Richard Carvel — Volume 08 by Winston Churchill
page 29 of 107 (27%)
page 29 of 107 (27%)
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up across our bows, while that of Flamborough jutted into the sea behind
us. I had the starboard watch piped to dinner, and reported twelve o'clock to the commodore. And had just got permission to "make it," according to a time-honoured custom at sea, when another "Sail, ho!" came down from aloft. "Where away?" called back Mr. Linthwaite, who was midshipman of the forecastle. "Starboard quarter, rounding Flamborough Head, sir. Looks like a full-rigged ship, sir." I sent the messenger into the great cabin to report. He was barely out of sight before a second cry came from the masthead: "Another sail rounding Flamborough, sir!" The officers on deck hurried to the taffrail. I had my glass, but not a dot was visible above the sea-line. The messenger was scarcely back again when there came a third hail: "Two more rounding the head, sir! Four in all, sir!" Here was excitement indeed. Without waiting for instructions, I gave the command: "Up royal yards! Royal yardmen in the tops!" We were already swaying out of the chains, when Lieutenant Dale appeared and asked the coasting pilot what fleet it was. He answered that it was the Baltic fleet, under convoy of the Countess of Scarborough, twenty guns, and the Serapis, forty-four. |
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