Dorian Lasseter
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Posts posted by Dorian Lasseter
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That's excellent!
Wish I'd have seen that when I was there in Galveston couple years back. I did the little tour of the Elissa and the museum, very nice. When I have time I'll look on their website and see if they have it there.
Slainte!
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Hmmm...
Careful Nate...
We're all friends 'ere...
Nobody's crashin' a party...
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Throw up some pictures.... blech....
Disgustingly cute? (break out the insulin)
Good on you Gerl!!!
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Hehehehehehehe.....
At WHICH 2am?
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For all you cat people... you know who you are...
Had a friend send this to me and had to share...
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/DLa...ent=wake-up.flv
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Why do we do it?
The answer is...... 42!!!!
Alright... really, here's the answer...
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Capt' Bo,
Excellent! looks grande indeed!
Kenneth,
Same goes fer you as well!
Yer giving me a kick in the pants, wanting to upgrade a bit more.
A side note, I've had a halfpike for years, not quite right, but it works. I recently painted it black (Japanning) to make it look a bit better. Will get pics soon as I can.
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At the Wharf
The Samson tied off to the docks and the two captains departed the boat with the big Yoruban in tow. Captain Brand gave instruction to the boat crew that he would return shortly, as he hoped his business would be concluded as quickly as possible. Dorian on the other hand had much to accomplish and knew he would not be returning at the same time as William. He asked the Captain of the Frigate if he would relay a message to the Heron to have the Jollywatt sent to the docks to wait for his return. As they were about to part company a small boy was calling out to any and all of the boat crews at the wharf.
“Messages pour les capitaines du chien de garde et du héron ! Je cherche le capitaine du chien de garde et du héron !”
This caught both Captains’ attention and William called the boy over. The urchin asked if they knew who he was in search of, to which William told him he had found not one, but both of the men he was seeking. The boy handed over the messages and was rewarded with coin. He thanked the Captain and was off with a wide grin. William handed over the one message with Dorian’s name on it. Dorian looked at William and they both opened the messages at the same time. Their reactions were near identical. Both men sighed and chuckled, shaking their heads.
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Now hang on there Jacky... Why would I want t'bust up William's fine establishment?
An' Ransom... I don't need ta press-gang! Not much for impressment...
I'll not put th' Kings coin in yer tankard... Wouldn't know which Kings coin t'use...
Drink up!
Slainte!!!
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Aye, looks like I was missin' th' party!
Congrats to ye on th' PHSB!!!
2K posts, Huzzah!
Rum
Drambuie
DiSaronno
Whate'er ye got, I'll take a gil!
Slainte!!!
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Aboard the Samson
William had the jollywatt put along side the Heron and take on Captain Lasseter, who joined him in the sternsheets. Sitting there while the boat was rowed towards shore, much discussion was had between them. Dorian informed William of what he hoped was the last they would see of Lieutenant Turcotte and of Miss Ashcombe being sequestered below decks until they left port. William spoke of the happenings on the ‘Dog, one of which concerned Mister Pew resigning his post, and recommending others for positions, such as Eric Franklin as his replacement. This caught Dorian unawares, however in some ways it did not surprise him, considering Preston’s recent illness. He discussed the position that he had thought to give Preston on the Heron with William and both men agreed it was a good solution, if the former Master-at-Arms agreed to it. Their discussion quickly brought them to the docks and soon they would find themselves in the streets of St. Louis as the sun turned the sky over to the rising full moon.
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Aboard the Heron
Listening as intently as he could to Miss Ashcombe as she began to speak rapidly in English, then French of which he only caught a word or two here and there, Dorian was about to try and stop her and hopefully calm. Before he got the chance she cut herself short, just after speaking a name clearly. Henry Patois. The Captain did not recognize the name but it gave him pause, wondering if that was the name of her uncle, or another who she knew. She sat there looking down at the deck, breathing long even breaths.
“Easy gerl… yer safe enough here. I s’pose you’ll just hafta stay outta sight til we weigh anchor an’ depart. If yer uncle’s corruption runs deep… too many eyes about.”
