Kydd(96)

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“Right, mate, get to yer feet — ’tis yer time to explain yerself.” The ship’s corporal was not unkind, letting Kydd rub his ankles and stretch before moving off. They threaded their way to the main hatch, watched curiously as they passed.

Kydd felt the stares and lifted his chin. The Captain would see his part — Bowyer had taught him that the King’s Service was hard, but in the end fair, which was more than could be said for justice ashore. He marched forward confidently.

They emerged from the main companionway onto the quarterdeck. Kydd, bleary-eyed and disheveled after a sleepless night, was taken by surprise at the scene. Every eye was on him: hands had been mustered aft in the usual fashion, marines lining the poop rail, the officers below. A space of deck lay between him and a sea of men facing him from the opposite direction.

Tyrell looked at him dispassionately as he was brought forward to where Caldwell stood behind his lectern.

“Orf hat!” the Master-at-Arms said. “Ordinary Seaman Kydd, sir, did use threatenin’ language to a superior orficer, sir, did offer violence to the orficer and did use insultin’ words, sir.” He stepped back.

Kydd looked up into his captain’s eyes. The same intelligent and gentle blue eyes — but there was weakness in the downswept lines at the side.

“These are serious charges, Kydd,” Caldwell began mildly. He glanced at Cantlow and back. “I hope they will not be proven.”

“No, sir,” Kydd replied firmly.

“Silence!” the Master-at-Arms roared.

Kydd snatched a side-glance at Cantlow. He was in his best uniform and rested his hand on his dirk. His face was expressionless. Close behind stood Garrett.

“Are there any witnesses?” Caldwell asked.

“Sir!” snapped Garrett, and stepped over to the Captain’s side, facing Kydd. “I saw it all, the rogue.”

“What did you see?” Caldwell enquired gently.

“That rascal — that villain — ”

“Have a care, Mr. Garrett.”

“I saw him ranting at Mr. Cantlow after being remonstrated with for skulking in the tops.”

“And?”

“And Kydd seized Mr. Cantlow’s rattan and offered to ‘fetch him a polter on his noggin,’ begging your pardon, sir.”

“Ah.”

“That is not all, sir. I snatched the rattan from Kydd and broke it over my knee, at which he let fly with a stream of insults, which I will not trouble you to repeat.”

A murmuring spread out over the crowded mass of seamen.

“I see.” Caldwell looked at Kydd for a long moment, then turned back to Garrett. “It seems fairly clear to me …” he said.

Garrett could not help a quick look of triumph at Cantlow.

“… that you yourself, sir, stand guilty of the gravest dereliction of duty!”

Garrett was stupefied.

“Were you not officer of the watch? Speak up, man!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Then why, pray, were you absent from your place of duty on the quarterdeck, and at the mizzen shrouds on the poop, when the safety of this ship depends on your vigilance and proximity to the helm? Hey, sir? Which is it, man? You saw it all and were absent from your place of duty, or you didn’t see it at all? Well? You are stood down, and will wait upon me later to explain your actions.” Caldwell drew a scented handkerchief from his sleeve and touched his mouth. “I will therefore ignore this testimony and call Mr. Cantlow.” Cantlow stepped up and touched his hat. “It is customary to remove your headgear when addressing your captain, Mr. Cantlow. I find merely touching the hat an irritating modern affectation.”

Cantlow flushed and took off his hat.

“Now, sir, what are the essentials of the charge?”

Cantlow’s eyes slid over to Kydd and back. “I caught this man skulking in the mizzen top, sir, and — ”

“One moment. Let us settle that matter first.”

“Pass the word for the boatswain!”

The cry was taken up and, as if on cue, the burly figure of the boatswain appeared. He did not look at Kydd.

“What was this man doing in the mizzen top?” Caldwell enquired.

“Sir, Ordinary Seaman Kydd was, agreeable to my orders, engaged in puttin’ an eye in the mizzen topsail slabline, afore it’s meant to be rereeved,” he growled.

“Thank you. Mr. Cantlow?”

Cantlow hesitated, then blurted, “He wouldn’t speak!”

Caldwell’s eyebrows rose.

“Er, sir! He-he just stood there in dumb insolence. What was I to think, sir?”

“I would have thought that was obvious, but we’ll let it go. The insults, if he didn’t speak?” Caldwell began tapping his feet.