Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (25 page)

***

             
On
deck
Harry
hurried
to
his
station
and
reported
himself
to
the
Lieutenant.
The
fresh
breeze
was
a
delight
to
his
senses
as
he
watched
the
bustle
about
him.

             
"
Make
the
most
of
your
escape
from
the
classroom,
Mr
Heron.
"
The
lieutenant
'
s
voice
startled
him,
"
I
imagine
it
must
be
pretty
warm
below
decks
now.
"

             
"
It
is,
sir,
"
Harry
grinned,
"
I
think
many
of
us
are
almost
asleep
in
it.
"

             
"
Aye,
the
Parson
has
that
effect
even
in
the
open
and
when
you
'
re
stood
up.
"
The
officer
laughed.
"
What
is
he
teaching
at
present?
"
He
paused
to
call
to
a
Master
'
s
Mate,
"
Take
care
there
–
take
that
man
'
s
name,
that
halyard
is
not
properly
secured.
"

             
"
Trigonometry,
sir,
"
Harry
replied
as
the
lieutenant
turned
back
to
him,
"
A
favourite
of
mine,
though
I
confess
I
am
now
somewhat
confused
and
must
consult
my
text
book
to
see
where
I
have
misunderstood
Mr
Bentley
'
s
exposition.
"

             
"
Ah,
well
I
am
not
surprised.
Have
a
word
with
the
Master;
his
mathematics
is
of
the
practical
kind,
not
the
pure
scientific
stuff
Mr
Bentley
teaches.
"
He
turned
away
again,
"
Make
all
secure
and
….
"

             
The
voice
of
the
First
Lieutenant
cut
across
their
conversation.
"
Mister
Heron,
lay
aft
if
you
please.
"

***

             
Ferghal,
with
his
red
hair
and
pale
skin,
was
suffering
in
the
constant
sunshine.
Even
though
he
was
used
to
the
outdoor
life,
the
harsh
glare
from
the
sea
and
the
brilliant
sunshine
gave
him
and
a
large
number
of
others,
including
several
of
the
Midshipmen,
bad
cases
of
sunburn
until
the
older
hands
showed
them
how
to
protect
themselves
with
fat
from
the
cook,
tallow
and
broad
brimmed
hats.

             
The
surgeon
complained
in
the
Wardroom,
"
These
men
are
fools
–
they
see
no
harm
in
exposing
themselves
to
the
sun
in
this
manner
and
several
are
burned
badly
enough
to
warrant
a
spell
in
the
sickbay.
"
He
snorted,
"
And
some
of
the
young
'
gentlemen
'
are
no
better,
I
caught
young
Houghton
without
his
hat
at
midday!
As
a
result
he
needs
lotion
for
the
burn
to
his
face
and
his
eyes
are
affected
too.
Have
they
no
sense
at
all?
"

             
"
You
cannot
blame
them
entirely,
Mr
Spenser,
"
Thomas
Bell
remarked,
"
Many
have
not
enjoyed
such
warmth
or
sunshine
in
their
lives
thus
far.
"

             
"
Aye,
I
'
ll
grant
you
that,
Mr
Bell,
"
the
surgeon
said.
"
But
if
they
do
not
take
care
it
will
be
the
death
of
them.
Some
have
burns
such
as
I
would
expect
from
a
flame
–
and
suffer
for
it.
"

             
"
Well
I
shall
rely
upon
you
to
ensure
we
do
not
lose
any
men
or
boys.
As
it
is
I
am
sore
tempted
to
visit
the
prison
ships
again
with
a
call
for
hands.
Some,
I
am
sure,
will
be
eager
to
escape
the
holds
of
those
floating
hellholes.
"

***

             
At
Cape
St
Vincent
the
convoy
swung
South
and
East
sighting
the
great
port
of
Cadiz
in
the
early
dawn.
Mister
Bell
remarked
casually,
"
It
seems
strange
to
pass
that
place
and
not
see
activity
as
they
despatch
some
vessel
to
attempt
to
hinder
our
passage.
"
He
turned
as
the
Captain
stepped
on
deck.
"
Cadiz,
sir.
I
thought
you
would
wish
to
be
on
deck
when
we
detach
the
brig
and
the
colliers
for
the
Rock.
"

             
"
You
are
very
right,
Thomas,
"
the
Captain
responded,
his
telescope
to
his
eye.
"
With
our
flock,
beating
out
of
the
entrance
to
the
Mediterranean
would
be
difficult.
We
will
wear
ship
and
shape
our
course
to
the
south-westward
once
Cap
Trafalgar
is
abeam.
Pelican
and
the
colliers
may
continue
from
there,
I
do
not
think
the
Dons
will
interfere
though
there
are
several
ships
ready
for
sea
in
the
outer
roads
I
see.
"