YA - Chapter Seven - shipmates and others

[ylla]

'My impression is that of a very expensive young or youngish man, much given to high play, uncommon high play, at Crockford's and Brooks's, eager to make political acquaintance and to ask indiscreet questions, apt to suggest deep knowledge and private sources of information. He is remarkably well-introduced and although you might think he was

Comments

[esteven]

I think in the end Stephen succeeded in making Sir Joseph's blood freeze! All in all, how fortunate that Stephen heard all about the Spaniard

Intelligence Gathering Missions

[alltoseek]

So all we learn about Stephen's anxiety-provoking trip abroad is that he found out about this amateur intelligence agent back at home?

We still have no idea if he was dancing or what in France ;-)

Re: Intelligence Gathering Missions

[esteven]

He talked to the Chileans, I think, he found out about the not so amateur Spanish spy, and if he has been dancing in France he'll probably tell Jack all about it while they're swinging in their hammock. *g*

Stranraer

[esteven]

'As far as the prize is concerned - and I give you joy of her, I am sure: she sounds a genuine stunner - he is perhaps the only flag-officer in the service who would have been totally unmoved. He is not interested in money.' Jack had heard this before: it formed part of the Admiral's reputation.

Just Jack's luck that Stranraer would not be interested. So it is unlikely the admiral will look upon Jack favourably even though he will make a mint from the prize.

Re: Stranraer

[sidlj]

I don't quite see how capturing a magnificent prize can be turned into 'dereliction of duty', but Jack's financial woes may have been eased at the cost of increasing his risk of being yellowed.

Is it improper in me to hope that Stranraer's spleen is compromised?

Re: Stranraer

[alltoseek]

Yeah: 'OMG he left routine movements to actually do what we've got ships out there to do! How neglectful of him!'

Seeing as he's quite possibly captured one of the vessels he was accused of having let slip by earlier, it's pretty obnoxious to then accuse him of neglecting his duty to do so. If he hadn't gone in chase, he'd have been accused of letting it slip away again, just to follow trivial signals anyone would have known to override when an enemy's in sight.

Stranraer's got it in for him, so he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, regardless :(

Re: Stranraer

[heather_mist]

It's a dereliction of duty because Jack is supposed to be part of the offshore squadron here, following Stranraer's very exact orders to the letter and nothing else, certainly not haring off doing his own thing, as per usual.

As you well know, Stranraer has already chewed him out royally for having his ship in the wrong place ( he thought!) in the inshore patrol and would not hesitate to jump on him with the full force of his gold braid for this too.

I think your hope very proper under the circs - I join you in it!

Mannering

[esteven]

...a boy or two who really liked navigation, sea-mathematics, and who began, with unconcealed delight, to seize the underlying principles: Mannering was the most recent, with the same zeal, earnestness and growing enthusiasm. He was a comfort to Jack

So glad there is at least one intelligent middie after Geogeghan's demise. Maybe Mannering also understood the nature or sines and tangents? That too would make Jack happy.

Re: Mannering

[sidlj]

He may just now be catching on, thanks to Jack and his Blackboard of Mathematical DOOM.

Re: Mannering

[esteven]

Mannering might become a second Jack...a late bloomer in maths? Unless he does not die first...as middies are wont to do.

Re: Mannering

[sidlj]

Maybe he can mathematically calculate when to duck? *crosses fingers*

Ringle's use?

[esteven]

Lord Stranraer's recent dispatches have done your friend - and mine too, if I may say so - the utmost harm. Neglect of duty: leaving manoeuvres in order to chase a prize ...

So that may have been what Stranraer used Ringle for when he detained the ship more than necessary?

Re: Ringle's use?

[heather_mist]

No I don't think so - for all that Stranraer has it in for Jack (and he does), this chapter also takes pains to show that he is an entirely proper officer who does the right thing, and does it by the book. He'd had word that Stephen wanted picked up sooner than expected so had retained Ringle to go and get him, she being the only vessel with a shallow enough draught to negotiate the approach.

The fact that he almost certainly put his own despatches aboard too is just Jack's bad luck.

Re: Ringle's use?

[esteven]

He'd had word that Stephen wanted picked up sooner than expected...
You think so? I have my doubts. Ordering Jack back early to stop him from casting his vote in the inclosure business wasn't by the book either. Stephen does not believe so.

Re: Ringle's use?

[heather_mist]

That's what Mr Craddock, the admiral's secretary -a 'discreet, capable, middle aged man' (POB speak for "trustworthy for the reader too") said when Jack first goes aboard the flag on his return.

Stephen's early return is mentioned more than once and in more than one quarter (Craddock, Blaine, Stephen himself) so I think it's probably legit.

I do get the impression that Stranraer's attempt to forestall Jack's opposing the inclosure, while not entirely honourable is not regarded as being so very awful either. More in the nature of a ruse de guerre, which if the other person falls for it then that's their tough luck. Not a fair fight, but a win nevertheless. Fortunately for Jack he had a good "crew" about him at Woolcombe who smoked what was going on and didn't let him stand in to danger. Excellent teamwork!

Pratt

[esteven]

'Why, by means of your good Pratt the thief-taker - the excellent intelligent Pratt who did so much for us when poor Aubrey was taken up for rigging the Stock Exchange, the best of allies. He quite certainly knows these "private inquirers" and their even less presentable associates - he was born and bred in Newgate, you recall - and once he is clear on the moral side and his own immunity he will arrange matters according to local custom and local rates, which he knows to the last half-crown. This may cost an elegant penny.'
'It could not possibly cost too much,' said Blame, and laying his hand on Stephen's knee, 'Of course you are perfectly right about Pratt. Why did I not think of him before?'

Such a valuable man, and despite the dirty work he often seems to do, he comes across as a man of principles and a certain integrity.

Re: Pratt

[sidlj]

Is he also a man with a shrill, squeaking voice? Was it Pratt in the bear-skin?

Re: Pratt

[alltoseek]

Don't hang around Stephen too long, or you will end up in a bear suit. That's all I can say ;-)

Re: Pratt

[heather_mist]

LOL!