His Majesty's Ship Read Free Page B

general babble of conversation; Carling, the captain of marines, had asked Rogers a question, and Tait broke off from his study of the new man to hear his reply.
           “My father? Quite possibly; he was fifteen years with the Guards before he went into politics.”
           “He is a member of parliament then?” Dyson this time, asking in his casual manner that Tait had learnt was anything but.
           Rogers winced. “God no, sir. The Lords!”
           There was general laughter from the table, and Tait switched his attention momentarily to Dyson, who absorbed the reply without any visible reaction.
           “No, despite being a soldier at heart, my father takes an interest in matters naval. In fact he regularly lunches with Sir Andrew at the Admiralty.”
           His father's position, together with the casual mention of the Comptroller of the Navy by his first name was enough to stir every officer present. In a world where promotion was dependent on acquaintances and connections as much as personal achievement, any man who had the ear of government instantly became important in himself. Tait watched as most of the others preened themselves in Rogers' presence, each taking care as the conversation progressed to show him deference and courtesy. Only Dyson and Gregory remained unimpressed. From what Tait knew about the first lieutenant it was clear that the promotion and position he had achieved had been won entirely on merit. Very much the same could be said about Gregory, who had started his shipboard life as an ordinary seaman. Now as a lieutenant, and elevated to commissioned officer status, he had lost none of the common sense essential on the lower deck, where men who are frauds, cheats or liars are quickly identified and exiled.
           From the head of the table Dyson tapped his fruit knife against his glass, and the conversation ceased.
           “Gentlemen, this has been a pleasant evening, but I am sure you will all wish to get some sleep before tomorrow.”
           Stewards appeared unbidden from the pantry and as a body the men rose from the table. In the crowded conditions of a ship-of-the-line, even the officers were cramped for space, and most had to walk just a few short steps before they were in the little penned off cubicles that were their cabins. Tait found his and closed the light door behind him, before loosening his stock and sighing. Rogers had the cabin next to his, and through the thin deal wall he heard the man belch loudly. He pulled a face to himself, and began to undress. Rogers was clearly ahead of him, and as Tait drew back the blanket and blew out his dip, he heard his rich, generous snores begin. He swung himself into his cot and stared up at the deckhead. The forthcoming cruise should not last long; they might even be back within three or four months. But long or short, Tait felt with that particular companion on board, it was certainly not going to be easy.
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
     
     
           The night aboard the receiving ship had been a hard one. With morning Matthew eased his stiff body into a sitting position being careful to avoid the Irishman on his right who was sleeping fitfully. The place was airless and still quite dark, although enough light now penetrated the grating to allow him to examine his surroundings. He ran his fingers through his hair: he felt grubby and uncomfortable. His mouth tasted as if he had been sucking copper coins and he had a pain in his neck from lying awkwardly. The sleeping man snorted and gave a slight moan. Matthew looked at him, noticing that the shallow wound on his temple had ceased to bleed and that a bruise was now plainly visible along his forehead.
           Matthew had been brought to the receiving ship late the previous night, after spending the evening in the Rondey, or rendezvous ; the base used by the impressment men. He had been reasonably