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'No, sir, not exactly, sir,' replied the puzzled Bush. 'Ushant bears ten leagues to the east'ard, I believe, sir.'

'At this moment,' said Hornblower 'we are in longitude six degrees and some seconds west. Latitude 48° 40´, but we do not have to devote any thought to our latitude at present, oddly enough. It is our longitude that matters. Would you be so kind as to examine this packet?'

'Ah. I see, sir,' said Bush, having read the superscription.

'You observe that the seals are unbroken?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Then perhaps you will have the further kindness, when you leave this cabin, to make sure of the ship's longitude so that, should it become necessary, you can bear witness that I have carried out my orders?'

'Yes, sir, I will,' said Bush, and then, after a pause long enough for him to realise that Hornblower intended the interview to be at an end, 'Aye aye, sir.'

The temptation to tease Bush was a very strong one, Hornblower realised as Bush left the cabin. It was a temptation he must resist. It might be indulged to the extent of causing resentment; in any case, Bush was too easy a target--he was a sitting bird.