Chapter Text
"The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other."
Mario Puzo
William Bush was quite firm in being referred to by his full name. He had always felt this way since a child and had actually fought at least three different boys who had attempted to force a nickname upon him at different points in his childhood.
He was not Bill, nor Will, nor Billie, nor Wally. He was William, forever and ever amen.
It was one reason of many, Bush reflected, waiting on the docks for the boat which would take the first Lieutenant out to his ship, why he was appreciative of Horatio Hornblower’s friendship. From the beginning he had been William, and Horatio had never tried to call him anything but his given, Christian name.
Archie Kennedy had tried ‘Will’ once and Bush had raised that particular eyebrow at him which was enough to keep his more exuberant friend in line, and ‘William’ it had been since that time.
He stomped his feet once again, knowing it was not dignified, but Bush was rather susceptible to cold despite the fact that he loved it. One of his chief frustrations in the winter was that he wished to be in the heart of those wonderful white storms, but would definitely not be able to do so.
Rain and wind he could handle, but the cold was his nemesis. At last he spotted the boat and was inordinately pleased to recognize Matthews at the helm.
The former Bosun (and possibly current, given his presence here to receive Bush) smiled broadly at him and touched a hand to his knit cap.
“Mr. Bush, sir! A pleasure to see you again, sir!”
“Mutual, Matthews,” Bush responded as two seamen loaded his chest, and Bush stepped down into the boat with the practiced ease of an experienced naval officer.
“I’ve been trying to glimpse our masts,” he continued as the men began to pull back out into the harbor. “Hard to distinguish with so many ships in port. Am I right in thinking they are the third set back?”
“Aye, sir, well spotted. She’s a grand lady, Mr. Bush and I’m happy to say this isn’t my first time upon her either.”
“That’s right,” Bush replied, recalling stories from Horatio and Archie. “You met the Captain there, I believe?”
“Aye, sir,” Matthews replied, and looked as though he wanted to say more before recalling that this was the first officer and details of the Captain’s midshipman days were not Matthews’ to share.
And at last they rounded one of the third rates to see the elegant lines of the frigate, and Bush could discern the proud gilding declaring her the Indefatigable.
So this was the ship that a young Horatio Hornblower had looked upon with great excitement. His friend had spoken of the pleasure it was to serve under Sir Edward Pellew, and Bush was aware that even now, the Admiral considered Hornblower a favorite. He had only met the man twice, very briefly and it was at times when Bush had been strained in body and mind, so his memories were not particularly clear.
Nonetheless, his imagination could stretch enough to believe that Horatio was rather thrilled to be in command of the ship upon which he had grown into his position and the man he was to become. Not everyone was so fortunate as to have a Captain like Pellew, Bush reflected, recalling their unfortunate stint on the Renown.
They reached the side and Bush stepped up swiftly to set foot on the main deck of the Indefatigable. He shouldn’t be surprised, he supposed, that Horatio was already waiting to greet him. And here Bush had thought he was going aboard early.
Trust his friend to be overly fastidious in every detail.
“Mr. Bush,” he said, gripping his hand firmly after they had saluted each other. “Welcome aboard the Indefatigable, sir.”
And yes, Horatio was fairly glowing with pride. Oh, he did well enough with a stern face that fooled the men (with the likely exception of Matthews who was overseeing Bush’s chest coming aboard) but Bush knew him well now and was not fooled.
“She’s a fine ship, sir,” Bush said looking around and meaning every word. The lovely little Hotspur had been a pleasure as well, but it was largely due to the company he served with. This ship would offer more comfort in being both much larger and very well cared for.
“Shall we finish crewing her, Mr. Bush?” his Captain asked, gloved hands clasped tightly behind his back.
“I would like nothing better, sir,” he replied, tucking his chin into the collar of his uniform once more. The winds were rather biting even in harbor, which did not bode well for the open sea, but then, it was January and he expected nothing less.
Horatio gave him a swift sideways look, but then turned his attention to Matthews.
“All right, Mr. Matthews, we’re reading to interview crewmen. Signal that the boats can start coming out.”
“Aye, sir.”
And shortly, a fairly sizeable group of men were queuing on the main deck as Bush stood in his familiar place at Horatio’s side. They had to turn a few lubbers away as well as some trouble makers. Bush noted that Matthews stayed close and would occasionally meet his Captain’s eye with an ever so slight shake of the head.
Horatio had a gold mine in the Bosun, Bush reflected, and it was also the rare Captain that gave so much weight to an enlisted man’s word. In this case, it would give them an excellent crew.
