Even at this late hour, the river was busy, with lights of ships reflecting on the dark water and the nearly unnoticed shush of the current pressing against the bridges and banks. Watters heard the bark of a dog and the low throbbing of an engine, and then the distinct ring of a ship"s bell. The regulated lights of the Royal Navy were distinctive amidst the less disciplined merchant shipping.
"Over there," Watters said quietly. "That"s our ship."
HMS Royal Albert was impressive by anybody"s standards. With 121 guns standing in pugnacious ranks, she had been launched in May 1854 and completed in November, only two months previously. Now she lay at the furthest point up-river her draught would allow, with Captain William Mends probably cursing the impending visit of a clutch of dignitaries
