csf.thecommodore-第26部分

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t　and　Mound　carrying　Braun；　unconscious　and　reeking　with　spirits；　into　the　carriage　at　the　palace　door。　Hurst　had　been　strictly　sober；　but　apparently　the　mental　strain　of　keeping　guard　over　a　secret　assassin　in　the　Tsar's　palace　had　been　too　much　for　his　nerves。　Hornblower　handed　his　cup　back　to　Brown　to　be　refilled　when　Brown　reappeared；　and　pulled　his　nightshirt　over　his　head　as　he　waited。　Something　caught　his　eye　as　he　laid　his　nightshirt　on　his　cot；　it　was　a　flea；　leaping　high　out　of　the　sleeve。　In　a　wave　of　disgust　he　looked　down　at　himself；　his　smooth　round　belly　was　pockmarked　with　flea…bites。　That　was　a　striking　mentary　on　the　difference　between　an　Imperial　palace　and　one　of　His　Britannic　Majesty's　ships　of　the　line。　When　Brown　returned　with　his　second　cup　of　coffee　Hornblower　was　still　cursing　fiercely　both　at　Imperial　uncleanness　and　at　the　dreary　prospect　of　the　nuisance　of　having　to　rid　himself　of　vermin　to　which　he　was　peculiarly　susceptible。
　〃Take　that　grin　off　your　face；〃　snapped　Hornblower；　〃or　I'll　send　you　to　the　grating　to　see　if　you　grin　there！〃
　Brown　was　not　grinning；　all　that　could　be　said　about　his　expression　was　that　he　was　too　obviously　not　grinning。　What　irritated　Hornblower　was　the　knowledge　that　Brown　was　enjoying　the　superior　and　paternal　state　of　mind　of　one　who　has　not　a　headache　while　the　man　who　is　with　him　has。
　His　shower…bath　restored　some　of　Hornblower's　peace　of　mind；　and　he　put　on　clean　linen；　gave　Brown　orders　for　the　disinfection　of　his　clothes；　and　went　up　on　deck；　where　the　first　person　on　whom　he　laid　eyes　was　Wychwood；　bleary…eyed　and　obviously　with　a　far　worse　headache　than　he　had　himself。　Yet　the　keen　air　of　the　Russian　morning　was　invigorating　and　refreshing。　The　normal　early…morning　ship's　routine；　the　sight　of　the　rows　of　men　holystoning　the　decks；　the　pleasant　swish　of　the　water　over　the　planking；　were　forting　and　restorative　as　well。
　〃Boat　ing　off　to　us；　sir；〃　reported　a　midshipman　to　the　officer　of　the　watch。
　It　was　the　same　pinnace　as　had　taken　them　ashore　yesterday；　and　it　brought　a　naval　officer　with　a　letter　in　French　…
　
　His　Excellency　the　Minister　of　the　Imperial　Marine　presents　his　pliments　to　modore　Sir　Hornblower。　His　Excellency　has　given　orders　for　a　water…boat　to　be　alongside　the　Nonsuch　at　eleven　o'clock　this　morning。
　A　distinguished　nobleman；　M。　le　te　du　Nord；　having　expressed　a　desire　to　see　one　of　His　Britannic　Majesty's　Ships；　His　Excellency　proposes　to　trespass　upon　Sir　Hornblower's　hospitality　by　visiting　the　Nonsuch　at　ten　o'clock　in　pany　with　the　te　du　Nord。
　
　Hornblower　showed　the　letter　to　Wychwood；　who　confirmed　his　suspicions。
　〃That's　Alexander；〃　he　said。　〃He　used　the　title　of　te　du　Nord　when　he　was　travelling　on　the　continent　as　Tsarevitch；　He'll　be　corning　incognito；　so　that　there'll　be　no　need　for　royal　honours。〃
　〃Yes；〃　said　Hornblower　dryly；　a　little　nettled　at　this　soldier　giving　him　advice　beyond　what　he　was　asked　for。　〃But　an　Imperial　Minister　of　Marine　must　rank　with　a　First　Lord　of　the　Admiralty。　That'll　mean　nineteen　guns　and　all　the　other　honours。　Midshipman　of　the　watch！　My　pliments　to　the　captain；　and　I　shall　be　very　obliged　if　he　will　be　good　enough　to　e　on　deck。〃
　Bush　heard　the　news　with　a　low　whistle；　and　instantly　turned　to　sweep　decks　and　rigging　with　his　glance；　anxious　that　his　ship　should　be　in　the　perfection　of　condition　for　this　Imperial　visit。
　〃How　can　we　take　in　water；〃　asked　Bush　piteously；　〃and　be　in　a　fit　state　for　the　Tsar　to　e　on　board；　sir？　What　will　he　think　of　us？　Unless　we　water　the　flotilla　first。〃
