William Brand

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William was so preoccupied with the business of the 'now' that he couldn't recall any man aboard the frigate by that name, which gave him pause. Then he gave a comprehending 'Ahhhh' after a moment and turned to Jim, who pointed to the sheltered area forward, beneath the Forecastle. "He's been in the care of the lads." Jim explained before going back to the tasks at hand. Treasure made her way forward where she found the dog more or less in the company of Owen Monahan, Reind Halster and William Dash. The older men were busy at work in the maintenance of Coup de Grace, but William seemed otherwise unemployed, but for sitting with Argus. The dog was on his side in a bed made of old sailcloth and lines. He did not stir on her approach, choosing instead to whine a little in his state, though his tail wagged in a pathetic, heartbreaking greeting. "Hey, boy." she said quietly, giving him her hand. "Ye'll find 'im changed." Owen said, his face neutral. There was damage to the dog's face and ear that Treasure couldn't remember. It looked mean and more recent than the sting, but she was fairly certain Owen had meant Argus' demeanor. The puppy was now more the dog, old enough or not. "He did that to 'imself..." William began, not knowing how to address a woman sailor aboard ship. Treasure examined the deep scratches. "We keep a lad 'ere to watch the pup." Owen explained. "Keep 'im from 'arming 'iself." Starboard Watches on Duty

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Between six and seven bells of the Morning Watch William was all business the moment his feet touched the weatherdecks. Jim came up alongside him and met his quick strides to the Ward Room. William questioned him as they went. "Besides Luigi and Cobus, which among the throng have a tongue for Spanish?" "Tribbiani speaks some Spanish I think..." Jim began, pausing in thought if not in stride. They were half way down the passageway before he spoke again. "...and Crips, if memory serves." "Well?" William pressed as they gained the Ward Room and closed the door. "No." Jim admitted. "I don't think so. Not well...and perhaps only as much or less than Tribbiani. There's the German." "Thorvald." William mused. "Make inquiries on the matter." "Aye, Sah." "We'll be taking some Spanish from Le Vedette and we'll..." William trailed off. Jim, who was surprised by the news watched William's brow furrow. "Why are we taking Spanish from Le Vedette...?" William asked, more to the room than Jim. "I'm sure I don't know." Jim said after a moment. "Why are we taking Spanish from Le Vedette?" William asked again, but the question seemed addressed to himself now. He shook his head, suddenly uncertain. He noted Jim waiting in the wake of the truncated conversation. "Sorry, Mister Warren. I suddenly can't be sure if we're taking on Frenchmen or Spaniards, but we will be taking on men before the end of the hour." "I think we have enough of each tongue to give orders." Jim replied confidently, than asked. "Is there no room for them among there own?" William shook his head, unable to answer and Jim accepted the silence. Then William went out of the Ward Room all at once with Jim following again. The two reached the weatherdecks and William began shouting orders for all the boats to be put out. Supplies and men were in need of transport and the hour would be gone too soon.

No. Peyote is a cactus-like, technocolor train wreck in slow motion in 3, sometimes 4-D.

