Bolitho asked quietly, "What of your senior officer-Commodore Warren? I am surprised that he would release his biggest fifth-rate at a time when he might need your full support."

He had a vague picture of Commodore Warren in his mind, like a faded portrait. He had known him briefly during the ill-fated attempt by the French Royalists to land and retake Toulon from the Revolutionary army Bolitho had been a captain then like Varian, and his ship had been Hyperion. He had not seen Warren since. But the navy was a family and he had heard of him serving on various stations in the West Indies and the Spanish Main.

Varian said abruptly, "The Commodore is unwell, Sir Richard. In my opinion he should never have been given-"

Bolitho said, "As the senior captain you have assumed over-all charge of the supporting squadron; is that it?"

"I have made a full report, Sir Richard."

"Which I shall read in due course." Bolitho moved his hand consciously away from his eyelid and added, "It is my intention to hasten the attack on Cape Town. Time is of the essence. Which is why this fast passage was of the utmost importance." He saw the shot go home but continued, "So we will return to the squadron in company. I intend to see Commodore Warren without delay."

He stood up and walked to the quarter windows to watch the crests beginning to ruffle like crisp lace in the wind. The ship was rising to it. Eager to move again.

Varian tried to recompose himself. "The other vessels, Sir Richard?"

Bolitho said, "There are none. There will be none. As it is I am authorised to despatch several of the ships here directly to England."

"Has something happened, sir?"

He said quietly, "Last October our fleet under Lord Nelson defeated the enemy off Cape Trafalgar."

Varian swallowed hard. "We did not know, Sir Richard! " For once he seemed at a loss. "A victory! By God, that is great news."