Free Flag Captain by Alexander Kent Page A

light.
    When the boat came alongside again he saw Allday scrambling through the entry port, his head turning in all directions as if to take on the whole ship single-handed.
    He found Bolitho and said thickly. “By the Lord, Captain, I never expected this!” The admiration was only overshadowed by his obvious concern.
    Bolitho looked at him and grinned. “I am sorry to have placed you in danger.”
    The big coxswain waited until some scurrying seamen had run past. “I was just about to leave the inn, Captain, and try my luck again on that damned horse. I might have been able to reach Falmouth in time to raise the alarm.”
    Bolitho frowned. “What of your guards?”
    Allday shrugged and then pulled up the leg of his trousers. Even in the gloom it was possible to see the small double-barrelled pistol protruding from his stocking.
    â€œI reckon I could have laid those two beauties to rest without too much sweat!”
    â€œYou will never fail to amaze me, Allday.” Bolitho stared at him. “So you had a plan all of your own, eh?”
    â€œNot all my own. Bryan Ferguson gave me the pistol before we left. He bought it off one of the Falmouth Packet officers.” He breathed out noisily. “I’d not be wanting to leave it all to you, Captain.” He peered around the quarterdeck. “Not amongst bloody hounds like these!”
    Bolitho turned away, his mind dwelling on Allday’s simple loyalty. He wanted to find the right words, something which might convey just how much it meant to him at this moment of time.
    â€œThank you, Allday. That was reckless but extremely far-sighted of you.”
    Why could he never find the words when he needed them? And why was Allday grinning almost enough to split his face in two?
    Allday said, “Strike me blind, Captain, you are a cool one, and there’s no mistake. We might both be dead, an’ instead here we are as safe as the Tower of London.” He rubbed his buttocks. “Also, we return to Falmouth as sailors should, and not on some bony, misbegotten animal.”
    Bolitho gripped his thick forearm. “I am glad you are satisfied.”
    A lieutenant crossed the deck and touched his hat. “Capstan manned and boat hoisted, sir.”
    â€œVery good.” He felt suddenly light-headed. Perhaps he had not, after all, realised just how close he had been to disaster. Allday had understood and had been prepared in his own way. But suppose Brice had refused to submit, or Gates had held his grip on the other men? He dismissed it from his thoughts. That part was over, and he could thank God no one had been injured, let alone killed, in the uprising.
    â€œTell the master to lay a course to clear the foreland, if you please. We will run to the sou’ east until we have the sea room to go about.”
    The young officer stood quite still, his eyes filling his face in the darkness.
    Bolitho added gently, “Your name is Laker, am I right?” He saw him nod. “Well, Mr Laker, just imagine that both of your seniors had been killed in action.” Another nod. “It is your quarterdeck for the moment, and it would be well for your people to see you taking control right away. Trust is like gold, it must be earned to be of any true value.”
    The youngster said quietly, “Thank you, sir.” Then he walked away, and seconds later the capstan began to clank round to the accompaniment of a half-hearted shanty.
    Bolitho walked slowly aft and stood near the wheel. He would be ready, in case the frigate drove too close inshore. But if the Auriga had any hope of regaining her place in affairs, she had to begin here and now, with her own hands in command.
    It was as if Allday was reading his mind.
    He said softly, “Reminds me of when we were in the old Phalarope, Captain.” He glanced up as the sails cracked and stirred in readiness for the next order. “It took a long, long time before we got