He thought suddenly of Herrick. When he had been his first lieutenant in the little frigate Phalarope. Bolitho frowned, when was that? Ten, no twelve years ago! He started to pace slowly along the weather side as his mind went back over the years. Thomas Herrick, the best subordinate he had ever had, and the best friend. He had said in those far-off times that he had looked forward to a command of his own more than anything else. Until it became a real possibility. He smiled at the memory, and two midshipmen seeing his face exchanged awed glances as their captain paced back and forth apparently oblivious or indifferent to the shouts and scurrying figures around him.

Now Herrick had that command. Better late than never, and more than richly deserved, even if she was the old sixty-four, Impulsive. Herrick would be joining the squadron, too, when his ship was overhauled at Portsmouth.

He heard Inch stammering with anger as a man caught his foot on a, hatch coaming and slithered into a master's mate, bringing him down with a crash on the tilting deck.

It was hard to realise that when he met Herrick again it would all be different. Two captains with individual problems and not the common bond of keeping one ship alive. Herrick always had such a questioning mind and a complete understanding of what Bolitho needed.

Bolitho shut the thought from his mind. It was pure selfishness to wish Herrick here with him.

He looked at Inch and asked mildly, "Are you satisfied?"

Inch stared round anxiously. "I-I think so, sir."

"Good. Now turn the hands to and put extra lashings on the boats. It will keep them from mooning at the bulwarks until England is out of sight."

Inch nodded and then grinned awkwardly. "It was not too badly done, sir, I thought?" He dropped his eyes under Bolitho's stare. "I=I mean… "

"You wish to know what I think of your efforts, Mr. Inch?" Bolitho saw Gossett keeping his face like a mask. "I thought that considering only half of the men on each yard were doing more than holding on for their lives, and taking into consideration there was a five minute interval between each mast, I would say it was a fair beginning." He frowned. "Do you see it so, Mr. Inch?"