On one of these visits, another problem surfaced. Mister Flowers approached his old first officer on the quarterdeck and asked to see Captain Mullins. Captain Heyward explained he was no longer first officer and it would be better for Flowers to speak to Mister Hakes, who was presently acting in that capacity.
Lieutenant Hakes was ashore at the moment and Flowers thought he had a pressing emergency and must speak to his captain at once. Flowers was told to ask the Marine sentry at Mullins’ door for admittance. Flowers was not Captain Mullins favorite midshipman at that moment, having caused him much extra worry. The midshipman had not been permitted to leave the ship since the incident at the party, and now the lad was desperate.
Taking off his cap as he entered the captain’s quarters, he stood erect and awaited recognition. Glaring at the lad, Mullins growled, “What!”
Flowers stammered, “Sir, it is necessary that I go ashore.”
Mullins thought for a moment. What devastating answer should he give to the lad? In the end, he replied, “You caused enough trouble on your last visit, youngster. You will stay on this ship while we remain in this port. Dismiss!”
Desperately, the youth asked, “Sir, may I please speak?”
Reluctantly, his captain told him to go ahead.”
“Sir, even though I am not allowed to see her, I have been writing to Sarah. She thinks she is in the family way! I need to marry her.”
With utmost exasperation, Mullins explained. “It has been what, three weeks since you met her at the party? I know you have not been off the ship since. I can assure you that a woman cannot determine she is certainly pregnant in that space of time. You must give it a few months. Now just what are you telling me, you think she is pregnant? You assured me nothing happened when I questioned you before.”
“Sir, her father found out. I think he will call me out if I don’t marry her.”
Mullins shook his head in disgust. “You damned fool. You’re just a child, too young to marry or fight a duel. Somehow I will get to the bottom of this, but in the meantime you will be standing watch and watch until I tell you differently.”
Next morning a boat delivered a message that he was to report to the port captain before ten o’clock. Perhaps a new officer had been located for him. Deciding to leave early, hoping to get this latest chore behind him, he saw on the quay two grey-haired men. One was Captain Heyward, the other he had never seen before.
Heyward hailed him, “Captain Mullins, I would like you to meet an old friend of mine, Lieutenant Drummond. We just met and he has asked me to introduce him to you.”
Mullins doffed his hat to Drummond, wondering why he was not in uniform. To the pair, he noted he had an appointment with the port captain in a bit over an hour, but he had a few minutes he could spare with friends. He suggested they visit a nearby public house for a drink. Drummond looked alarmed at the suggestion and Heyward explained, “Lieutenant Drummond has been on the beach for years after an injury in the American war. It is only recently that he has been pronounced fit for service and his half-pay restored. In the meantime, he has to be very careful standing drinks to anyone.”
Mullins said, “Please accept my regards. I insist upon taking care of any bill.”
There was a pleasant half-hour of conversation before Drummond came to the point. “Sir, I have been making my living for the past ten years as groundskeeper and gardener to a gentleman. I cannot afford to lose my position. The gentleman’s wife is very concerned with her position in society and will not permit any scandal in her household. Besides my own employment, my daughter Sarah is employed as the lady’s maid. We eke out a living, but now my daughter tells me she has been indiscreet and one of your people has impregnated her. She fears she may have a child. She refuses to tell me the name of the man, only that he serves on HMS Vigilant. I need to know what has transpired and what the man plans to do if she is indeed with child. I know well that if Sarah is indeed pregnant, we will both be discharged without reference.”
This was indeed a puzzler. Looking at the clock on the church tower across the roadway, he saw he had only minutes before it was time to meet with the port captain.
He said to Drummond, “Sir, I think this matter may not be as serious as it may seem. I must meet with the port captain in a few minutes, but then I will speak with you as long as you may wish. Perhaps you may spend the time waiting aboard Captain Heyward’s ship?”
Agreeable, Heyward insisted Drummond accompany him aboard his ship and wait for Mullins to emerge from his visit with the port captain. While Drummond turned to get his coat, Heyward said, “I’d take Drummond aboard my ship in a minute as lieutenant but I am already saddled with one who is a favorite of Admiral Speaks. If I beached him, I would find myself on the beach moments later!”
Mullins asked, “Is he a capable officer?”
“He was when I served with him. His leg was badly injured and I doubt if he could spend much time aloft, but a first lieutenant need not do much of that.”
Mullins said, “I do need to leave. I will see what is going on while I am aboard the flag.”
Mullins would have been late for his visit but for a passing boat loaded with some beef barrels. The midshipman in command was amenable to delivering him to the flagship. Captain Harald glanced at his watch as Mullins was ushered in his office. “Right on time I see Captain. I like an officer who is punctual. Tell me, is Vigilant ready to proceed?”
“Sir, we have our stores and water. The people are all aboard. The only person missing is a lieutenant. I am short one officer.”
Harald shrugged his shoulders irritably. That is not my concern Mullins. You should have informed Admiralty promptly. Now you will have to give a senior midshipman or master’s mate an acting commission until an officer can be found for you. Perhaps Gibraltar may have someone for you. Now, if there is nothing else, I have work to do.”
