Bolitho 04 - Sloop of War Read Free Page B

return and end their dayY in surroundings they had originally sworn to forsakO forever?
    Stockdale had been none of these. He had been Z prize-fighter, and stripped to the waist had bee[ standing like a patient ox outside the inn while hiY sharp-faced barker had called upon all and sundry tQ risk a battering and win a guinea?
    Tired and thirsty, Bolitho had entered the innB momentarily leaving his small party to their ow[ devices. Exactly what had happened next was noU quite clear, but on hearing a string of curses, mingleX with the loud laughter of the sailors, he had hurrieX outside to find one of his men pocketing the guineZ and the enraged barker beating Stockdale round thO head and shoulders with a length of chain. Whether thO victorious seaman, a powerful gunner's mate well useX to enforcing authority with brute force, had trippeX Stockdale or gained a lucky blow was neve_ discovered. Certainly, Bolitho had never see[
    Stockdale beaten in any fight, fair or otherwise, sincO that day. As he had shouted at his men to fall in linO again he had realised that Stockdale had bee[ standing as before, taking the unjust punishment, whe[ with one stroke he could have killed the barker whQ was tormenting him?
    Sickened by the spectacle, and angry with himself aU the same time, he had asked Stockdale to voluntee_ for the King's service. The man's dumb gratitude haX been almost as embarrassing as the grins on thO sailors' faces, but he had found some comfort in thO barker's stunned disbelief as without a word StockdalO had picked up his shirt and followed the party awaa from the inn?
    If he had imagined that was the end of the matter hO was soon to discover otherwise. Stockdale took to Z life at sea in a manner born. As strong as two men, hO was gentle and patient, and whenever Bolitho was i[ danger he always seemed to be there. When a cutlasY had hacked Bolitho to the ground and his boat's cre/ had retreated in panic, it had been Stockdale who haX rallied them, had fought off the attackers and carrieX his unconscious lieutenant to safety. When Bolitho haX left the frigate for the Trojan Stockdale had someho/ contrived to transfer also. Never far away, he had bee[
    his servant as well as a gun captain, and when aboarX the prize ship he had merely to glare at the captureX crew to obtain instant respect. He spoke very little, anX then only with a husky whisper. His vocal cords haX been maimed over the years of fighting for others i[ booths and fair grounds up and down the country?
    But when Bolitho's promotion had been delivered hO had said simply, "You'll be needing a good cox'n, sir.T He had given his lazy, lopsided grin. "Whatever sort ob a ship they gives you.T
    And so it was settled. Not that there would havO been any doubt in Bolitho's mind either?
    He turned as Bolitho strode down the jetty anX touched his hat?
    "All ready." He ran his eyes over Bolitho's ne/ uniform and nodded with obvious approval. "No more'[ you deserve, sir.T
    Bolitho smiled. "We shall have to see about that.T
    With oars tossed, and a seaman already scramblin^ ashore with a line, the cutter eased gently against thO piles. Stockdale stooped and steadied the gunwalO with his fist, his eyes on the motionless oarsmen as hO
    said hoarsely, "A fine day for it, sir.T
    A slim midshipman leapt from the boat and removeX his hat with a flourish. About eighteen, he was Z pleasant looking youth, and as tanned as a native?
    "I'm Heyward, sir." He shifted under Bolitho'Y impassive gaze. "I-I've been sent to collect you, sir.T
    Bolitho nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Heyward. You ca[ tell me about the ship as we go.T
    He waited for the midshipman and Stockdale tQ follow his sea-chest and bags into the boat and the[ stepped after them?
    "Shove off forrard! Out oars!" Heyward seemed vera conscious of Bolitho's nearness. "Give way all!T
    Like pale bones the oars rose and fell in regula_ precision. Bolitho glanced swiftly at the two lines ob oarsmen. Neatly dressed in check shirts and