Chapter 6

The harsh resonance of the ship's bell called the men of His Majesty's Frigate Indefatigable into the new day with unsympathetic vivacity. Archie had barely opened his heavily ringed eyes to find a worried James standing over him, already dressed. He managed a weak smile.

"You certainly didn't take your time." The boy gave his usual disproportionate grin and stood back while the stocky man swung his legs out of the canvas sheet.

"It's all that spare energy."

"Don't worry, a day in the navy will take some out of you."

***

The skies were blue today, with brilliant white puffs of cumulus cloud dotting the horizon. Not a trace lingered of the previous day's fierce storm. The midshipmen split up in search of their division and Lorna was left with some encouraging smiles, to search for Mr Ekklestone in regard to her duties. The man with a lined face, betraying his age and small chances of promotion, stood on the quarter deck, looking out to see with a glass. She cleared her throat by his side.

"Excuse me, sir, but I was wondering as to my division?"

"Yes… Yes, of course." He walked to the quarter rail and blew a long, shrill peal on his pipe. The crew, who had previously been busy about their routine chores, immediately ceased their activities and turned their expectant faces up to the Lieutenant.

"Those men posted to divisions until awaiting further orders, should form up as a separate division now. All others, resume your duties!" Swiftly 15 men detached themselves from the working body and stood in double rank on the port side. Ekklestone turned to her. "There you go, Mr Saunders. You have 10 minutes to get acquainted and then deploy them as you see fit."

"Aye aye sir."

They were not a very distinguished group. In fact, 'group' would have been rating them too highly. 'Rabble' was a more suitable term. Lorna looked each man up and down, aware that she to was being subject to close examination. She kept her head high and all emotion from her face, disguising well all distaste for their general slovenliness. She knew that these few moments were critical. She moved along the ranks asking names, every time adding both name and face to memory.

She stood back from them and gave an expressionless smile.

"I am Midshipman Saunders, and I am to command your division. I respect your experience as sailors, but as I respect I also have standards that must be adhered to. Any man who does not do his duty or is found in anyway acting against the Articles of War, will have me to deal with, and don't think for a minute that I will be lenient on you because you are my division. I do, however, expect you to do nothing that would warrant reprimand. Very well, to your duties. I want those sheets manned and the sails to be fully re-reefed before the inspection, make sure you sheet-home securely." The men made to move away, she called them back. "And make me proud to be in the English navy!" The men grinned and launched themselves up the rigging with footing as sure as any sailor's.

She watched as they leapt nimbly from one ratline' to the next - almost balletic if it had not been for their toughened postures and bulging muscles. She smiled at their willingness to obey her, but knew that she had to check their labours for herself. The masts seemed so high - wooden giants towering over the vessel. Lorna had never had the greatest head for heights, but neither was she afraid. What am I afraid of? The thought was so conceited, she was ashamed to have thought it, but all thoughts left her as she placed her foot firmly on the bottom of the rigging and pulled herself upwards.

The maze of ropes held firm as she swung higher, growing all the more intrepid. Breezes blew around her and the thought to look down did not enter her head until she reached the first yard. She stopped there for a moment, but decided to forgo the pleasure of looking until she was beside her Topmen on the To'gallants. The wind became stronger and the ropes appeared to thin as she got higher and higher. The exhilaration of danger filled her as she swung still further up. She reached the top spar and looked down.

The sight was breathtaking. The great expanse of deck looked so isolated from up there. Men scurried about the ship like miniature clockwork toys. There was no fear of the drop. She felt almost touching the clouds as she looked up once more, her eyes sweeping over the blue carpet as it stretched to a golden horizon - and angel spreading her wings to touch the gates to heaven. It was grudgingly that she returned her eyes to the men working furiously, balancing on almost impossibly thin ropes, on either side of her.

"This yer first time up 'ere, begin' yer pardon, sir?" A small mouse-like boy who had piped up to the name of Williams had spoken. She just gave him a broad smile and nodded before stepping on to the smooth wooden bar that could only accommodate one foot at a time at 200 feet above certain death should those feet slip, and had braver souls than herself ashen faced and nauseous.

She walked along the spar, determined to keep perfect balance in front of her more experienced subordinates. She stopped every so often to inspect a knot or make sure the reefing was equal all the way along the yardarm, so when the ship was to set sail the great canvas walls could be furled as promptly as the Captain should wish it. She gave praise where it was due and hinted with a cough or raise of the eyebrow when anything was substandard. Lorna silently praised her father's extensive nautical library for enabling her this chance to prove she was as good as any man.

It was a half an hour of inspecting every spar on the Mainmast for any errs, and delivering of praise and censure (though there was not a lot of the latter to deliver on a ship of Pellew's standard), that decided in the eyes of the men that their new Midshipman would do well enough. His obvious love of the ship and knowledge of the way she ran was enough to enough to prove his competency. His courage in battle was yet to be examined, but for now there were no doubts and the sailors swung down to the deck, contented.

The shrill blast of a ship's whistle sounded over the ship and again all eyes were fixed on the Quarterdeck. The Captain was standing there, his imposing figure held a distinguished air as he surveyed the ship, in silence. Every man waited in anticipation...

"We set sail within the hour men!" That was all he needed to say. A wild roar rose around her and for a moment Lorna was too shocked to do anything. I am going to sea. I'm leaving! Her voice rose to cheer alongside her shipmates at the feeling of elation spread throughout the ship. The Captain waited with a slight smile on his lips for the noise to die down, and the men to charge at their duties again, each man smiling, before speaking once more.

"And would all officers, commissioned and warrant, attend to me in my cabin directly."