In 1774, Richard Bolitho is a newly appointed Third Lieutenant, joining the 28-gun frigate Destiny. Dispatched on a secret mission, Destiny and her company face the hazards of conspiracy, treason, and piracy. It is amidst the broadside battles and clashes of swords that Bolitho learns to accept his new responsibilities as a King's officer. Published in 1977, 1975, and 1980, respectively, these are the first three installations in Kent's ongoing series of the adventures of protagonist Richard Bolitho. The plots follow Bolitho's various exploits in the Royal Navy in the late 19th century. McBooks will eventually reprint all 23 Bolitho novels. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. "All the briny echoes of fictional marine heroes can be heard again in these rip-rousing tales of naval warfare . . . as the stalwart Bolitho gains the trust of his crew and admiration of his superiors." -- Saturday Evening Post "The Horatio Hornblower novels of C.S. Forester were among the most genuinely satisfying novels of the last forty years, and now that Alexander Kent is patrolling the same sea lanes, the stories are as good as ever." -- The New York Times Alexander Kent, pen name of Douglas Edward Reeman, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, and eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. Stand Into Danger The Bolitho Novels: 2 By Alexander Kent McBooks Press, Inc. Copyright © 1980 Highseas Authors Ltd. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-935526-42-4 CHAPTER 1 LEAVE THE P AST BEHIND BOLITHO pulled himself up the Destiny 's side and raised his hat to the quarterdeck. Gone was the mist and dull cloud, and the houses of Plymouth beyond the Hamoaze seemed to be preening themselves in hard sunshine. He felt stiff and tired from tramping from village to village, dirty from sleeping in barn and inn alike, and the sight of his six recruits being mustered and then led forward by the master-at-arms did little to raise his spirits. The sixth volunteer had come up to the recruiting party less than an hour before they had reached the long-boat. A neat, unseamanlike figure aged about thirty, who said he was an apothecary's assistant but needed to gain experience on a long voyage so that he might better himself. It was as unlikely a story as that of the two farm labourers, but Bolitho was too weary to care. "Ah, I see you are back, Mr Bolitho!" The first lieutenant was standing at the quarterdeck rail, his tall figure framed against the washed-out sky. His arms were folded and he had obviously been watching the new arrivals from the moment the returning launch had been challenged. In his crisp voice he added, "Lay aft, if you please." Bolitho climbed to the larboard gangway and made his way to the quarterdeck. His companion of three days, the gunner's mate Little, was already bustling down a ladder, going to take a "wet" with his mates, no doubt. He was lost amongst his own world below decks, leaving Bolitho once more a stranger, little different from the moment he had first stepped aboard. He confronted the first lieutenant and touched his hat. Palliser looked composed and extremely neat, which made Bolitho feel even more like a vagrant. Bolitho said, "Six hands, sir. The big man was a fighter, and should be a welcome addition. The last one worked for an apothecary in Plymouth." His words seemed to be falling like stones. Palliser had not moved and the quarterdeck was unnaturally quiet. Bolitho ended, "It was the best I could do, sir." Palliser pulled out his watch. "Good. Well, the captain has come aboard in your absence. He asked to see you the moment you returned." Bolitho stared at him. He had been expecting the heavens to fall. Six men instead of twenty, and one of those would never make a sailor. Palliser snapped down the guard of his watch and regarded Bolitho coolly. "Has the long sojourn ashore rendered you hard of hearing? The captain wishes to see you. That does not mean now; aboard this ship it means the moment that the captain thought of it!" Bolitho looked ruefully at his muddy shoes and stockings. "I — I'm sorry, sir, I thought you said ..." Palliser was already looking elsewhere, his eyes busy on some men working on the forecastle. "I told you to obtain twenty men. Had I ordered you to bring six, how many would you have found? Two? None at all?" Surprisingly he smiled. "Six will do very well. Now be off to the captain. Pork pie today, so be sharp about your business or there'll be none left." He turned on his heel, yelling, "Mr Slade, what are those idlers doing, damn your eyes!" Bolitho ran dazedly down the companion ladder and made his way aft. Faces loomed past him in the shadows between the decks, voices fell silent as they watched him pass. The new lieutenant. Going to see