　〃The　Tsar's　a　man　of　sense；〃　said　Hornblower；　briskly。　〃Let's　show　him　the　hands　at　work。　He　doesn't　know　the　difference　between　the　mizzen…stay　and　the　flying　jib…boom；　but　he'll　recognize　efficient　work　if　we　show　it　to　him。　Start　watering　while　he's　on　board。〃
　〃And　the　food？〃　asked　Bush。　〃We'll　have　to　offer　him　something；　sir。〃
　Hornblower　grinned　at　his　anxiety。
　〃Yes；　we'll　offer　him　something。〃
　It　was　typical　of　Hornblower's　contrary　temperament　that　the　more　difficulties　other　people　foresaw　the　more　cheerful　he　became；　the　only　person　really　capable　of　depressing　Hornblower　was　Hornblower　himself。　His　headache　had　left　him　pletely；　and　he　was　positively　smiling　now　at　the　thought　of　a　busy　morning。　He　ate　his　breakfast　with　appetite；　and　put　on　his　full…dress　uniform　once　more　and　came　on　deck　to　find　Bush　still　fussing　round　the　ship；　with　the　crew　all　in　clean　white　frocks　and　duck　trousers；　the　acmodation　ladder　rigged；　with　hand…ropes　as　white　as　snow；　the　marines　pipeclayed　and　polished；　the　hammocks　stowed　in　mathematical　tiers。　It　was　only　when　the　midshipman　of　the　watch　reported　a　cutter　approaching　that　he　felt　a　little　twinge　of　nervousness；　a　sudden　catch　in　his　breath；　at　the　thought　that　the　next　few　hours　might　have　a　decided　bearing　on　the　history　of　the　world　for　years　to　e。
　The　calls　of　the　boatswain's　mates　shrilled　through　the　ship；　and　the　ship's　pany　fell　in　by　divisions；　officers　to　the　front　with　epaulettes　and　swords；　and　Hornblower　at　the　quarterdeck　rail　looked　down　at　the　assembly。　British　seamen　on　parade　could　not　possibly　rival　the　Prussian　Guard　in　exactitude　and　uniformity；　and　to　drill　them　into　any　approach　to　it　would　be　likely　to　expel　from　them　the　very　qualities　that　made　them　the　valuable　men　they　were；　but　any　thinking　man；　looking　down　the　lines　of　intelligent；　self…reliant　faces；　could　not　fail　to　be　impressed。
　〃Man　the　yards！〃　ordered　Bush。
　Another　squeal　from　the　pipes；　and　the　topmen　poured　the　rigging　in　an　orderly　upward　torrent；　without　a　break　in　their　speed　as　they　hung　back…downward　from　the　futtock…shrouds；　going　hand…over…hand　up　the　topgallant…shrouds　like　the　trained　gymnasts　they　were；　running　out　along　the　yards　like　tight…rope　walkers；　each　man　taking　up　his　position　on　the　foot…ropes　the　moment　he　reached　it。
　Various　emotions　warred　in　Hornblower's　breast　as　he　watched。　There　was　a　momentary　feeling　of　resentment　that　these　men　of　his；　the　cream　of　the　service；　should　be　put　through　their　paces　like　performing　bears　to　gratify　an　Oriental　monarch。　Yet　as　the　evolution　was　pleted；　when　each　man　reached　his　place；　as　though　by　some　magic　a　gust　of　wind　had　whirled　a　heap　of　dead　leaves　into　the　air　and　left　them　suspended　in　a　pattern　of　exquisite　symmetry；　his　resentment　was　swamped　by　artistic　satisfaction。　He　hoped　that　Alexander；　looking　on；　would　have　the　sense　to　realize　that　these　men　could　be　relied　upon　to　perform　the　same　feat　in　any　conditions；　in　a　black　night　with　a　howling　gale　blowing；　on　a　raging　sea　with　the　bowsprit　stabbing　at　the　invisible　sky　and　the　yard…arms　dipping　towards　the　invisible　sea。
　The　boatswain；　looking　with　one　eye　over　the　starboard　rail；　gave　an　infinitesimal　jerk　of　his　head。　A　little　procession　of　officers　was　ing　up　the　acmodation　ladder。　The　boatswain's　mates　put　their　calls　to　their　lips。　The　sergeant…drummer　of　marines　contrived　to　snap　his　fingers　beside　the　seams　of　his　trousers　as　he　stood　at　attention；　and　the　six　side…drums　roared　out　in　a　bold　ruffle。
　〃Present　arms！〃　bellowed　Captain　Norman；　and　the　fifty　muskets　with　fixed　bayonets　of　the　marines　left　the　fifty　scarlet　shoulders　and　came　down　vertically　in　front　of　fifty　rows　of　gleaming　buttons；　while　the　swords　of　the　three　marine　officers　swept　in　the　graceful　arc　of　the　military　salute。
