Colquhoun said, "Your captain speaks well of you.” He rustled his papers." Quite well."

Bolitho tried not to swallow and display the dryness in his throat. Captain Pears of the Trojan had sent a report with him aboard the prize. Had he been aware of Bolitho's later luck with the privateer his report might have been even better. It was strange, he thought. In the three years aboard Pears's ship he had never really understood the man. Sometimes he had imagined his captain disliked him, and at best only tolerated his efforts. Yet now, on this desk, under the eyes of a new superior, Pears's words were showing him in a different light?

"Thank you, sir."

"Hmph." Colquhoun stood up and walked towards the table and then changed his mind. Instead he moved to the window and stared absently at the anchorage." I am commanded to give you your new appointment. It will be up to you to prove your worth, an ability to carry out orders rather than to make play with them for your own advantage."

Bolitho waited. It was impossible to follow this man?

Colquhoun added, "Since the military disaster at Saratoga last year we have seen all the signs of the French increasing their aid to the Americans. Originally they sent supplies and military advisers. Then privateers and soldiers-of-fortune, mercenaries." He spat out the words." Now they are more open in their efforts to use the Americans to further their own ends and regain territory lost to us in the Seven Years War."

Bolitho gripped the hilt of his new sword and tried to remain outwardly calm.