"Makes one dearly miss Pitt as Prime Minister," Lewrie scoffed. "Even Henry Dundas as Secretary of State for War… the arrogant coxcomb!"

They both took deep sips of their drinks, in silence for a bit, each wondering why the new administration had felt it necessary to end the war when England held the upper hand.

"I've only de-commissioned one ship, long ago, Mister Harper, so I may be a tad rusty when it comes to the details," Lewrie confessed. "Now the mustering-out of the crew is done… what?"

"The boats come to fetch the hands off will ferry aboard an officer in charge," Harper told him, shifting clubman fashion in his seat and crossing a leg. "Most-like, a deserving old tarpaulin man with no future prospects. He will bear orders and will read himself in as the ship's new captain, relieving you. A full-pay retirement for some old fellow."

"Midshipman Furlow, sir!" his sentry shouted, rapping the deck with a musket butt.

"Mister Farley's duty, sir," Furlow reported crisply, hat under his arm, "and he reports that a string of oared barges are making their way to us. Mister Farley also reports that the Purser is prepared to serve out the rum ration, and that the Bosun is standing by to pipe the 'All Hands' and the 'Clear Decks and Up-Spirits,' sir."

"Very well, Mister Furlow," Lewrie said, finishing his coffee, and rising. "My compliments to Mister Farley, and I shall be on deck directly."

"Aye aye, sir."

The red-painted rum keg had just emerged on deck, its colour, and the gilt-paint royal seal of the Crown, with the gilt letters spelling out KING GEORGE III and GOD BLESS HIM the only vivid sight on a bleak and grey winter's day. Honoured much like the Ark of the Covenant was by the Israelites, it made its stately way forrud to the break of the forecastle before the belfry, past Able and Ordinary Seamen and Landsmen, ship's servants and powder monkeys, petty officers and rated men, all of whom were now in a festive mood, eager to depart the ship and gruelling naval service… but just as eager to drink their last issue of rum to warm their short voyage to the docks.