“It is a question of vital importance—the delivery of these despatches—and every moment lost means more than you can imagine. Come, sir, your position is at stake. You command this cutter: do something to get her on.”
Hilary looked up at the flapping sails, which hung motionless; then out to windward in search of cats’-paws upon the water; then at his men, who were lounging about the lee side of the cutter; and then back at his companion.
“Really, sir,” he said at last, “I am quite helpless. You are more experienced than I. What would you advise me to do?”
“And you are placed in command of this cutter!” said the other ironically. “Why, a child would know better. Have out the boats, sir, and let the men tow the cutter.”
“Tow, sir!” cried Hilary; “why, it would be exhausting the men for nothing. We could not make head against the current we have here.”
“It will save something, sir,” said the other; “and I order you to do it at once.” Hilary felt the hot blood flush into his face, and the order was so unreasonable and absurd that he felt ready to refuse, especially as he knew his own power, and that there was not a man on board who would not be at his back. But he recalled his duty, and feeling that this was a case of emergency, where he ought to obey, he ordered out the two boats; lines were made fast, and soon after the men were bending well to their work, while the stout ash blades bent as they dipped in rhythmical motion, and sent the clear water plashing and sparkling back into their wake.
The men worked willingly enough, but Hilary saw to his annoyance that they glanced at and whispered to one another, and it seemed very hard that he should be forced to inaugurate his first day in command by setting his men to an unreasonable task, for it was mere waste of energy.
But even now it was done the officer seemed no better satisfied, but tramped up and down the little deck, uttering the most angry expressions of impatience, and at last abusing the cutter unmercifully.
“Well,” thought Hilary, “he has dropped the mask, and no mistake. It is not going to be such smooth sailing as I expected. Never mind; one must have some bitters with the sweet, and after all he is only angry from a sense of being unable to do his duty, while I was taking it as cool as could be.”
For quite five hours the boats were kept out, the men being relieved at intervals; and at the end of those five hours the cutter had not advanced a mile, when Hilary seized the speaking-trumpet, and hailed them to come on board.