 his shoulders. "Better?"
"Somewhat....doctor. Thank you."
"I know you won't, Horatio, but try to relax."
The two began their final ascent topside.
The men had the main sails furled. The top gallants were reefed but still unfurled. The helm was hard over putting the ship hove to.
The old sailor came near. "Sir?"
"Have the men gather blankets for sleeping and bring them to the captain's quarters. We will all be sleeping there. The watch will be increased. I want eight men on the quarter-deck tonight. I just found Hardy alone in the galley. Remind them all they are to be WITH their group of four at all times."
Matthews took in his words without question. Hornblower was his captain once again. The order was strange, but if Hornblower thought it were necessary there must be a valid reason behind it. Sleeping in the captain's quarters? That WOULD be a new experience!
"I want all men on the gun deck for dinner, except the doubled watch. I will speak to them before we go below. I will be in the captain's quarters, Matthews, should you need me."
"Aye, aye, capt'n."
He and Kennedy entered the aft cabin once more. Lighting every available lantern and candle, the two sat to peer over the journal once more. Even with so much illumination, the room was strangely dark, like some hovering unseen guest soaking up the light rays.
Hornblower located the date they were reading before called by Pellew. "23 October I am deeply distressed. I was aroused by the morning watch to be informed my midnight watch officers had been clubbed senseless. In the night, a number of our men lowered one of the ship's boats and deserted. Our crew is drastically reduced. I fear having enough men to sail this great ship. We may have to go in under mizzen sail alone. This will...impede our progress greatly if and when the wind returns. I have resolved to place a guard on the remaining ship's boat. I cannot help but...wonder how many men are in the boat and how many may have...left this world as those...previous."
"There was no ship's boat when we boarded, Horatio. Perhaps they decided to abandon ship."
"All of them? But why, Archie? Why abandon such a fine ship as this? What could have happened to the men?"
Hornblower looked back to the pages of the log. "25 October We are gripped with fear. But above all that, our remaining ship's boat is gone. More of the men, and the guards, gone!" Hornblower stopped.
"There goes that theory," commented Kennedy.
Hornblower continued. "There is but a handful of us remaining. The wind, thank God, has returned. We sail nor' nor'east for Brest. The coasts of our beloved country cannot appear too soon. Pray God will see us safely home." He turned to the last page of writing. "The last date of entry is October 27th, two days ago."
"27 October I am alone. I thought I heard the laughing one outside my cabin," Horatio glanced at Archie, "but I think my mind plays tricks. I have my door bolted as I watch the last rays of the setting sun light the cabin. The report by Lieutenant Renault...chills me. I thought him to be my friend. Where he has gone, I do not know. What he reported, cannot be true, but if it is, I fear I may not live through the night. He woke me last night, engulfed in an...unreasonable fright. He told of a thing I resist putting on paper.  So, I keep this near me, it is my life...line to the world. If I live to be rescued I will rip these pages from the book. I am not mad, am I? I shall write what Lieutenant Renault saw, not me. I did not see it. I only report what HE saw. It is not I, believe me, who witnessed this strange site. This is a record of what Renault saw, not me." Horatio stopped again to look at Archie. "He and Midshipman Blanc held the watch. Only the three of us remained of all our crew. God what has happened to us! But... what Renault saw. The two of them had stayed close to one another and close to the lantern, he said. In the early morning, before the sun began its trek across the heavens, when it is darkest, he said a...these are his words not my words. I do not say I saw it! Renault saw it. He said a dancing darkness...pa...paralyzed?" Hornblower looked at Archie.
"Paralyzed, yes, go on."
"Paralyzed him. He said his...muscles would not obey his mind and his eyes were fixed on, something,...I did not see this. RENAULT saw it, not me! He said his eyes fixed on two...seething? red points of light in the dancing darkness." Hornblower stopped again, closing the log.
"Archie, this man must be as raving mad as the one in the hold! This is ridiculous! A dancing darkness?"
"Read on, Horatio!" urged Archie.
Hornblower exhaled heavily. Opening the book once again, he found the place. "He said they captured him. Would not let him look away, then a blackness lowered over his eyes. He said he could not move, paralyzed as he said, but he could hear. Blanc was moving. He could hear his footsteps moving away from him. He heard Blanc shout 'NO!" and then sounds, strange sounds, moans, and other sounds, like... I did not hear this, it is what Renault heard, not me. Not me! He said he heard sounds like...like...Oh God, I cannot write it. I cannot!" The paper was smudged. The writer moved down some space. "I must write it. I do not want to write it. But for the sakes of those who may find this, may find this cursed ship, I must write it. The sounds he heard were...my stomach turns to write this...they were eating, slurping sounds and when they stopped he heard evil, gentle laughter, and a splash. Renault said he remained paralyzed until the suns rays touched his frozen body. When he looked around the quarter-deck, Blanc was no where to be seen! I did not see this. This is the report of Renault. And, I do not know what has become of him. I am alone."
Horatio closed the book, placing it on the table. Archie watched him as he stood to pace the cabin. He stopped, stared at his friend.
"That's insane, Archie! Is this some sort of joke?"
Archie stood. "There is the man in the hold, Horatio."
Hornblower exhaled shaking his head.
Archie turned to the table, picked up the book and began to translate the last words. "Whoever finds this,... beware! There is evil upon this ship! I leave these writings as a... warning! Have nothing to do with this vessel! And, above all do not stay on her after dark! If you do, may God have mercy on your soul!"
He stepped to stand next to his friend and his captain. They stared out the aft windows, into the gathering darkness.
"Now he tells us," sighed Archie.
Dinner was served on a gloomy gun deck. The cannon stood as hushed guests amongst the tables of men silently taking nourishment. Hornblower and Kennedy ate wordless as well. Both with their own thoughts about what the Frenchman revealed in the ship's log.
Kennedy wondered how Hornblower would tell the men what was going on, why they were all sleeping in the captain's cabin, why the watch was held by eight men, why he was insisting they stay in groups of four. He glanced at the downcast eyes of the men. First, Riley's report of the man below, and then, that of Oldroyd and Styles, what they heard, what littered the floor of the hold. He supposed that previous information might make what Hornblower had to add a little less shocking, a little less incredible. He held himself in check from asking his captain what he would say, looking up to see him chewing his food slowly, staring at the table, resuming his meal.
He looked more closely at the faces of the men. Some had been with Horatio before under his command, some had not. Would any of these bolt with one of the Indy's boats? He sharpened his eye on each one, thinking about who they were. Men do strange things when frightened. Battle was one thing, the unknown was another. His eyes traced over to Horatio, finding his stare.
Hornblower took a deep breath. Pulling his long legs over the bench, he turned. The men facing him looked up from their meals. The others followed by turning in their seats. He rose to his feet.
"Men, we find ourselves in a...an odd situation. We boarded this ship prepared to fight Frenchmen if necessary. There are none. But, there were. And, strange as it may seem, the French may prove to be our ally. I know you are aware of the man in the hold. I do not know what illness possesses him. I could see no benefit in forcing ourselves upon him, but the