Free A Sea Unto Itself by Jay Worrall Page A

“necessities” such as tobacco, candles, and clothing to the ship’s company. There was ample room for corruption in this system and some pursers amassed small fortunes at the expense of their crews’ comfort. On the other hand, there were those who overspent their allowances and were bankrupted when held responsible for the deficit. A ship's captain was officially responsible for reviewing his purser's accountings and checking for any malfeasance. Some were diligent in this tedious task, others scarcely bothered. Pursers were rarely beloved figures by a ship’s crew, who universally assumed they were being cheated, real or not.
    “I am aware of the requirements of your position, Mr. Wells,” Charles said. “I know, for example, that when in an English harbor you are entitled to draw fresh provisions from the victualing wharf.”
    The purser did not apologize. “I have only come onboard these three days past,” he said. “I have not yet had the leisure to attend to it.”
    “I trust you will find the leisure for it the first thing on the morrow,” Charles said.
    “If that is your wish,” Wells answered pertly.
    “It is my wish to have a healthy and happy ship, Mr. Wells,” Charles answered. “I may tell you that we are about to embark on a prolonged cruise into potentially hostile waters. Neither you nor I would wish the temper of the ship’s company to be otherwise.”
    The purser nodded noncommittally. He was a close man with his feelings, Charles decided, and had probably been caught making a few extra shillings by keeping the crew on seagoing rations. Wells would bear watching in the future.
    “Is that all, sir?” the purser asked.
    “That is all for now, Mr. Wells,” Charles said. “Thank you for attending me so promptly. I will be pleased to review your ledgers regularly on Wednesdays. I trust you find that agreeable.”
    When the purser had gone, Charles looked once more at his watch. He needed to come to a decision on what to say to the crew when he read himself in. The thought of it stirred up the bile in his stomach. He would be expected to speak about their pay and what he would do about it. But what could he do about it really? He must make no more empty promises. It would be important to set the right tone, to reassure the men that he would be a fair commander, that he believed in a disciplined ship, that he expected hard work from them and their best efforts at practice with the guns or aloft. He could appeal to their patriotism, or even religion—the French were after all known to be Catholic. He considered this for a time, then decided that it wouldn’t do. They would have heard it from every captain assuming a new command. In fact, he wouldn’t give any speech at all beyond the briefest reading of his orders. Instead, he would have them speak to him.
    Augustus soon returned. Charles busied himself with showing his steward how to arrange his belongings and explaining in general terms what his duties would be. He was considering where to hang a framed pen-and-ink drawing of Penny, a memento of his last cruise, when a knock came at the cabin door. The ship’s bell rang three times. It was time to be on deck. “Yes,” he yelled at the door.
    Isaac Beechum, Cassandra’s Third Lieutenant, entered. “Hello, Captain Edgemont. Welcome aboard, sir. Lieutenant Bevan’s respects. He says the ship’s company are assembled as requested.”
    “Yes, yes,” Charles said. Now that the moment was upon him he felt unsettled and unprepared. “Hello, Beechum. How are you?” Without waiting for a reply he turned to Augustus. “My dress uniform coat and hat, quickly please.” To Beechum, “My regards to Lieutenant Bevan. I will be on deck presently.”
    “Aye, aye, sir,” Beechum said, and departed.
    Charles slipped his arms into the heavy garment, then buckled on his sword and took up his hat. As he gained the quarterdeck he saw the marines, drawn up in a neat line, snap to and present