Mullins said hurriedly, “Sir, I have been speaking to a long-service lieutenant now on the beach. May I offer him the appointment?”
“Do as you think best Mullins. I have no more time to spend with you. Tell the clerk to send in the next appointment on your way out.”
Mullins gig was anchored offshore, her crew fishing over the side. His hail alerted Mister Broadhurst who sat importantly in the sternsheets. The hands pulled in their lines and the boat came over to pick him up.
Addressing his youthful midshipman, Captain Mullins asked, “Do you know where Captain Heyward’s ship, HMS Felicite, is moored Mister Broadhurst?”
Broadhurst did, and the boat was soon on its way to the sloop-of-war, When the master’s mate of the watch aboard the ship hailed, the cox’n roared ‘Vigilant’ to alert the ship a captain was visiting.
Mullins was greeted by Captain Heyward wearing his new coat with commander’s epaulettes.
Lieutenant Drummond stood beside him in his worn civilian jacket. When the welcoming ceremony was finished, Mullins said, “Gentlemen, I have some news. May we speak in private?”
Ushered into the tiny cabin, Mullins began. “Vigilant will be sailing very soon. I am short a lieutenant, and am unable to obtain one here. Captain Harald has given me permission to take you as my first lieutenant, Mister Drummond. Hakes may be upset, but I believe you are senior so must take over as first officer. I would thank you to go ashore, make any needed arrangements, then report aboard ready to work.”
Drummond looked desolate. “Sir, I thank you for your efforts, but I must decline your offer. I no longer have any of my gear and have no funds to purchase such. Also, there is my daughter. I cannot leave her here by herself.”
Mullins had forgotten these aspects of Drummond’s life. “How do you collect your half-pay without a uniform?”
“An old friend, retired from the sea was once a Royal navy lieutenant. He lends me his rig when I need to report to Admiralty.”
“Well, does it fit?”
“Well enough to satisfy the paymaster.”
Reaching into his pocke
t, Mullins pulled out his purse. In these days of paper currency, it was much lighter today than it once had been in the past, but Mullins thought there was still adequate funds inside.
“As far as your daughter is concerned, take her to a posting inn and secure passage to London.” He stopped talking to write down his home’s address. “Once there, she should hire a chaise to take her to my home. I will give you a note introducing her to my wife. Another note to my wife will explain I am hiring Sarah as maid, and will pay her in advance the first year’s salary. I will explain the circumstance to my wife and am sure she will welcome Sarah with open arms.”
“As for yourself Lieutenant, please forget any deficiencies in your turnout or kit. We can correct any difficulties later on. Any funds that I advance you now may be repaid at your leisure. For now, time is of importance. I expect sailing orders to arrive very shortly.”
Chapter Nineteen
Despite the previous desperate rush, it now seemed there would be a delay before Vigilant was to sail. The diplomat originally selected to make the trip decided he did not wish to travel to this God-forsaken part of the world. Further, he had friends influential enough to prevent HM government from forcing the issue. There was now time for Mullins to post home for a few days to put his wife’s mind at ease about these recent events.
Doris admitted she had been surprised and upset when this Sarah stood on her doorstep with a note informing her she was to be the new maid. Mullins spent some hours explaining matters with Doris, asking her to be kind to his new first officer’s daughter. The possibility of pregnancy was not mentioned, Mullins feeling that subject should be best addressed later, if the suspicion should become fact.
Doris was dubious about having this attractive young woman living in her house. It was pointed out to her the only alternative was carrying her with them on the voyage to Egypt. Her husband assured her that upon their return from Egypt, Sarah would go back into the care of her father, who after the resumption of his naval career, should be able to resume parental responsibility.
Doris sniffed. “I should think so. It is high time for a girl of that age to be thinking about finding a husband.”
With household peace restored, Mullins posted back to his ship, apprehensive of what tragedies may have fallen during his absence.
These long coach trips were one of the distasteful aspects of a naval career. It seemed one was perpetually required to post from the port the ship was moored in to London to hear what impossible changes Admiralty was imposing on him. When he stepped onto the quay, opposite Vigilant’s mooring, everything seemed to be normal. No sign of any disastrous damage.
There was a most attractive brig moored next to the frigate. Mullins recognized it as one of the gun brigs the Royal Navy had experimented with. These were now coming out of fashion, since the French had learned to stay away from their overwhelming fire-power at close range and bombard them from afar with their own long guns.
Many had been sold out of service, some finding new life as privateers. This one still flew a commission pennant though, so was still in naval service. She must have a wealthy commander though, since she was beautifully titivated. Money had not been spared as she had been fitted out much like a royal yacht.
Not wishing to surprise his new first officer, Mullins went to the signal tower and asked them to signal Vigilant to send a boat for their captain.
Mullins received something of a shock when he stepped aboard his ship. Of course, Mister Drummond was there to welcome him, in his old-fashioned coat and battered hat. Mister Howard was also present, but Hakes was missing. Thinking nothing of this, he took Drummond into his cabin to learn what had transpired in his absence.