Walking to the other end of the cabin, Dorian took a pitcher off it’s stand and took it to the cabinet, filling a glass with water. He left the pitcher there and took the water to Miss Ashcombe. He bid her to drink it, which she did. He took the empty glass back to the cabinet, allowing him time to think some. He kept rolling the name she said around in his head. It meant something but he could not place it just yet. The ships bells in the bay rang, telling all that time stops for no man, and reminded Dorian he had much to do as the day waned.
“I’m sorry Miss Ashcombe, I have much to do on shore this day. All I can do presently is leave you here, confined to this room. I’ll tell Mister Tucker to have you checked on until I return. If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
He smiled at her and proceeded to show her the important things in the Wardroom, what she was allowed to do and not do. Some cabinets and chests were locked, others not. Again he took up his pistol and cutlass, then donned the fine coat. He unlocked his seachest and pulled out a leather pouch, heavy with coin. This was attached to his belt next to the pistol. He raised his eyebrows at her as he withdrew two small pistols from the chest and put one in each coat pocket. Closing and locking the chest he stood and headed to the table and took up his hat.
“I shall return soon as I can. I’m trusting you won’t abuse my hospitality…”
He winked at her, hoping she understood he was trying to lighten the mood. He bid her good day and headed on deck. As he headed to the Holy Ground he spotted the Samson in the water next to the Frigate, heading towards the Heron. Dorian spoke to his Bo’sun, telling him of Miss Ashcombe’s accommodations given, and the plans for the evening he had. The guardboat was to remain on it’s rounds, only to break for half a turn of the glass for the evening meal. Once all information was relayed, Dorian turned and headed to the waist. As if his mind had been read, the Samson was within hailing range.
“Ahoy th’ Samson! Have you room for another passenger?!”
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Thanks all. I love doing this in between regular studies. It keeps me connected to this passion.
A thought on W.I.S. in the Carribean; The market was pretty much saturated with black african slaves and indian/aboriginals from the islands and South America by the time Europeans entered the scene in force. I would imagine that there would have been some degree of indentured servitude there, but due to the former statement, I think it would be minimal. JMHO.
Bo
That's what I wondered... the africans were better suited to the climate and I assume were "cheaper by the dozen" than W.I.S. I'd still love to know the true statistics just for the benefit of knowledge. Thank you, keep up the good work!
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This has been very informative, especially this last bit from Capt. Bo...
One thing though... All the info so far talks about the W.I.S. in the upper colonies... Va, etc...
What about in the Caribbean? I could assume it's all the same, but...
Just wondering where there might be statements of such from the Carib.
Haven't come across anything yet, primarily because we have been concentrating on the North American colonies... but will start looking... Also, Capt. Lasseter, have spoken to the folks at Jamestown... gave me some splendid references regarding the Native Americans. They do have evidence of them making a point of coming in to trade at port towns during the GAoP time frame, especially Williamsburg's market times. They were actually very excited about having the NAs portrayed as doing such...
Excellent!
I love it when you find the right folks with the info you want/need!
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The Ward Room of the Heron
Dorian had opened the Ward Room door and entered, seeing that Miss Ashcombe sat waiting he closed the door easily behind him.
“Well, th’ marines ‘r gone fer now… Nothin’ more fer th’ leftenant ta poke about…”
He saw her visibly relax and smiled at her. Taking his hat off and placing it on the table he removed his cutlass and shrugged off his coat, placing it back on the hook. Lastly he removed his pistol once again and set it on the table as well. Walking to the stern windows he stopped and looked out, then spoke again without looking at her.
“I’m glad we did not have to entertain th’ officer for long. I still need to be sure ye don’t have anything ta hide, anything that might cause further issues.”
Seeing her out of the corner of his eye, some of her nervousness returned. He waited to see if she might offer up something on her own, but nothing came.
“ Tomorrow mornin’ I hope ta warp inta th’ common wharf. I ‘ave something ta do concernin’ this ship an’ we may be there fer some time. There be a couple things that will be done, a refit of sorts… I’ll be headed ashore soon enough this night ta finish up some business.”
