Note* We know very little about medicine in the early 1800's, and while Dr. Chesterson is our own creation, many of his medical skills are our own poetic license. Don't try this at home, kids.

Chapter 5

Dr. Chesterson's last words echoed in the still hospital room. 'I can't rightly say he's alive, either either either...'

Pellew straightened to his full, imtimidating height, and glared at the doctor, with a fairly murderous look in his eyes. "What, exactly, doctor, do you mean by that?" His voice was low and menacing, causing both Matthews and Styles to edge towards the door.

The doctor looked up from his examination of Commander Hornblower, and stammered, "Sir, his body is still alive. He's breathing. I-don't k-know, s-s-sir. By all r-rights, sir, he should be d-d-dead."

The commodore exhaled noisily, letting most of his rage escape with the breath. "So what is the problem, Doctor?" he asked in a more moderate tone.

The doctor looked slightly relieved. "That is the problem, sir. I don't know. He might wake up tomorrow and begin to make a full recovery, if he has any kind of will to live. Or, more likely, his spirit might be exhausted from the long fight, and he has simply given up. In that case, his body will die. I don't know when THAT will be. I just don't KNOW!" The doctor's tone had become irritated, and he cast an annoyed look at the bed, as if his patient had no right to be forcing this perplexing drama upon him.

"Very well," Pellew replied. "Might I stay with him, Dr. Chesterson?"

"Yes indeed, Commodore. Stay with him. It might remind him of why he should fight. I'm not sure." His voice rose in helplessness. "I'm a doctor, not a philosopher. This is not my area of expertise!" He cast another glance at the bed, this time in anger, for the patient who was beyond his ability to help. "His fate is in God's hands, now."

The doctor slowly let the anger drain from his features, becoming once more the impassive individual the commodore had come to know. Pellew watched the man quietly exit the room. 'Odd,' he mused. 'Who would have known the man had such a fiery spirit?'

He was busy wondering how he could get Dr. Chesterson as ship's surgeon on his next voyage, when he was interrupted by Styles. "Excuse me, sir. Me and Matthews were wonderin' if we might stay with Commander 'ornblower too, sir."

Pellew smiled at these men, at their touching display of loyalty. "Certainly. You heard the doctor as well as I. Perhaps our presence might remind Mr. Hornblower of his duty...he might yet return to us."

And so the commodore, the bosun, and bosun's mate began their quiet vigil.