26th May afternoon - admiral's flagship Defiance

"The flag is signalling, sir," Kinsella called out, holding the glass to his eye. "They're making our number, and... 'Captain report aboard immediately.'" He exchanged a glance with Chandos who nodded in confirmation. Signals were never Kinsella's strong suit.

Bolitho glanced across at the midshipman. As if this day had not been aggravating enough already, now the admiral was summoning him. Most likely to reprimand him for something foolish, as usual.

"Very well, I shall go at once," Bolitho said, "Run up a reply if you will, Mr. Kinsella."

"Aye sir," Kinsella said with a salute, answering the flagship with "affirmative." Having listened in as always, the captain's boat crew were already jumping to their duties without waiting to be told.

While he was glad that the boat crew were already anticipating his whim, Bolitho was not glad with the prospect of going to speak with the admiral. An audience with Croker never ended well. More often than not, it ended with the admiral giving him some unsavory duty or another. Well, at least he could hope it would be a short visit.

Sighing, he made his way over to where the boat was being readied.

Billy discreetly shuffled to side, waiting for the boat to be lowered. The prospect of climbing down the ladder gave him a slight pause, but he would have to do that eventually, so he may as well try it today.

As Bolitho neared the boat, he saw Barrow standing nearby. What was he doing there? He could not be thinking to resume his duties as coxswain, could he? Surely he was not well enough for that yet.

"Barrow, what are you doing?" Bolitho did not want to scold him, but he did not want Barrow to jeopardize his own recovery by trying to return to duty too soon.

Billy jumped with a slight start - since when was he so jumpy? - and touched his forehead to the captain, affecting a placid look. "Sir. I'm readyin' the gig to pull you across to Defiance, sir," he answered innocently.

Preddie nudged him in the ribs and nodded toward the entry-port. "Look there, who's up an' about."

"Wha - ?" Chase straightened up from where he'd been leaning over the rail to watch the progress of the boat as it was lowered. "That daft bugger. He ain't really thinkin' - !"

Just as he had thought. Bolitho admired Barrow's determination, but he did not think the sailor was ready to resume his duties.

"No Barrow, you're not," he said, firmly but not harshly, "While I appreciate that you wish to return to your duties, I think you're being somewhat premature. You still need some time to heal, I'm afraid."

Well, that was to be expected. It had been worth a try. He released the breath that he found he had been holding which now caused him to cough (dammit, not in front of the captain!) and he saluted apologetically, not quite able to speak just yet (dammit).

Bolitho nodded, glad that Barrow understood his decision. Obviously the sailor was not yet healed, seeing as how he could not completely disguise that he was still recovering from a life-threatening wound.

"I think you had best get back below now," Bolitho said.

"Yes sir," he answered, finally recovering his normal breath. He caught Preddie and Chase eyeing him up and he gave them an uncharacteristic frown.

"If you please, sir," Preddie spoke up. "We ain't seen Spencer yet..."

Chase ignored Barrow's frown and decided he ought to support the coxswain. "Aye. An' bein' as there ain't nobody else who's half so good's Barrow..."

"I am well aware of that, Chase, but the fact remains that he has not fully recovered," Bolitho said, glancing at Barrow, "I do not want him to cause further injury to himself by returning to duty too soon."

Billy knew better than to make an answer, so he obeyed the order and crept away to return to sickbay. Preddie poked Chase with his elbow and spoke quietly. "Spencer got that block dropped on his foot, 'member? I'll take the helm."

Chase frowned. "No you ain't. Can't even steer a toy boat, can you? You'll have the 'hook, I'll take the tiller."

Preddie scowled and cast a glance at the captain to make sure they were not observed. "You're the hook and oarsman. Williams is down in the hold takin' out them horse partitions, so you can sit forrard of Bell and have the hook."

"Hell I am. Cap'n needs to have his boat handled smartly, don't he? Bell can have the hook."

"Course he do, specially for th'admiral's flag, is why I'm takin' the helm!" Preddie answered, drawing close to Chase and staring eye to eye.

Chase didn't so much as flinch. "If'n you do that, we'll end up halfway to France," he countered evenly.

While the two seamen were working themselves up to argument, Tide Evans slipped over the rail and skipped easily down into the boat. He nodded at Andrew Bell as he settled himself in at the tiller.

Preddie had opened his mouth to respond but stopped as he saw Evans move past. "Hey!"

"Chase, Preddie, will you stop bickering?" Bolitho snapped, feeling rather exasperated. "It doesn't matter which one of you takes the tiller, but if you can't decide, I will be more than happy to decide for you."

Preddie's outburst caused Chase to look over the side, down into the boat. Mister Evans looked up at him and grinned.

"It's all settled now, sir," the topman reported in disappointment.

"Aye sir, sorry sir," Preddie answered humbly, and climbed down the side.