William Brand

Oh...and party drinks for Jacky Tar's birthday.

Wonderful with a capital 'W'. An Old Testament compliment to be sure. Very nice. For that you get an eggroll.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog This was more to the Lieutenant's liking and he beamed a bit in a way that was controlled and casual at the same time, turning almost at once to his practiced charm. As he greeted her he removed his hat and even managed a bow without upsetting the boat. "I would be honored if you would join me ashore for a quiet supper and some conversation, Miss Smith."

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog "I best go up." Jacob said aloud, to himself more than anyone else. He left Jannes Kampaert and Robert Hollis in Tudor's charge as he went out to the weatherdecks. The night was clear, but Jacob was experiencing an unexplained irritation in his bowels and he was not much in a mood for surprises or fine weather. He watched the boat on approach and welcomed the Lieutenant with a brashness that caused the young officer's smile to falter a little. "Permission to come aboard, good sah?" He inquired. "To what purpose?" Jacob shot back, and Ciaran turned away from the rail with a smile he hid from everyone but Miss Tribbiani. Again the Lieutenant's smile altered a bit, but he persisted without pause. "Permission to come aboard and speak with Miss Smith?" Mister Badger did not say anything to this for a long while and the small boat was forced to lay along side at a distance, while Jacob considered the matter. His expression was not friendly, though in truth this was due to a plate of fish he had dined upon earlier that day, and had nothing to do with the Lieutenant. Still, never to keep a bad mood from an undeserving fellow, Jacob let his furrowed gaze burn the young man a bit before he answered. "A moment, sah." Jacob finally said and turned again to the surgery. He came in at the door directly off the weatherdeck and called for Tudor, who stood at the door which separated the surgery and the surgeon's private quarters. "There's a lad to see you along the Larboard rail."

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy "Aye." William said, though he was tempted to add 'Whitingford' as a question as he went, but didn't. They met Claude Marchande amidships, where, armed and supplied with coin, they departed the Lucy bound for several destinations. Elsewhere on the Cul du Sac Royal Their departure was noted by the young lieutenant and First Mate of the Navarra, Roldán De la Cruz, who ordered out the jollyboat for a trip to the Watch Dog. He chose this opportune moment to visit the frigate, hoping that his choice of timing would lend him certain advantages aboard ship. In the grand scheme of things it would prove a very small move on an otherwise grand chessboard. The night would see larger events unfold than this. Larboard Watches on Duty

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy William thought on the matter a moment and then nodded. "Aye, we'll discuss matters of the ships and the company as we go. You may join me and Mister Marchande ashore. As for more men...I will not refuse any additional help. Perhaps four men in two pairs serving in four hour revolutions from the Lucy?"

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy "I mean to satisfy myself on a few matters ashore as touching the missing men. I've sent Eric Franklin and Robert Thatcher ashore to find Jean Doublet. then Mister Franklin and Mister Doublet shall travel North and West in search of news, while Pascal and Manus are bound for climbs North and East." William paused. "I need to purchase some goods for myself and then to the prison." "Recruiting again, Captain?" Preston asked from where he sat. "Yes and no. I mean to press Doctor Van Zandt again, that he might give up his stubborn cell for a place among us." William remembered a point of importance then and wondered if he had spoken to Dorian on the matter. "Morgan has left us for a post aboard a merchant ship." Larboard Watches on Duty

A very happy birthday!