Again he waited to see if anything might be divulged. He very much was enjoying the view at the moment, however he could wait for only a short time longer as the daylight was soon to be done. Still she was silent, so he stepped over to the cabinet and opened the top drawer, took out a small box and headed to the table where he withdrew the items needed to make fire. Within moments he had a small flame and lit his oil lamp on the table, sending its soft glow outwards. Putting the tinderbox away he again returned to the stern windows and waited.
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Aboard the Heron
As the men were stationed at general quarters and the officers stood on deck along with the French marines left by the Lieutenant, eyes occasionally wandered over to what was happening over at the Watch Dog. From what Dorian saw, Turcotte was not allowed to board and all communication was done over the side to him. Soon enough the boat of marines headed back across the expanse. As the boat neared the Heron, Lieutenant Turcotte hollered across to his marines to return to their boat and follow his to the fort. The sergeant ushered his men over the side and gave a knowing look to Captain Lasseter, who in turn touched his hat and wished him well.
“Bonne chance, sergent.”
He looked up at Dorian and quietly responded “Merci, Capitaine” before dropping into the boat and the men therein pushed off. Dorian watched them go until they were half a cables length off before he headed below, again giving the deck over to the Bo’sun, and giving the order to stand down from general quarters.
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Aboard the Heron
The question was not unexpected, yet Dorian took it as if it was.
“I do believe it was… but as a point of fact I cannot be assured myself as so many boats were here at the time. It could have been a hired boat, or even the small boat from the Watch Dog….”
The slight smile returned to Turcotte’s face.
“Then I shall have to inspect the boats of the Watch Dog as well… “
“Aye… than you shall have to secure permission to do so, for I cannot grant it…”
“Capitaine Lasseter… My papers if you please…”
Dorian had the papers in hand, behind his back, which he produced quickly, handing them back to the officer with a short bow. The Lieutenant bowed back and turned to the sergeant and told him in French for him and his men to stay aboard until his return. Turcotte headed over the side and into the second boat, ordering those marines to make way to the Frigate beyond. Sergeant Charron watched the Lieutenant go and turned to Captain Lasseter. Not knowing much English he tried his best to convey why he and his men were still there.
“Monsieur Capitaine… Lieutenant… ‘e tell, to remain…”
Dorian smiled and held up his hand.
“Merci sergent, je comprennent.”
The Sergeant looked shocked for a moment as the Captain spoke to him in reasonable French. Then he chuckled a moment briefly shaking his head. He made a comment to the other marines with him and they all seemed to relax a touch while waiting for their officer to return. Dorian took a moment to excuse himself to the quarterdeck where he retrieved his cutlass, left there earlier. Returning to the waist he stood again easily with his hands behind his back, watching both the marines on his ship and those crossing to the Watch Dog.
Just before Eight Bells of the Afternoon Watch
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This has been very informative, especially this last bit from Capt. Bo...
One thing though... All the info so far talks about the W.I.S. in the upper colonies... Va, etc...
What about in the Caribbean? I could assume it's all the same, but...
Just wondering where there might be statements of such from the Carib.
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Aboard the Heron
With the Lieutenant aboard and pleasantries exchanged, there came a pause in the conversation. Dorian clasped his hands behind his back and smiled politely. Finally, He could not remain quiet.
“So, Leftenant… Wot can’ I do fer you?”
Turcotte slightly narrowed his eyes before speaking.
“I ave returned to find what appened ere… Who was shot? There was blood in your ships’ boat.”
Dorian furrowed his brow and looked at his Bo’sun
“Someone was shot? Shot at, mayhaps, and the shooter himself, as you know was shot by my men and those of the Watch Dog and possibly another ship. And there wasn’t any blood in my ships’ boat. See for your self.”
