July 31, 1704 - At Martinique, bound for the Fort Royal Prison
William and Claude were intercepted some three times on the way to the fort prison by individuals who had learned of the Watch Dog's need for crew. William was not disappointed by these interruptions, for he preferred to hire on men who were free and able to serve.
The first two men to stop him were waiting on the road leading up to the prison gates. By the look of them they had waited much of the night and morning for him to return to the prison, hoping to dissuade him into taking them over condemned men. This proved to be a simple task, for both men had seen the sea in at least two ships each, and William was glad to have men whose only ambition aboard ship was good pay, a hammock and fare of a decent fashion.
The first of the two was named John Black. He was a colonist of mixed English and German origins, and a sunburnt redhead, freckled all over from dock work. He spoke with a mixed accent and a mild tick, for his left eye would twitch to the point of distraction every time he talked, so much so that he couldn't hide it. He was very forward about this, explaining that a block had fallen from the foretop gallant aboard the first ship in which he had put to sea. The heavy block, still strung with rain soaked line, had crashed down upon his head from that great height. At this, he removed his knitted cap to reveal that part of his head was stove in about an inch on one side. The head wound had long since healed, though it was a long scar of some seven inches. Adding to this his red hair and his head looked like a copper pot with a dent in it.
William, worried that the man would be prone to seizures, asked many questions regarding the injury until he was satisfied that the man would not froth or faint in the rigging. By the time he was through asking questions of John, the man was promised food, raiment and a hammock aboard the 'Dog.
The second man proved even more interesting. His name was Adam. Only Adam. Like John Black, Adam had been injured as a youth. He and a several cousins had taken to games of pyracy and in a parody of hanging gone horribly wrong the man had lost his voice. His neck had an aged quality, like so much skin wrinkled by time, and it was obvious that the tissues underneath had been severed. William had never signed a mute aboard any ship he had commanded, and he couldn't think of any he had known that had. Still, John fervently explained Adam's history and his excellent skills, remarking more than once on Adam's good hearing and his speed with knots. William was not opposed to hiring the man, but this accidental oath of silence presented him with understandable concerns. John, anxious to see his friend aboard, also pointed out that Adam had learned to write and with a good hand. Also, while Adam could speak no language, he could understand German, English and some French.
In the end William relented, for Adam was able to demonstrate that his skills were adequate to the tasks that would welcome him on the frigate, so William sent the two men with word from him to Captain Lasseter, allowing Dorian the first pick of them if he wished it.
William and Claude walked only a little way further when they were again intercepted by a man seeking to find a berth. This third man, one Christophe Lefevre was a Frenchman through and through and could speak no more English than Argus. He was a thin man, but wiry for his frame, with a shock of unruly, dark hair. Unlike his surname, which belied a blacksmithing trade, Christophe was gifted with no more training than a common seaman. William was not disappointed by this, for the man was able to answer every question put to him by way of Claude. What troubled William was the man's lack of any English. This was compounded by the man's frankness concerning language, for when William asked Christophe if he would learn English, he simply stated that in all of his years of trying to learn it he had utterly failed to comprehend enough to ask or understand the simplest of terms. What's more, he did not believe that he could ever grasp it, no matter the length of time, for he had no gift for languages other than his own.
"I have a mute who can hear in three languages and answer in none, and now this fellow asks to come aboard and remain foreign in tongue."
Claude did not translate this to Christophe. Instead, he reminded the Captain that if Christophe were properly placed, he would serve near several Frenchman already aboard. William was unsure, but he agreed. After all, he had Ajayi aboard with just the little experience he had gained since the demise of the Warrington Hart.
"Very well. Tell him to see himself to the Watch Dog by tomorrow, noon."
They were stopped five more times on their way to the prison gates as several others attempted to gain a berth, but all of these were found lacking in skills sufficient to be considered, for William would only allow so many men aboard who could not speak English. He found the idea of bringing on more Frenchmen rather than English counterproductive. He was further frustrated in his plans, for they were intercepted so many times on the way to the prison, that the noon hour soon approached and they were forced to head back again to the docks.
William's pressing business regarding the Maastricht sale made a visit to the prison impossible that day. He was not happy about this. He said as much to Claude as they traveled again to the sea front.
"For some eight years now I have escaped prison, and now that I wish to go, I cannot arrive at the destination."
Despite William's frustration, Claude could not contain a wry smile.
Eight bells of the Forenoon Watch
Afternoon Watch Begins
~Starboard Watches on Duty~
