Anderson & Dickson Hokas Pokas

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afternoon tide. But we've time for a tot of rum in my cabin, Commodore, to welcome you
into our company.
"Commodore? Huh?" Alex asked.
Bligh winked anew, though he kept his thumb to himself and, instead, took the man's
elbow. "Ah, yes, I know full well. Ashore, the walls have ears. Mustn't let the Frenchies
learn Commodore Hornblower is on a secret mission in disguise, damme, no. When we're
safe at sea, I'll inform the men, by your leave, sir. Brace 'em up for certain, the news will,
scurvy lot though they be." Walking along, he shrilled right and left at the crew: "Avast,
ye lubbers! Look lively there! Flogging's too good for the likes o' ye! Keelhauling, aye,
scuttle my bones if I don't keelhaul the first mutinous dog who soldiers on the job!
Marines excepted, of course," he added more quietly.
In his quarters he poured, proposed the health of the King and the damnation of
Boney, and fell into a long jeremiad about his lack of able officers. "The weak, piping
times of peace, that's what's done it, Commodore." Alex listened with half an ear. If
Oakheart's fantasy had appointed him Hornblower, maybe he could turn the situation to
his advantage. Hornblower certainly rated more respect from Hoka mariners than any
mere plenipotentiary
A knock sounded on the door. "Come in, if ye've proper business," Bligh barked. "If
not, beware! That's all I say, beware."
The door opened. A sailor in the usual striped shirt, bell-bottomed trousers, and
straw hat saluted. A truncheon hung from his belt. "Bosun Bush, sir, press gang,
reporting," he said. "We've caught us a big 'un. Does the captain want to see him?"
"Aye, what else?" Bligh snapped. "Got to set these pressed men right from the start,
eh, Commo eh, Your Excellency?"
The boatswain beckoned. Flanked by a couple of redcoated marines, Brob's
enormous form made the deck creak and tremble as he approached. "What the hell?"
burst from Alex. "How did they ever get you aboard?"
"They rigged a derrick," Brob answered. "Most kind of them, no? I had not even
requested it when suddenly there they were, instructing me in what to do."
"Stout fella, this, hey, sir?" beamed the boatswain.
Captain Bligh peered dubiously at the acquisition. "He does look strong " His
ebullience returned to him. "Nevertheless, he'll soon find that aboard a King's ship is no
life of ease." To Brob: "You'll work 'round the clock, me hearty, swab the planks, climb
the ratlines, fist canvas along with the rest of 'em, or you'll hang from a yardarm. D'ye
understand?"
Alex had a horrible vision of what would happen to the Victory if Brob tried to climb
its rigging. His memory came to the rescue. Once he too had been impressed onto a ship
out of this very England.
"Here's the first mate you said you lack, Captain Bligh," he declared in haste.
"What?" The skipper blinked at him.
"Pressed man always appointed first mate," said Alex, "in spite of his well-known
sympathy for the crew."
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"Of course, sir, of course," Bush chimed in happily.
"Well " Bligh scratched his head. "Far be it from a simple old seaman like me to
question the wisdom of Commodore Hornblower "
"Commodore Hornblower!" The boatswain's eyes grew large. He tugged his
forelock, or rather the fur where a human would have had a forelock. "Begging your
pardon, sir, I didn't recognize you, but that's a clever disguise you're wearing, shiver me
timbers if it ain't."
Bristling, Bligh turned his attention to Brob. "Well?" he snarled. "What're you
waiting for, Mr. Christian? Turn out the crew. Put 'em to work like a proper bucko mate.
We've the tide to make, and a fair wind for Spain."
"But, but I don't know how," Brob stammered.
"Don't try to cozen me with your sly ways, Fletcher Christian!" Bligh shouted. "Out
on deck with you and get us moving!"
"Excuse me," Alex said. "I know this man of old, Captain. I can explain." He
stepped forth, drew Brob aside, and whispered:
"Listen, this is typical Hoka dramatics. The crew are perfectly competent. They don't
expect anything but a show out of the officers, as far as actual seamanship goes. You
need only stand around, look impressive, and issue an occasional order any order that
comes to mind. They'll interpret it as being a command to do the right thing. Meanwhile
I'll handle the details for both of us." Luckily, he reflected, that need not include rations.
He could eat Tokan food, though it was preferable to supplement it with a few Terrestrial
vitamin pills from his kit. He always carried some on his person. Brob had eaten before
they left Mixumaxu, and one of his nuclear meals kept him fueled for weeks.
Bemused, the alien wandered off after Bosun Bush, rather like an ocean liner behind
a small tugboat. Alex was taken to a vacant cabin and installed. It was reasonably
comfortable, except that a human given a Hoka bed must sleep sitting up. One by one, the
ships warped from the docks, set sail, and caught the breeze. When Alex re-emerged,
Victory was rolling along over chill greenish waters, under a cloud of canvas like those
that elsewhere covered the sea. Air sang in the rigging and carried a tang of salt. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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