With that Captain Lasseter headed over to the side and called out to the Guardboat, having them bring it to the side of the Heron to allow its inspection. Turcotte himself climbed down into it and looked, even getting on his knees and sticking fingernails into cracks trying to find any blood, assuming it had been wiped away. He stood and straightened his uniform, shooting a venomous look at the Marine who said there had been blood on the boat before he made his way back aboard the ship.
“I…. see… there is no blood, or evidence there was…. My…apologies…”
“Oh, think nothin’ of it Leftenant… Is there more you’d like ta see?”
Turcotte stood and thought for some time, all the while Dorian stood with a neutral expression, waiting.
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Ward Room of the Heron
A slow smile spread on Dorian’s face as Miss Ashcombe agreed to play along with the ruse necessary. He stepped closer and gently began unwrapping the bandage around her head. Getting down to the end, the wound had stopped bleeding and would remain hidden under her hair. However, she needed a head covering of some sort. As he was thinking on this, a knock came and Luc passed word that the Lieutenant was just off the side. He also asked permission to stay aboard.
“Thank you, Luc… Tell Mister Tucker to not let him aboard until I am ready. I’ll be up soon enough. As for you stayin’ aboard… For th’ present you ‘ave no choice… As fer later, I’ll discuss it wi’ Cap’n Brand, if yer meanin’ ta crew on th’ Heron.”
Luc saluted and was gone to report to the Bo’sun. Dorian turned his attention back to the quandary of what head covering was to be had for Miss Ashcombe. She was presently dressed as a sailor, however she was to be indoors. They would just have to do without.
“As you’ve heard, th’ Frogs, er French officer n’ marines ‘r back… Tidy up in ‘ere and stow yer things… in th’ stern bench, there… Be at ease on th’ bench. If, or when we come in, act as, well, my servant… Offer a drink, there be some good French wine in th’ cabinet an’ goblets. Just be calm, we’ll make it through this easy enough.”
He winked with a grin, took up his fine coat and hat, sling the empty scabbard across his shoulder and placed his pistol in his belt and went out the door, making sure it was secured properly as he left. As he came on deck, Mister Tucker was leaning over the rail, having words with Lieutenant Turcotte as he bobbed in his boat over the side.
2 August, 1704, Saturday
Seven bells of the Afternoon Watch
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The Ward Room of the Heron
As Dorian opened the door to the Ward Room, he saw Miss Ashcombe kneeling on the deck. He hesitated not knowing what she was doing and then thought maybe she was unwell. He quickly made his way to her and was about to lay hands one her and help her back into the cot. As he knelt he saw she was opening her parcel. She turned to him at that moment and took in a shocked breath, being so close.
“I beg yer pardon Miss… I thought ye were in a faint or some such…”
He slowly stood and held out a hand to her.
“Please, let me help you up… “
She took his hand and rose, sitting back on the cot.
“Thank you, captain. I was just seeing to my things.”
He nodded and smiled, moving to his desk table. He cleared away the papers and put them in the drawer. Moving the glass and bottle to the top of the cabinet they came from, he offered up the table to her.
“Please, use th’ table, not th’ floor fer such. I would ask ye be quick as th’ Leftenant is on approach. No doubt with papers or a superior with a wish to board us. I… to make things easier for you… and to explain you in here… I’ll be calling you my Steward… for appearance sake… I’m hopin’ yer wound will permit th’ removal o’ th’ bandage for a time…”
He waited for her response, waiting patiently, yet knowing the boat full of marines would be upon them soon.
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Aboard the Heron
After having the Bo’sun assign some men to a guardboat, the Captain was going to head back to the Ward Room to continue finding out what all Miss Ashcombe might know of the recent events. He was about to head below when a thought occurred to him. That ‘damned lieutenant’ would be back and Dorian was sure it would be soon. He was sure even if he didn’t have papers to board the Heron, he would find a reason or way to come aboard. Instead of going back to the Ward Room, he headed around the ship and scrutinized everything, every man. He last found himself in the small galley where Miss Moore was having a time chopping, no, hacking up a haunch of beef. It looked like with every swing of the cleaver she expected a return blow from an adversary. It would almost be comical, if he hadn’t realized that she was preparing the next meal for the crew and himself. William had sent over a Mister Marsh, the former cook of the Heron, who as soon as time permitted would be the cook once again, along with another man William had mentioned. He was going to interrupt her from her work, but decided against it and made his way up onto deck again. Again he made his way aft to the Ward Room, only to have the lookout hail that a boat was on approach from the fort. The Lieutenant was returning, sooner than Dorian expected. But most everything was ready. He only had to decide how to address Miss Ashcombe.
