Chapter Thirteen

Horatio nodded to his men as he paced the deck, watching as repairs continued to the Indy. It was still a gray, gloomy day, the dampness seeping into his bones, and he pulled his peacoat closer around his body as he paced the deck. Repairs appeared to be going well, he thought as he inspected the riggings. Another several days, and we should be out to sea again. Not soon enough for me, he thought with a sigh. I would much rather be out doing something than sitting around this harbor.

"Mr. Hornblower."

Horatio turned around and came to attention. "Captain Pellew, sir."

Pellew nodded to him as he placed a hand on the rigging, giving it a firm tug. Satisfied, he moved around the mast, missing no detail of repair work. Horatio watched him for a moment.

"Repairs seem to be going very well," he finally said. "Perhaps we shall make Gibraltar and then London after all."

"Hmm," was all Pellew said as he continued his inspection.

"The men have been working very hard, sir," said Horatio, trying to think of something intelligent to say. "Perhaps they could use some extra shore leave when all is done."

Pellew swung around to face him, his eyes narrowing as he looked at his lieutenant. "You think that necessary, sir?"

Horatio squirmed just a little. "I do not think it would hurt, sir. Especially after what they witnessed this morning..."

Pellew shrugged and turned away. "What they witnessed was nothing they have not seen before, and no doubt will see again."

"Yes, sir, but to witness a man beaten is never a pleasant thing."

"It is the life of a sailor, Mr. Hornblower, and you would do well to remember that. There will come a time in your life, sir, when you must mete out the same punishment to one of your own, so you had best become accustomed to it now. As for the men who witnessed it, a great many of them enjoy it. It is a form of entertainment for them."

"It's barbaric," Horatio muttered without thinking, and Pellew turned on him.

"I beg your pardon?" he said, his voice icy. "Are you questioning my method of discipline, Mr. Hornblower?"

"No, sir," said Horatio. "I know that it is the captain's decision. It just seems a little...inhumane, sir."

"It is what it is," said Pellew, dismissing it. "Sailors have been beaten since time immemorial, and they will continue to be beaten as long as they abandon their duty."

"Aye, sir," answered Horatio.

Pellew threw him a glance, as if he realized that Horatio was not acceding to him because he believed Pellew to be right, but because he was merely deferring to his captain. The boy would find out someday just how hard these things actually were, and he would realize that no captain would ever let it show how much it bothered him to assign such a punishment. No weakness before the men...

Pellew turned back to the rigging, following the lines up to the fighting top. "How is he?" he asked quietly. No weakness, but compassion.

Horatio shot him a surprised look. "He is quite well, sir."

Pellew nodded. "I am glad to hear it, Mr. Hornblower. It is not an easy thing, and Mr. Kennedy bore it well."

"Aye, sir, he did," Horatio replied softly.

"Very well," said Pellew, a little louder. "Carry on, Mr. Hornblower."

Horatio smiled as he turned back to the repairs. He'd always respected Captain Pellew for the fine commanding officer he was, but there were rare times when he glimpsed the man behind the captain, something that very few of the men got to see. His feeling of responsibility toward his men ran very deep, even if he was forced to discipline them in an unpleasant manner occasionally. Horatio had long ago vowed that when he became captain, he would follow Pellew's example, and count himself fortunate if he could be but half the leader Pellew was. It was a lofty goal, indeed.

Pellew turned back to Horatio. "Lieutenant."

"Aye, sir?"

"Please remind Mr. Kennedy that he has the forenoon watch tomorrow. I should hate to have to have him at the gratings again."

"Aye, sir," said Horatio, a slight grin tugging at his lips. Pellew was letting Archie back on watch immediately - that was good. It meant that the episode was over and done with in Pellew's mind, not to be spoken of again.

The next few days flew by in a flurry of activity as the Indy was repaired. Horatio found that he couldn't help but keep an eye on Archie as he continued to reintegrate himself back into life aboard the ship, but he soon found it wasn't necessary. Archie had lost nothing in the eyes of the men, had lost none of their respect or willingness to follow him. Of course, there were always the exceptions. Malley and Fuller. Their dislike of Archie was as evident as ever, and Malley never lost an opportunity to remind Archie of his trip to the gratings. His favorite trick was to wait until Archie was bending over, and then he would manage to drop something on his back - never anything too heavy, but heavy enough to cause Archie pain. Somehow, Archie still managed to keep his temper around the two of them, though Horatio could never figure out how. He'd have dealt with the two insubordinate sailors ages ago.

"That's it. Swing it slowly, now!"

That was Archie's voice, and Horatio turned to watch him. The new gun was being brought aboard to replace the one that had been destroyed in the battle, the one that had blown and caused Archie's injury. Archie and his men were settling it into position, and Horatio watched idly. Archie knew his guns better than anyone else aboard, and he was as excited as a child with a new toy, he noted with a smile. Pellew had discovered Archie's talent for gunnery soon after their final return from El Ferrol, and Archie had flourished when placed in command of the guns.

