Read 21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey for Free Online Page B

said the Admiral, looking at hi m with a certain satisfaction, “ You have had a wet time of it, I see. You should have put on an oilskin: still, we cannot all be wise all the time. I have called you out so far from shore because there are two questions I should like to settle. The first is supplies. We are very low in everything -tobacco is quite gone - and all the way down my pursers, agents and so on have had the utmost difficulty with the locals, even in ports where we have always been welcomed and entertained. Difficulties about water, difficulties about cattle . . . even about shore-leave and common supplies - no bumboats coming off, no whores. What is it like with you in Buenos Aires? Should I push on? Things are desperate low and with the present ministry I dare not use force. How are things with you?”
    “ My lord, until a few days ago we had great difficulty in getting supplies of any kind, but then an eminent ecclesiastic, a Papal Nuncio particularly well known to my political adviser Dr Maturin . . .”
    “ Yes, yes. S i r Joseph mentioned him to me: I shall pay him some attention.”
    “ . . . came in and now everything is settled. We lack for nothing, and prices are very moderate. We are amply stored for the Cape, and Surprise, which is now bound for home with my dispat ches, is in much the same case.”
    “ I am heartily glad to hear of it. Th at will be a very great relief.” Lord Leyton uttered these words, but his aged yellow face did not match them at all. His expression remained discontented, querulous, ready to find fault or to contradict. However he did say, “ Surprise: yes, that reminds me. One of the reasons that I asked you to come out was to tell you that I intend to send two of my officers home in her and to ensure that there should be no trouble about taking them and an unsatisfactory midshipman aboard your vessel.”
    “ You will forgive me, my lord, but Surprise is no longer my vessel. To be sure, I did command her, but she was on hire to the Hydrographical Department of the Admiralty until I should meet your squadron, hoist my flag and take up my new appointment. The moment I did that, Surprises contract with the Admiralty came to an end. She returns to the sole ownership of her proprietor, a free agent. If you wish I will ask him whether he chooses to take these people aboard: but it is entirely at his discretion. He is at no man’s command.”
    “ What a damned hair-splitting sea-lawyer you are, upon my word, Aubrey,” cried the Admiral. “ You can damned well go back to that half-baked privateerly donkey-frigate and give the owner my orders to take these two officers and the reefer aboard. If he makes the slightest demur or objection tell him that I shall press every man in his ship and leave him to wallow in the mud of the River Plate until she rots.” At this point the Admiral's yellow face had a curious flush and his eyes fairly blazed: one clenched fist rose and fell.
    “ The slightest demur or objection . . . shall press every man . . .” repeated Jack, rising and drawing his tarpaulin round him.
    “ Awkward, legalistic, cavilling sod . . .” muttered the Admiral: and then, more audibly, as he rang for his steward, “ Sit down, sit down, and drink some Madeira to the squadron’s supplies. Amphlett” - to the steward – “ the decanter of Madeira from the coach: and a couple of glasses.” A pause, and he went on, “ I do not like to ask a political adviser to come out in this blow - the doctor physicked Prince William, did he not? I am told he is very well with His Highness. But if you would tell him that you have explained the situation and that I should take it as a personal favour if he would allow these people to go aboard his ship, I should be obliged t o you.”
    “ Very good, sir. Now if I may I shall carry your message to Dr Maturin: if I were to take your purser and perhaps your secretary back with me to Surprise, my people could tell them all we know