Читать книгу Lieutenant Hornblower онлайн

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"Twenty-two years I've held my commission" said Buckland. "Now he'll break me. He'll break you as well."

There would be no chance at all for officers charged before a court-martial by their captain with behaving with contempt towards him in a manner subversive of discipline. Every single one of them knew that. It gave an edge to their despair. Charges pressed by the captain with the insane venom and cunning he had displayed up to now might not even end in dismissal from the service--they might lead to the prison and the rope.

"Ten more days before we make Antigua" said Roberts. "If this wind holds fair--and it will."

"But we don't know we're destined for Antigua" said Hornblower. "That's only our guess. It might be weeks--it might be months."

"God help us!" said Buckland.

A slight clatter farther aft along the hold--a noise different from the noises of the working of the ship--made them all start. Bush clenched his hairy fists. But they were reassured by a voice calling softly to them.