William Brand

There you go, Count, though I should warn your wife that it is hard to keep a straight face around Mission when he gets going. His matter of fact method for explaining horrible period cures always makes me crack up.

A head of cabbage...?

It hurts a lot. I want it. Now post more pictures of that fabulous office.

I sent the fiddler home for the night. Nothing here but soooouuuul.

Yeaaaahhh...vintage. Oh. You mean a wine.

Tonight's special is Spagetti with Mizithra.

Well, well, well. My special thanks to Count de Monet and Lady Constance for raising our numbers yet again in a huge leap. We need to find whole families more often.

Aye. Call it what you will, shoes will always need fixin'. And yes, on the subject of blacksmith I never meant to imply that the Mercury has a forge aboard or the means to smelt or work metal, but men who go to sea bring their trades with them whether they use them day to day or not. A tinsmith might be employed more often, but Michael has the know how and the fort has a forge. Nothing says re-enactment like the ringing of an anvil.

William went with Eric, Robert and Jean and delivered this news to Captain Lasseter who was in the last act of preparing the Lucy for departure. William had Eric repeat his narrative and findings to Dorian. William also called several men from the Watch Dog and Lucy who had know Klaas Scymmelpenninck , but not one of them could be certain if the marlinspike had belonged to the man. Some of the Maastricht men were also still ashore on leave, so a full accounting could not be made as to the origin of the small article. "We might ask the Maastricht men at the prison." Turcotte offered. William did not like the idea of going there, hoping never to see the place again. "No. The 'M' could stand for Martinique or it might be a 'W' for the 'Dog." He passed it back forth from one hand to another. "We will wait for the rest of the watches." "Sah...?" Eric began. "Yes, Mister Franklin?" "Is there no word of Ajayi?" "Not yet, Mister Franklin...and Pascal and Manus are not yet returned and some of the Larboard and Starboard Watches are still ashore." "Aye, Sah." William looked the man up and down with an appreciative nod. "Thank you, Mister Franklin. Mister Thatcher. Your efforts are appreciated. Please report to the 'Dog and see your marines prepared for service ashore at St. Pierre. I will send Monsieur Doublet ahead with the Lucy, that he might show the marines of the cutter that discovered place." "Aye, Sah." Eric turned and went with Robert and the other Watch Dog men back to the frigate, while Jean remained aboard the Lucy. Pew sent him aft to refresh his powder and see himself to the galley after the long ride. A silence followed. William passed the marlinspike to Dorian. "M for murder." he mused aloud. "W for Where the Hell are they?" Preston added. "Gentlemen, let us be about it." William said suddenly. He shook Dorian's hand and also Preston's. "I shall see you all again by day's end."

It's a secret.

Ahh, yes. Paper is an excellent commodity. Letters of Marque, letters of ownership, wanted posters. Som may piratey things that can be represented. Letters of arrest...letters of execution.

A hearty, happy birthday, Miss Kildare.

August 4, 1704 - On the Watch Dog Nathan Bly remained as he had been for many days, moody and not in want of comforting or companionship. In the short time since arriving at Martinique he had seen Murin's affection fall to another and Bill Flint elevated above him on another ship and several prisoners placed in high position on the 'Dog. He would not allow himself to include his great fortune in being alive, healthy, and for the present, well paid in his equations about his own life. He was young enough to decide when and where he would remember how well off he was in a world where so many went to bed hungry. After all, it was his prerogative to be young and moody. Owen Monahan found Nathan glaring at the Lucy and smacked the back of his head just hard enough that Nathan almost dropped the cask he bore up the gangway. "A penny for your thoughts." Nathan shot him a look and Richard Tollervy snorted hard enough that he choked a little. "Mind yourself, Owen." was all that Nathan could come back with. "And if I don't...mind myself?" Owen asked as he looked about with a smile and a raised brow, feeling better for having taken the piss out of a young whelp. Not that his like or dislike of Nathan had an bearing. It was just Owen's way. He fished into his pocket and brought out three pence. "Three thoughts then...if you can spare 'em." Nathan bore a hole in him with his mood.

There is plenty of everything...

They waited only a few minutes, though it seemed longer. William would have waited more, but with two ships at his command he could afford to preempt understanding with a tactical effort. He looks up the long roads leading away from the docks one last time in hope of seeing Durand or his expeditionary men, but one or all might be hours off yet, so he turned to Dorian. "The Watch Dog will remain here until I have some news from the riders and the return of all hands of the Whole Company. We increase our chances of catching den Oven with you at St. Pierre, so I cannot keep you here. Take the Lucy and go forth to that port and I will, as soon as I am able, bring the 'Dog there."

Agust 4, 1704 - At the docks Again, Monsieur de Conflans was made to explain the exact location where he had left the two men. He was also made to describe something of their appearance. His description of den Oven mirrored William and Dorian's knowledge of the former Captain and they were not surprised to hear that Henri Fourquaut was a "dark, older man", for Monsieur Dufour had used these very words to explain the man he had taken for Scymmelpenninck. "How knew you that his name was Henri Fourquaut...?" William asked, puzzled that the man should reveal himself to the coachman. Turcotte smiled, and it was the wolfish grin again. "Charron." The sergeant stepped forward and tapped his upper lip. "This dark man has a scar in ze shape of a question mark." This was not an answer entirely, so William and Dorian waited for the rest. "There iz a man of ze fort. Henri Fourquaut. He iz français-hollandais and he iz...missing." "A french-dutch soldier." William repeated aloud, nodding. His estimation of Dufour was diminished yet again, but Fourquaut's role as a Dutch pretender was at least explained in part, though Scymmelpenninck's role in the event was not. "How is it that Fourquaut knew to use the name of my man?" Again the coachman was questioned and again they learned nothing of the missing men. Monsieur de Conflans had never witnessed an interchange between Henri Fourquaut and any men but den Oven and Dufour. Once free from the prison, neither man had spoken to anyone during the coach ride and the coachman had witnessed no reunion on the street where he had left the two men. After this, nothing more could be learned and the coachman was taken away to await the outcome of the whole business, for Turcotte would let no man involved be free until he was satisfied on all points. He dispatched two riders in haste to see what might be learned at the bakery or stables and the two Captains were made to wait once more.

