Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (102 page)

             
"
As
you
say,
Mister
Beasley,
the
prevalent
wind
is
from
the
East
so,
once
we
have
the
passage
it
should
be
a
simple
matter
to
proceed
through
it.
"

             
"
The
channel
on
this
chart
is
at
least
as
wide
as
the
Solent,
perhaps
wider,
sir,
"
the
Master
said.
"
It
should
also
have
sufficient
depth,
though
I
mistrust
the
surveying
of
it.
"

             
"
Exactly.
That
is
why
we
will
proceed
with
caution.
At
least
in
the
Solent
if
we
touch
ground
it
is
shingle
–
here
the
coral
will
rip
our
planks
and
I
have
no
desire
to
continue
our
voyage
in
the
ship
'
s
boats.
"
The
Captain
straightened
and
looked
at
his
officers,
"
We
will
proceed
through
the
channel
with
the
boats
ahead
of
us
under
oars,
so
that
soundings
may
be
taken.
You
will
each
command
a
boat,
gentlemen,
and
if
you
find
shoal
water
it
must
be
signalled
and
we
will
either
anchor
or
heave
too
until
the
channel
is
clear.
"
He
accepted
their
acknowledgement
and
then
said,
"
At
least
once
we
are
beyond
this
strait
we
have
a
pilot
of
some
skill
and
knowledge
to
assist
us.
Captain
Te
Water
is
familiar
with
the
waters
around
Java
and
knows
the
route
between
the
islands
to
reach
Batavia
well.
Now,
gentlemen
–
to
work.
"

             
"
A
suggestion,
sir?
"
The
First
Lieutenant
asked
and,
receiving
his
Captain
'
s
consent,
continued,
"
Perhaps,
once
we
have
passed
this
channel,
we
could
touch
land
and
renew
our
water
casks
and
perhaps
obtain
some
fruit?
Captain
Te
Water
says
we
are
yet
three
weeks
from
Batavia
if
the
wind
continues
light.
Our
supplies
of
lime
juice
are
low
and
our
stock
of
fruit
is
now
exhausted.
"

             
"
Certainly
Thomas,
"
the
Captain
nodded,
"
Assuming,
of
course,
that
anything
may
be
found
in
the
jungles
hereabouts.
There
is
little
edible
growing
wild
reported
on
this
coast
of
New
South
Wales
and
of
the
New
Guinea
side
we
know
little.
"

-

             
Dawn
found
the
ship
heaving
short
on
her
cable
and
breaking
out
her
anchor
to
the
rousing
sound
of
Ferghal
'
s
fiddle
as
the
cable
was
brought
in.
The
breeze
was
as
yet
light,
but
the
high
cloud
even
now
catching
the
early
light,
promised
more
wind
later
according
to
the
Master.
Already
the
three
larger
boats
were
pulling
strongly
in
a
broad
line
across
the
ship
'
s
intended
course.
The
flash
of
the
lead
as
it
soared
up
and
forward
with
each
cast
from
the
three
boats
signalling
the
care
that
was
being
taken
to
avoid
some
underwater
obstruction.
  

             
Harry
found
himself
on
the
fo
'
c
'
s
'
le
with
the
big
telescope
and
instructions
to
watch
for
any
signal
from
the
boats
that
they
had
found
a
dangerous
shoal.
Aloft
doubled
lookouts
scanned
the
sea
ahead
and
around
them,
seeking
the
telltale
sign
of
any
obstruction.
It
was
slow
work,
but
the
great
ship
lumbered
after
her
boats,
the
sea
changing
hue
as
the
sun
rose,
the
golden
fire
running
down
her
rigging
and
lighting
up
her
topsails
as
she
used
the
breeze
to
advantage.
Suddenly
the
leading
boat,
the
launch
under
the
command
of
Mister
Rogers,
changed
course,
turning
to
Starboard
and
working
its
way
northward.

             
Harry
raised
the
glass
and
focussed
on
the
figure
in
the
sternsheets.
He
caught
the
signal
and
called
to
the
quarterdeck,
"
Mister
Rogers
signals,
sir.
Reef
ahead
and
to
Larboard.
"

             
In
response
the
ship
heeled
slightly
as
the
helm
went
down,
turning
the
ship
to
Starboard
and
putting
her
on
a
more
northerly
heading.
From
aft
Harry
heard,
"
Very
good,
Mister
Heron,
keep
a
sharp
watch
on
the
others.
"

             
All
three
boats
had
now
adjusted
their
course,
maintaining
the
interval
between
them
as
they
worked
their
way
clear
of
the
reef
Mister
Rogers
had
marked.