Renner stared off thoughtfully towards the New York shore. When he turned back, his expression was lighter than it had been. “I dare say you’ll be glad to be back on dry land after your adventures.”

“Damned glad,” Lawrence responded with a smile. “All this water; it’s been the cause of far too much excitement for my liking.”

“Then fear not, Captain. It won’t be long.” Renner pushed himself away from the rail. “Now, if you will excuse me, I’ll take my leave. There are duties to which I must attend. Please feel free to explore should the mood take you. Mind where you step, though. I dread to think what the captain would say if one of you went overboard and we had to stop and pick you up again! We’re behind schedule as it is and Captain Winans hates to be late. You have been warned!” Renner added with a smile before bidding them farewell and heading off along the deck.

Hawkwood and Lawrence watched him go.

“Plattsburg,” Lawrence muttered, leaning back against the rail. “That’s damned inconvenient. I had thought our luck was holding.” He turned, his face serious. “You think our captain suspects anything?”

Hawkwood straightened. “Hard to say. He strikes me as a man who keeps his cards close to his chest.”

Lawrence grunted. “Probably as well we didn’t deviate too far from the truth, then. So long as we remember what names we’re travelling under. I’d only just got used to Smith and Jones, damn it. Thank God none of Stagg’s crew survived. That could have proved awkward.”

“True. And the fact that our enemy turned out to be the captain’s enemy did us no harm.”

“We can but hope,” Lawrence agreed. “All things considered, things could be worse. We could be stranded on the Caldwell road, up to our arses in mud.”

“I suppose we could try and seize the boat,” Hawkwood mused. “Sail her to Canada. Cross the lines that way.”

“We tried that once, remember?” Lawrence allowed a small smile to form. “Look where it got us.”

“And this time there are no oars, as far as I can tell.”

“Indeed.” Lawrence grinned. “So, any ideas on where we go from here?” The major cursed as a burst of spray, carried on the breeze, lanced across their exposed faces.

“Only one,” Hawkwood said. “Off this bloody deck. Young Renner might think this is the future of maritime conveyance but if we stay out here any longer we’re going to need another change of clothes, the amount of water those damned wheels are kicking up. I don’t know about you, but I function better in the dry. Let’s take our captain’s advice and make ourselves comfortable below.”

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Lawrence responded. “After you.”

“Not this time,” Hawkwood said. “This time you go first.”