Richard Bolitho – Midshipman

'I've never heard him make jokes before.' 'Listen! ' Verling held up his hand. 'A trumpet! We've roused them at last! ' He became serious. 'Divide up the people, Mr Tregorren. You know what to do. There is some kind of jetty on the eastern side, right beneath the fortress. I am told it is where the traders bring the slaves, and from whence they ferry them to seagoing vessels.' He placed his hat on the deck and glanced quickly at the others around him. 'Remove any items of uniform which might be recognized, and keep out of sight as much as possible. Pass the word to the marines to stand fast and wait for the order. JVo matter what.' The brig was closing fast, several of her snappy six-pounders loosing-off shot, some of which fell dangerously near to the dhow. A great boom shattered the air, and seconds later Bolitho saw a waterspout shoot skywards just beyond Sandpiper's bowsprit. Her sails were in disarray as Lieutenant Dallas brought her even closer, running up his ensign to the gaff as if to further infuriate the enemy. Several more flashes lit the battery wall, and the splashes, although as big as the first, were haphazard and nowhere near the brig. Bolitho supposed that the gun crews were still half-asleep, or could not believe that a vessel so frail, one which had already been seized below these same cannon, would dare press any nearer. 148