As he watched, his thoughts drifted back to the battle with Intrépide, and Archie's resulting memory loss. The gun had blown, releasing something that had hit Archie in the head, and his whole world had turned around. What if he hadn't been standing in the spot he had been? What if…

Horatio's thoughts trailed off and then came to a stop. There was something wrong in that statement, something off. What was it? He concentrated, remembering the details of that day. Smoke drifting across the deck. Cries of wounded men. Intrépide sinking. Walters at his side. The fear in his gut when he saw it was Archie's gun.

…He weren't next to the gun when it went, sir - I seen 'im helpin' Haversham to 'is feet. It happened later, sir…

Later. Why the bloody hell hadn't he seen this before? The gun was already blown when Archie had been knocked to the deck. It hadn't been the gun at all. It had to have been something else. Something - no, only one thing. A deliberate attack upon Archie, a blow struck by someone who hoped everyone would assume that it had happened during battle. And that was exactly what had happened.

Malley. It was his first thought. Either Malley or Fuller, or both of them working in tandem. There was no one else who hated Archie like they did, no one else who would want to cause him harm. It had to be them. Damn them. He'd see them hang for this.

But how was he to prove it? Neither man would ever admit to it, and no doubt they would alibi each other. Archie would have no idea, no memory of the incident. If Walters had seen anything, he would have spoken up immediately. It would only be Horatio's suspicions against Malley and Fuller's word.

But was he jumping to conclusions here? What if it had been something else that struck Archie, something else that had been flying through the air during battle? It was very possible that it had been an accident, and Malley and Fuller were not involved.

"Good work, men," said Archie. Horatio watched him as he inspected the gun, running his hand down the barrel, almost lovingly. The men, wiping the sweat from their faces, stood back.

"She's a beauty, sir," said Walters, and Archie nodded in agreement.

"She is, indeed," he said with a note of pride in his voice. "All right, men. That's it for now. Go have your meal, or take a rest, and we'll finish up later."

Talking amongst themselves, the men began to head to the waist. Horatio followed them.

"Walters," he called.

Walters stopped, the others giving Horatio a curious look, but continuing on their way. Walters made his way back to Horatio.

"Aye, sir?"

Horatio drew him aside, apart from any listeners who might pass by. "Walters, I need to ask you a question about the day Mr. Kennedy was injured."

"Yes, sir?"

"You said Mr. Kennedy was not injured when the gun blew. Do you remember anything else, anything at all that you might have seen?"

Frowning, Walters looked at him. "Seen? Like what, sir?"

"Anyone else who was standing near Mr. Kennedy before he fell."

Walters considered carefully. "Just Haversham, sir. Mr. Kennedy seen the ball comin' in, and some loose powder 'round the gun, so 'e got us all away from her. It blew, and we all landed on the deck. I got to my feet, and seen Whitney gettin' up next to Fuller. Seems Malley was behind me - 'e hightailed it pretty quick when that shot come in."

"So Malley was behind you," Horatio said, disappointedly.

"Near as I can figgur, sir. Not that 'e stayed there for long - 'e took off somewhere right quick. No, right after it happened, Haversham was closest to Mr. Kennedy. Seems they had a few words as 'e was draggin' Haversham to 'is feet."

"Words?" Horatio said sharply.

"Yes, sir. Mr. Kennedy kinda grinned at 'im, you know, like 'e does when 'e's teasin' ya, but Haversham was pretty mad. I think if 'e'd had a weapon to hand, 'e'd of killed Mr. Kennedy, right then and there."

"Thank you, Walters," Horatio said, his mind working furiously. "Go enjoy your meal."

"Aye, sir," Walters said, his eyes lighting up. "One good thing 'bout being stuck here - the victuals is at least worth eatin'." He laughed and went to join his mates, and Horatio began to pace the deck again.

Haversham. He'd never considered the man, but really, what did they know about him? He was a fair sailor, but not overly devoted to duty. He was a charmer with the ladies, but as for his origins and even his temperament, no one knew. While he seemed perfectly happy to go drink in a pub with his shipmates, he was more likely to leave them for the company of a young lady or two. He never spoke of family or anything outside the ship, as far as Horatio knew. He'd willingly joined the navy, and Indefatigable was his first and only ship so far. And that was all that was known about him.

Was he violent? Could he have deliberately struck Archie, hoping to kill or severely injure him? What would be his motive? I don't know, mused Horatio. But it certainly will be interesting to find out.

He'd start with Archie and ask him some questions. Little things were coming back to him, bits and pieces of memory, so maybe he'd remember something about the accident, maybe if he tried, he could recall what he and Haversham had been discussing. He turned to find his friend, but stopped as he caught sight of him.

Archie was deep in discussion with Captain Pellew. The captain, hands clasped behind his back in the familiar pose, was speaking, and Archie was nodding his head. Not wanting to disturb them, Horatio waited unobtrusively on the quarterdeck for the captain to finish.

"Mr. Hornblower, a moment if you please, sir," called Pellew.

"Aye," said Horatio, turning and going to stand with his captain and Archie. "What may I do for you, sir?"

"It is not what you may do for me, sir, but what I may do for you."

"Sir?"

"Shore leave, Mr. Hornblower," the captain said heartily. "For you and all the officers and even myself, as well as the men from your division. Beginning immediately."

