To Ingram’s surprise, Washington did wake up. On their third day at sea—after the storm had finally abated—Arbuthnot appeared in the Great Cabin and said, “The General—if that’s who he really is—began to stir and moan yesterday, then sat up this morning and asked where he was.”
“What did you tell him?”
“The truth. He seemed not to comprehend it, and immediately fell back on the bunk and seemed again unconscious, or at least in a deep sleep.”
“How did you cure him?”
“I did nothing other than put warm bricks around him, day and night, but did nothing for the head wound except bandage it. His own body did the rest. He is apparently of a very strong constitution.”
“If he recovers fully, will he be of sound mind?”
Arbuthnot shrugged. “Most people who come as near to freezing to death as he did do not recover at all. I have seen only two other cases in my career where they awoke.”
“And?”
“One, after a few weeks, seemed good as new. The other...was no better than stupid. Good only for eating and babbling. He didn’t last long. In this case, there is nothing to do but wait.”
“When you think he can walk, let me know, and I will double the marine guard.”
“Very good, Captain.”
After he left, Ingram went in search of Black and found him sitting on the fantail, watching some dolphins who were playing in the ship’s wake. He looked up as Ingram arrived and stood. “Captain, I have not seen you in several days.”
“You have not been eating in the wardroom with the rest of the officers.”
“I have been eating—when I can—with a bucket. I thought to spare you all.”
“That is kind of you, Colonel. But I have sought you out because I have news.”
“Is the General dead?”
“No, to the contrary. Your prisoner is awake, although not yet able to walk.”
“When will he be able to walk and talk?”
“Mr. Arbuthnot didn’t say exactly. But the question is not so much that as what condition his mind will be in when he can walk again.”
“Oh?”
“Our surgeon says there is a chance he may be as a person without much of a mind.”
Black walked to the railing and gazed out to sea. Then he said, without turning around, “If that happens, Captain, I don’t want to take him back to London as the walking dead.”
“Colonel, if I understand your thought, you should know that no living man will ever be thrown overboard from my ship, mind or no mind.”
“Understood.”
“Good. I will keep you posted on his condition. I bid you good day.” He turned and walked away. Black would have to be watched if the General didn’t recover all of his faculties.
* * *
Two days later, Arbuthnot again appeared in the Great Cabin. “The General is not only awake, but eating well.”
“And his mind?”
“It seems intact. Although he claims no memory of how he got on this ship. I have talked to two members of the longboat crew, and they tell me he tried to swim back to shore, despite the sea.”
“Has he tried to leave the sickbay?”
“No. And there are two marines outside to prevent that, as you ordered.”
“Has the man said who he is?”
“Yes. General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Continental States of America.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes.”
“Very good. I will visit the General soon.”
“I suggest you wait a day or two. He is still weak.”
“Will you let me know when you think he’s ready to be seen?”
“Of course, Captain.”
“Sooner will be better than later, Mr. Arbuthnot.”
“Understood, Captain.”
“Very good.”
Ingram started to leave the room, then turned and said, “Have you told Colonel Black yet that the General is awake?”
“No. You’re the captain, and I owe the information to you first. Do you want me to tell him?”
“Not yet.”
“Yes, sir.”
Upon leaving Arbuthnot, he went to look for Black and once again found him sitting on the fantail, watching the dolphins.
“They’re fascinating to watch, aren’t they, Colonel?”
“Yes.”
“You’re lucky to see them. They are almost never this far north in the winter. Perhaps it means we will have currents favourable for a quick trip.”
“I hope so.”
“I watch the dolphins myself at times. I sometimes wonder if they enjoy life more than we do.”
Black laughed. “Yes. They probably don’t have military missions they have to worry about.”
“Are you worried about your mission?”
“Of course. I fear having to take a man without a mind back to my king. I will have failed in my mission if Washington has no mind. Although I suppose they might hang him anyway.”
“I have good news for you, then. Arbuthnot reports that the General is awake, eating, and seems of sound mind. Except he doesn’t remember how he got here.”
“Just as well perhaps,” Black said. “If he is awake and in his right mind, I would like to see him now.”
“Mr. Arbuthnot says we need to wait a few days,” Ingram said. “And I will see him first, then you.”
“He is my prisoner.”
“Yes, and this is still my ship, even if you outrank me.”
“This is a delicate matter, Captain. I do outrank you, and it matters here because this is not a matter of shipboard safety. It is a matter of my mission.”
Ingram just stared at him.
“Why don’t we see him together?” Black said.
“Fine. We will do that.”
“Good.”
“Now I have something to discuss with you, Colonel. What are your plans for Washington’s time on this ship? If the weather stays with us, we will be at least four more weeks before we reach Portsmouth.”
“He should be confined to quarters, and well guarded.”
“I have been thinking about that, and I don’t fully agree. He is the commanding general of an army and as such, under the rules of war, is a prisoner of war and entitled to the courtesies due his rank.”
Black stood up. “It is a rebel army. Not recognized by our king.”
“I can’t fully agree with you, Colonel. From what I read, it’s an army made up of thousands of men. One that has actually won battles against our vaunted military. And one to which our government has sent plenipotentiaries to try to open negotiations.”
“This is your ship, Captain, so there’s not much I can do to change your attitude. But what does this mean as a practical matter?”
“I will cause the marines to guard him at all times, as you wish, but he will eat in the wardroom with the officers and be accorded privileges of rank.”
Black just looked at him. “You’re going to salute him?”
“Most likely, yes.”
“That is your choice, sir. I will not.”