Kiwi Wars by Garry Douglas Kilworth

Author:Garry Douglas Kilworth [Kilworth, Garry Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, War & Military
ISBN: 9781472109248
Google: 4BGqmgEACAAJ
Amazon: B00CIVDA42
Publisher: Constable
Published: 2013-03-21T07:00:00+00:00

Eleven

‘That’s Captain Wynter to you,’ said Abe, in a friendly way of course, for he was speaking to a youthful naval officer. ‘I ’appen to be a commissioned officer in the Honourable Artillery Company.’

‘Oh, I didn’t know that,’ said the young man in blues standing before him. From his expression he might have added, ‘And less I care,’ but for the sake of civility was holding his tongue. ‘In that case, Captain Wynter, I have to inform you that we have a passenger on board our vessel without funds. He has informed the purser that you will pay the bill for his passage from Sydney, Australia.’

‘Does he now? Sounds a bit forward to my way of thinkin’. An’ you, sir, I take it, is the purser?’

‘I am indeed that very man.’

‘Well, I can tell you straight out,’ said Abe Wynter very slowly, twirling his cane, ‘that there’s about as much chance o’ that as an elephant saying “How’d y’do?’”

‘You have no intention of settling his debt?’

They were standing in the doorway of a coffee shop in New Plymouth, with passers-by glancing at them.

‘Can you whistle?’ asked Abe Wynter, then added rudely, ‘I’ve been in the navy meself and I know you salts whistle all the time. Well, you can whistle for your money, sir, that’s what you can do. Pipe the money aboard, why don’tcha?’

The young man straightened his back. ‘There’s no need to be offensive, Captain Wynter. I will inform the unfortunate Mr Strickland of your decision. He will likely rue your name from debtor’s prison, for that’s where he’s going if he doesn’t pay his charge. Good day, sir.’

The naval officer turned on his heel and was striding away when a pale-faced Abe Wynter called him back.

‘Wait a bit – I meant no offence. It was just my little joke. Strickland, you say? Arthur Strickland?’

‘That was the name he gave us.’

‘Big man, hangs low at the shoulders, stoopin’ like?’

‘A reasonable description.’

‘Scarred lip, ’ere?’ Abe pointed to the right-hand corner of his upper lip. ‘Nose sort of twisted sideways?’

‘Captain,’ replied the officer, impatiently, ‘I do not have time to describe Mr Strickland from stem to stern. The colour of his underwear is unknown to me. We are speaking of the same man, I have no doubt. Now, do I tell him you have no interest in his plight, or shall we come to terms here and now?’

‘Coffee shop.’ Abe indicated with his cane, pointing with the end mounted with a silver hawk. ‘You drink coffee?’

‘I do indeed.’

‘Then let’s wash away the taste of last night’s brandy-wine and settle this man Strickland’s debts at the same time.’ Abe entered the coffee house, followed by the young man. ‘Now tell me all you know about Mr Arthur Strickland. ‘Ow did he come to be aboard your ship, eh? And what’s ‘is story so far?’

Abe Wynter learned all he could about his old shipmate from the young officer, who once he had been paid was quite willing to impart as much knowledge as was required.

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