Other Voices

Part One

"I say that he's the best thing on the damn boat. That's my opinion."

"You think that he's a better officer than the Captain, do you?"

"He's younger and hasn't been around as long, but there's not a man aboard who wouldn't sail to Hell and back with him, that's what I say."

"You see him in five years, say. He'll have his own ship; you mark my words on that. And I'd like to be on it with him, if the Good Lord is willing."

"Yeah, but he won't leave the Captain. They's thick as thieves, if you ask me."

"Ha, thieving ain't got nothing to do with it, to my mind. I'd say that it's more like free trade."

"Belay that, you hear?"

"Ahh, c'mon, everybody know's what's goin on there. It's not like it's secret or nothing."

"You best keep your mouth shut about what don't concern you, if you care what happens to you, mate."

"You sayin that you ain't heard no noises comin from out o' that skylight in the middle of the dog watches? You never heard nothin', eh? Well, you're the only one, then. Sounds like they have a fine old time down there, if you ask me"

"What I hear or don't hear is none of your concern. You just keep your trap shut. You got any idea what could happen if you go blabbing things around?"

"They could be hung. You know that? They read the Articles every week. It's plain as the nose on your face. Even if they ain't hung, they'd be pulled off this ship, that's for sure. Then you don't know what you'd get stuck with."

"That's too right. Some old rummy or a hard assed bastard. I'd like to keep what I got."

"'Sides, it ain't like they're hurtin anyone. It's just between them, that's all."

"Right you are, live and let live, I always say."

"You know what I don't get, though? He's a right good looking bloke. Oh, c'mon now, he is! And he's smart, too. He could get a woman if he wanted one. How come he doesn't just do that? It'd be a lot safer than what they're doin."

"You ever seen him with a woman? In port or on leave or anything? Maybe he's doin just what he wants. Maybe both of them are."

"Cor, I just keep picturing…makes me skin crawl, that's all."

Part Two

"Captain's Favorite. Always has been, always will be. I tell you, it's as if the rest of us weren't even aboard so far as the Captain is concerned."

"That's the God's honest truth. How in Hell do you compete with him? Always right, always correct, always bleeding perfect."

"Sometimes it's like the rest of us are just here to fetch and carry."

"I tell you, he's got to be the only man in the Navy to make Lieutenant without passing the exam."

"Perhaps, but if he hadn't gotten his commission after steering that fire ship away from the fleet, the Admiral couldn't have shown his face. I mean, really, what else could they do? They certainly couldn't break him back down to the Mid's berth after he managed that particular bit of dash."

"And on top of it all, he's so damn obliging about everything. Always willing to take an extra watch. He even helps out down in the sick bay sometimes since Hemplewhite found out that his father is a doctor. God, you simply can't fault the man."

"Do you want to fault him?"

"Well, no. But it would be nice to know that he bleeds blood like the rest of us."

"He not only does, but has. If you'll recall."

"Do you mean the scratch he received in that duel? Need I remind you that the Captain is the one who managed to save his hide on that particular occasion."

"Saved it for later use, in my opinion."

"What do you mean by that, sir?"

"Gentlemen, please."

" I think that we all know what Sergeant Whiting is referring to here."

"I'm simply making the observation that the Captain and Lieutenant Hornblower seem to have become close friends lately, that's all. Some of my men have noticed that they have been spending a lot of time together in the Captain's cabin when there doesn't seem to be anything official going on."

"I think that you overstep the mark, sir."

"In that case, I apologize. However, I fear that I'm not the only man aboard to make that observation."

"Yes, it does seem to be the current gossip both above and below decks. One might wish to make mention of that to the Lieutenant. For his own sake, of course."

"Gossip is best ignored, sir."

"Gossip tends to follow the source, sir."

"You know, where there's smoke and all of that."

"Lieutenant Hornblower and the Captain are both exemplary officers whose dedication and abilities cannot be doubted, sir. I think that you would do well to remember that."

"Oh, no one's questioning their abilities. I was merely making the observation that they seem to share several hobbies."

Part Three

Journal entry 23 April 1795

I hesitate to even write these words lest someone should see them. However, I know that if I do not at the least write them down, I shall run the risk of speaking them aloud and that would lead to disaster.

He has taken a lover, the first I'm aware he has ever taken aboard ship. In all the years that I have known him he has always been the model of discretion. Now he has become careless in his happiness.

For months, no one at all knew about this. Now I fear that the rumors are starting to flow around the entire ship and all may be lost if care is not taken. At first, simply because they had taken me into their confidence, I felt that almost everything they did, every word or glance or gesture, would make their feelings obvious to the most casual observer. I was mistaken, of course, but as time has passed, I see that they are becoming careless. They too obviously exchange frequent looks and almost touch when they stand close together on the Quarterdeck. They are too often alone in his cabin late at night and even during the day. Rumors are flying about the entire ship, from the Wardroom to the lowest crew quarters.

I truly fear that they will be uncovered to the authorities should someone take it into their heads to seek revenge for some slight or to simply make mischief.

I am at a loss as to what to do. Should I speak to them or shall I let them make their own discoveries? Surely they must realize that they are known?

I don't know what to do about this.

I wish to God that they had never told me. I wish that I wasn't the one to know.

I envy them their happiness, but I fear that it will cause a blindness that will lead to ruin.

Part Four

I wonder sometimes what he's thinking about when he stands there on the quarterdeck like that. He's not on watch; he has no reason to be up here other than it's a nice day.

He just stands there, speaking to no one. Both hands on that line, almost embracing the ropes, leaning into them, letting them hold his weight, almost being embraced by them. There's a small smile on his face and he looks out to sea, lost in his thoughts.

He looks to be the perfect picture of contentment. His coat is left below in the warmth of the summer afternoon and the freedom of being as ease. His hair, which is getting quite long despite the curls which take up the length, blows in the breeze. His shirtsleeves billow.

Occasionally his smile widens slightly as he seems to think of a particularly pleasant memory, and I can almost hear him sigh and laugh quietly to himself as his reveries continue.

God, what must it be like to be that happy?

Part Five

"So, have you heard the news from today's dispatches?"

"What news? France surrendered and we're all going home, right?"

"Well, no, not quite yet. There has been a transfer approved, I'm told. It seems that we'll be losing one of our august company."

"That's jolly bugger all. Whose arse is relocating this time?"

"Our Second Lieutenant has been shown the door, it would appear. He'll be disembarking for the Renown as soon as we get to Spithead. So as that he's not lonesome, his entire division will be making the trek with him,"

"Lover's spat, do you think?"

"I'd like to have a spat like that one. He'll be Third Officer on a 74 under Captain James Sawyer. Sounds more like a parting gift, to me."

"You know, this leaves an opening on this ship, don't you think? Who'd like to apply for that particular position? Lot's of extras go along with the job."

"No thank you, all the same. I'm afraid that I can't afford to give up that many hours of sleep. Makes me too unpleasant in the morning."

"You're unpleasant anytime, old man, sleep or no sleep."

"Well, that's put paid to that, I'd say. We're landing in what? Two days?"

"Weather permitting, that's about right. He is a good officer, you know."

"Yes, he is. Now we'll see what he can do on his own."

"I suspect, gentlemen, that he'll do just fine."

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