And maybe you should. Apart from raising our numbers, is there a part which interests you above any other? Able seaman should not to be discounted, it being the most important and widespread role aboard ship, but you could also focus on a trade. Perhaps you studied as an apprentice prior to putting to sea. There are soooo many choices.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand...in honor of Miss Kildare's birthday, strawberries and champagne.

Yes...but your historical examples are completely inconsequential, as Jim has a nobler brow.

I must tell you, having been raised among the learned in the land of faith, William Brand would most certainly have a well lit surgery, no matter the ship. That being said, and setting it firmly aside, I believe the matter of the lanthorns on the Mercury is open for discussion. There is the historic presidence that all things about sea life are generally awful, so the surgery should be a damp hole with creature comforts, lest the sick get too comfortable. I should also point out, though it pains me to do so, that in my effort to get the draughts out as quickly as possible for last year's PIP, I made a few small errors on the Mercury plans. They are minor, but regretably, they exist. Artists are their own worst critics.

Today's special is garlic prawns with risoni, tomato & artichoke.

Is it my imagination or are the articles a bit Chirurgeon heavy? But seriously, I can't be Captain as I have already been voted in as Quartermaster, don't you see? The vote has been cast, so the position of Captain is open to another crew member and Jim has a nobler brow, plain and simple.

Honey...the miracle cure and embalming fluid all rolled into one.

August 4, 1704 - At Martinique William met Turcotte amidst a churning mix of dock laborers, sailors, townspeople and children which crowded the many streets which emptied into the docks. Turcotte wore his usual expression, a genuine air of place which the lieutenant believed in so perfectly, no amount of self or public examination would ever undo it. Turcotte was a man of self proclaimed position and every time William saw him he wanted to hit him in the teeth. Instead, William exchanged pleasantries. "Capitaine Brand. Monsieur Évariste de Conflans." Turcotte said with a wolfish smile. William looked the frightened man up and down. He was not a remarkable looking man, though unique enough to be recognized in a throng. He was well dressed, if not overly fashionable. He was thin, gaunt really. He was also pale for a man of the tropics and possessed of a very thin, almost razor-like nose. His eyes were dark as was his hair. His hands and fingers were long and tremulous. William noted how he clutched his hat in them, wringing the brim as he stood on the cobbles. "This is the man who brought the carriage to Fort Royal Prison?" "Oui." "Have you questioned him, Lieutenant?" "Enough to know that it was he who bore Captaine den Oven...and one Henri Fourquaut, to safety." "As a conspirator or a coachman?" Turcotte turned to the reedy man. "That remains to be seen." William did not like the heavy-handed tone in Turcotte's voice, nor did he find it necessary. The coachman did not wear a heavy look of guilt, neither did he look entirely blameless. He stood nervous amidst the detachment of marines with an air of guilt, but not blame. William guessed that Monsieur de Conflans had, in a moment of temporary opportunity and greed, accepted a bribe or some added wage beyond his usual fee. It was the story of 'the moment'. Many an honest man had set his propriety aside in the face of a round, bright coin, and as Monsieur de Conflans was indeed a coachman, it was not outside his purview to receive tips. William surmised all of this aloud though it was apparent that the man understood none of what William said. "Lieutenant, please ask him where he last saw den Oven and Henri Fourquaut together." Turcotte asked and a marine cuffed the man in the back of the head to hurry his answer. The man was quick to explain that the coach ride had been a short one. No more than a mile at best, and then through streets sparsely populated. He had left the two men in the street between a stable and a bakery. He was in the midst of describing both places by name and rote description when Captain Lasseter arrived at William's elbow. "Wot news, Cap'n?" "Much." Eight Bells of the Morning Watch Forenoon Watch Begins

PIP 2007 has come and gone, and with great success. Not only did the festival itself and the encampments come off without any significant hitches, apart from some five dozen unpleasantly worn feet, the Mercury crew has already evolved. We've gone from a small gathering of many strangers and a handful of old friends, to a serious group of re-enactors bent on portraying various positions aboard ship and demonstrating historical aspects of the period. Take Mark for example. He shows up at the beginning of the event with a cautious enthusiasm for all things pirate and in less then a few months he's a died in the wool period surgeon. The man is an 18th century surgeon. Now members of the crew are starting to pair off into themes and interests dear to each of them and several members of the crew have expressed interest in playing specific parts. For example, michaelsbagley has expressed a desire to work in the Blacksmith shop and perhaps serve as a ship or town blacksmith. Patrick is a perfect Able Seaman. Iron John is considering being a sparmaker or Carpenter's Mate. Jim Warren, who I believe would make a wonderful Ship's Captain, would also make a good carpenter, given his experience as a woodworker. Keith is also a wood turner, so we have our good share of carpenters. Eisley is considering the role of a spice merchant. With so many specialized roles, I thought it might be time we began a thread about the Mercury crew itself in preparation for this year's PIP. This is the place to make suggestions about materials, kit, information, books, roles, etc. Let's get some feedback going about what we can do to help each member of the crew find their place for PIP.