Read Colours Aloft! for Free Online Page B

dead!”
    Stayt stepped forward, the pistol already cocked in his hand. He raised his arm, not like a man going into battle, but as a duellist would balance his weapon for that one, vital shot.
    A portly figure in a blue coat pushed towards Keen, his jowls jogging with fury.
    Keen regarded him calmly although he was feeling cold anger sweeping through him, blinding him to everything but the desire to smash this man, the master, in the face.
    â€œWhat the hell do you think you’re about, blast you!” The man was almost incoherent with rage and drink.
    Keen met his angry glare. “I am Sir Richard Bolitho’s flagcaptain. You abuse your authority, sir.” He felt his relief as he heard the marines scrambling up the side. At last. Inch had obviously withdrawn his own men before the squall. In another moment, he, Stayt and the others might have been overwhelmed. Most of the crew looked too drunk to be able to think, let alone take orders.
    Lieutenant Orde seemed unable to respond to what he saw, but Blackburn, his big sergeant, rasped, “Fix bayonets, Marines! If they moves, cut ’em down!” Blackburn did not trust anyone who did not wear the scarlet coat of the Corps.
    The rasp of steel seemed to shock the vessel’s ungainly master.
    He said in a conciliatory tone, “She’s a damned thief, that’s what. No better than a common whore! I must have order and discipline in my ship! If I had my way—”
    He broke off as Keen said gently, “Cut her down. Cover her with something.”
    A seaman called, “She’m fainted, sir!”
    Keen made himself cross to the grating. He saw the way her slight figure was dragging on her bound wrists, the blood running down her spine. Her breasts were pressed into the grating, and he could see where her heart pumped against the scrubbed wood.
    She had fainted, but the pain would be waiting for her.
    Hogg had appeared on deck and Keen heard him sheathe his cutlass. He must have thought the worst to quit his gig and come aboard without an order. A riot, a mutiny, Hogg was ready to save his captain. Like Allday had done for Bolitho.
    Hogg strode over and cut the bonds and caught her as she fell, the last of her blood-spattered clothing gathered up in his arms as he hid her body from the silent onlookers. The ship’s master said thickly, “I have a surgeon.”
    Keen eyed him. “I can well imagine.” It must have been the way he looked rather than what he said, because the master fell back as if he had seen his own danger in Keen’s eyes.
    â€œTake her to the gig, Hogg, and return to the ship. You go with the boat, Mr Stayt. I have work to do here.” He saw the barest hint of resentment in the lieutenant’s dark eyes. He wanted to shoot, to kill the man with the whip. Anyone. Keen knew that look. Perhaps I have it also?
    â€œNow, Captain Latimer.” Keen was surprised he had remembered the man’s name, when moments earlier he had wanted to smash him to the deck. “I intend that you shall put your best hands to work on a jury rudder. I will supply more men when required, but you will waste no more time, do you understand?”
    â€œThe girl?” The earlier anger showed itself. “I’m responsible for every living soul aboard.”
    Keen eyed him coldly. “Then God help them. There are women in Captain Inch’s ship, wives of the Gibraltar garrison officers. They can take care of the girl for the present, after my surgeon has examined her.”
    The other man knew his authority was dwindling with each second.
    â€œIt must be said, Captain, you’ve not heard the last o’ this.”
    Keen raised one hand and saw the man flinch. But he tapped his blue lapel and said, “Nor you, I can promise that.”
    Another boat ground alongside and he heard Argonaute ’s carpenter and his selected crew climbing aboard.
    Keen turned away; he was needed aboard the