Leaving Lisbon

Raoul responded to the look from Dr Maturin. "If that would be acceptable. I should not like him to leave without saying goodbye - if it is possible, and if you are not too busy..."

"Oh no, sir; I'm sure the doctor will be able to spare you a few minutes," Leat said, smiling at des Sablières. Well, any Frenchman who was with the Dr. Maturin must be a half-decent fellow... "Would you like to come now?"

[We're sailing tomorrow's evening tide. There was a little confusion as to when the note was left.]

Raoul glanced at Dr Maturin and smiled. "I would - you were being refitted I understand." After defeating a French frigate - but that would be better not spoken of, at present. "Are you still in the dock?"

"Out in the harbour, sir," Leat said, beginninng to walk again and lead the way. "We'll catch a lift in one of the boats - they'll be to-ing and fro-ing like nobody's business at the moment. You'll be happy to see the doctor's plants, sir," he said to Stephen. "Keen on his botanicals is Dr. Crozier. He managed to persuade Captain Bolitho to give up one of his quarter galleries for a box of lettuces! Said they weren't getting enough light below decks..."

"Splendid!" said Stephen, genuinely pleased. "A very sound idea, and lettuces are the most virtuous of esculents; I am delighted that I shall be able to pass on my compliments in person."

"Did he not tell you he planned to do so, sir? I would have thought he'd mention it to you, seeing as you are both scientific gentlemen."

"I am afraid to say that I have never met him - he is Captain des Sablières' acquaintance."

"Oh."

Again Leat looked at des Sablières with open curiosity. This certainly must be a decent Frenchman, seeming as both doctors thought him to be company worth keeping. Though the lieuteanant did find it hard to believe that two scientific gentlemen of the nautical persuasion staying in the same city would not know each other.

"But I am sure he will be glad to see you both, sir," Leat persevered, hoping to reassure the doctor. "I heard him speak of your book only a week or so ago - very generous with his praise. And he's a good doctor; sewed my head back up again very neatly. Not anything like as spectacular as your rousing out Joe Plaice's brains, sir; but he's good with the men, and learned."

"I had an accident and he treated an injury I incurred," Raoul said in explanation, as the lieutenant gave him a guarded look. "I found him a very pleasant gentleman, and we met for dinner." He smiled. "He did mention his botanical ideas, but I was at a stand - not being a scientific gentleman."

"That was very kind of him," said Stephen, a little pink about the ears. "I have heard nothing but praise for him, to be sure. You were injured, Lieutenant? I regret to hear it."

"Just a scratch, sir," Leat shrugged. "We had a run-in on the way here, as you'll know, and I got knocked about a little. Nothing at all really, considering. We lost one of our young gentlemen."

He shook his head sadly.

"Was a great shame. A promising young lad named Dunnock; you would have liked him, sir. He would have made a good officer. Were you injured badly, sir?"

This last question was directed at Raoul.

[OOC: And I'm for bed; though I'll be around most of tomorrow and Tuesday, if anyone else is. Goodnight to you all!"

[OOC: Goodnight. I'll be around, anyway]

"A cut, but the better for the stitches Dr Crozier put in it." Raoul smiled "He mentioned your taking the prize, though. I - " He raised a hand, unable to offer the usual congratulations.

Leat took a second to realise what was wrong, then blushed slightly again as he took des Sablières' hand.

"Very kind of you, sir; but I shall mention it no more. It is not polite to talk shop so."

They walked a few more paces.

"Have you gentlemen been long in Lisbon?"

"I am sorry for the loss of your young gentleman, Lieutenant," Stephen said in a suitably solemn tone before his face took on a more friendly aspect again. "I myself have been in the city some three weeks now, and am no closer to finding my bearings. When did the Terpsichore come in?"

"About that time, sir. We've been sitting about waiting for repairs and news of our prize since."

"I must give you joy of your prize, Lieutenant," Stephen said with an apologetic glance at des Sablières as they arrived at the docks.

Raoul smiled back at Stephen. It was, after all, only the Navy, and one ship at that. "What have you done with the French ship?" he asked curiously. "Will it be put to use in the British Navy? I believe some ships change hands several times - of course, some seaman and soldiers do too."

"Oh, the Service has snapped her up, sir; they'd be mad not to, a nice little thing like that, and French-built! She's abetter shape than ours," Leat explained at des Sablières's blank look. "Your countrymen build better ships than us, but you'll pardon me when I say that we sail 'em better. Half the best ships in the Royal Navy came from French dockyards."

"To spend so much money building ships, that will then be used against us!" Raoul shook his head, but thought of Delaporte and his lieutenants. Were they not as good as their English counterparts. He did not know the British Navy as well as its Army, having lived in land... "It would make sense to spend less on the ships, and more on training men - what is it that makes the English seaman better? Perhaps I can recommend it when I get back." He threw a quick smile at Dr Maturin.

Leat knew the answer quite well, as any naval officer worth his salt did. Apart from a faster rate of fire, better standard of training, sheer guts and an iron determination, the French had condemned their own navy in the Revolution. With the Terror and the farce that was the Republic they had lost near all the experienced and competant officers at the top, replacing them with bureaucrats and political appointments. It was also well known Bonaparte, with the simplicity of a soldier, denied the navy the necessary funds and attention that was needed for it to be any near effective.

"I meant no slur on your countrymen, sir," Leat said instead. "I believe my mouth ran ahead of me; a man always thinks far more highly of his own Service than any other - whether or not it is of his own nation. I hope you'll forgive me."

"We do have some very competent sea officers," Raoul said, then added with honesty, "Or so we are told. And that since you lost Admiral Nelson, there is no one to take his place. But I am in the cavalry - what do I know about ships and naval matters? Except that you say you keep taking our ships, and I must believe you."

"We have lost a few in return," Leat said, hoping to seem generous.

Stephen flashed a smile at his two companions. He pointed to a ship in the harbour. "Is that the Terpsichore? She has been quite knocked about, upon my word. Will you really be able to sail tomorrow evening?"

"No, sir, that's the Venus! We aren't anything near so grand. Terpsy's away to her left. No, next one along... The one with her stern facing us."

[*snigger*]

"Ah, of course, I see her now," said Stephen, somewhat peevishly as he sought in vain for a ship with its stern facing them.