On deck it seemed cleaner, the air less threatening. An illusion again, but with good reason, Bolitho thought.

He found the frigate’s sailing master listening to the lieutenant with silent disbelief.

Bolitho said calmly, “I will take the responsibility.” In a quieter tone he added, “Far better to take a small risk than to leave your people with too much time on their hands.” Inwardly he thought, also it is better to make sail in darkness than to confront the Euryalus’s broadsides at first light.

When the boat came alongside again he saw Allday scrambling through the entry port, his head turning in all directions as if to take on the whole ship single-handed.

He found Bolitho and said thickly. “By the Lord, Captain, I never expected this!” The admiration was only overshadowed by his obvious concern.

Bolitho looked at him and grinned. “I am sorry to have placed you in danger.”

The big coxswain waited until some scurrying seamen had run past. “I was just about to leave the inn, Captain, and try my luck again on that damned horse. I might have been able to reach Falmouth in time to raise the alarm.”

Bolitho frowned. “What of your guards?”

Allday shrugged and then pulled up the leg of his trousers. Even in the gloom it was possible to see the small double-barrelled pistol protruding from his stocking.

“I reckon I could have laid those two beauties to rest without too much sweat!”

“You will never fail to amaze me, Allday.” Bolitho stared at him. “So you had a plan all of your own, eh?”

“Not all my own. Bryan Ferguson gave me the pistol before we left. He bought it off one of the Falmouth Packet officers.” He breathed out noisily. “I’d not be wanting to leave it all to you, Captain.” He peered around the quarterdeck. “Not amongst bloody hounds like these!”

Bolitho turned away, his mind dwelling on Allday’s simple loyalty. He wanted to find the right words, something which might convey just how much it meant to him at this moment of time.

“Thank you, Allday. That was reckless but extremely far-sighted of you.”

Why could he never find the words when he needed them? And why was Allday grinning almost enough to split his face in two?

Allday said, “Strike me blind, Captain, you are a cool one, and there’s no mistake. We might both be dead, an’ instead here we are as safe as the Tower of London.” He rubbed his buttocks. “Also, we return to Falmouth as sailors should, and not on some bony, misbegotten animal.”

Bolitho gripped his thick forearm. “I am glad you are satisfied.”

A lieutenant crossed the deck and touched his hat. “Capstan manned and boat hoisted, sir.”

“Very good.” He felt suddenly light-headed. Perhaps he had not, after all, realised just how close he had been to disaster. Allday had understood and had been prepared in his own way. But suppose Brice had refused to submit, or Gates had held his grip on the other men? He dismissed it from his thoughts. That part was over, and he could thank God no one had been injured, let alone killed, in the uprising.