Read Thunder On the Sea: A Tim Phillips novel (War at Sea Book 11) for Free Online Page A

ship was ready to sail. Is that still the case?”
    “Yes Sir.”
    “Very good. My clerk outside will have your new orders to take with you. You are at this moment cleared to make the best of your way to Gibraltar. The previously arranged voyage to Spanish America is cancelled, at least for now. The immediate priority is to secure Bonaparte and I must tell you privately, Their Lordships do not necessarily share my expressed positive feelings. This new French king has made a shambles of his new reign and there is resentment, especially in the ranks of the French Army. If Bonaparte can find a receptive unit, he might well be able to return to power. I am sure you will do what you can to put a spoke in his wheel. I have nothing specific to put to you. The situation is certain to change long before you arrive on scene. Just do your best, Captain.” 
     
     

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    Aboard Prince Rupert, all was ready. Lieutenant Fitzhugh, although young for his position, was a man of varied experience who had taken hold right away. Learning the watch and station bill had not been completed, he had sat down with the Master and, between the two, had cobbled up a reasonable facsimile.
    A simple ‘Make sail, set course to Gibraltar’, was all that was needed to get the ship on its way. Ship traffic was heavy on their way, including many flying the French Fleur de Lys. The lookouts were told to look out for any shipping flying the tricolor, but Phillips suspected it was too soon for this banner to be used just yet.
    Prince Rupert made a fast voyage toward Gibraltar and was met by the cutter, HMS Periwinkle outside the Straits. She carried supplementary orders from Captain Sir Henry Benson, now in temporary command of what remained of the Mediterranean Fleet, Vice Admiral Lord Exmouth currently being back in London. In addition, she carried a passenger, Major Bentley of the Royal Marines, who asked permission to come aboard.
    Phillips gazed at the activity aboard the cutter, as the major’s gear was loaded aboard the boat. From what he could see, it appeared Major Bentley was planning to stay a while. Phillips decided he would look at the major’s orders carefully. After all, he outranked the Marine officer. He was not about to allow a presumptuous officer to take any advantage.
    When the major’s face appeared in the entry port, he already had his hand at the salute. Phillips returned the salute by removing his hat and waited for the Marine to re-arrange himself. Bentley thrust out a sheet of parchment which proved to be his orders. The signature at the bottom appeared to be that of Lord Exmouth himself.
    Of course, there could be no arguing with orders from the Mediterranean Fleet commander, so Phillips welcomed the officer aboard and took him into his quarters. Once inside, Bentley inquired as to the presence of other Royal Marines on board.
    “Major, I am afraid Lieutenant Haynes is our only other Marine. His people never made it down from their depot before we were ordered to leave.”
    “Captain Phillips”, Bentley began. “If you will read through my orders, you will see I am to take passage aboard your ship to Gibraltar, then on to Italy. Somewhere off Leghorn, we are to meet up with transports from home and I am to ask you to cram aboard this ship all of the Royal Marines it can possibly hold. I suspect your own orders will give you the reasons for this.”
    A careful reading of his new orders revealed, after taking aboard the major, he was to proceed directly to the port of Livorno, popularly termed ‘Leghorn’ in the Royal Navy, without delay and there take aboard the Royal Marines that Major Bentley so designated. Should lack of space on the ship prohibit taking aboard the required Marines, Captain Phillips was permitted to purchase or hire some local small craft that would serve. The British consul in that port would handle the financial details.
    Major Bentley explained further. “Napoleon is now known to