Donland by Comer Perry

Author:Comer, Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: paccom
Published: 2023-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Carstairs was waiting for him in the dining cabin. “How is your strength?” he asked as Donland removed his hat.

“Weak as a kitten but gaining my sea legs.”

“I would suggest you have a small meal and another later. Nothing heavy, your stomach will have shrunk.”

“Aye,” Donland answered as he sat heavily on a chair. “Have you any idea the cause of my malaise?”

Carstairs sat and said, “First I suspected food poisoning, but now I believe it was a fever you contracted when ashore. Could have been any number of such, but were it not for your good health and strength, you well may have died. Whether it reasserts itself, I do not know. Only time will answer that question.”

The door opened and Maddox entered. “Beg pardon, Sir, I thought I should see what state you are in.”

Donland smiled and said, “Recovering, Mister Maddox, recovering. However, I believe I am growing stronger by the minute.”

“I am glad to hear that. It is not the way I hoped to gain command,” Maddox joked.

“Nor, would I have you do so, Mister Maddox. Will you have wine?”

“Aye, Sir.”

“Newman, wine if you please,” Donland ordered, and turned back to Maddox.

“I’ll have a word with Missies Bostwick once you’ve got your wine. I intend to set her ashore. You will accompany her. Also, inform Mister Ladson that he will be set ashore. I think it is best we discharge our guests as soon as possible. Now is there anything that was amiss while I was ill that I should know about?”

“Nothing, Sir, I did as you intended, which is to sail here and keep watch on the coast as we made the passage. There were no signals from anyone in distress. All aboard ship did their duty without misstep or mishap.”

Maddox downed his wine and rose from the table. “I will see to our guests.”

Arthur entered from the galley bearing a small platter and set it down in front of Donland. He lifted the lid to reveal a bowl of stew and a small thin cake of unleavened bread.

“What is it?” Donland asked.

“Chicken and rice with a few beans. The surgeon suggested it and the unleavened bread.”

Donland stared at the bowl, then bent over it and smelled. Satisfied, he took the spoon and tasted it.

“More wine, Sir?” Newman asked.

“Aye,” Donland answered and began to eat.

There was a hard knock on the door and he called, “Enter!”

Emily Bostwick came in; she was smiling. “Mister Maddox said that you sent for me.”

“I did. Pardon me for not rising.”

“Are you better?”

“I am, Madam, and I thank you for assisting in my care. Newman told me you bathed me.”

Color came to her cheeks, and she said, “I did as I thought necessary.”

“I am in your debt.”

She sat and he said, “Mister Maddox is preparing the launch to take you ashore. I want to return your valuables to you before you depart.”

“I’m to go now?”

“Yes, I am sure you are tired of shipboard life and its confines.”

She smiled demurely. “You have been a splendid host and a gentleman; it is I that am in your debt.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.