Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (72 page)

***

             
The
wind
was
somewhat
easier,
though
still
strong,
when
the
last
boat
drew
away
from
the
sinking
ship.
A
flurry
of
snow
briefly
powdered
shoulders
of
those
on
deck
and
the
nettings
as
the
quarterboat
was
hauled
up
to
her
davits
and
the
launch
returned
to
her
cradle.

             
"
Braces
there,
"
called
the
First
Lieutenant
and
the
backed
topsail
once
more
filled
to
the
wind.
It
was
as
if
the
ship
itself
wanted
to
leave
the
scene
of
the
sinking
Maid
of
Selsey
,
to
put
some
distance
between
herself
and
the
misery
the
other
ship
represented.

             
Spartan
gathered
way;
somewhere
ahead
the
remaining
ships
of
her
small
convoy
had
to
be
found.
"
Shake
out
a
reef
in
the
topsails
and
see
if
she
will
carry
reefed
topgallants,
Thomas,
"
Captain
Blackwood
ordered,
"
We
have
a
stern
chase
now.
"

             
"
Aye,
aye,
sir,
"
the
Lieutenant
turned
and
bellowed,
"
Hands
to
make
sail,
Mister
Billing.
Reefed
t
'
gallants
if
you
please
and
set
the
mizzen
topsail
–
triple
reefed.
"

             
As
the
canvas
spread
the
ship
plunged
forward,
her
deck
canting
steeply
on
the
roll.
Harry
staggered
and
steadied
himself
with
a
hand
on
a
belaying
pin
in
its
rail.
He
grinned
at
Ferghal
clutching
the
frame
of
the
hourglass
housing.
"
The
ship
seems
eager
to
leave
this
place,
"
he
commented.

             
"
Aye,
that
she
does,
Master
Harry
–
and
who
should
blame
her,
"
responded
Ferghal.
He
glanced
to
where
the
Master
and
crew
of
the
Maid
of
Selsey
were
gathered
with
Lieutenant
Evans.
"
Yet
some,
at
least,
of
our
guests,
may
not
be
quite
so
content
with
our
Captain
'
s
arrangements
for
them.
"

             
Following
his
gaze
Harry
laughed,
"
Aye.
It
seems
we
have
filled
a
few
vacancies
–
I
'
m
sure
Mister
Billing
and
his
mates
will
soon
have
them
used
to
our
ways.
"
He
indicated
the
screen
beneath
the
fo
'
c
'
s
'
le.
"
But
our
other
passengers
will
have
to
go
to
the
other
ships
as
soon
as
we
find
them.
Some
may
find
that
harsh.
"

             
The
lookout
'
s
cry
drew
their
attention.
"
Land
ho!
Fine
on
the
Larboard
bow.
"

             
"
That
will
be
Desolation
Island
–
Kerguelen
as
the
French
call
it,
"
remarked
the
Master.
"
No
shelter
there
–
a
forsaken
place
frequented
only
by
whalers.
We
are
further
south
than
is
desirable.
"

             
"
Indeed,
"
replied
the
Captain,
"
But
it
is
good
to
have
that
marker
–
we
are
making
good
time
with
these
winds.
"

             
The
lookout
'
s
cry
interrupted
them
again.
"
Deck
there
–
three
sail
hull
down
ahead.
It
'
s
the
convoy.
"

             
"
Well,
Thomas,
"
the
Captain
remarked.
"
The
ship
has
done
well.
I
shall
go
below
–
have
them
call
me
when
we
rejoin
our
flotilla.
"

***

             
Harry
watched
as
his
Captain
left
the
deck.
He
had
watched
and
marveled
at
everything
he
had
seen
in
the
last
few
hours.
He
was
aware
that
he
was
chilled
to
the
bone
and
the
wind
seemed
to
find
no
cause
to
go
past
him.
He
grinned
tiredly.
'
And
so
is
everyone
else,
'
he
told
himself.
His
stomach
complained
at
its
lack
of
food
as
the
galley
chimney
released
a
drift
of
smoke.
Food
and
then
sleep,
he
thought
–
his
journal
would
have
to
wait.
The
bell
chimed
seven
times
from
the
fo
'
c
'
s
'
le
belfry
and
he
realised
with
a
shiver
that
it
would
be
another
half
hour
before
he
could
be
relieved
of
his
watch.
He
sighed,
and
noted
the
time
and
the
course
on
the
slate
in
his
hand.
It
had
been
a
long
and
exciting
watch.

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