The Midshipman Prince Read Free Page A

except for his eyes. His eyes were a penetrating green and suggested there was some steel behind his youngish good looks. “Yes, more or less,” Walker replied with a limp smile.
     
           “Good. Then who the devil are you and what are you doing bobbing around the middle of the ocean?”
     
           “As I explained to your... to him,” nodding over at the young man who had now joined them, “I am Lucas Walker. I was a passenger on a merchantman called the Mary Louise . It went down last night with all hands... except me.”
     
           The captain said nothing but looked shocked, although he covered it up better than the young man had.  
     
           “What is your nationality, Mr. Walker, and where were you bound?”
     
           That, Walker knew, was a loaded question. Healthy young Americans were, likely as not, to be pressed into the British navy if they were anywhere near shorthanded—and the ships were always shorthanded. Making matters worse, Walker was exhausted and not thinking clearly. If he had been, he would never have blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
     
           “I am an American,” he paused, and then went on quickly. “I am a military officer and claim protection as a prisoner under the Articles of War.” Walker was smugly proud of himself. He had just foiled any attempt Hudson might make to press him.
     
           “And what type of officer are you, sir? What branch of the military? What unit?”
     
           For some reason Walker was not expecting to be pressed on the matter. He looked quickly around and blurted out, “I am a naval officer. I was on my way to join my ship at... Well, I am sorry sir, but I am not at liberty to give you my ship’s location.”
     
           Walker was getting into this game. He was surprised at how clever his answers were, and he should have left it at that. Unfortunately, all too often that simple ability was not in his nature. He decided to press on with his bravado.
     
           “So, you see sir, I demand that you turn this tub around and take me to the closest port where I may be exchanged.”
     
           Hudson’s eyes widened. “You demand?” He sputtered. “This TUB?” Captain Hudson’s face began to flush, and his hands clenched into fists. Behind him, two red-coated Marines started forward, and Walker knew he had gone too far. Fortunately, Rooney intervened to defuse the situation.
     
           “Captain, if I might have a word with you.” And quickly drew him aside. This also gave Walker a chance to assess his situation.
     
           The most striking immediate thing was the hostility radiating from the crowd standing around him. Nobody said anything but that just made the intensity of their hostility even worse. He was a good judge of men and there were few in this group that he would care to meet in a dark alley.
     
           Hudson and Rooney finished their conversation, and the captain turned around. In an icy tone he said, “Mr. Smith, take this gentleman down to the sick-berth and have him looked over by the surgeon’s mate. Then get him some dry clothes, something to eat if he’s hungry and show him to the fourth officer’s cabin. Mr. Rooney, please get the ship underway. There we have it.”
     
           Hudson started to walk to a door that was directly behind the helm. Rooney began bellowing orders:
     
           “All right, the show’s over. Look alive there. Main and fore, standby to release topsails. Waisters, standby to sheet her home...”
     
           With that the young man from the rescue boat came forward and said stiffly: “I am William Sidney Smith, First Lieutenant aboard this ship; and if you ever insult the captain or this ship like that again, I will personally break you in half. Now, follow me, please,” and he turned and walked away without bothering to see whether Walker was