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Chapter 2

"I CANNOT SAY MUCH FOR A PAVILION without a roof," Iskierka said, with quite unbearable superiority, "and anyway you cannot bring it along, so even if it were finished, it would not be of any use I do not think anyone can disagree I have used ree, very vehemently, but when Iskierka had chivvied a few of her crely brought on in Madras--into bringing up the sea-chests froht in upon the heaped golden vessels, and even one suiance had in her lu distance of not one but three lawful prizes, on the way to Madras, and another one on the way back, when Haent need of a transport to carry Temeraire to Rio had necessitated her abrupt about-face and return

"It does not seem very fair," Temeraire said to Laurence, "when one considers howwe have done, without even one Frenchanywhere in reach; and I do not find that Riley expects we should meet others on the way to Brazil, either"

"No, but we may meet a whaler or two, if you like," Laurence said absently Temeraire was not ood eating when not excessively large, but no-one could coris, he did not care for the scent

Laurence was presently interviewing the aviators at the covert to forroup to choose froht back froons by the plague But it seemed Iskierka had already taken her pick of the available men for her own crew Tes, even though, Tereater need, as one could not conveniently get very in with thanks to her endlessly stea spikes

Temeraire could only console hiround-crew master, and En; but apart fro Su had re, so Temeraire had one properly loyal crew ood reason had decided not to rejoin theestion that it was his duty to stay with the covert, which had no other surgeon; but why Dorset eon remain behind instead, Temeraire did not understand at all

"Sir," Lieutenant Blincoln said, standing rather aardly outside the clearing where Laurence was sitting with his writing-table, "sir, I hoped I ht have a word"

Laurence looked up froy--very sorry if he should ever have failed in proper respect; hoped he had done his duty as best he could, always; begged leave to recommend himself to Captain Laurence’s attention--

"Mr Blincoln," Laurence said, interrupting him, "I have no complaint to make of your manner towards y on that score is merited, you may consider it accepted if you wish I should by far be more inclined to hire a man who had abused me to my face, for a just conviction, than one who has to e and further credible report behaved in an outrageous and underhanded fashion towards a young officer, friendless and without that defense which he ought have had froly and with selfish intent interfered with the rearing of a beast not his own"

Laurence meant Demane: evidently the aviators in Sydney had continued their atteile away from him, and it was no surprise to Te to prevent it Although, Te so very dreadful if one of the other aviators had succeeded After all, Demane should have been very welcoon had proven so very faithless Not, of course, that Te to happen; only, if it had--well, it had not; he sighed, peering over at the sadly abbreviated list of officers that Laurence had jotted down

Blincoln meanwhile would have protested, but Laurence cut hi whatever explanations you can dredge up, and that your casting of lures was condoned by your senior officer and imitated by many of your fellows as little excuses you as it does credit to any of the in you, and you knew it so; I must ask you and any otherfroest possible censure"

Blincoln hastily retreated; and Laurence put down his pen "I find I arown too used to a more select company," he said to Temeraire ruefully

"It was certainly nowe should take hiotten how rude he was to you"

"I can ht object to treason," Laurence said, with far ht merited, since they had not properly been traitors after all, and now even the Government had admitted it "But not of this selfish and underhanded leech-work; and now I think on it, we cannot leave Kulingile and Demane here under Rankin’s command I must speak with Hah authority to ht, particularly as he has never been for Otherwise those men will never let them alone; and if they should think my reinstatement means my ill-report of therow all theless to lose by it"

"Of course De, "and if Kulingile chooses, I do not see any objection He ested hopefully Unfortunately, it see them: more of this unreasonable favoritis meant that Temeraire should not be parted from Demane and from Sipho--whom Temeraire was also not prepared to cede froh as Deht be contested "But I have an egg-ether; so it does not necessarily follow," Te it out

"Mr O’Dea will corown steady, these last few -book; and Mr Shipley Yes, Roland?"

E, and said in a low tone, "Sir, I beg your pardon; they won’t let hiht--I was sure you would wish--"

Teate to the covert was manned rather to occupy the aviators than to prevent any incursions fro barred "Why," Te to be sure, although the shock of reddish brown hair was immediately familiar, "I think that is Lieutenant Ferris; whyever should they not let him come up?"

Laurence looked very pale, and said quietly, "Roland, if you please, run and tell those uest"