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Fort Royal
The Young Lieutenant had been to his superiors and after some not so delicate conversation, got his papers to board and search the Heron. He marched at a quick pace with a wiry grin of victory and as he passed his men whom he had left standing on the parade ground he signaled them to follow. Back down to the wharf and into the boats. The body of the man who’s initials were H P had been put into their barracks with his belongings and all but forgotten. The marines aboard and the Lieutenant in the bow, he ordered them out onto the bay, “to board and search that ship”. Many of his men held back a groan because they felt they knew as much as they would already. This ‘search and seizure’ mission was just to satisfy the Lieutenants’ ego. But orders were orders and they bent to the sweeps and away they went.
Aboard the Heron
Robert Johnson was up on the lookout perch and was spending more time looking at the fort than at the surrounding bay. He watched the Jollywatt being rowed around the Heron and did not pity the crew aboard. Styles and Roche sat with muskets upright while John Black sat at the tiller and the two new men rowed. Motion at the wharf caught his eye and using the glass to be sure he saw the marines from the fort returning. There in the bow as proud as a peacock stood the lieutenant. Johnson called down to the deck that a boat was on approach. He also heard voices on the Watch Dog, probably voicing the same.
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Dorian now understood a bit more of why Miss Ashcombe was here and how she was able to come to be aboard the Heron. Reaching over he picked up the glass and bottle, poured another dram and handed it to her. As she drank he thought about what she had just said, the two men come aboard with her had looked battered, but he had guessed it was from the confines of the prison. They were not on his roster given earlier, and those men had yet to be delivered. He slowly stood and excused himself, heading up on deck. There he conversed with Mister Tucker, who, in the excitement had forgotten to hand over two pieces of parchment, both from Mister Franklin. The Captain returned to the Wardroom soon after and headed to the stern windows where he opened the parchments. The first was the authorization by which Miss Ashcombe was given liberty to leave the Watch Dog and board the Heron, the second was the reason why the two men were sent to the Heron. He held up the parchments to the young woman.
“If I had been given these a wee bit earlier… no matter… Now that yer here I’ll keep ya safe until both th’ merchants leave th’ ‘Dog and th’ Leftenant an’ his men leave th’ Heron. I must take care of some, discipline… and I’ll ‘ave more questions when I return.”
Again the Captain took his leave from the Wardroom and headed on deck. He walked forward and found the two new men.
“Misters Coles n’ Leigh…”
“Aye captain, I’m Leigh, he’s Coles.”
“Right… so, ya like a bit o’ fightin’ do ya? Mister Tucker! Once things calm down I have some work fer these two men.”
“Aye Cap’n, Sah!”
Without another word Dorian turned away from the men and headed aft, the Bo’sun in tow.
“Lucky Tuck… those two shall have constant duty on the sweeps o’ the Heron’s jollywatt… I’m hopin’ they weren’t th’ target o’ that assassin, but I’ll be setting a guardboat detail, five men, those two ta row, one ta steer and two as sharpshooters, understood?”
“Aye cap’n.”
With that business taken care of, the Captain headed aft. Stopping abruptly before the door, he turned back to Mister Tucker.
“Better yet, I’ll not wait… Put ‘em in th’ boat now, pick th’ others and send ‘em out wi’ four muskets and a dozen shot n’ powder each.”
Lucky Tuck grinned as he went off to follow orders.
Love of Lack Thereof
in Beyond Pyracy
Posted
Patrick... Yer not too far from Vegas... Tis legal there... or in the whole state of Nevada?
Just a thought...