The court of inquiry was not nearly as aweinspiring as a courtmartial. There was no gun fired, no courtmartial flag hoisted; the captains who constituted the board wore their everyday uniforms, and the witnesses were not required to give their evidence under oath; Bush had forgotten about this last fact until he was called into the court.
“Please take a seat, Mr. Bush,” said the president. “I understand you are still weak from your wounds.”
Bush hobbled across to the chair indicated and was just able to reach it in time to sit down. The great cabin of the Renown –here, where Captain Sawyer had lain quivering and weeping with fear—was sweltering hot. The president had the logbook and journal in front of him, and he held in his hand what Bush recognised to be his own report regarding the attack on Samaná, which he had addressed to Buckland.
“This report of yours does you credit, Mr. Bush,” said the president. “It appears that you stormed this fort with no more than six casualties, although it was constructed with a ditch, parapets, and ramparts in regular style, and defended by a garrison of seventy men, and armed with twentyfour-pounders.”
“We took them by surprise, sir,” said Bush.
“It is that which is to your credit.”
The surprise of the garrison of Samaná could not have been greater than Bush’s own surprise at this reception; he was expecting something far more unpleasant and inquisitorial. A glance across at Buckland, who had been called in before him, was not quite so reassuring; Buckland was pale and unhappy. But there was something he must say before the thought of Buckland should distract him.
“The credit should be given to Lieutenant Hornblower, sir,” he said. “It was his plan.”
“So you very handsomely say in your report. I may as well say at once that it is the opinion of this court that all the circumstances regarding the attack on Samaná and the subsequent capitulation are in accordance with the best traditions of the service.”
“Thank you, sir.”