Tonight's special is a sesame chicken over rice and asparagus.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Lucy William arrived on the Lucy even as the men who had borne the furniture aboard were departing. He made his way aft and found Dorian and Preston in conversation amongst new furnishings. Dorian attempted to engage William's opinion on the newly decorated room, but William was focused in his mood as he produced the letter from Miss Fitzgerald. He passed it to Dorian and waited while he read the contents. Elsewhere on Martinique A weary Jean-Bernard Dubernard shook his head and mopped blood from his hands. His attentive assistant stood hard by waiting for the doctor to make a prognosis, though he was fairly certain that anyone could have ascertained the fate of this patient by the smell and quantity of his many injuries. The damaged man which lay before them was torn here and there so brutally that some parts of him did not resemble a man. One miniscule remaining ear was a festering mass of disease, as if that side of his face had decided not to waste any time with the business of dying. He was almost mummified in darkening bandages. The Doctor had managed to save the man from the brink, but even he looked uncertain about this premature act of mercy, for the patient's outlook seemed as grim as the reaper. Doctor Dubernard nodded in the direction of the door and he and his assistant Philippe Pétain went out into the night air. "Will he live, Monsieur?" asked an expectant Lagueux Michaud the moment they were in the street. He had brought the man with haste to the doctor and had remained to assist at first, until the first amputation had forced him to flee the surgery for clearer air out of doors. Doctor Dubernard shook his head. "Perhaps if he had been discovered sooner." he answered, rubbing one tired eye. "He has lost too much blood, I should think, and I like not his color." "Who is he, do you think?" Lagueux Michaud asked, his voice dropping low as two women passed them by. "I do not know, but his remaining hand, like the other, is calloused much. He might have been a sailor or a dockhand." Doctor Dubernard looked back through the open door at what remained of Tawny. "We may never know who he was." he admitted, making no effort to change his use of the past tense. Larboard Watches on Duty

Aye...the rain. I remember standing with Jack in the rain at PIP and watching him tip his hat a little to one side and it drained out ever so nicely. You have to remember to tip the hat out in a direction that won't dump rain water in your food.

We never meant to be cryptic. Liam has a case of RSV which has caused him to contract a mild case of pneumonia. He's been on oxygen and medication since Sunday night, and as anyone who has stayed at a hospital over many days can tell you, they forget that people need sleep.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William considered the matter aloud, noting that if he could use Thatcher and Mooney while they should be off duty ashore, then there could be no harm in Eric employing Jean Doublet if Jean was willing and able. He did caution Eric to spend as little time as he could in finding Jean and that he should release Robert to leave ashore once he found the Frenchman. Eric agreed and made haste. Manus and Paul were about to depart at almost the same time, when Pascal asked if he might go in Mooney's place. William agreed, and the three men left the ship, with Paul seeing Manus and Pascal as far as the docks. Jacob and Tudor met William amidships, even as he began discussing his plans ashore with Claude Marchande. Mister Badger listened closely, as he motioned for two men to tackle the task of bearing the Doctor’s belongings ashore. When William was done explaining his plans to Claude, he walked with Tudor to the surgery, where he, Tudor and Jacob discussed the particulars of removing the Doctor’s requested belongings. Tudor wore many questions on her face, but asked none of them, for William seemed anxious to depart, so she confirmed only a few small matters as touching the surgery, and let him go to his business.

Welcome aboard! You'll find many like minds here. You'll also find many deranged minds as well, but drinking helps.

Welcome aboard our fine pub. The place is quiet of late, but it still has its wild days and nights.