Then there came a familiar lumbering gait and homely, pock marked face. Bush sighed internally and gave this individual his best unimpressed stare.
“Did you learn nothing from serving with us last time, Styles?” Bush asked so dryly they might have been in a desert.
The big man tried to grin at him sheepishly and Bush held his ground.
“I have no interest in dealing with fights below decks,” Horatio said sternly next to him.
“No indeed sir, never….”
He trailed off at Bush’s raised eyebrow.
“I mean….I’ll give it my best sir.”
“And where could we use a man of Styles’ ….. gifts ?” Bush asked doubtfully, turning slightly to his Captain, and appreciating that Horatio was not above taking the mick as his friend pursed his lips in thought.
“Historically he has worked best with Matthews,” Horatio said, and Styles brightened.
“Well of course, but anyone works well with Matthews,” Bush responded, turning back to Styles and looking at him coldly. “I don’t know if I feel right making Matthews the equivalent of the nursery maid though, sir.”
Styles gave him a hurt look as though Bush had deliberately poured out his rum ration onto the deck in front of him. Which….was an idea at some point should he need to reinforce his authority. Bush tucked that away for later.
“You hear Mr. Bush, Styles,” said Horatio coolly. “Will you be a millstone around Matthew’s neck?”
“No sir!” Styles insisted and Bush was surprised to see a glint of true desperation in the large man’s eyes. He had seen the devotion of men to Hornblower, and Styles and Matthews were some who had sworn silent allegiance early on. Bush could not fault loyalty to a good man or cause.
“Very well,” Horatio sighed longsufferingly. And Styles avoided Bush’s stern gaze to hurry and join his friend near the rail.
They took on three more experienced hands when Bush sighted a familiar form and stiffened.
“What is it, William?” the Captain asked in a low voice, but then the object of Bush’s focus was before them.
“Ah. Hm,” classic Hornblower noises to cover a full range of uncomfortable emotions and Bush was not feigning his cold stare now.
“Mr. Hobbs, what can we do for you?” asked Horatio flatly.
Fleeing in the darkness of the Renown’s hold, terror at their heels in the form of Sawyer’s lap dog….
Ordering Hobbs to free them in the chaos of insane battle and his outright refusal---essentially their death sentence being locked in their prison on a damaged ship….
Poor Wellard’s suffering. Styles’ beating. The continuous watch. The injustice this little toady helped to perpetuate…..
“Sir.” Hobbs saluted and Hornblower touched his hat very briefly. Bush merely nodded.
“I….I would like to serve with you, Captain,” Hobbs said, looking nervous and uncertain. As well he should.
“Would you,” Horatio drawled in his best dangerous tones, and Bush sent silent approval.
“Yes, sir. I know that I absolutely don’t deserve your consideration, sir. I realize that you have no reason to want me here….”
“Damn right,” muttered Styles, and Bush turned his head to give him a stare of deadly promise. Styles snapped his mouth shut.
“But….look Captain. I acknowledge my faults. I served with the man for ten years. I could not easily shrug that off, sir. It broke my heart to see…..what happened to him. I did not behave in a way I am proud of to be sure. But surely, sir, you can understand my loyalty to my Captain?”
His voice was utterly sincere, and Bush knew he had plucked on a string that was near and dear to Horatio’s heart.
He felt his Captain shift slightly.
“I am not Captain Sawyer in the slightest, Mr. Hobbs,” he said clearly in clipped tones. “Nor do I have the desire to be. My ship does not encourage drunkenness or fist fights below decks, sir.”
Hobbs winced slightly. “Yes, sir, I expected that. I do understand that, Captain. I would ask you for a chance, sir. To make things right. To prove myself.”
“Captain….” Bush began and stopped himself. He gave a fierce glare to Hobbs.
“Excuse us, Mr. Hobbs,” Horatio said, “I need to confer with my first lieutenant.”
He inclined his head back toward their cabins, and the two men moved out of earshot.
“All right, William, give me your reservations,” Horatio said.
Bush felt his ears thawing slightly in the more protected space.
“Sir. I don’t trust him. At all. He may not have actually perpetrated some of the injustices, but he didn’t stop them and he certainly added to them.”
Horatio nodded. “Agreed, and I haven’t forgotten. But I also hesitate to refuse a man a chance. He was trying to help his Captain, poor sod…”
“Sir.” Bush hoped he wasn’t pressing their friendship too far, but Horatio had always been willing to listen to him before and vice versa. Nothing had changed it seemed, and he felt a warm rush of gratitude to serve with a Captain who valued the thoughts and opinions of his officers.
