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Allison; Taking Control Chapter 74
“Father, please,” she said gently. “Certainly we can allow the past to be the past. None of us can change who we were or what we may have done in days gone by, but surely we can acknowledge who and what the gallant officer standing before us now has come to be? If what I’ve heard is true, he came here solely to fulfill his duty and you mustn’t condemn him simply for doing so. Just the same, I wish you would not keep me from speaking with him, if only for a short while.”Blevins let out a sharp exhale and turned his head to glower icily at Caldwell even as Sophie still imploringly cupped his hand in hers. His face bore some of the ruddiness Henry had seen when the man’s ire was raised, yet it was not nearly so pronounced as it had been at times during their interview in the library. The protruding blood vessel in his forehead was conspicuously absent and that was taken as a good sign.“This is wrong!” he said emphatically.However, when he turned his head back to see the pleading look
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 75
Sophie continued to grip Henry’s hand, squeezing it even more tightly at times as though lending emphasis to what she was telling him. “Oh, they had their arguments and some rather wide differences of opinion as most politicians do,” she said, “but at some point during the past year, things became quite heated and adversarial. Father often told of how he had intended to put several ideas for the benefit of the colony before the council and the assembly. Yet Mr. Gambles would either create opposition to their enactment or find a way of taking credit for them himself. He obtained an appointment to the position he now holds, even though his knowledge and experience in relevant matters doesn’t come close to father’s, but this was merely a pretext for enriching himself at the government’s expense – and for concealing probable French intrigues.”“Sophie, that’s a deadly serious accusation to be making against such an influential man!” Caldwell warned.“No accusation has been made, Henry,” s
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 76
“Please don’t forget these,” he said, handing them to Suggs. “However, I must ask for your understanding,” he said as he shut the marine clock in its case and rested his hand upon it. “I’m afraid the circumstances under which these instruments were granted to me dictate that I can never allow them to leave my ship.”“I’m sure I understand,” Suggs assured him. “Besides, I prefer to keep my master’s mates occupied, even if it means the continuation of lunar altitude calculations. Despite all outward appearances, they’re a bunch that needs to be protected from the deadly sin of sloth.” He made a toothy grin. “Of course, how difficult can things truly be if all we have to do is follow you?”Allison smirked at the comment. “Well, to that end, Captain, should we be in receipt of any further coded messages or other information, we’ll make sure you know about them forthwith.”“I appreciate that.”Allison walked to the cabin door and opened it to give one of the marine sentries a message.“P
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 77
Allison didn’t think he bore all of the world’s burdens, but there were times when he felt like a great many of them were present, weighing down both his spirit and his physical body. The Doctor was a man of fine discernment. Even though Allison had been through a great deal which had caused him physical pain and injury, it was plain that Deakins could see through the corporeal aspects of that adversity. Very possibly something about his mood and bearing was betraying hints of mental or emotional strain, despite his efforts to the contrary. Though any man might be expected to endure some measure of distress from frightful or dangerous experiences, Allison knew that as a commanding officer he didn’t have the luxury of allowing himself to be affected in such a way. Despite the constant reminders he provided himself daily, it was apparent that his efforts needed to be redoubled. Fortunately, the Doctor was also a man of discretion and could be counted upon to never allow anything he h
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 78
Allison quickly moved forward, returning salutes of several hands as they passed by, and came up just behind Caldwell’s right shoulder.“Henry, what are you doing up here?” Allison asked him when he had moved close enough to speak so others could not hear. “The Doctor told me you had taken ill.”“I’m feeling alright, sir,” Caldwell answered dispassionately without turning to face him. “Believe me, I’m quite fit.”From all outward appearances, including his complexion and his bearing, this seemed to be true. Yet it was clear something continued to bother him.“Less than half a day? Well that’s an extraordinarily quick period of recuperation,” Allison remarked, stepping forward to look his officer in the face.“Yes... well...”“Something you ate?”“Um... no sir, it wasn’t that, it’s... well, I...”Allison stopped him. “Henry, we’ve no time for this at the moment, but once this situation is resolved, we do need to speak – about several things, it would seem. You’re certain you’re alr
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 79
A decision had to be made and his subordinates were still waiting for it. Fortunately for Allison , his reprieve would come from an unexpected source.“Mollusk is signaling, sir!” Peter Fortescue called out. “A single red lantern amidships! She intends to alter course to larboard!”Allison squinted his eyes as he focused on the light which Fortescue had just described. It remained in place for a short amount of time before he started to see it move, demonstratively from side to side.“Second signal... ’All clear’ or ’All is well’?” the midshipman said, stating the signal’s literal translation aloud while sounding confused.Allison however saw a very clear meaning in the two signals which had just been sent one after the other. He smiled broadly and with a “Hah!” of recognition, slapped his thigh. Suggs had apparently seen everything they did over the past several minutes and was now giving Allison the confirmation he sought, almost as though reading his mind. The intended message b
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 80
Allison had to agree and, admittedly, he had virtually no other explanation for the privateer’s reasoning at the time. Then again, this man had outwitted many an adversary in the past. Knowing that, Allison was getting the uneasy feeling LaTour knew something in this instance that neither he nor any of his officers possibly could. But he couldn’t give up the chase on a mere feeling or hunch no matter what its basis; not when the Articles of War and every regulation he could call to mind dictated otherwise. No – he must pursue the enemy if at all possible or else later devise a substantial explanation for Sir Roger. He must do so even if it meant chasing a larger ship without the assistance of Mollusk. In the current conflict, more than one officer had been brought up on charges of failing in his duty to pursue the enemy or making proper preparations to fight. The unique circumstances of his present mission notwithstanding, Allison still could not be remiss in this case and allow an
Allison; Taking Control Chapter 81
The sailing master accordingly walked to the helm and relayed the order in a low voice. The crew was being quiet enough that the steering cables could be heard shifting the rudder. In fact, there was little else audible aboard ship for a long time afterward as they moved through the swirling fog. Random gusts of wind moving through the sheets and rigging as well as the ever-present creaking of timbers were the only noises that occurred with regularity. From time to time a splashing of wavelets might be noticed as the sea’s surface was cut by the hull’s forward surge. Once or twice an errant cough from one of the hands clearing his throat broke the silence, drawing a threatening look from Bosun Tallow.Now it was a waiting game and a test of nerves. Although his subordinates became increasingly convinced that LaTour had simply eluded them in the fog, Allison was not ready to just turn away and move off. He felt the man’s presence out there, no matter how much cloudy vapor might be obs
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