Asked about the pushcart, Rutherford said he would leave it by the quay for the next man to use.
The launch arrived at the pier, with Mister Hakes keeping a sharp eye on his oarsmen. After Mullin’s kit was loaded, he introduced Rutherford to Hakes, telling the second officer he needed to visit the naval outfitter but Hakes should see that Rutherford was signed on as Captain’s Clerk and settled in. Mullins would hopefully be pulled out in the outfitter’s boat.
The outfitter was able to supply the captain’s needs. Besides the cabin furniture, the necessary personal stores would fill the outfitter’s boat. His expenses had made serious inroads on his purse, but once at sea there would be little chance for extravagant expenditures. There was room in the outfitter’s boat for him to beg a ride to Juno. On the way, he observed a well-appointed launch casting off from his ship. A handsomely-uniformed lieutenant lifted his hat to him as their boats passed.
The cox’n of the outfitter’s launch hooked on under the starboard entry port to let him board, then went around to the port side to unload.
Mister Heyward approached him after the salutes were exchanged. “Sir, our sailing orders have arrived.”
In addition to the sailing orders, the Marines had arrived. Lieutenant Baker had arrived with a sergeant, a corporal and thirty privates. Mullins had been greeted by the Marine’s stamp and clash version of the ceremonial welcome.
First inviting the first officer into his cabin, where his furniture was being unpacked, they went into the chart room where they could examine the orders in some privacy.
Reading through the papers, Juno’s captain learned they were to proceed to the Mediterranean where they were to locate the commander of that fleet, most likely off Toulon. Vice Admiral Collingwood would have further orders for them there. HMS Juno was to sail when wind and tide next permitted.
Since the sailing orders were not secret, Mullins was able to share the contents with his first officer. Heyward thought the wind was veering and might soon be fair for sailing. He advised taking on a pilot for the journey down the Thames. Mullins ordered him to make it so. Two hours later, they were making their way down the Thames on their way to the sea.
To Be Continued
Additional works available
Other books by this author
War at Sea Series in Kindle e-book format
On The King’s Sea Service, print version also available
For the Honor of the Flag, print version available
Trafalgar and Beyond
Frigates of War
HMS Dreadnaught
HMS Resolve
His Majesty’s Brig Alert, print version available
Sails Across the Sea, print version available
Across to America, print version available
Ships of Oak, Men of Iron (print version available)
Thunder on the Sea (print version available)
Sea Command Series in Kindle and print
HMS Aphrodite
HMS Valkyrie
HMS Aurora
On to Berlin Series in Kindle and print
A Road to St. Lo
Assault on the Rhine
HMS Athena: A Charles Mullins novel (Sea Command Book 4) Page 18