck as HMS Phoebe navigated the channel prior to anchoring in the bay at Rio de Janeiro. The captain was below, putting the finishing touches on his report before sending it ashore. Greene accepted a glass from a hand nearby and began scanning the harbor. There was no sign of HMS Superb or any other British warship. Panning to his right, he spotted five merchant ships anchored near the entrance to the channel; these could only be the convoy they were to escort to the tip of the African continent. As soon as the anchor dropped, Greene dispatched Lieutenant Hobbs to go ashore with the purser, Alfred, and the gunroom steward to arrange resupply for the ship. It was fortunate that they did not have to take on water. Greene shook his head in amazement at the thought; the new tanks Phoebe had received during her last refit kept the water fresh far longer than the old casks had. They also allowed them to carry 18% more water than before.

The captain wasted no time in heading ashore, stopping just long enough to give Greene instructions in case of an emergency before stepping over the side.

As he watched the gig row toward the shore, Greene became aware that he was no longer alone. He turned to see Mr. Rivkins.

“Something I can do for you, Mr. Rivkins?”

“No, sir,” he replied, but he did not move off, and he looked troubled. A moment later, he asked, “Sir, may I ask a question?”

“You may ask,” Greene said.

“I have heard rumors below deck, sir,” Rivkins began, “concerning the frigate we fought in the Pacific. Some of the old Revenge hands said you had run into her before, in the Caribbean, and that Lord Cochrane had been aboard.”

“That’s correct.”

“I see.” Rivkins crossed his arms over his chest.

“Is there something you wish to ask me, Mr. Rivkins?” Greene said.

“Well, sir, it’s just that I was surprised at the time that the captain didn’t take the frigate as a prize. The frigate being Peruvian, sir, I thought we might not have to give it back this time.”

“We are not at war with Peru, Lieutenant. Our main priority was to escort the whaler to safety at Valparaiso.”

“I see, sir.” Rivkins considered for a moment. “Mr. Greene, have you ever met Lord Cochrane?”

“I have had the honor,” Greene said, still studying the harbor. “Why do you ask?”

“I was wondering if you considered him the type to hold a grudge.”

Greene lowered his glass and looked at the third lieutenant for a moment before raising his glass again. Rivkins thought the premier was simply going to ignore him, and he made to turn and walk away when he heard the first lieutenant speak up.

“Mr. Rivkins, I absolutely do.”

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