William Brand

Crazy Chole Black. Check. I just got off the phone with Chole. We discussed Pirates in Paradise from top to bottom and our shared enthusiasm at the number of pirates visiting this year from all quarters. We talked about Key West, camping, photos, costuming and all things festival. Now she is talking to my wife Maeve about costuming, that consuming pastime we all love and hate, but mostly love, Harry Silkie Red Cat Jenny Dorian Lasseter Siren, Captain of the Poseidon Red-Handed Jill Maeve Jim Hawkins Kass Ol Man From the Sea CrazyCholeBlack

Since the book was written well after the Golden Age of Piracy, then liberties may have been taken with the illustrations for the piece. There may be too much conjecture present in the work to go one way or the other, but a very nice find just the same.

^ I plant, prune, alter, move, mow and do everything else that a large yard requires and that money and time permit year to year. < I would like to plant more trees. I like trees. V Any big trees in your yard?

The buckets in some of the pictures, but not all, are probably the upper parts of stockings with a garter that makes it look like boots. It is difficult to say. Still...in the picture where the men are breaking down a door of the customs house, the men are probably town folk in pursuit of smugglers, and so the footwear could very well be boots.

And a good morning to you. Today is shaping into a fine day.

July 30, 1704 - Martinique John McGinty was half awake already when the potboy for the inn knocked at the door of his room. The sound went through the door, the room and John's skull. He groaned, and in his discomfort he was moved to shout overly loud in return. This caused him some further agitation, and the boy who entered looked apologetic. "Priez le pardon, monsieur...Capitaine..." John was already nodding, despite the pain in his head. He waved a hand at the boy, gesturing for him to leave and close the door without another word, which the boy did. Then John remembered his guest from the night before and looked over to see that the other side of the bed was no longer occupied. He wondered how and when the house maid had made her silent departure. He then had the presence of mind to be certain that she had taken none of his belongings or coin. All was where he had stowed or dropped it amidst the night's revelry. Relieved to find nothing missing, he dressed and bathed his face at basin on the table. This caused him some irritation, for the mixture therein was actually only two parts water. The rest was alcohol and it stung his eyes a bit. At first he just blinked and smarted, unable to find the proper words to voice his discomfort. He decided to use the first two that sprang to mind. "Damn and Hell!" He almost spilled backwards over a displaced chair. Then, mindful that he might suffer more personal injury if he did not collect himself, he stood a moment, neither moving nor speaking. "Don't become a clown." he told himself, as he waited for the throbbing in his head to subside again. The pain went out like a tide and he blinked away the last of the sting in his eyes. "There." He picked up his things and went out to face the Captain and the day. . . . William and John took breakfast together at ten of the morning, lingering over fresh baked biscuits, cooked ham and the finest cheese William had tasted in years. They talked little of business, but William took the opportunity to pry John with questions concerning all things below decks. He asked John to truthfully tell him how the Dutch sailors were settling in and how the men and women of the 'Dog were getting along. John answered many of the questions briefly and William thanked him for avoiding grand assumptions. They gossiped little, content to eat and keep the conversation simple. The girl who had bedded the night with John served them fare all the while. She also served John with a look that promised an additional rendezvous or two. When breakfast was almost gone, and the girl began to clean up the tableware, John pressed a good sized coin into her hand and said, "For not robbin' a workin' sailor..." William smiled at this, and took the last of the biscuits, though he was too full by half. . . . Later, they stood on the docks of the Cul du Sac Ryal and William let out an airy whistle, shaking his head at the humidity. His frock coat and waistcoat baked the breakfast within him for a second time and he said as such. John nodded at this and looked out over the heavy air which suffocated the harbor, fanning himself with his hat. Then they boarded Patricia with a dozen others bound for the 'Dog. Between five and six bells of the Forenoon Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Pride goeth before the fall... ...off the ramparts.

^Aye. Some new linen shirts and three pairs of shorts. < Despite an unseasonable cold spell, I have still managed to get some work done in the yard. V Large yard or small?

And...because I haven't had breakfast of any kind...

Today's special is Tamales... I love a good tamale.

That part of the fort which is most notorious for hauntings will be the part which is fenced off for construction, so I'm not certain how much "hunting" you'll be able to do. However, I could be bribed to run around in white.

We also have a nice Veal Wellington with gorgonzola lump crab meat, creamed baby spinach, rosemary poached portabella mushroom and mushroom bordelaise...

But tonight's special is Marinated Crabmeat, Lobster and Shrimp with lime melon sauce, minted couscous and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds

We need some deviled eggs.

Excellent. Thank you.

I am the second son of my father, so my heraldic emblem is the cresent moon. I fly the stars and moon on my buccaneer flag, owing to my connection to the Middle East. Apart from that, it is much easier to look at the moon than the sun. I prefer reflected glory.

I have also seen it with and without the 'A'.

Example: The VOC logo. I've seen it retired at different dates... ...the latest being 1796.

^ Batman. I love gadgets and costumes. < Though, as a child, I loved playing Zorro. V Have you ever tried your hand at fencing?

It's a favorite symbol of mine, actually.

The Dutch East India Company and other companies of the wide world have used emblems on official documents or to mark property, but which logs were used and when? I'm finding conflicting information regrading the economical powerhouses and what logos, insignias and emblems were used and during which years they were employed. I'm also curious about the emblem used throughout PoTC 2 and its authenticity. Any company emblem information would be appreciated, as we may be using them at PIP to mark 'acquired' goods and sundries. This would also include woodcuts, engravings and all matter of art found on letters of marque and other offical papers.

^ Myself. < I like me well enough to never want anything but thicker hair. V Balding?

When Mary uses such terms as 'great men' or 'fine folk', what she means to say is this, that we are nefarious nere-do-wells, rogue ruffians and gentlemen scoundrels.

Save room for dessert...

If that is the finest which you have seen in months, then you should stay at least a fortnight here at the Kate. We have seen our share of gifted cooks these many months. The fare has been both beautiful and pleasing.