It was impossible to say how it was that Durand's smile broadened, but it did. Then he removed his hat as easily as a courtier, owing to a life past in places far removed. Then he was bowing. It was not a deep bow, nor was it grand. It was the subtle bow one might greet another with at a great distance. A private gesture on a public stage. So subtle was it that it came across as a nod of the head, but with his entire frame. Slow. Deliberate. Then he donned his hat again, his smile faded to something else too hard to read across the water.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra William did not smile outwardly, but was grateful for the question and held himself in check when Capitán Avendano frowned. Avendano had not considered this, and given the expenses he had already covered, he did not look happy about an additional sum paid out to another's Whole Company. Still, the question asked could not be unasked, for the cost of additional men would eat soundly into the Watch Dog and Lucy's profits and stores if they meant to be fair with fare over the duration of the trip. After numerous calculations an additional sum was agreed upon, and with this business done and the business of procuring additional goods now added to their agenda, they signed those papers of agreement necessary to round out the bargain. The quill was passed several times, with sailors called from the small boat of the English and marines of the Spanish to give witness. A drink sealed the matter absolutely, and Dorian and William made their way to the waiting boat. The farewell was formal and austere, but for Gasset, and with promises to set sail by the change of the watch they were sent back to their homes of English oak. . . . The Lucy and Watch Dog As these various events unfolded aboard the Navarra, another interaction of foreign parties played out aboard the Lucy and Watch Dog. Miss Ashcombe, less aware of herself than usual, had spent enough time on deck to catch the single, distant and curious eye of Donatien Durand as he sat on the ledge formed between the quarter and the poop deck. He watched her for almost a quarter of an hour, even as ink was still drying on the Navarra ledgers. Now with the return of the small boat bearing back to the Lucy, she turned to watch its progress, only to glance by chance in the direction of L'Ours on the 'Dog. The smile that split his face at the genuine start in her countenance was wide and full of teeth. It was the same scoundrel grin she had witnessed in a second floor hall from a much drunker Durand.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra Like Preston's visit of the night before, there existed amongst the group a kind of pronounced silence. William took this for the inherent awkwardness of formality among foreign neighbors, neither side knowing the correct use of language, terminology or custom. But more than even this obvious explanation there was a kind of malaise which seemed born of something outside of William and Dorian's purview. Lieutenant De la Cruz did not look better for a night's sleep, Capitán Avendano was his usual distant self, and their Doctor almost aloof. The others, were too unfamiliar to judge, but for Gasset. Still, the Spanish were polite, if not engaging and they listened well to William's suggestions on the matter of order. "The Lucy shall have the privilege of going before." William explained. "With her speed and range she shall be our eyes, half a horizon before us." There were many nods at this, with no dissent on the matter. "I recommend that the Navarra follow in her wake, with the Watch Dog in the rear guard." The Lieutenant translated all of this, and while there was some pause about the placement of the Navarra in relation to the 'Dog, it was agreed that this order would suffice, with the addendum that the Watch Dog would follow behind and at the Navarra's extreme left. With this agreed to, Capitán Avendano pressed William with several questions and a few requests. With Le Vedette crippled, some extra men of that ship were in need of passage and he begged the boon of shipping them with the frigate and cutter. This was an odd request, as the Navarra crew was not large in relation to the space required for their comforts. William suspected this was a tactic on Avendano's part to give the man an advantage of eyes aboard the 'Dog and Lucy, but as William was confident that no friend or spy aboard his ships could do serious harm among his well tried men, he was inclined to acquiesce. Before doing so, he chanced to look at Dorian for whatever subtle confirmation he might find without asking.

William agreed and they discussed their own impressions regarding the order and lay of their journey. As they did so, the Navarra loomed before them and carried with her a fresh smell of paint, animals and the strangely familiar smells of Spanish cooking. Dorian and William had both known the Mediterranean well enough to find the distinct, foreign aroma that wafted out of the cook stoves comforting. They were put to further ease by the unfamiliar, but openly friendly visage of Felipe Gasset, smiling at the Larboard rail. He welcomed them in a universal tone, but heavily laced in the trappings of Spain. Between five and six bells of the Morning Watch

August 6, 1704 - The Cul du Sac Royal William noted Dorian's arrival in the open air. They signaled one another from their separate places of distinction. Durand was standing with William and he too gave a nod. The Watch Dog's men were swinging out the boat to bear William to the Navarra to converse on matters of course and heading and William called to Dorian. "I am bound for Spanish waters." William explained, gesturing to the merchantmen at anchor. "Would you accompany me there, Captain?"

Steady on. Semantics aside, all aspects of PIP are integral and mutually beneficial to one another.

And...the Fort Zachary Taylor Pirate Fest is the fifth item listed on the PIP website.

It's always a pleasure to see more video and photography coming out of PIP. Very nice.

A very happy birthday, Miss Kildare.

