Stand Into Danger Read Online Free

would wager on seeing men fight for a bloody victory. Bolitho was not certain which one he despised more, the man who lived off the fighter or the one who laid bets on his pain.
    He said shortly, “I shall be inside, Little.” All at once the thought of a glass of ale or cider beckoned him like a wilful spirit.
    Little was already thinking of other things. “Aye, sir.”
    It was a friendly little inn, and the landlord hurried to greet Bolitho, his head almost brushing the ceiling. A fire burned brightly in its box, and there was a smell of freshly baked bread and smoked hams.
    â€œYou sit down there, Lieutenant. I’ll see to your men presently.” He saw Bolitho’s expression. “Begging your pardon sir, but you’re wasting your time hereabouts. The war took too many away to follow the drum, an’ those what came back went elsewhere to the big towns like Truro an’ Exeter to get work.” He shook his head. “Me now, if I was twenty years younger I might have signed on.” He grinned. “Then again . . .”
    Some while later, Richard Bolitho sat in a high-backed chair beside the fire, the mud drying on his stockings, his coat unbut-toned to allow for the excellent pie the landlord’s wife had brought for him. A big, elderly dog lay by his feet, pulsating gently as it enjoyed the heat and dreamed of some past exploit.
    The landlord whispered to his wife, “Did you see him? A King’s officer, no less. Lord, he looks more like a boy!”
    Bolitho stirred from his drowsiness and yawned. Then his arms froze in mid air as he heard loud shouts of anger interposed with laughter. He jumped to his feet, groping for his sword and hat and trying to button his coat at the same time.
    He almost ran to the door, and when he stumbled into the keen air he saw the seamen and marines falling against each other, convulsed with laughter, while the little barker screamed, “You cheated! You must ’ave cheated!”
    Little spun the gold guinea and caught it deftly in his palm. “Not me, matey. Fair an’ square, that’s Josh Little!”
    Bolitho snapped, “What’s going on?”
    Corporal Dyer said between gasps of laughter, “ ’E put the big prize-fighter on ’is back, sir! Never seen the like!”
    Bolitho glared at Little. “I’ll speak to you later! Now fall the men in, we’ve miles to go to the next village!”
    He swung round and stared with astonishment as the barker turned on the fighter. The latter was standing as before, as if he had never moved, let alone been knocked down.
    The barker picked up a length of chain and screamed, “ This is for yer bloody stupidity!” The chain slashed across the man’s naked back. “ This is for losin’ my money!” Crack.
    Little glanced at Bolitho uneasily. “’Ere, sir, I’ll give the bugger ’is money, I’ll not see that poor devil beaten like a cur!”
    Bolitho swallowed hard. The big fighter could have killed his tormentor with one blow. Perhaps he had been on the way down for so long he no longer felt pain or anything else.
    But it was more than enough for Bolitho. His bad beginning aboard Destiny, his failure to find the required volunteers were all he could take. This degrading sight tipped the balance completely.
    â€œYou there! Belay that!” Bolitho strode forward, watched with both awe and amusement by his men. “Put down that chain at once!”
    The barker quailed and then quickly regained his earlier confidence. He had nothing to fear from a young lieutenant. Especially in a district where he was often paid for his services.
    â€œI’ve me rights!”
    Little snarled, “Let me ’andle the bugger, sir! I’ll give ’im bloody rights!”
    It was all getting out of hand. Some villagers had appeared, too, and Bolitho had a mental picture of his men having a pitched battle with half the