'We don't know there isn't an enemy a hundred yards away, damn it; and as long as I'm officer o' the deck there'll be a guard pulled round the ship!' Fraser had lost his restraint now and both officers stood face to face in full view of the men at the davit falls. Fraser turned away, flushed and angry. 'Lower away there, God damn you, and lively with it!'

Rogers stood stock-still. His befuddled mind recognised the sense in Fraser's argument. He was aware that he should have sent off a boat as soon as the fog settled that forenoon. Knowledge of his own failure only fuelled his wrath, already at a high pitch due to the amount of wine he had drunk. And his mind was clear enough to realise that Fraser had committed the unforgivable in losing his temper and answering a senior insolently. 'Come here, Fraser!' Rogers roared. Fraser, supervising the lowering of the cutter, turned. 'D'you address me, sir?' he asked coldly.

'You know damn well I do! Come here!'

Fraser crossed the deck again slowly, grasping the significance of Rogers's new attack. Once again the two officers were face to face.

'Gentlemen, gentlemen, this is no time for such discordant tomfoolery ...'

Rogers's colour mounted still further as he spun round on the newcomer who, called by the sudden interest stirring between decks, now arrived on the quarterdeck.

'You keep out of this, Hill,' snarled Rogers at the sailing master.

'No, sir, I will not.' He lowered his voice. 'And you are making damnable fools of yourselves. For God's sake stop at once!' Hill's warning ended on an urgent hiss.

'And I suppose, Hill, you'll feel obliged to inform the captain of this matter?' Rogers snarled.

'I'll hold my tongue if you'll hold your temper,' Hill snapped back sharply, fixing the first lieutenant with a stare. Rogers exhaled slowly, his breath strong with the odour of liquor. He turned abruptly and went below. Hill walked forward.