Drummond began with the news that Mister Hakes was no longer with the ship. He had been appointed into HMS Freya, gun brig, as its lieutenant-commander.
Astonished at the sudden loss of another officer, the only reply Mullins could think of was, “Freya is the little brig moored next to us?”
“Yes sir, there is more. Our voyage to Egypt is back on again. They have found a new envoy, John Dalrymple, his father made himself wealthy selling naval stores. He is reputed to be a candidate for a peerage.”
“Young Dalrymple has made a name for himself in the Foreign Office and is being sent East to see what he can make of this confusion in Egypt. When he first heard mutterings of this possibility, he bought Freya when she was sold out of the Service and fitted her out as a yacht. Upon his appointment to this mission, Freya was taken back into Navy as the Hired Brig Freya.”
“Freya will carry out the diplomat and his staff. I believe we are to accompany the brig and serve as escort.”
Mullins thought about the possibilities. “Not a bad plan. If Freya still has her carronades, she can provide a strong defense at close range, while Vigilant can see off most ships that try to interfere at longer ranges. Now, my problem is, what am I to do about securing another lieutenant?”
“Had I been informed of this while in London, I could have had my pick of a dozen officers haunting the admiralty, hoping for a posting.”
As Mister Drummond commiserated with his captain, they heard a hail from the master’s mate of the watch. A boat was apparently approaching. The reply to the hail was muffled and not understood. Moments later, the midshipman of the watch came to the door and passed over a pouch of sealed sailcloth. “Sir, boat from the flag just delivered this.”
Cutting this open with his penknife, Mullins quickly glanced through it, then read it again more carefully. When finished, he handed it over to his first officer. When Drummond finished, the men discussed the contents.
Mullins began, “It looks as if the confusion has been settled. We are to sail with the next wind and tide. Mister Hakes in Freya will accompany us and will be under my command. Now Mister Drummond, are we ready in all respects to sail?”
“Yes sir, except for the missing lieutenant, that is.”
“There is nothing we can do about that, Mister Drummond. The only thing I can do is appoint a midshipman to acting lieutenant. If that does not work out, there is always a possibility that we may find an unemployed officer at Gibraltar.”
“Now, have you any suggestions as to which mid we should honor?”
Drummond thought, “Sir, I have been aboard only a short time and do not know all of the people well, yet. However, I believe young Mister Flowers to be a hard working young gentleman, and he appears to be the eldest of the lot. Is there any reason why we should not select him?”
Mullins knew Drummond’s daughter had not told her father the identity of the man that had deflowered her. This could well be a very delicate subject.
“Mister Drummond, there are some issues here which I must discuss with you in the future. Now is not the time however. When you go out on deck, will you pass the word for Mister Flowers? I will speak to him. Then, after I have had a few minutes with him, would you send in Mister Howard?”
Mullins sat at his desk with a quill in his hand, dashing out a note to Mister Hakes in Freya. He wished to speak personally with his former officer at length before they sailed. Finishing just as Flowers came to the door, Mullins invited the youth in and handed the Marine sentry the note, telling him to give it to his cox’n for immediate delivery to Freya.
Flowers had been a very busy young man since his punishment of watch-and-watch had been imposed. After every four hours watch, he had the same amount of time to do any personal activities such as eating and sleeping. Of course, normal ship-board tasks must also be taken care of during these four hours off-watch, so there was little time for sleep.
Mullins had not spoken to the midshipman since their previous meeting and in addition to his evident exhaustion, the lad appeared to be very nervous.
Without thinking, Mullins stared absently at Flowers for several minutes, making him even more terrified.
Making his decision, Mullins began. “Mister Flowers, do you know who Mister Drummond is?”
“Yes sir,
he is our first officer and Sarah’s father.”
“That is correct. You may not know that as of this moment, he is not aware of your friendship with his daughter. He knows Sarah believes she may be with child, but is not aware of the identity of the man responsible. Sarah has been sent to my wife in London where she will remain until Vigilant returns from our voyage to Egypt. She will serve as my wife’s maid and will be well taken care of.”
“Now then, you will also be aware that we have lost Mister Hakes. Since I need another lieutenant in the wardroom, I have asked Mister Drummond’s opinion in this matter, and he has suggested that I appoint you as acting-lieutenant. What are your thoughts?”
The astonished youth had trouble speaking. “Sir, of course I would be proud to serve you as acting lieutenant. But, what will happen when Mister Drummond finds out about Sarah?”
“First things first, young man. First of all, we have no evidence but the word of a frantic young woman as to the certainty of this pregnancy. More time must go by before we know more of this. My wife has herself given birth and may profitably advise Sarah.”
“Until this pregnancy is determined certain, there is not much point in becoming overwrought. If a child does ensue, then all of this must be addressed. Until then, we will have other matters to occupy our energy.”
“I believe your first task will be to convince Mister Drummond that you are a conscientious officer, suitable in every way to occupy a seat at the wardroom table. In the event that you do become the father of his grandchild, he may be better disposed to accept you into the family.”
HMS Vigilant: A Charles Mullins Novel (Sea Command Book 5) Page 13