Welcome aboard. There are a great many crews on the East Coast that we could line you up with. Which part do you hail from?

http://pyracy.com/index.php?showtopic=13866

The question of "How to get started?" has come up numerous times and will come up numerous times again, but for the interest of helping first time attendees to PIP, Lily and I thought that a thread was in order. Now we could approach the questions from various points of view, but I think a pragmatic start is best. Now, what are the questions? Generally people ask about requirements first and the only true requirement is attendance. Everything else is secondary. I repeat...everything else is secondary. However, since it is assumed that anyone reading this is already planning on attending let's talk kit, because if you're going to attend a pirate event you'll probably want to look like one. 1 - Clothing. Why clothing first? Well, frankly, if I have to explain that then you might want to practice swaggering in jeans versus slops. If you want to be a pirate, you really have to look the part. Clothing makes the pirate. Now with clothing, the question of Casual Interpretation versus Historic Interpretation will come up, and while it is a valid question, it isn't the significant dividing question that it is sometimes made out to be. People who interpret Pyracy casually and draw from many inspirations and those who interpret pyracy historically from many specific sources are not factions on either side of a wall. Our hobby is not a gulf. It's best to think of pirates (hobbyists or re-enactors) as pirate enthusiasts at the same pirate table. While the various interpreters of pyracy might sit at different places of that table, they are in fact enthusiasts no matter how you define them. And, if you've ever been to PIP, you know that PIP above all other festivals is about as laid back as you might ever find. We work hard and then we play hard. Remember, we share a table, not a border. With that in mind it is always best to buy pirate, and when I say 'buy pirate', I mean purchase kit from within the pirate community at large whenever you can. This is recommended to help the hobby thrive and it can be achieved by buying and trading materials and kit from fellow pirates. Think of it as buying local. It also doesn't hurt to buy from skilled tradesmen who sell to other hobbyists, thereby bringing them into the fold (i.e., French and Indian War craftsmen, Revolutionary sutlers, etc.). In these two ways we maintain a good barter and trade with one another and we welcome sutler's anxious to broaden their sales market. this also helps to create more choices of good pirate products over the coming years. Example: The better part of my kit comes from fellow pirates, such as a hanger from Dorian Lasseter, shoes and buttons from Mary Diamond, buckles and a Monmouth cap from Gentlemen of Fortune, a ditty bag from Haunting Lily, period lace from Captain Sterling, an upcoming sea chest from Edward O'Keefe, a pipe box from Jim Warren, stockings from the Weeping Heart Trading Company, and a sailor's knife from Big Mike. I have also expanded that circle to include Red Hawk Trading company, which dealt primarily with Mountain Men re-enacting, but now sells tents to many pirates here on the Pub. The great thing about trading with fellow pirates is the story behind each and every item. Kit becomes its own history. Now when buying clothing it is strongly recommended that you buy quality whenever possible. You get better wear out of quality. Also, you should consider the climate in which you will be re-enacting. Light, breathable clothing for Southern climbs and heavy for warmer. You really can't beat a good linen shirt, skirt or stays for PIP. Linen wears well and breathes better in the climate. Cotton will work, but linen comes most recommended, no matter what the pattern you use to cut it out. 2 - Shelter After clothing, one must consider shelter. A tent, lean-to or some other shelter is recommended to keep one out of the rain when and if we have rain. Plain canvas awnings, wedge tents, wall tents, lean-tos and more elaborate sail shelters are all fine, so please see the various tent threads for recommendations. If you are staying at a hotel, you may still wish to have a tent presence on the beach, but that choice is yours alone. 3 - Personal history You don't have to have a particular history for the type of pirate that you are portraying, but it does help. It can also make the experience just that much more interesting. Just ask Mission or Patrick. I personally recommend portraying someone based loosely on yourself. That way you don't have to try too hard. 4 - Weapons Weapons are arguably essential and not essential, but if you can afford them after travel and clothing, get some. Weapons certainly enhance the look and feel of portraying a pirate and the general public and it makes the battles more entertaining for you and the public. 5 - Learning Come expecting to learn. If you think that you already have all the answers, you'll miss out. There are a great many people with a great many talents ready to teach, so come and learn. 6 - Fun PIP is one of the most enjoyable events that you will ever attend in terms of volume and volume (People and things that go BOOM!), so expect to have a very good time. Everyone at PIP helps everyone else. As with any growing festival it has a few growing pains, but PIP is like nothing you've been to before. Good People, good location, good food, good rum and you if you're lucky, you just might get to see a good hangin' or die gloriously in the fray. Either way, you'll be hooked.

Welcome aboard, Monsieur LeGrand.

Anne Coates-Sharpe has been invited to join us aboard the Mercury and she has accepted. Along with her, we have a lot of new blood, so everyone take the time to help her and all of the new arrivals get their kit together. And yes...my wife and children will be attending as well.