“I do not appreciate the fact that the Captain he was helping did not have a character worth admiring.”
Horatio gazed at him in mild surprise. “He was a great man once, William. One of Nelson’s….”
“Yes, I know that, Horatio,” he interrupted. “But that perhaps covered a great many things which should not have been allowed to pass.”
The Captain nodded thoughtfully. “I agree. And I take your thoughts to heart, William. But I also feel that I should give the man a chance. He fought hard and bravely by our side to save the Renown you recall.”
Bush rubbed at his forehead. He had, it was true. But he personally would not have Hobbs on a ship he captained. However, it was something he loved about his friend that Hornblower would give men a second chance.
“Very well, Horatio. But I will be watching him closely.”
His friend gave him one of his rare grins. “I would expect no less from you, Mr. Bush.”
*****
Hornblower removed his hat and set it on the table. His own furniture was now in the cabin that Pellew had once called his own. Even now, having been in command of the Indefatigable for a month, he still felt as though he ought to knock on the door before entering the cabin. He smiled to himself at this nonsense and shrugged off his jacket, trying very hard not to admire his own set of epaulettes.
Full post Captain of three years standing. He allowed himself a small feeling of contentment. And to be given the dear old Indy no less. He wished briefly that Archie could be with them, but Archie was recuperating from injuries acquired on their last voyage and would not be ship shape for some while yet. He hoped his friend was not too restless up in Scotland.
As though his thoughts had summoned it, Horatio realized that the letter on the top of his stack of correspondence was indeed from his dear friend and he immediately sank into the chair behind the desk (his chair, not Pellew’s) and slit it open with his letter opener.
“Dear Archie,” he murmured to himself, leaning back to read.
My dear Horatio,
If this reaches you when I hope it does, you shall just be embarking on your new command. I am afraid that I only know you received one, but not which one it was. The rumors are that you command a second rate. In which case, well done and I look forward to hearing of your exploits.
I say this in confidence because it is you and of course there will be exploits…
Hornblower raised his eyebrows, but had to tilt his head in acknowledgment.
….so do try not to have too much excitement without me. I assure you, that I intend to have exploits as well.
I am so very pleased that William is with you on this voyage. One of these days, events will work out where we three can serve together once more on the same vessel. Until then however, Horatio, please do try and recall that it is all right for you to treat your first officer as your friend as well, since he is.
“You say that every time,” Hornblower grumbled. “I do know that….”
I know I say this every time, but it must be admitted, my friend, that you can be terrible rubbish about these things if I don’t remind you. And William is too stalwart to complain to you as I would.
Horatio snorted. “You would too.” But Archie’s point was well taken. He knew how easy it was for him to become so very focused on his tasks and his duty to the detriment of recalling his friends or men. He was prone to what Archie so sensitively called the ‘attack of the blinders’ and he was still very bad at it.
I confess to missing our camaraderie and do hope that you can find time to let me know how you get on. Until then, I remain, always,
Your friend,
Archie
Hornblower set down the letter and smiled. He would write immediately. They sailed in the morning and he could send the letter ashore to join the dispatches.
He dipped his quill in the inkpot when a knock came on his door.
“Come!”
It opened to reveal another familiar face, and the third lieutenant smiled broadly as he saluted.
“Sir, I hope I’m not disturbing.”
Horatio smiled at him.
“Nothing I can’t do shortly, Mr. Wellard.”
“I just wanted to pay my respects in person, sir. And to thank you for the opportunity to serve with you, Captain.”
He held his hand out and Hornblower grasped it firmly.
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wellard. I trust you have your berth squared away and are familiar with your division?”
“Aye, sir. I’m sharing with Mr. Orrock and it’s like a bit of a reunion, Captain.”
Yes, Hornblower supposed it was.
“Quite so, Mr. Wellard. I’m glad to have you aboard. Dismissed.”
“Thank you, sir.” The young man saluted and turned to leave.
Amazing what a few years could do, Horatio reflected after Wellard left.
There had been promise in the boy as a midshipman, but that promise had matured already into an assured young lieutenant, and he was looking forward to seeing how Wellard did with more responsibility. Orrock had held promise from the beginning of his service on the Hotspur, and Hornblower was pleased to have him serving as the second lieutenant.
It was a fine crew indeed. Certainly Hobbs would have to prove himself, and Styles would no doubt find a way to be a nuisance, but Horatio was deeply pleased with his ship and his crew. In the morning, Admiral Pellew was expected aboard and he would receive his sailing orders.
He dipped his pen once more and set to writing to Archie.