Passage to Mutiny by Alexander Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

to them.
    Afterwards, with their independence won, and with both British and French gone from their newborn country, the Americans had been left with another army in their midst. A nation of Indian warriors which, if joined together, might still drive the settlers into the sea and isolate the new ports and cities.
    He added, “I doubt very much that we could have passed the Eurotas without sighting her. We have had double lookouts, and at night have shown enough lights for a blind man to see. Her captain would know of the concern for his late arrival and would try to make contact with any ship of size.”
    Allday’s eyes were distant as he watched the sea through the stern windows. With the wind across the larboard quarter the ship was leaning slightly under the pressure, so that the sea appeared to be on the slope. Like most professional seamen, Allday seemed able to stare at the sea without a blink, and yet the horizon was shining fiercely like a tautly stretched thread of gems.
    â€œMy guess, Captain, is that she’s put in somewhere for water. Her supply might have gone foul, as ours did once.” He grimaced. “With a hull full of convicts and the like, her captain’d not want to add to his worries, and that’s no error.”
    â€œTrue.”
    Bolitho looked away, remembering the way she had looked. Their carefree disregard for discovery and what might have happened. At Madras, and afterwards. In that wretched, fever-infested colony to which Bolitho’s ship had been sent to lend authority to yet another governor. Often he had sweated at the thought of those possibilities. A door being flung open, her face and shoulders pale as he tried to hide her from her husband. But nobody had come to break their passions, and the ache of losing her was even harder to accept.
    He felt anger, too. What could James Raymond be thinking of to drag her out here again? European women found the climate cruel and demanding, and for Raymond there was no such need. His fine house, his authority, all he had gained at others’ expense would have made it easy to leave her in security and comfort amongst people and customs she understood.
    There was a rap at the door and Borlase peered through the screen, his face less mild than usual.
    â€œI was wondering if I might speak with you, sir.” He looked quickly at Allday. “But if it is inconvenient . . .”
    Bolitho gestured to Allday, and as he left the cabin said, “Be brief, Mr Borlase. I intend to exercise the twelve-pounders before noon.”
    He knew why the lieutenant was here; that too depressed him.
    Borlase licked his lips. “I had occasion to log a seaman, sir.”
    â€œPeterson. I know.”
    He saw the merest flicker of surprise before Borlase hurried on, “I see, sir. But I intended that Mr Herrick should award punishment. Peterson was defiant and insolent to his superior, and twelve lashes, at the very least, should be his just deserts!”
    The speech had brought a flush to his cheeks. Like a petulant but triumphant child who has found a weakness in authority, Bolitho thought.
    He answered quietly, “The bosun’s mate who was defied was Schultz, is that so?” He did not wait for an answer but continued in the same level voice, “He is an excellent seaman, and we are lucky to have him. But, ” the word hung in the air, “less than two years back he could speak no tongue but his native German. What language he has mastered is made up of sailors’ talk and slang, the commands needed to obey and instruct others.”
    Borlase stared at him blankly. “I don’t see . . .”
    â€œHad you bothered to investigate this matter”—Bolitho could feel his anger mounting, despite his care to control it. Why were men like Borlase never able to learn from mistakes and to accept the lessons?—“you would have treated the incident with a minimum of fuss. I believe that