William Brand

And a hearty toast to Syren's promotion!

I shall...and in honor of Bill Flint's Birthday, we're serving curry and sushi, among other libations.

Thank you for the information shared in this thread. I always pictured the wallet as much smaller, so I found the shape and look confusing. I found myself slapping my forehead as I read the posts. My "duh" moment of the week. My lovely wife just offered to make me one.

Excellent finds, Mister Washbourne. Here is a link you might like, should you not already have it. http://www.historicgames.com/lathes/tools.html And for Mission... Leonardo da Vinci online... Anatomical Teaching Model of a Pregnant Woman by Stephan Zick, 1639-1715 (Wood and ivory)

I was privileged enough to visit fair Holland just this last summer and I loved it thoroughly. So many beautiful period buildings and excellent museums. Welcome aboard.

Aye. Too much away am I of late. Too much.

August 4, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Eight bells of the Forenoon Watch, Afternoon Watch begins The noon hour arrived with little alteration aboard the Watch Dog. Supplies were still coming aboard, but thinning. Most of the crew were below at the task of stowing, including Jim Warren, who watched over the proceedings and the ledgers as he did so. Jacob Badger was busy huffing and scowling over his new mate, as Jack Roberts was made to carry out overlapping orders from the Boatswain. Jack took this badgering in stride, for the Boatswain knew nothing of Jack, so this was but the refiner's fire to test all new mates. Jack was not alone in this testing, for Mister Youngblood was grilling Simon Dunwalt with question after question and Mathew Campion, though new to the ship himself, was pushing Claude Marchande to the limits of his understanding. William walked among the throng with an appreciative nod here and there at the order of it all, and even a smile or two at the chaos amidst the order. From time to time he went to the rail to watch the docks for news from any front regarding his men, his new doctor, or any other unexpected news, good or ill. All watches on Duty

A very happy birthday to you, Mister Flint. I hope the day finds you well, and for your birthday, I hope that a a few good Thai, Indian and Japanese restaurants inexplicably open up in that small town where you find yourself.

Perhaps some Salep, given the main dish, and some information for your ordinary... "Salep (sahlab) is also the name of a beverage made from salep flour, whose popularity spread beyond Turkey and the Middle East to England and Germany before the rise of coffee and tea and later offered as an alternative beverage in coffee houses. In England, the drink was known as "saloop". Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in England its preparation required that the salep powder be added to water until thickened whereupon it would be sweetened then flavored with orange flower or rose waters."

Commendable lists and links, Jon. I'll pass those on to my lovely wife.

It's been a long few days with even longer days ahead. So much work and so little time. Still, we have some toasted bread and various Middle Eastern dips, so gather if you wish and we'll share a sop.

Welcome aboard. I have family out Nebraska way, though I've been there but a few times.

Just a little over seven months to go and still so much left to do. I'm having the devil of a time recruiting people from my part of the country. Landlocked. Removed entirely from the ocean. How are our recruitments coming along elsewhere? We need to start posting fliers at every little gatheirng and shindig this side of...well...anywhere.

Aye. One of those few SPAM emails in dire need of punctuation.

Even now, if someone had to trephine my skull, I still might not be concerned with the cleanliness of the tool above the act itself. Still, I wouldn't let anyone but Mission carve a hole in my head, drunk or sober.

More disturbing than the trephine itself is the fact that he seems to be operating on a severed head, and not a live patient at all.

Just a bit to take away the blues.

Tonight's late special is a bit of mako to celebrate the Shark's win against Calgary in the seventh game.

A nice rose wine with Apple, Calvados and Cinnamon Charlotte dessert...

Aye, raosted potatoes... ...snow peas Annnnnnd...wait for it...

I'm glad you asked. Tonight's special is beef brisket with a raspberry chipotle sauce...

August 4, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog The Forenoon Watch was drawing to a close when Alain Roux was brought before Captain Brand. William surveyed the man up and down and was impressed by the overall countenance and demeanor of him. Monsieur Roux was all but bronzed for his time in the sun and looked well worn from hard labor. His white hair was a bit misleading, for the man was not old, but neither was he young. He was thin for a working man, but proved strong enough to attack a few simple tasks that William put to him. William's sole hesitation lay in the man's seemingly brief command of Engllish, so William was cautious to take on one more man who could not fully communicate with the crew. He devised, there and then, a final test that would accomplish some of his unfinished errands and see what a few of his new recruits might do when instructedt. William called for Christophe Lefevre, Thomas Crips and Richard Tollervy. He introduced the three men to Alain Roux, whom he explained had just joined the Watch Dog. Alain beamed to be introduced so and made no effort to hide his pleasure at the appointment. He was however surprised by the stark contrast of the three men before him. Christophe Lefevre was a young man of very dark hair who spoke only French. Richard Tollervy was nearly the same age as the Captain, but taller and of obvious English origin. Thomas Crips was the most striking of all, as he was much older than anyone else present, being grey, withered and by all appearances, blind. Still, he took each man's hand in turn. "Mister Tollervy." William called. "Aye, Sah." "Time is short." "Aye, Sah." "I want you to take these men with you for the purpose of buying hammock and gear for Mister Roux, a fiddle for Mister Crips, and an English Bible for Mister Lefevre." Alain looked grateful, Christophe looked confused and the light and smiled which crossed the face of Thomas looked almost like sight restored. "Aye, Sah." Richard returned, smiling to see the ship's 'soon to be fiddler' so happy at the idea of an instrument to play. "Also, you are to fetch back some birds for the 'Dog." "Birds, Sah?" Richard asked and did not seem to understand this command at first, for many chickens had already been brought aboard the frigate. William did not explain. Instead he waited to see if the Richard would comprehend given a moment's pause, and indeed after a moment, the idea seemed to dawn on the former accipitrary. "Oh! Aye, Sah! Very good, Sah. Shall they be messengers or...hunters, Sah?" "Perhaps both, but messengers first, if you please." "Aye, Sah. I'll do what I can, Sah." Richard agreed. "But...the Bible, Sah...?" "As a French Catholic, Mister Lefevre is no doubt familiar with the many important passages of the Good Book, but...as he is not familiar with the English language, we shall endeavor to teach him with a familiar text. He will therefore purchase himself an English Bible, if you please." "I shall see that he does, Sah." "Very good, Mister Tollervy. Please see them all returned within two hours. I'll not wait further." "Aye, Sah." Just before eight bells of the Forenoon Watch

How much would it cost for each if I were to buy three at once?

A happy belated birthday, Jon.

Ahhhh...the cry of the artist. I know it well. Can I be paid? Will I be paid? It's an eternal struggle as vast and unknown as the sea.