24th May Afternoon - The Great Cabin

Bolitho was in the Great Cabin, waiting for Leat to arrive. He had summoned the second lieutenant to the cabin to inform him of a few things which--he assumed--would make Leat quite happy to hear. For one, there was going to be a change in terms of their new third lieutenant. And for the other, he was going to grant both lieutenants shore leave. Leat had certainly earned the opportunity to go ashore, after all, and Bolitho saw no reason not to grant him leave for a while.

Leat was fairly swift in answering the summons, as he ever was. About three minutes after he'd received the message he was knocking at the cabin door, wondering what new catastrophe had occured that the captain was about to inform him in.

"Enter," Bolitho said, upon hearing the knock.

Leat opened the door, stepped into the cabin and closed it behind him.

"You wanted to see me, sir," he said, saluting. Strange; the captain did not look as if he were about to impart grim news...

"Yes Mr. Leat, I did," Bolitho nodded, "There are a few things that I want to inform you about." He paused a moment, adding some rather unnecessary suspense to his announcement. "I have received the news that there is to be an alteration in terms of our third lieutenant. Our new lieutenant is named Dwerry, and he shall be transferring over very soon, so I am told."

Smiling slightly, he added, "My other announcement is that both you and Mr. Dwerry will be on shore leave as of now. I trust you can inform our new lieutenant of that once he arrives? I'm sure he will be glad to hear that news immediately after boarding...as I'm sure you're pleased with the news as well."

Leat was taken aback for a moment.

"Yes, sir. Thank you," he replied after a moment. Shore leave? Well, he could not help but admit that it would be welcome - especially after the strain he and Bush had been under to keep the ship going; but the other... "But another lieutenant, sir? So soon"?

"The change was not my doing," Bolitho said. He had had nothing to do with the abrupt switch. It was yet another last minute change which could be blamed on the admiral. The man's incompetence really knew no bounds, sometimes. "I am simply following orders."

"Aye aye, sir," Leat said, perhaps somewhat faintly. It could possibly be sworn that he turned a shade paler under his severely sunburnt complexion.

Bolitho nodded slightly.

"Well Mr. Leat, you may be dismissed. I do hope you and Mr. Dwerry enjoy your time ashore."

"I hope we shall, sir," Leat said, but he did not move to go. "Sir, may I ask... do you know anything of Mister Dwerry's character? I would not usually presume, yet it may set mine and Mister Bush's minds at rest about several matters..."

He did not finish the sentance. It was a thumping great liberty for Leat to even think of asking, but after Deverel he (and doubtless Bush) would dread what may turn up next. Surely Bolitho could understand that? He had been a lieutenant once upon a time, after all...

Bolitho knew why Leat was asking such a question. Truthfully, he did not blame the lieutenant for wondering. Bolitho had not been thrilled with the prospect of having Deverel as one of his officers, and he was fairly certain that Leat and Bush had been even less thrilled with the idea of having such a man as a fellow lieutenant. But unfortunately he did not know enough about Dwerry yet to put Leat's mind at ease.

"I'm afraid I cannot say for certain. I have not met him myself, but from what I have been told, he sounds to be a competent officer." Bolitho said, "I fear we shall have to wait until he is aboard to truly know the measure of his character." He waited a moment, then gave Leat a knowing look as he added, "Though you may learn a great deal about him while ashore."

After all, if Dwerry was going to turn out to be of a sort like Deverel, shore leave would be a perfect test of his character in that respect.

"This side of paralytic, sir?" Leat questioned innocently, catching the captain's drift.

"I should hope so, but if things should progress in another direction, then perhaps you may learn even more," Bolitho remarked. Leat was going to find out quite a bit about his new fellow lieutenant's character--for good or bad--while ashore. Of that he was certain.

"I expect so, sir," Leat replied, one of his customary small smiles curling at the corners of his mouth. "Four rounds at the most; and any more or paid company he can pay for himself."

Bolitho very nearly chuckled at that, but at the last moment he managed to turn it into a throat-clearing cough instead.

"Yes, well it sounds as if you will have things well in hand then, Mr. Leat," he said, "Not only will you learn about Mr. Dwerry's character, he will certainly learn a lot about yours."

"Maybe, sir," Leat said, wondering what exactly the captain meant by that statement and simultaneously feeling very self-conscious of his socks. He supposed it was his own fault though for mentioning "paid company".

"I would only request that you both do not get into too much trouble ashore. Not that I would expect you to, of course..." Bolitho said, smiling slightly. He hoped Leat did not think he was reprimanding him, for he had every faith that they would not cause any problems ashore. Certainly not Leat.

"Aye, sir." There was not much more Leat could say to that. He certainly would never dream of setting out in any activity that might embarrass Bolitho or upset the natives - not intentionally, anyway. He supposed, though, that this time would depende on Dwerry and his character; whatever that might be.

Besides, there was certain to be a wheelbarrow on standby in case.

"Very good, Mr. Leat," Bolitho said. He waited a moment, then inquired, "Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

Seeing Bolitho had called the interview there was not much else Leat could think of; though there was something he should mention.

"Just one thing, sir; I thought you should know I met Mister Yates earlier today. He is staying with the army for the timebeing, with the 62nd - as you will recall there was a slight family connection with Lord Edrington. I left him talking to Mister Fletcher, who I gave leave so they might have some time to themselves." He smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry if I overstepped myself, sir, but I thought it would do Fletcher some good."

That was pleasing information to hear. Bolitho was glad to learn that Yates was alright. He had been concerned for the boy's welfare since he had left the ship, so it reassured him to know that Yates was in good hands. And of course there was nothing wrong with giving Fletcher leave to go ashore. He needed it just as much as the other officers and sailors.

"You did nothing of the sort, Mr. Leat. I am glad you allowed Mr. Fletcher to have some leisure time," Bolitho said, "And I am most pleased to hear that Mr. Yates is doing well. That is very good news."

Leat was skeptical as to how good the news that Fletcher was chasing around with the army, but news of the boy seemed to please the captain.

"I reminded Mister Yates also to write home of his change of mind," Leat added. "He said he would make it his duty to, and I believe he will receive a reminder from Lord Edrington also."

"Yes, he should inform his family of his decision as soon as possible. Though I can only imagine how they will take it..."

Bolitho wondered what Yates' family's reaction would be to hear their son had left the navy voluntarily. Perhaps they would take it well, perhaps not. Either way, Bolitho would most likely never know.

"Quite, sir." POssibly not very at all; but it was Yates' decision, and like it or not they would have to live with what they decided.

"Hopefully Lord Edrington may contact them as well and break it to them gently. When are we expecting Lieutenant Dwerry, sir?"

"Very soon, I should think. I was told he would be coming aboard this afternoon. When he does, feel free to inform him that he is on shore leave," Bolitho said, then smiled as he added, "I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that he can promptly leave the ship just as soon as he arrives."