Dead Reckoning Read Online Free Page B

may be together again before the year’s end. When I first knew that the Laura was to be stationed in the East Indies I had at first the wild idea that you might come out in an East Indiaman and join me at Madras. But this, I had to tell myself, was an idle dream for, apart from every other objection, wecould have no certainty that the Laura would ever be sent there. As things are, I have at least the knowledge that you are safe in your home, surrounded by friends and neighbours. That goes some way—but only a little way—to console me for the sad fate that has parted us. A little good luck may come my way but I shall not spend all my energies in seeking it. I have work to do and must end this letter by assuring you once more of my love and asking you to believe that I remain,
    Your most affectionate husband,
    Richard Delancey
    Fiona was made happy for a while, then months followed without a letter—one had failed to arrive as she afterwards realized—and when the next came it was dated from Canton.
    March 11th 1806
Whampoa
    My dearest Fiona—Each letter of mine comes to you from a greater distance! Short of crossing the Pacific I could not be much further away from my beloved. My consolation is that all further voyaging is likely to bring me nearer to you. I see myself engaged henceforth in services which will bring me home again, first to the Straits of Malacca, then to the Bay of Bengal and so to Mauritius and back to the Cape. Or is that too much to hope? Let me tell you, in the meanwhile, of the events which brought me here. The damage sustained by the Leonidas led to the Laura being sent to take her place as escort to the China Fleet. I came here by the shortest route through the Straits of Sunda, seeing little or nothing of the Indies. So here I am in China! If I were to write for a week and make drawings for a monthI could do little justice to all here that is strange and fascinating. Let me tell you first, however, about Sir Home Popham. He would seem to have conversed at the Cape with the master of an American ship who assured him that the people of Buenos Aires are ready to rebel against Spain. On this slender evidence Popham came to the surprising conclusion that he must go to their aid, attempting in fact the conquest of South America. All this was rumoured before I left the Cape and I fancy that he put this wild plan into execution soon afterwards. We are left to wonder what their Lordships of the Admiralty will have to say about this romantic scheme! By the time you read this you may well know the whole story, court martial and all. I always felt a little doubtful about Popham but no one can accuse him of lacking enterprise. Were I to follow his example I should set off now to attack Manila or attempt the annexation of Japan, but I am a more humdrum sort of officer and will do no more than I am ordered to do. My task is merely to escort the East Indiamen back from Canton, not in itself a very hazardous adventure. Where I shall risk my life is in eating Chinese dinners and enjoying the hospitality of the East India captains. What I shall never achieve is a knowledge of the Chinese language or any real understanding of Chinese manners and etiquette. So far, you will be glad to learn, my health has not suffered from the climate. More than that, I brought my frigate here with a healthy crew, few of them sick and only one man dying from consumption. This record, I should suppose, is rather too good to last but you may depend upon my being careful about overexposure to the sun.
    The Chinese, I am told, are jealous of strangers andintent on preventing them learning much about their country. No European is now allowed to settle in China, only the Portuguese having their settlement at Macao. The East India Company maintain a group of representatives, the supercargoes, who can live in their factory at Canton during the period of the year when their business is done. The East Indiamen which form the