Noble Duty

23. Departure Delayed

On Thursday and Friday, Jenson and Bosun interviewed the dozens who responded to placards posted along the waterfront and in Hanover Square. Twenty-two were selected and signed on, and with the new midshipmen acting as ordinary seamen for the first few weeks, the crew was again at full complement.

Repairs to Atlantica were completed mid-morning on Saturday, but the final waggons of wheat arrived late in the day. As the last sacks were lowered into the holds, I assessed the height of the sun, now well toward the western horizon. "Too much risk sailing unfamiliar narrows and shoals with the approaching dusk."

Evans nodded. "Aye, sir. My thoughts, as well. But to our favour, with loading finished, the crew will now have time to test the renewed rigging, and for the new among them to learn how to work together."

"True. But on the morrow. They have toiled long and hard with the discharging and lading, and it is wise to allow them a respite from it. We will have them practice in the forenoon and sail with the ebb."

"Aye, sir." Evans pointed toward the wharf. "The tide retards nearly an hour each day, so the next daylight high should be two or three bells of the morrow's afternoon."

"Excellent! Ring all hands, and I will announce our intentions."

"Aye, sir. All Hands."

A while later, Gillian led Camelia, Judith and David up through the quarterdeck hatch and across to the starboard rail, and I joined my three officers at the forward one. When the crew and passengers had gathered below us in the waist of the ship, I called above the hubbub, "Hoy, there! Hear here, now!"

In the resulting silence, I continued, "Well done all on the landing and lading. You have worked long and hard, and rather than put to sea with a tired crew, we will sail on the morrow's afternoon ebb."

"Delaying us further," came a familiar voice from below.

"Indeed, Mister Stawell. But far better than being caught in narrow waters and shifting shoals as dusk descends. Besides, with new and untested rigging and many new crew unfamiliar with the ship, it is folly to sail this evening."

Pleased he did not respond, I carried on, "And speaking of new crew - we have signed on thirty-four to bring the ship back up to full complement. Eleven are midshipmen - officers in training - and for their first many weeks aboard, they will work as ordinary seamen, learning and performing to our satisfaction every task aboard, slowly moving up in experience and trustworthiness. We are all to assist them with this."

I watched heads swivel to examine others. "Moving up is available to all of you. Perform all duties to the best of your ability, and those who oversee will recognise and reward your increasing skill and competence. All must follow this path to achieve positions of governance."

"Or be born to them, such as I was." Startled, I looked toward the voice to see Sir Cedric.

"Only if incompetence and ineptitude are the criteria," Mister Stawell retorted.

"Gentlemen! Please! I am addressing the crew, and this is neither the place nor the time for such disruption." I winced. How do I placate without ...?

"I shall take Mister Stawell below, sir."

"Thank you, Graham." I paused a moment before continuing. "All passengers may now descend - I have no new announcements of interest to you."

When the last of them had disappeared down the hatch, I said, "For those of you new aboard, two of our passengers are increasingly feeble-minded. Their behaviour is not intentional; rather, it is a symptom of their demented state. We are to treat them kindly and without confrontation."

Seeing the nods of understanding, I continued, "You will all muster at one bell of the forenoon to become familiar with the workings of the new rigging, so we are ready to sail with the afternoon's ebb. Until then, we will stand down all but essential members of the watch on deck."

Loud huzzahs and whistles arose, resounding off the warehouse wall, and I allowed the cheering its time. When it had sufficiently quieted, I said, "To avoid the pickpocketing and purse-cutting of the past few days, I advise you to take no money if you wish to go into the City. I am told that it becomes all the more dangerous with the Saturday night crowding, so it might be wise to remain aboard. To assist your decision, a full firkin of fresh New York ale will be in your mess for supper and the evening."

The huzzahs recommenced, this time louder, and I turned to my watch officer. "Make it so, Master Evans."

"Aye, sir. Stand down all but the sentries and myself." He chuckled. "I shall leave ordering the firkin with you."

I smiled. "Yes, Mate would question, so I would see him, anyway."

As Evans turned to his tasks, Gillian rushed across the deck to me, Camilia in tow. "Oh, how fortuitous, Jarvis."

"Hunh? What is?"

"The delay. Camelia said the family gathers every Sunday morning at eleven of the clock for games and intercourse before dining together at noon. We will join them."

"Would that not be imposing? We are not family."

"I am family - they are all my cousins." She took my arm. "And betrothed to me, you are family, as well."

"True."

"And Camelia said David and the midshipmen should come, as well. The gathering can be a bon voyage celebration for them - for us all."

I pursed my lips, nodding while I thought. "A fine idea, but we should warn them of the additional fifteen for dinner." Then, turning to David, I added, "Boy, I saw you listening. Hie thee to the office and tell your father, grandfather or an uncle - whoever is there."

"Aye, sir. Tell them we will party with them on the morrow." He grinned. "And they are to make it super splendid for us."