Chapter 6
An Angry TraderThe harbour of Stockholm lies at the head of a long sea inlet. The channel is tortuous, and sailing it at night, even with a pilot, is a risky enterprise. Petroc decided not to expose his ship to that risk. “We will anchor at sunset,” he ordered when Ben enquired of his intention.
“I agree, sir. It will, of course, add a day at least to our voyage through this fjord.”
“Better that than to find a permanent berth on one or the other of these accursed islets we’re navigating.”
“A wise decision, Captain,” Freiherr von Dieffenbach interjected, having walked up to join them. He studied the shoreline for a moment. “I have come this way several times now. It is a mystery how you bring a ship through it.”
“It is not an easy harbour to approach, sir. The winds can be ve
