"Bolitho 02 - Midshipman Bolitho & Avenger(txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kent Alexander)

As he climbed up from the cabin and left the two midshipmen alone, Bolitho said, `You should have gone, Martyn. Nancy would have liked it.'
Dancer smiled ruefully. `We came together. We'll stay that way. After last night, I think you need a bodyguard, Dick!'
Gloag came back from seeing his captain over the side and picked up his goblet. In his fist it looked like a thimble.
`What I want to know is,' he eyed them fiercely, `what 'appens if' they knows what we're up to? If they've got ears and eyes amongst us already?'
Bolitho stared at him, but Dancer answered first.
`Then, Mr Gloag, sir, I fear the loss of government arms and powder will take more explaining than we are capable of.'
Gloag nodded heavily. `My thought too.' He took another swallow and smacked his lips. `Very nasty it could be.'
Bolitho thought of what the admiral at Plymouth
and his own captain in the Gorgon would have to say about it.
The careers of James Bolitho's two sons might come to a speedy end.

6
A Plain Duty

Bolitho wandered up and down the high stone jetty and watched the activity of Penzance harbour. But for the bitter cold it could almost have been spring, he thought. The colours of the moored fishing boats and grubby coasting vessels, the rooftops and church spires of the town beyond the anchorage seemed brighter and more cheerful than they should have been.
He looked down at the Avenger tied to the jetty. She seemed even less a King's ship from this angle. Her broad deck was strewn with ropes and alive with bustling seamen. But here and there he saw the occasional motionless figure. Watchful, despite the casual atmosphere, ready to seek out any suspicious loiterer nearby.
Even their departure had been well planned and executed with stealth. The cargo of borrowed arms and powder had been swayed aboard in total darkness, while Pyke and over twenty hands had patrolled the nearest jetty and street, just to be sure that nobody had seen what they were about.
Then, taking good care to avoid local shipping,
Avenger had stood away from the land before heading down channel again, towards Penzance.
Hugh was ashore now, as usual leaving neither explanation nor destination.
Bolitho studied the passing men and women, seamen and fisherfolk, traders and idlers. Had the rumour gone out yet? Was someone already plotting a way of ambushing Hugh's fictitious capture?
Dancer clambered up from the cutter and stood beside him, rubbing his hands to ward off the cold.
Bolitho said, `It seems very peaceful, Martyn.'
His friend nodded cheerfully. `Your brother has thought of everything. The chief revenue officer has been here, and I'm told that waggons are being sent to collect our, precious hoard !' His mouth widened to a grin. `I didn't know the Navy ever got mixed up in this kind of game.'
A seaman called, 'Cap'n's a'comin', sir!'
Bolitho waved to the man. He had grown to like the friendly way, that forecastle and afterguard shared their confidences when one might expect such an overcrowded hull to drive them further apart.
Hugh Bolitho, wearing his sword and looking very sure of himself, climbed swiftly down to the deck, the midshipmen following at a respectful distance.
Hugh touched his hat to the poop and briskly flapping ensign and said, 'Waggons will be here presently. They've done well. The whole town's agog with news of our little enterprise. Good muskets and powder, seized from a potential enemy.'
He ran his glance swiftly over the large bundles of muskets which were already being swayed up from the hold under the gunner's watchful eye.
He sniffed the air. `Good day to begin too. No hanging about. It's what they will be watching. Probably right now. To see if we're really intent on getting the cargo ashore and into safe hands, or are trailing our coats as a ruse.'
Gloag, who had been listening, said admiringly, `You've a clever mind an' no mistake, sir. I can see you in your own flagship afore too long!'
`Maybe.' Hugh walked to the companionway. `The waggons will be loaded and under guard from the moment they arrive. There'll be a party of revenue men as additional escort.' His eyes fixed on Dancer. `You will be in charge. The senior revenue man will know what to do, but I want a King's _officer in charge.'
Bolitho said quickly, `I'll go, sir. It doesn't seem right to send him. It was because of me he is here at all.'
`The matter is closed.' Hugh smiled. `Besides, it will all be over before you know it. A few bloody heads and the sight of the dragoons will be sufficient. Sir Henry Vyvyan can have all the hangings he wants after that !'
As he vanished below Dancer said, `It's no matter, Dick. We've done far worse in the old Gorgon. And this may stand us in good stead when our examiations come due, whenever that wretched day will be !'
By noon the waggons had arrived and were loaded without delay. Again, Hugh Bolitho had planned it
well. Not enough fuss to make the preparations appear false, but enough to suggest the genuine pride of a young commander's capture.
If it went well, Gloag's remark would make good sense. The prize money from the stranded Dutch vessel and the destruction of a gang of smugglers or wreckers would do much to push Hugh's other problems to one side.
`You there! Give me a hand down with my bag!'
Bolitho turned to see a seaman helping a tall, loose-limbed man in a plain blue coat and hat down. on to the cutter's bulwark.
The seaman seemed to know him well and grinned. `Welcome back, Mr Whiffin, sir!'
Bolitho' hurried aft, raking through his mind to place where he had heard the name. He had now been aboard the cutter for ten days and had learned the names and duties of most of the men, but Whiffin's role eluded him.
The tall man regarded-him calmly. A mournful, expressionless face.
He said, 'Whiffin. Clerk-in-charge.'
Bolitho touched his hat. Of course, that was it. These cutters carried a senior clerk to do several jobs in one. To act as purser, captain's clerk, in some cases even to try their hand at surgery, and Whiffin looked as if he could do all of them. Bolitho remembered hearing his brother mention vaguely he had put Whiffin ashore for some reason or other. Anyway, now he was back.
`Captain aboard?' He was studying Bolitho curiously. `You'll be the brother then.'
Wherever he had been, Whiffin was remarkably well informed.
`Aft.'
'Very well. I'd better see him.'
Shooting another glance at Dancer he went below, twisting himself around and down the companion like a weasel.