Free Stand Into Danger by Alexander Kent Page A

next turn of the glass we will alter course.” He peered at the tilting compass, “Sou’-west by west. The captain intends to see the t’gan’sls, though with these light winds under our coat-tails I doubt if we can coax another knot out of her.”
    Slade squinted up at the masthead lookout. “So the strange sail means something.”
    Palliser’s voice preceded him up the companion ladder. “It means, Mr Slade, that if that sail is still there tomorrow morning she is indeed following us.”
    Bolitho saw the worry in Gulliver’s eyes and guessed what Dumaresq must have said to him and Palliser.
    â€œSurely there is nothing we can do about that, sir? We are not at war.”
    Palliser regarded him calmly. “There is quite a lot we can do about it.” He nodded to emphasize the point. “So be ready.”
    As Bolitho made to leave the quarterdeck in his care Palliser called after him, “And I shall be timing those laggards of yours when all hands are piped to make more sail.”
    Bolitho touched his hat. “I am honoured, sir.”
    Rhodes was waiting for him on the gun-deck. “Well done, Dick. He’ll respect you if you stand up to him.”
    They walked aft to the wardroom and Rhodes said, “The lord and master is going to take that other vessel, you know that, don’t you, Dick?”
    Bolitho threw his hat on to one of the guns and sat down at the wardroom table.
    â€œI suppose so.” His mind drifted back again, to the coves and cliffs of Cornwall. “Last year, Stephen, I was doing temporary duty aboard a revenue cutter.”
    Rhodes was about to make a joke of it but saw the sudden pain in Bolitho’s eyes.
    Bolitho said, “There was a man then, a big and respected landowner. He died trying to flee the country. It was proved he had been smuggling arms for an uprising in America. Maybe the captain thinks this is similar, and all this time that gold has been waiting for the right use.” He grimaced, surprised at his own gravity. “But let’s talk about Rio. I am looking forward to that.”
    Colpoys strolled into the wardroom and arranged himself carefully in a chair.
    To Rhodes he said, “The first lieutenant says you are to select a midshipman to assist with the clerical duties in the cabin.” He crossed his legs and remarked, “Didn’t know the young fellas could write!”
    Their laughter died as the surgeon, unusually grim-faced, entered, and after a quick glance around to make certain they were undisturbed, said, “The gunner’s just told me something interesting. He was asked by one of his mates if they would need to move some of the twelve-pounder shot forward to make room for the bullion.” He let his words sink in. “How long has it been? Fifteen minutes? Ten? It must be the shortest secret of any day!”
    Bolitho listened to the regular creak and clatter of rigging and spars, the movement of the watch on deck overhead.
    So be ready, Palliser had said. It had suddenly adopted another meaning altogether.
    The morning after Dumaresq’s disclosures about the treasure ship found the strange sail still lying far astern.
    Bolitho had the morning-watch, and had sensed the growing tension as the light hardened across the horizon and faces around him took on shape and personality.
    Then came the cry, “Deck there! Sail to th’ nor’-east!”
    Dumaresq must have been ready for it, expecting it. He came on deck within minutes, and after a cursory glance at the compass and the flapping sails, observed, “Wind’s dropping off.” He looked at Bolitho. “This is a damnable business.” He recovered himself instantly. “I shall have breakfast now. Send Mr Slade aloft when he comes on watch. He has an eye for most craft. Tell him to study that stranger, though God knows she is cunning enough to keep her distance and still not lose