password encripted daily chronicle news feature exclusive ( part 1 ) the better part of valour by john pretty naval correspondent bewigged and powdered he paces the quarterdeck of his flagship the mighty bucentaure ruminating on the fortunes of war and watching the weather , every inch the patrician sea officer in striking blue and gold he takes a turn around the deck casting an eye over the forest of masts crowded around him in cadiz harbour and knows that for him , the sands of time are running out .