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Eric Franklin reported for duty along with an unusually happy looking Manus. Robert gave Manus a questioning look, but Manus seemed to be too involved in his own thoughts to notice. Paul simply elbowed him in the ribs as William laid out his own cutlass and pistols on the table. “Mister Franklin, I want you to take Robert and go directly to the sugar plantation where you and Mister Pew stayed the night some days past. You will make inquiries of those at the plantation and any other home near to the place with the aid of your friends there.” “Sah…the home of Monsieur Lebeaux?” Eric returned, somewhat surprised. “Aye, the same. I do not know the island well, but at least a few of us are aware of the Manoir de Aube Sucré, because of your visit there, so the location allows us a landmark inland from St. Louis.” William explained. “You will use the manor as a point of origin when charting your way back to the docks.” “Aye, Sah.” Eric agreed with an appreciative nod. “The Manor also affords us a point along a wide arc which will take in the Western coast of Martinique and the roads between there and here. You will go with Robert directly to that fixed point and make your way back again with due speed, stopping only where and when you may, and only as your own good reason dictates, to enquire after our men. In this way, you will return to the Watch Dog in an ever shrinking arc.” “I understand, Sah.” “Mister Mooney.” “Sah!” “You will take Mister Hingerty and go as far as the Villa du Fort Royal, North and East of us. You will make enquiries there and then return to the ‘Dog along a tack which lies between here and there. Am I understood?” “Aye, Sah.” The two men said together. “If any of you should find information that might lead you beyond the circle of your search, you will first return to the Watch Dog or the Lucy and make your information know to myself, or in my absence, Captain Lasseter. Am I understood?” Again they agreed together and William explained that he and Claude Marchande would search as they might while on errands in St. Louis. William further explained that Captain Lasseter should be made aware of these search parties and that he would do this before departing the docks. He cautioned the men to find rest at the widest arc and to rise early on the morrow that they might come again to the docks before the noon hour. He gave to them some coin for the purpose of food, lodging, and where necessary, bribery. Then he sent them on their errand with papers and purse, wishing them well in their efforts. When they were gone, he took one long breath and let it out slowly as he shouldered his baldric. He stepped from the Ward Room and stood a moment at the surgery door before going in search of Claude and his own purposes ashore.

Bragging rights for me fall into several categories. I got some fine lace as a gift from Captain Sterling. I am the proud owner of several beautiful hand made fids from Edward O'Keefe. Captain Lasseter gifted a sword to me. Still, I think I'll brag on the friendships made at the event.

I cannot begin to describe how tired and worn I am. In fact... THUD. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

August 3, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Robert Thatcher and Paul Mooney reported to the ward room fed, clothed in fresh shirts, and armed to go ashore again in search of the three missing men. While they stood waiting, William pondered aloud about which men he would add to their respective search parties. A knock came at the door then and two men appeared there, counterpointing the present requirement for additional searchers. William was surprised to see a weary Claude Marchande and threadbare Cobus Casteel, just returned from their own search ashore. They wore the dust and clay of many roads and William smiled to see them returned to the ship, but his face sobered at once, for Claude's expression was not one of good news. Claude passed a solitary letter to William and William took it to the open stern windows to read it there. "Sah...if we may?" Claude asked, gesturing in the direction of the galley. "Go and eat, Mister Casteel." William said as he unfolded the stiff paper. "If you would wait a moment..." William added, nodding to Claude and Claude returned the gesture as he nudged Cobus from the room. William read the letter quietly to himself, looking up once at the water of the Cul du Sac Royal. Then he read the letter through again, more slowly. Again, he looked out the window as if pondering upon its contents. He turned once to Claude and made as if to speak twice before turning to the letter yet a third time. Robert and Paul exchanged a look, but Claude merely watched the Captain. William looked out the window. "How came you by this?" "She bid us wait while she penned the letter, Captain." Claude explained. William nodded. He looked down at the open paper and then folded it slowly, nodding again. "Thank you, Mister Marchande." he said quietly. "Please see that Mister Badger is informed. He'll need some men to remove her things. Please also see that Miss Smith is made aware of the departure so that she might sort those tools belonging to the ship from them that should be borne to the Doctor. "Aye, Sah." Claude said as he went out in search of the Bosun and Steward. "Miss Fitzgerald." Robert guessed aloud, trying to fill the quiet of the room. William simply nodded, illuminating nothing. "Mister Thatcher, please bring me the Master-at-Arms and Mister Hingerty." "Aye, Sah." William turned again to the window and cursed under his breath. Three bells of the First Dog Watch Larboard Watches on Duty

I need a drink and a bed. In point of fact, I need a sedative in a drink and a very comfortable bed. A goose down bed.

In a word remarkable. In 30 words... That is a remarkable piece of work. The unique parts and the overall craftmanship are truly amazing and you are fast becoming one of the true artisans of the period.

My coveting meter spiked.

Play, musicians, play!

Moving right along...

It isn't a no-no to reference any material, thread or website which may further the cause of knowledge and understanding. Love the painting.