Bolitho #24 - Cross of St. George by Alexander Kent

Author:Alexander Kent [Kent, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: McBooks Press, ISBN-13: 9780935526929
Published: 2011-09-20T13:05:04+00:00

164

CROSS OF S T GEORGE

Bolitho heard Tyacke say, almost to himself, “Got you!”

“Royal Marines, stand to!” That was Merrick. A good officer, but one who had always been dominated by du Cann, who had been torn to bloody shreds by a swivel even as he had led his marines onto the American’s deck. Was Merrick hearing his voice even now, as he ordered his men to their stations?

He moved the glass again, his lips dry as he saw Virtue’s blurred shape falling downwind, obviously out of command, her steering gone, her remaining sails whipping in the wind like ragged banners.

Tyacke again. “Starboard battery, Mr Daubeny! Open the ports!”

A whistle shrilled, and Bolitho imagined the portlids lifting like baleful eyes along their spray-dappled side.

“Run out!”

Bolitho lowered the glass and murmured a word of thanks to the midshipman. He saw Avery watching him, and said, “The senior captain is holding off for the present.” Tyacke joined him and exclaimed angrily, “To let another do his work for him, the bastard!”

There was a puff of smoke from the approaching frigate, and seconds later a ball slapped down beyond Indomitable’s thrusting jib-boom. Bolitho said, “You may shorten sail, Captain Tyacke.” He could have been speaking to a stranger.

Tyacke was shouting to his lieutenants, while high above the tilting deck the topmen were already kicking and fisting the wild canvas under control, yelling to one another as they had done so often during their endless drills and contests, mast against mast.

Bolitho straightened his back. It was always the same: the big main course brailed up to lessen the risk of fire, but leaving the crouching gun crews and the barebacked seamen at the braces and halliards feeling exposed and vulnerable.

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