Drummer's Jacket, 26 May

"Of course." Cartwright hid a smile, feeling passingly relieved. He went up the ladder to the gundeck and turned aft, nodding at the cabin sentry who announced them in a grating voice.

Then they waited for permission to enter.

Bolitho looked up upon hearing the sentry's voice, though he raised an eyebrow upon hearing who had come to the cabin. What was this all about?

"Enter," he said at last.

De Guarde looked at Cartwright and waited for the man to go ahead, while he could tag along after. He was worried, and the captain's cabin itself made him rather nervous. Seeing captain Bolitho face to face, he might've thought it a great ide a moment ago, but now he was having doubts and second thoughts.

Bear up, lad, Cartwright thought as he led the way into the cabin.

"Sir," he said in greeting. "I have somewhat unusual proposal to make, in light of... certain events this afternoon. Young De Guarde has, with my blessing, stood a watch as drummer - continuing what had originally been a prank arranged between himself and my three standing drummers. He has, however, showed a degree of proficiency and interest in this post."

He paused a moment but did not glance at the boy. "It is not unknown, sir, for sailors to accept the shilling and take on as Marines. However, knowing De Guarde's unusual status..."

Bolitho listened as Cartwright made his proposal. He could not decide what was more surprising: that Cartwright was suggesting that De Guarde become a Marine or all of the things that had already transpired. De Guarde had been standing watch as a drummer, and no one had reprimanded him for that? Cartwright had even given the boy "his blessing," apparently. And it had originally started as a prank?

"Let me see if I have this correct, Mr. Cartwright," Bolitho began, glancing at De Guarde briefly, "You say that, as part of a prank, De Guarde was standing watch as a drummer today--and none of the officers noticed? Except yourself, obviously. And now you wish me to consider allowing him to become a Marine simply because he did an adequate job of being a drummer? Never mind that he should not have been doing such a thing in the first place."

Maybe there was a slight detail that the captain was better not to have known. The little detail that suggested that none of the naval officers were wise enough to the plan or attentive enough to notice a young Tar, a former midshipman, act as a drummer for a good length of a watch. Though, De Guarde knew that it could've hardly been omitted.

He gulped soundlessly, keeping his eyes cast on the far window of the captain's cabin, standing there as stiff as a board.

"It was indeed a prank, sir," Cartwright acknowledged. "A very well planned one - it was only a close inspection that revealed the game. De Guarde was properly attired as a drummer boy, down to his shoes."

Though of course he should have expected Bolitho to be sceptical - such a reaction was only reasonable, after all. "I agree, sir, it should not have happened at all. Every boy concerned has been warned against future repeat performances. However... I would hardly consider this proposal as a reward for anything, sir. More of... a means to simplify his situation."

He hoped Bolitho would correctly intrepret his meaning. It was a quiet offer of aid to the sea officer, as much as it was a chance for De Guarde to alter his station in life - though not, perhaps, for the better. That was something Cartwright hoped the lad understood clearly.

"Hmm." Bolitho frowned. He saw Cartwright's point, and it was a valid one. But whether or not he would consider allowing the boy to become a Marine did not alter the fact that De Guarde had still been doing something which he was not supposed to be doing.

"Perhaps so, but the fact remains that initially he was acting as a drummer when he was not supposed to be doing so, not matter how well he may have been performing the duty. Do you believe that such behavior should go unpunished?"

"No, sir," Cartwright replied. He had yet to properly deal with his own miscreants, beyond the initial verbal telling-off. The Marine fell silent now, knowing better than to offer suggestions as to how the captain should discipline one of his sailors.

"I am glad to hear it, because I do not think such behavior should go unpunished either." Bolitho paused and looked briefly at De Guarde. "However, that does not mean I will not consider your proposition, Mr. Cartwright. I will consider it. Though if I am to possibly make De Guarde a Marine, I want to be certain that he can handle all the duties which might be given to him, not just drumming."

Cartwright inclined his head. "Agreed, sir. Perhaps... for the lad's benefit, sir, we might know what might await him if he does not choose to take the shilling?"

This last was a little daring, considering the moment. So much the better to lay out the available options to De Guarde, though - or so Cartwight hoped.

"What awaits him if he does not take the shilling will most definitely be a punishment for posing as a Marine, and most likely some unsavory duties as well." Bolitho did not elaborate on what said punishment might be because he was not entirely sure himself. A flogging did seem rather harsh for something which had not endangered the ship or the crew. "But even if I do allow him to take the shilling, I do not think that he should completely avoid retribution either." This last was said with an extra glare at De Guarde.

Cartwright shook his head again. "No, certainly he should not. Nor would he."

He thought of Cross Johnson and knew that there would plenty of punishment ready for the lad, if the corporal was given half a chance. Endless drill, frequent kit inspections, sentry duty...

"Thank you, sir," he added after a moment.

Bolitho nodded.

"Of course, Mr. Cartwright. I shall truly give thought to your proposal." He paused. "Was there anything else you wished to tell me about this whole affair?"

