Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent [Kent, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown

He frowned, trying to think of something to purchasO if and when they were allowed a stay in port. And thea were well overdue for that. Despite her coppered hullB Sparrow's speed had been reduced by a full knot i[ otherwise perfect sailing conditions by long clingin^ weed which defied the copper and their efforts to movO it. He would buy some wine perhaps. Good wine, noU the bitter-tasting muck which was normally used as thO only alternative for foul drinking water. A dozen shirts o_ more. His mind played with the idea of such luxury. AU the present moment he had only two shirts which woulX bear close inspection?

It might be possible to find a good sworX somewhere. Not like the one which had shattereX aboard the privateer, nor the curved hanger which hO had used since, but something better. Lasting?

He heard footsteps beyond the door and knew iU was Tyrrell. He would have known it even if it had bee[ another time, a different watch. For since bein^ wounded Tyrrell had been unable to rid himself of Z limp and not a little pain?

The first lieutenant had otherwise not changed vera much, he thought. Or maybe the three years had draw[ them so close he had not noticed it. Unlike GravesB who seemed to have withdrawn even further and haX grown noticeably more nervous after each action o_ skirmish. Upon his promotion to captain, Bolitho haX become entitled to an extra lieutenant, and thO appointment fell vacant on the very day the twQ midshipmen went aboard the flagship to sit for thei_ commissions. Heyward had passed with flying coloursB and now, looking back, it was hard to recall him as Z midshipman at all. Bethune had unfortunately failed hiY exams, not once, but three times, and BolithQ repeatedly wondered how best to get rid of him. HO had grown very fond of Bethune, but knew that bein^ retained in Sparrow's confined community was onla

acting against his remaining, if dwindling, chances. HiY navigation was hopeless, his ability to take charge ob the quarterdeck and set the hands to making o_ shortening sail was dismal to behold. As a marinO officer, or even a foot soldier, he would have bee[ adequate. He could obey orders, even if he found theR hard to formulate. Under fire he had shown plenty ob courage, and a boyish stoicism which was rarela matched even by a seasoned sailor. Now, aged twentyB and with no hope of gaining the commission he sQ obviously desired, he stood out like a sore thumb? Heyward had tried to help him, more so than BolithQ had imagined he would. But it was no use. The ship'Y company treated him with cheerful acceptance, as thea would a child. His burden had not been eased by thO appointment of a new midshipman to take Heyward'Y place?

Roger Augustus Fowler, sixteen years of age, anX with the pouting features of a petulant pig, had soo[ learned to add to rather than detract from Bethune'Y misery?

Fowler's arrival had further enlarged the rift betwee[ Bolitho and Colquhoun.

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