　Alexander；　followed　by　two　aides…de…camp；　came　slowly　on　board　side　by　side　with　the　Minister　of　Marine　to　whom　nominally　all　this　ceremony　was　dedicated。　He　put　his　hand　to　his　hat…brim　while　the　pipes　died　away　in　a　final　squeal；　the　drums　pleted　their　fourth　ruffle；　the　first　gun　of　the　salute　banged　out　forward；　and　the　fifes　and　drums　of　the　marine　band　burst　into　'Heart　of　Oak'。　Hornblower　walked　forward　and　saluted。
　〃Good　morning；　modore；〃　said　the　Minister　of　Marine。　〃Permit　me　to　present　you　to　the　te　du　Nord。〃
　Hornblower　saluted　again；　his　face　as　expressionless　as　he　could　manage　it　even　while　he　fought　down　a　smile　at　Alexander's　queer　liking　to　be　incognito。
　〃Good　morning；　modore；〃　said　Alexander；　with　a　shock　Hornblower　realized　that　he　was　speaking　English　of　a　sort。　〃I　hope　our　little　visit　does　not　dismode　you　too　much？〃
　〃Not　in　any　way　to　pare　with　the　honour　done　to　the　ship；　sir；〃　said　Hornblower；　wondering　as　he　said　it　whether　'sir'　was　the　right　way　to　address　a　Tsar　incognito。　Apparently　it　sufficed。
　〃You　may　present　your　officers；〃　said　Alexander。
　Hornblower　brought　them　up　one　by　one；　and　they　saluted　and　bowed　with　the　uneasy　stiffness　to　be　expected　of　junior　officers　in　the　presence　of　a　Tsar　of　all　the　Russias；　and　an　incognito　one　at　that。
　〃I　think　you　can　give　orders　to　prepare　the　ship　for　watering　now；　Captain；〃　said　Hornblower　to　Bush；　and　then　he　turned　back　to　Alexander。　〃Would　you　care　to　see　more　of　the　ship；　sir？〃
　〃I　would　indeed；〃　said　Alexander。
　He　lingered　on　the　quarter…deck　to　watch　the　preparations　begin。　The　topmen　came　pouring　down　from　aloft；　Alexander　blinked　in　the　sunlight　with　admiration　as　half　a　dozen　hands　came　sliding　down　the　mizzen…backstays　and　the　mizzen…topsail　halliards　to　land　on　their　feet　on　the　quarter…deck　beside　him。　Under　the　petty　officers'　urging　the　men　ran　hither　and　thither　about　their　tasks；　it　was　a　scene　of　activity　like　a　disturbed　ants'　nest；　but　far　more　orderly　and　purposeful。　The　hatches　were　whipped　off；　the　pumps　made　ready；　tack　rigged　at　the　yard…arms；　fenders　dropped　over　the　port　side。　Alexander　stared　at　the　sight　of　a　half…pany　of　marines　tailing　on　to　a　fall　and　walking　away　with　it　in　flat…footed　rhythm。
　〃Soldiers　and　sailors　too；　sir；〃　explained　Hornblower；　deprecatingly；　as　he　led　the　way　below。
　Alexander　was　a　very　tall　man；　an　inch　or　two　taller　than　Hornblower；　and　he　bent　himself　nearly　double　as　he　crouched　under　the　low　deck　beams　below　decks　and　peered　about　with　short…sighted　eyes。　Hornblower　took　him　forward　along　the　lower　gun…deck；　where　the　head　clearance　was　no　more　than　five　feet　six　inches；　he　showed　him　the　midshipmen's　berth；　and　the　warrant　officers'　mess；　all　the　unlovely　details　of　the　life　of　a　sailor。　He　called　away　a　group　of　seamen；　had　them　unstow　and　sling　their　hammocks；　and　get　into　them；　so　that　Alexander　could　see　more　clearly　what　twenty…two　inches　per　man　really　meant；　and　he　gave　a　graphic　description　of　a　whole　deck　full　of　hammocks　swinging　together　in　a　storm；　with　the　men　packed　in　a　solid　mass。　The　grins　of　the　men　who　made　the　demonstration　were　proof　enough　to　Alexander　not　merely　of　the　truth　of　what　Hornblower　was　saying；　but　also　of　the　high　spirits　of　the　men；　far　different　from　the　patient　uneducated　peasants　whom　he　was　accustomed　to　see　in　the　ranks　of　his　army。
　They　peered　down　through　the　hatchway　to　see　the　working　party　down　there　breaking　out　the　water　casks　and　preparing　the　tiers　for　refilling；　and　a　whiff　of　the　stench　of　the　orlop　came　up　to　them　…　bilge…water　and　cheese　and　humanity　intermingled。
　〃You　are　an　officer　of　long　service；　I　believe；　modore？〃　said　Alexander。
　〃Nineteen　years；　sir；〃　said　Hornblower。
　〃And　how　much　of　that　time　have　you　spent　at　sea？〃
　〃Sixteen　years；　sir。　For　nine　months　I　was　a　prisoner　in　Spain；　an