He looked across at Trevenen. “Whatever the reason for this, be it seepage or sheer carelessness, we must have water, and quickly! So prepare your party to take on a fresh supply.”

Trevenen blinked at him. He looked like a man who had just heard of a miracle at first hand.

Bolitho continued, “We should make a landfall within two days, sooner if the wind finds us again. I have visited these islands before.” He touched the scar beneath the dark forelock of hair. “There are streams and quite reliable pools on some of them.”

Vibart said heavily, “The admiral gave no orders about leaving our station, sir.”

“Would you have the men die of thirst, Mr Vibart?” Bolitho stared down at the chart again. “But if you are worried I will have my clerk make an entry in the patrol report today.” He smiled wryly. “Should I vanish again, you will have the necessary shield from Sir Robert’s anger!”

Ellice said dreamily, “I was in a ship once when this ’appened. Two of the seamen ran amuck for want of water!”

Vibart snarled, “Well you at least will be untroubled by that, I imagine!”

Bolitho smiled in spite of his troubled thoughts. “Carry on, Mr Vibart. Have the hands mustered to their stations. I will be up directly.” He watched the door quiver in its frame and then said to Ellice, “You asked for that, Mr Ellice!”

The surgeon was unmoved, “With all due respect to the first lieutenant, sir, but he was too long aboard a slaver, if you ask me. To ’im men is just bloody extra cargo!”

“That will do, Mr Ellice.” Bolitho glanced at the decanter. As if by magic it had emptied during his talk with Trevenen. “I suggest you take a turn around the main deck.”

Ellice peered at him uncertainly. Then he grinned. “Aye, sir. So I will. It’ll give me a fair appetite!” He ambled away, his shabby coat hanging around him like a sack. Rain or fine, sun or sheeting squalls, Ellice was never dressed differently. Some had even suggested he slept in his clothes.

Bolitho dismissed him from his mind as the pipes shrilled and the decks thudded with bare feet as the men ran to their stations for wearing ship.

* * *

Within an hour the Phalarope had gone about, her sails flat and listless in the relentless glare. But in spite of the outward stillness there was enough power in the breeze to cause a small ripple beneath her gilt figurehead, and at the mainmast truck the commissioning pendant flapped and whipped with lonely agitation, as if it commanded the only strength the wind had to offer.

Lieutenant Herrick walked slowly aft along the main deck, his eyes moving from side to side as he watched the men flaking down ropes and putting a last tautness in sheets and braces. He knew that they were discussing the news about the contaminated water, and other things beside, but as he passed even the usually friendly ones fell silent. The past two weeks of heat and dull discomfort were showing their teeth now, he decided. No one complained or grumbled any more. That was the worst sign of all.