Maddon's Rock Read Free

arrives.”
    As I turned I heard him say to the mate, “The Captain mentioned that there was a spare cabin I could use.”
    “Aye,” Hendrik replied.
    “Well, chum, wot’s the griff?” Bert asked as I returned to the two figures standing forlornly by the gangway.
    “You’ll see,” I said, and took them aft to our new quarters.
    Even Sills, a little uncomplaining north countryman, said, “It’s goin’ ter be beastly cold laike oop ’ere.” Bert looked at me and said, “Wot’s the idea, Corp? I was speakin’ ter one of the seamen an’ ’e said there was bunks to spare da’n in the foc’stle. I s’ppose because we’re in the darned Army, they fink we’ll be ’appy ter kip da’n in a perishin’ spot like this.”
    I said, “We’re here because there’s some sort of a special cargo coming on board and we’re detailed for guard duties throughout the voyage.”
    “Guard dooties?” Bert flung his kit into one corner. “They would fink up somefink like that. Why can’t we be repatriated peaceful-like, same as if we was decent citizens. Where’s that Mr. Rankin? Don’t see his kit around. S’ppose ’e’ll be feedin’ wiv the officers da’n in a nice cosy mess-room while we’re freezin’ ter death up ’ere. I can just ’ear ’im saying to the capting, ’Hi’m a Warrant Officer of the Royal Navy. Hi’m not accustomed ter feedin’ wiv the men.’” He slipped his pack on to the floor and his tin hat clattered on the steel deck-plating. “Nice trip this is goin’ ter be! Didn’t you raise a squeal for better quarters, Corp?”
    “Couldn’t very well,” I said. “You saw the movement order. Detailed for special duties during the voyage.”
    “Gawd!” he said and sat himself down morosely on his kitbag.
    Half an hour later as I stood on deck watching the loading of the ship, four Russian lorries came lumbering along the dockside and stopped opposite the Trikkala . They were open trucks and they were loaded with big square packing cases. There were three Red Army guards on each truck.
    A British Naval Officer came on board and went up to the bridge. Shortly afterwards one of the derricks was swung out towards the leading truck and the work of swinging the packing cases on board began. It was our special cargo. The cases were marked “Hurricane Engines for Replacement.”
    “First time I ever heard of a special guard being placed on dud aero engines,” Bert grumbled. I’d neverseen him in this sort of mood before. He was usually so cheerful.
    When all were stowed safely, the Naval Officer with Rankin and the skipper of the Trikkala and a Russian official of some sort came in and counted the cases. Then a sheaf of papers was produced and everybody signed. When that was done the Naval Officer turned to the Trikkala s skipper and said, “Well, it’s your responsibility now, Captain Halsey.” Then to Rankin, “See that you keep a strict guard, Mr. Rankin.” Then they went out, all but Rankin, who called me over and handed me a typewritten sheet. “Those are your guard orders, Corporal,” he said. “Two hours on, four hours off night and day. Guard on duty will be properly dressed and armed. Hell stand or march up and down outside this door.” He leaned closer to me and his breath reeked of drink as he added, “And if I find any slackness—the guard not on duty or not dressed correctly—you’ll be in trouble, Corporal, and so will the man on duty.”
    Bert stood up and came towards us. “Two on an’ four off,” he said. “Ain’t yer goin’ ter do guard dooty wiv us then, Mr. Rankin?”
    For a moment Rankin appeared too surprised to speak. He gave a little intake of breath and then said stiffly and with suave menace, “A Warrant Officer of the Royal Navy, Cook, doesn’t do guard duties.”
    “So we ’as ter do it for you, eh? That ain’t fair, yer know. We’re all in the same boat, in a manner o’ speakin’. If we ’ad a sergeant wiv us nah instead of a ruddy