Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (14 page)

             
"
So
I
am
informed.
"
The
Captain
turned
his
attention
to
his
own
ship,
saying,
"
We
will
exercise
the
hands
at
gun
drill
once
we
clear
the
channel,
it
is
fortunate
we
were
able
to
fill
so
many
vacancies
with
men
from
other
ships
and
only
a
small
number
of
landsmen.
Still
we
are
short
handed.
We
must
see
what
can
be
done
to
fill
those
before
we
leave
home
waters
Thomas.
"

             
"
As
you
say,
sir,
"
replied
the
First,
"
Though
it
will
not
be
easy
to
put
a
Press
ashore
if
we
must
keep
close
to
these
sheep
I
'
m
thinking.
"

-

             
In
the
event
it
proved
impossible
for
the
ship
to
detach
herself
from
the
convoy
and
take
the
time
needed
to
carry
out
a
sweep
for
more
hands
along
the
Devon
and
Cornish
coast.
The
wind
freshened
as
they
approached
Ushant
and
backed
southerly,
forcing
a
long
beat
to
the
North
West.

             
"
If
this
wind
holds,
sir,
we
shall
make
landfall
among
the
Scillies
soon.
"

             
"
To
be
avoided
I
think.
"
Captain
Blackwood
studied
the
chart.
"
We
will
make
a
tack
and
stand
to
the
South
East.
Signal
the
convoy
to
alter
course.
If
necessary
close
with
each
ship
and
ensure
compliance.
"
He
thought
for
a
moment.
"
It
will
be
dawn
in
another
hour;
we
will
make
the
alteration
then.
"

***

             
Harry
groaned
as
the
pipes
twittered
along
the
decks
and
the
cry
of
"
All
hands;
All
hands
to
shorten
sail,
"
rang
through
the
ship.
He
rolled
from
his
hammock
and
groped
for
his
coat;
it
would
be
cold
on
deck
at
this
hour
and
he
had
turned
in
barely
two
hours
earlier.
Rubbing
sleep
from
his
eyes
and
dragging
on
his
coat
he
ran
to
the
companionway
and
joined
the
throng
now
running
to
their
stations
for
the
task
of
shortening
the
great
press
of
canvas
overhead.

             
"
Mister
Heron,
"
the
Third
Lieutenant
called,
"
To
me,
sir.
"

             
"
Sir?
"
Harry
responded
as
he
joined
his
Divisional
Officer
at
the
foot
of
the
foremast.

             
"
Get
aloft
with
the
topmen
and
join
the
lookout.
Report
the
disposition
of
the
convoy.
We
are
standing
toward
the
Scilly
Isles
and
the
very
reef
upon
which
Sir
Cloudsley
Shovell
'
s
fleet
was
destroyed.
It
will
be
sunrise
in
a
half
hour
and
the
Captain
means
to
tack
then
–
sooner
if
you
sight
the
isles
or
the
reef.
"

             
"
Aye,
aye,
Sir.
"
Harry
turned
and
made
his
way
to
the
shrouds,
swung
onto
the
nettings
and
then
outboard
to
join
the
men
clambering
up
the
great
sweep
of
the
ratlines
to
the
foretop.
He
followed
them
round
the
futtocks
and
then
mounted
the
next
set
climbing
to
the
topgallant
crosstrees.

             
A
little
breathless
he
joined
the
lookout
and
said,
"
I
'
m
to
report
the
disposition
of
the
convoy,
where
away
are
they
Kennard?
"

             
"
On
our
Starboard
bow
and
beam,
sor.
"
The
man
had
a
heavy
Devonian
accent.
His
teeth
flashed
in
the
gloom
as
he
added,
"
Some
o
'
they
be
poor
sailers,
sor,
they
'
m
scatterin
'
an
'
laggin
'
.
"

             
"
I
see
them.
"
Harry
peered
into
the
darkness
and
could
make
out
the
stern
lights
of
several
and
the
side
lights
of
another
three
evidently
having
trouble
holding
the
same
point
to
windward
as
the
Spartan
.
He
did
a
quick
count
and
nodded
as
he
confirmed
the
number
present.
"
At
least
we
'
ve
lost
none
yet.
"
He
cupped
his
hand
to
his
mouth
and
sang
out,
"
Convoy
in
sight
on
the
lee
bow,
sir.
"

             
"
Remain
there,
Mister
Heron.
"
Mister
Beasley
'
s
voice
carried
aloft
over
the
noise
of
thundering
canvas
as
the
topsails
and
topgallants
where
reefed,
"
And
report
any
change
in
their
disposition.
"