Did Cartwright just ask when and if his position would improve, alas if he would be rated, if he did not take the shilling, and perhaps even when? It had the boy perk up to listen more, the dread at their earlier talk of punishment nearly gone. But then, just as he was as attentive as a young lad could be, did he hear more mention of punishment. Oh no, perhaps it would have been better that Cartwright had not mentioned the means of him being discovered as having some skill. But it seemed that he was in agreement with Bolitho about the need of punishment so it seemed it really would not matter.

He chewed on his lip, and secretly began to tug at his sleeve, both hands behind his back. "We didn' mean it no harm.." He blurted out, very quietly and hoped suddenly that neither of the men would have heard it. He looked at Bolitho and gulped. The man had given him a glare just a moment ago, and had him feel the chill all the way down his spine.

"I do not, sir," Cartwright answered. Whether or not De Guarde dared to add anything of his own remained to be seen - and he did, though it was not perhaps what Cartwright might have expected the lad to say.

Maybe there was a pressing matter he wished to address, before this all could go any further. It wasn't in any relation to the punishment, however , just as Thompson had raised it, the question was of letters, of correspondence and of the sort he did not wish to be sent. "Sir,..if you permit me to transfer to the marines..." He glanced up very timidly, feeling as though Bolitho might snap at him any moment. Ever since becoming a Tar, and perhaps even sometime before that, the reason to fear Bolitho had only become so much greater.

"...Would it be.. convenient, er... would it be possible rather.. if it is only me.. who sends the.. uh... the letters to my parents." In which he could omit the change of course instead of having them learn, what they oughtn't , too soon.

Letters? Cartwright felt a short stab of confusion. Why, of all things, would De Guarde be worried about letters to his parents? He did not think that Bolitho was the sort to exercise control over what his crew wrote to their families. Those of the crew who were literate enough to write, anyway.

Bolitho raised an eyebrow at De Guarde.

"I must inquire as to why you wish to be the one to inform your parents of my decision," he said, "As your captain, it seems that it would be my duty to explain to them why I would choose to make you a Marine. After all, I should think they would want to hear such news from the person who gave the order." He paused. "Should I decide to allow you to become a Marine, you may of course write to them and tell them the news. But if so, I will also write to them, explaining my decision. I'm certain they would be much more reassured if I did so."

He couldn't explain, he knew that. He could only hope that Bolitho's explanation to his parents would be enough to convince them it was the best course of action. If it wasn't, he feared what they might decide to do. This however, he could not tell the captain, since it would sway his decision against his favour, and make it already a firm no. When he had a chanse that Bolitho still might appoint him a marine, he had to cancel out any distractions which might make him think different. Any, even his own fears.

"No... no reason sir. And.. certainly it would be best as you say, sir. I spoke out of turn, and without thinking." He had to relax his hands, else the fabric of his sleeve might tear. "I will.. look forward to hearing your decision sir." And if Bolitho said no? If he would have decided to keep him a Tar till old age? Even in that case his parents would eventually find out and be shamed by his loss of position. Hopefully Bolitho would not first send a letter asking the mind of his parents though, he crossed his fingers for that not to happen.

This seemed to be about as far as the conversation could safely go. Cartwright glanced at De Guarde, thought for a moment, then said simply, "Thank you for your time, sir."

It would not, he thought, be wise at all to mention his daft little idea again, at least not for the present. He had plenty enough to deal with now as it was, with his mischievous drummers and whoever had helped them.

"Of course, Mr. Cartwright," Bolitho nodded. "I will certainly consider the matter and I will inform you of my decision in due time." He looked at De Guarde as he added, "I will inform both of you in due time. Now if there is nothing else, you may be dismissed."

"Thank you sir." De Guarde gave Bolitho a much smarter salute than was known for a Tar to offer with the knuckling of their temple. He looked at Cartwright, to see him out first before he would follow in good order, quiet and obedient and perfectly aware his future might change, be sealed in a way he had never expected possible or it could remain the same.

For once, perhaps the first time, he had left Captain Bolitho's cabin, not after doiong something not so well, but in a rather interesting sort of spirits.

Thompson had finished his smoke and was heading below. He'd arrived on the gundeck as the door of the Great Cabin opened, allowing Lieutenant Cartwright and the young scamp de Guarde to leave. He saluted the officer and raised an eyebrow inquiringly at de Guarde.

De Guarde walked through the door and then, when a few steps into the outside world, stopped and waited in silence. When, and only when he was certain that the marine lieutenant could no longer hear him, he would have spoken again. It was to Thompson, of course. To deliver the news, to tell him how things were, what they've discussed, how it was still uncertain and yet.. more probable. That the lieutenant did not joke and did not just say things in jest , or because at the moment it seemed entertaining.

"George." He exclaimed then and smiled. "I might shift ter t' marine mess soon. Might." He motioned for the marine to follow him. The tars could hear it of course, but probably they knew already, or atleast their bets on whether the boy was in trouble or not, were now settled and money would be paid up.