The Final, Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey by Patrick O'Brian

Author:Patrick O'Brian
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Three

MS III, 1The diminished but still well-manned Surprise and her lithe fore-and-aft companion Ringle swung easily at their moorings on the making tide not far from the imposing Suffolk, and they gazed at the South African squadron farther inshore, actively victualling, watering and getting ready to move into various docks and yards beyond the citadel for repairs, some of them urgent.

‘Good morning, Stephen,’ said Jack as his friend walked into the cabin.

‘Good morning to you, my dear,’ said Stephen.

‘You have done your writing, I see?’

‘So I have too: a simple harsh direction that Brigid shall be delivered into the hands of the bearer and carried aboard – whichever vessel we decide upon – there to be in her father’s custody: this is, as I understand it, a necessary legal form in case any of Diana’s relatives should object. It is, I hope entirely softened by a most affectionate private note to Christine and her brother, inviting them to join us.’

‘I have done much the same, simply requiring Sophie to come aboard with the utmost dispatch, bringing a minimum of impediments, and of course the girls.’

Each eyed the other’s letter, which looked more like a laboured study than a simple note; and Jack said, ‘Well, let us at least have a preliminary cup, and then we can ask Harding to join us.’ Some moments later he touched the bell, and said to Killick, ‘Ask Mr Harding to walk in. Mr Harding, pray sit down – may I pour you a cup of coffee? Now you know very well that Surprise and Ringle are to return to Portsmouth with all possible speed to deliver a certain number of officers to the Commander-in-Chief, together with the Doctor’s communications and my dispatches. You may find it possible to shape your course without any impropriety so that you touch at Shelmerston before heading for Plymouth. If it is feasible, you, a firm-natured married man, will post straight to Woolcombe and there hand this letter to my wife and this to Mrs Wood, her near neighbour. Our hope, do you see, is to convey both ladies, together with Mrs Wood’s brother, the three children MS III, 2and the strict minimum of attendants to the Cape, either catching the squadron before it leaves the River Plate or joining company during the voyage – they will almost certainly water at Saint Helena – or simply at the Cape itself. Now you know both vessels through and through; and you know more than I do about children, attendants and the married state. When you have heard the ladies express their views on baggage and on these points you will form an opinion on the irreducible minimum and choose your conveyance accordingly. Ringle is undoubtedly faster than Surprise, but I should not like to have her passengers unduly cramped – given a disgust of the sea – for the sake of a few days.’

‘Two ladies, one gentleman, three children, and I suppose three or four maids and a man.’

‘It does of course depend on whether the gentleman chooses to come,’ observed Jack.

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