In consequence of what Polwheal had to tell, the lower deck all knew that another move was imminent, fully two hours before Hornblower appeared on the quarterdeck and gave the orders which precipitated it.
Chapter XI
“They’re shooting well, sir,” said Bush, as a fountain of water leaped suddenly and mysteriously into brief life a hundred yards from the port beam. “Who couldn’t shoot well with their advantages?” answered Gerard.
“Forty-two pounders, on permanent mounts fifty feet above the water, and soldiers to serve ’em ten years in the ranks?”
“I’ve seen ’em shoot worse, all the same,” said Crystal.
“It’s a mile an’ a half if it’s a yard,” said Bush.
“More than that,” said Crystal.
“A scant mile,” said Gerard.
“Nonsense,” said Bush.
Hornblower broke into their wrangling.
“Your attention, please, gentlemen. And I shall want Rayner and Hooker — pass the word, there, for Mr Rayner and Mr Hooker. Now, study the place with care.”
A dozen telescopes trained on Port Vendres, with the sunset reddening behind. In the background Mount Canigou stood out with a startling illusion of towering height; to the left the spurs of the Pyrenees ran clean down into the sea at Cape Cerbera, marking where Spain had ended and France began. In the centre the white houses of Port Vendres showed pink under the sunset, clustering round the head of the little bay. In front of them a vessel swung at anchor, under the protection of the batteries on either side of the bay which were marked by occasional puffs of smoke as the guns there tried repeatedly, at extremely long range, to hit the insolent ship which was flaunting British colours within sight of the Empire’s coasts.
“Mark that battery to the left, Mr Gerard,” said Hornblower. “Mr Rayner, you see the battery to the right — there goes a gun. Mark it well. I want no mistake made. Mr Hooker, you see how the bay curves? You must be able to take a boat straight up to the ship there tonight.”
“Aye aye, sir,” said Hooker, while the other officers exchanged glances.
“Put the ship upon the port tack, Mr Bush. We must stand out to sea, now. These are your orders, gentlemen.”
Turning from one officer to another, Hornblower ran briefly through their instructions. The ship sheltering in Port Vendres was to be cut and taken that night as a climax to the twenty-four hours which had begun with the capture of the Amelie and continued with the storming of the battery at Llanza.
“The moon rises at one o’clock. I shall take care to be back in our present position here at midnight,” said Hornblower.
With good fortune, the garrison of Port Vendres might be lured into tranquillity by the sight of the Sutherland sailing away now, and she could return unobserved after nightfall. An hour of darkness would suffice to effect a surprise, and the rising moon would give sufficient light for the captured ship to be brought out if successful, and for the attackers to rally and escape if unsuccessful.
“Mr Bush will remain in command of the ship,” said Hornblower.
“Sir!” protested Bush. “Please sir —”
“You’ve won sufficient distinction today, Bush,” said Hornblower.
Hornblower was going in with the attack. He knew that he would not be able to bear the anxiety of waiting outside with the firing and the fighting going on inside — he was in a fever already, now that he was allowing his mind to dwell on the prospective action, although he was taking care not to show it.
“Every man in the boarding party must be a seaman,” said Hornblower. “Mr Gerard and Mr Rayner can divide the marines between them.”
His listeners nodded, understanding. To set sail in a strange ship and get her under way in darkness would call for seamanship.
“You all understand what is expected of you?” asked Hornblower, and they nodded again. “Mr Hooker, repeat your orders.”
Hooker repeated them accurately. He was a good officer as Hornblower had known when he had recommended him for promotion to lieutenant on the Lydia’s return.
“Good,” said Hornblower. “Then, gentlemen, you will please set your watches with mine. There will be enough light from the stars to read them. What, no watch, Mr Hooker? Perhaps Mr Bush will be good enough to lend you his.”