STO'B 13

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"Oh," said Philip. "Mr Wilkins, fetch Sergeant - fetch the sergeant of Marines. A breach of discipline, Mr Grey?"

"Yes, sir. Earlier, before the battle, Mr South had the bosun beat to quarters against my direct order not to do so."

"I see," said Philip. That must have been how his order to do the same had been carried out so quickly. He had wondered at the time. "Did he say why he did so?"

"He said the brig was under fire, sir, and the men needed to be at quarters."

"I see." Philip turned out to sea, away from all of the activity on deck, to consider. "I see."

The marine sergeant and two of his men charged up, muskets in hand, bayonets fixed. "Yes, Sergeant Harris, thank you," said Philip. "I believe you may stand down."

"Yes, sir," said Harris, saluting. He dismissed his men and retired to the lee side of the quarterdeck, where he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a brilliantly white handkerchief. How did he manage to keep his handkerchief so clean?

"Handkerchief, sir?" asked Mr Grey.

Philip flushed. "The brig was under fire, Mr Grey?" he asked quickly, hoping to cover his gaffe.

"Yes, sir, but Mr South disrespected my authority, sir. A master is subordinate to a lieutenant."

"I am aware of the niceties of rank, Lieutenant, thank you. Your reasoning for not sending the men to quarters was?" he asked, not unkindly.

Nevertheless, Lt Grey flushed, then turned pale. "It is for the captain to call to quarters, sir."

"I see." Philip turned to Midshipman Wilkins, who had returned to the quarterdeck. "Mr Wilkins, pass the word for Mr South."

The master appeared, wiping slush from his hands and saluting. "Mr South," said Philip, "I understand that you sent the sloop to quarters over Mr Grey's objections?"

"Yes, sir. That bugger was firing at us, sir, pardon me the expression, so I sent the men to quarters so as best to defend ourselves."

"I see." He was saying that a lot, he realised, but what in fact did he see? There was more to this than merely a disagreement over sending the sloop to quarters. "Mr South, you forget the authority of Mr Grey. There are times when it is appropriate to act of your own initiative, but you must apologize to the lieutenant for doing so."

The master stood straight, and assuming a blank expression, he saluted. "Mr Grey, I ask you pardon for sending the men to quarters."

The lieutenant blinked. "There are no times when it is appropriate to - to act of insubordinate, of your own initiative," he said, ignoring the master, who stood there stiffly, continuing to salute.

"Thank you, Mr South, you are dismissed," said Philip, and when the master had gone, "Mr Grey, are you questioning me? Are you questioning my authority?"

Grey swallowed. He saluted. "No, sir."

"Very good. In the future, the men will be set to quarters if we are under fire, without the necessity to defer to the Captain."

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