"Aye, aye, sir," Horatio said with a grin. This would be a fine chance to speak to Archie about the time of the accident. The time for his lieutenant's exam drew near, and it would be wonderful for Archie to have his complete memory back at that point. "Mr. Kennedy, I have an idea to help you…"

Pellew was shaking his head. "Forgive me, Mr. Hornblower. I misspoke. Mr. Kennedy will not be going ashore."

"Not going ashore, sir?" said Horatio. "Is he still under punishment, then?"

"On the contrary, sir. I am leaving Mr. Kennedy in command of Indefatigable."

Horatio looked at Archie, who had a wide grin upon his cherubic face. "Fine news, is it not, Mr. Hornblower?" he said happily. This was a grand show of confidence in the young acting lieutenant, and Horatio was just as pleased as Archie.

"Aye, Mr. Kennedy, it is indeed. I shall be certain sure that all the men raise a tot of rum to you tonight."

Archie laughed easily. "Hardly necessary, Mr. Hornblower. We are still at anchor in the harbor, after all, not sailing the seas with the frogs on our tail, trying to sink us. Still, it is a fine opportunity, and I thank the captain."

"You are welcome, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew said with a small smile. The lad was so happy with such small steps forward. "I believe you have proven yourself capable of taking on this responsibility. However," and he fixed a stern gaze on Archie, "if she is damaged in any way, or if you manage to sink her here in the harbor, there will be no place on earth for you to hide from me. Understood?"

"Aye, sir," said Archie fighting back a grin, while Horatio looked appalled. "I shall endeavor to do my best, sir. If she sinks, I go with her."

"See that you do, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew said, trying to keep a straight face at the look on Hornblower's face. "See that you do." He smiled at Archie. "Your best will be more than enough, Mr. Kennedy, I have no doubt. The ship is yours, sir."

Archie and Horatio watched as the captain was piped off ship, and then Horatio turned to Archie, a worried look on his face.

"Perhaps I should stay aboard, Archie, just in case."

"Horatio," Archie said, his voice quiet but firm. "If I am to prove myself, I must do it by myself, not with you looking over my shoulder all the time. I believe the captain ordered you ashore, sir." He gave Horatio a gentle push. "Now, go have fun. Find a pretty girl. Get drunk. The Indy will be safe in my care, I assure you."

Archie watched his friend as he reluctantly left, then turned to take care of his duties. He would take fine care of the Indy, treating her as delicately as if she were a fair maiden to woo. Captain Pellew would have no reason to be disappointed in him again.

"It ain't fair," grumbled a voice from the waist, and Archie sighed. Malley. Was the man ever happy?

"Well, look at it this way, Malley," came Haversham's drawl. "Maybe we didn't get to go ashore, but we practically have the whole ship to ourselves. Not a lot of duty to keep us busy, either."

"Don't give a rat's arse," complained Malley as they came up on deck. "I wanna go ashore like ever'body else. It ain't right we gotta stay here just cuz Kennedy gotta be aboard. He ain't our keeper."

"Sure he is," said Haversham. "He's in charge of our division, isn't he? We had time ashore, Malley - let some of your mates have fun. We can find something to keep us entertained, don't you think?"

"Yeah," grumbled Malley. "How 'bout beatin' on an officer." He snickered. "Sure would be easy pickin', wouldn't it?"

"Not if you wish to keep yourselves from the gratings," Archie said easily, coming up behind them. "And I can tell you from experience, it is not an enjoyable way to spend your time."

Malley glared contemptuously at him, and Haversham's face closed up, any emotion disappearing behind a mask of indifference. But Archie caught a flicker of something in his eyes before Haversham looked away, and he wondered what was going through the man's mind.

"Aye, sir," said Haversham. "I don't imagine it is."

"Look, Kennedy," Malley began.

"SIR!" Archie exploded, sick to death of Malley's insubordination, his eyes sparking blue fire even in the growing darkness. "You'll call me sir, Malley, or by god, I'll flog you at the gratings myself." Malley opened his mouth, but Haversham quickly took his arm and pulled him back.

"He didn't mean anything, Mr. Kennedy, sir," said Haversham. "He's just a tad bit unhappy that he didn't get shore leave, that's all it is."

Archie turned a hard gaze to Haversham. "You and I both know it is more than that, Mr. Haversham," Archie said, trying to unclench his teeth. "Mr. Malley had best decide quickly whether he can work with me, or whether he would prefer his life end early, so that the rest of us may move on and serve our country and our King without his constant interruptions." With that, Archie turned on his heel and moved forward, leaving no time for either Malley or Haversham to respond. He'd had it with the big sailor. Things were going to come to a head soon if he didn't stop it now, and Archie had bigger things to worry about than Malley.

Not a whole lot bigger, he thought wryly. At least, not physically bigger, anyway. He sighed and turned back to walk the deck. Captain Pellew had trusted him to protect his beloved Indefatigable, and Archie intended to do just that. He'd watch over her as if she were his sweetheart. Besides - they were just sitting here in Portsmouth harbor. What could possibly go wrong?