QM, I love backgammon but I can never find anyone to play it with me. (Besides O'Keeffe) When are you coming to PIP? Count me in for backgammon as well, and perhaps Dorian, if he is in attendance.

The updates continue. For those of you that only think that you aren't going to make it, I'll keep you on the list until we draw closer. A great deal can change between now and then. Best of luck.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Eight bells of the Mid Watch. Morning Watch begins. William finished eating before Durand, and excused himself to the quarterdeck at the changing of the watches. He left an ill looking L'Ours in the company of an indifferent Steward, who did not understand Durand's merits enough to be openly cordial to him. William was glad of the dark as he watched the coming and going of watches, for the air had finally cooled enough to be comfortable. He was reminded of deserts a lifetime ago, but the thought was interrupted by the arrival of a better rested Jack Roberts and a welcoming Jim Warren who stood at the rail with him and discussed many matters, though they had only begun to talk when Mister Roberts noticed Mister Hingerty lingering at the stairs. "Your watch is ended, Mister Hingerty." Jack explained. "Aye, sah." Manus agreed, but lingered still, monmouth cap in hand. "Is there a problem there?" William asked. "No, sah. I mean...well, yes...sah." The three officers waited, and Hingerty looked embarrassed for the pause. "Spit it out, man." William said, but not impatiently. "Well, you'll beg pard'n, Cap'n, but...the day be a Wednesday, sah." William blinked and slowly shook his head, not understanding the reasoning for such an obvious observation, but Jim caught the man's intention. "What Mister Hingerty means to say, sah, is that he has been the Liar for a week and two days." "Ahhh." William nodded, and tried not to smile. "Of course. You are pardoned of that duty, Mister Hingerty. Draw an extra rum ration ere you retire." Manus smiled ruefully and saluted as he went. There was a chuckle between the three and they returned to conversation. Starboard Watches on Duty

Are we talking about the blade, the dried cod recipe or the last ship of Columbus?

Mother of Pearl... Now I'm really hungry.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William was roused by his own steward, though he had woken several times during the night. It had been an awful morning for sleep when sleep was wanted most. William had woken some six times at least from nightmares and noises. His arm had gone to sleep on him twice, causing him to search out comfort he normally had no trouble finding, but as tired as he was he surrendered to waking and climbed from his hammock. "If I may, sir...you look worse for sleeping." Tudor said to him when he came into the Ward Room proper. She was pouring water into the basin at the table. "If it can be called sleep." William returned, rubbing both eyes with the heels of his hands. She watched his waking routine with the passing interest of one who had witnessed it a hundred times. Several slow, deliberate, and unconscious noises escaped William in the form of yawns, groans and a few protracted grumblings that were neither words or yawns. "It is not your habit to sleep poorly." She observed. "Christ on the Galilee, I am not." "Sah?" William waved away the unexplained allusion with a hand. His right knee was feeling unsure of itself and William mumbled something about 'cripples in church' before placing himself in his usual nook, his back to the bulkhead at the larboard end of the stern bench. He often sat there, with one leg sprawled out along the bench, his other foot placed soundly on the floor. Tudor was ever putting away books left there by the windows. Tudor brought him fresh biscuits with heavy butter. There were also preserves of an origin William couldn't place, but like the other ingredients, the jam was probably a benefit of the island and he savored it gratefully. Fresh and unmarred flavors would fade with time at sea and he knew never to be ungrateful of them. "Ahhhh...bread that gives before teeth." William smiled, thanking her, and as always, he invited her to sit and he bent her ear with the weight of many matters, including their unusual guest, Durand. "May I ask if he gave reasons for joining us, sah?" she asked, refreshing her own cup. "He had a need and I a debt. I asked no more of him." William admitted, uncertain why Durand should quit the island so suddenly. Perhaps the encounter with Rousseau had soured Durand's stay at Martinique. Perhaps Durand saw an opportunity in the moment and took it. As if to counterpoint their curiosity, a knock came at the door and Tudor ushered in an equally weary looking Durand. William welcomed him and offered a seat at his table. He inquired after the man's health. "I despise the sea." Durand admitted.

A very happy birthday, Mister Merriweather.

Twenty-four-seven.