William Brand

As mentioned above, 2005 was very comfortable. The humidity was way down and the bugs were almost non-existent, so it's Russian roulette with the weather and bugs.

^ Sushi. < I went to a sushi making class over the weekend and learned to make a few items. V Sea urchin or no sea urchin?

July 29, 1704 - St. Louis Four bells of the Second Dog Watch The evening wore on at the shop under the tree, and with night quickly approaching, William's thoughts began to drift. He was more than once distracted by the entrance and departure of Adélaïde Molyneaux, who carried with her a grace and perfume that fed his imagination in ways that would have offended Monsieur Molyneaux. She bore herself with a practiced, but altogether natural poise, which reminded William of younger times and distant locations. It was as sweet a distraction as it was distasteful. William was reminded of his waking mood and it served as a bitter reminder. Thibault Molyneaux interrupted these many wanderings of thought by sliding a piece of paper across the desk. William plucked it up and scanned the figures for a moment or two. Then he took up a quill and dipped it, scratching an alternative sum before passing the paper back to the Jeweler. Monsieur Molyneaux contemplated the new amount with the art of a card player, all stoney and business. He too scratched a new sum and sent it back again. Now William had grown up in the bazaars and market gardens of many a Middle Eastern town in his travels with The Mahdi. He had seen and participated in the dance of bartering so many times, that the art had not been forgotten. In fact, William had a knack for it, as had his teacher The Mahdi, so William crossed out the second offer and scratched a new one again. Monsieur Thibault Molyneaux being a man of wisdom and experience, was fully aware that he had not yet come to the agreeable price. Martinique was brimming with the wealth of the Sugar Trade, and the noblemen of the island, if noble they could be called, were willing to pay more money for merchandise, for they could afford almost anything of value and Martinique was isolated in the world theater. The goods which Captain Brand had brought to him would fetch a price on the island that was far above any they would demand on the mainlands. Items of quality were rare enough here in the new world, but on Martinique they were rarer still, and Monsieur Molyneaux could see that William was no fool of economies. "Here is a Captain appraised of exchanges." the Jeweler thought, and he penned what he hoped would be a final figure. William took up the paper and scanned the final offer. Then he went down the page, item by item until he was satisfied that the agreement was as fair as it was thorough. He smiled then a little, his only true tell, and he passed the paper back with a nod. Monsieur Molyneaux laid out fresh paper and quickly catalogued the inventory. He drew up a contract of payment, lending but a small amount out in coin, for the hour was late. William had expected this, and he called for John McGinty to witness the signing of the contract in the amount of 20,400 livres. If William's small smile had been a tell, then McGinty's was an absolute cannon blast. He looked startled by the numbers on the contract as he watched Monsieur Molyneaux and then William sign the papers which guaranteed the 'Dog the total sum in parts. He was grinning like a fool all the while and trying and failing to figure out his own share in his racing mind. He stooped so much to look that William paused, fixing John with a look that said, 'Do you mind?', for the marine was shadowing him in an almost embarrassing fashion. John straightened again at once. Adélaïde Molyneaux, who stood across from John, standing for a witness to her father, showed no emotion whatsoever. She was her father's daughter in every way. Then, with the paperwork signed, some coin exchanged and their business concluded, Monsieur Molyneaux filled two large glasses with but a third of amber liquid which was as sharp and delicious to William as the figures in the tucked parchment. They drank a toast to one another and their futures. Monsieur Molyneaux invited the two men to stay to supper, but William politely declined, wishing to escape his own imaginings on the jeweler's daughter. Dinner would be a poisonous event of sorts and William was craving music and night air. . . . They left the shop for the warm darkening air of Martinique. They were but a few minutes under the dimming sky when John McGinty interrupted the silence. "Sah...might I ask a question...?" Sensing the nature of the question, William said, "Roughly fifteen-hundred pounds, Mister McGinty." John whistled. He couldn't help himself. "May I ask another que...?" "An approximate share would be seven pounds, ten shillings." John nodded this time, too delighted to even whistle. William was looking straight ahead the whole time they walked, but he smiled. Then William fished into his pocket and drew out 30 pounds sterling, passing it to the surprised marine. John thanked him many times. "You earned the shares in battle, Mister McGinty. If you remember." "Aye, Sah." John agreed. "Just the same, Sah..." William nodded, for he understood. The realization of wealth is always surprising, no matter the expectations. "We see our fortunes so much clearer in coin." "Aye, Sah." ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Here's a start... Pirate Crews of Florida ACME ROGUE AND RUFFIAN RECRUITERS http://www.arrrink.com/ BLACKWOOD'S BUCCANEERS (High Springs) seadogprivateer@aol.com THE BLEEDING ROSE http://www.theebleedingrose.com BROTHERS OF THE COAST http://www.brothersofthecoasts.com THE DEAD PYRATES SOCIETY P.O.O.P. (Pyratical Order Of Precedence) http://www.angelfire.com/blog/deadpyrates/ FERNANDINA PIRATES http://www.fernandinapirates.com/index.html THE FISHBROTH SOCIETY (Fernandina Beach) http://hometown.aol.com/floridaseaman/tobu...dutchboatl.html HENRY MORGAN CREW http://www.henrymorgankrewe.com HIS MAJESTY'S PROVINCIAL NAVY schooltea49@yahoo.com PIRATES OF THE COAST http://www.piratesofthecoast.com PYRATES OF THE GULF COAST (Naples to Clearwater) http://www.pyratesofthegulfcoast.com PYRATES OF TORTUGA http://www.pyratesoftortuga.net/ RUSTY CUTLASS (Central Florida) http://www.rustycutlass.net/ SCURVY FEW (Fort Lauderdale) doubloon@bellsouth.net THE TORTUGA MUTINEERS http://www.thetortugamutineers.net WEST COAST MUTINEERS http://www.westcoastmutineers.com YE ROYAL KREWE OF CHARLOTTE deBERRY (Ruskin and Tampa) KCar55022@aol.com

Olympia National Forest...mmmm. I wish I could say that I do live in your area. Welcome aboard.

My Dad is a leading instructor in his field. He's probably forgotten more than I will ever know, and yet, he still amazes me from time to time by demonstrating fresh wonder at new things he has discovered in a field he has followed most of his life. The tall and short of it...one is a Master who is content to continue mastering. Anyone who believes they have learned enough has not learned at all.

But of course... ...meringue in spages.

^ My final project in a drawing class at USU. Someone stole it after I turned in the artwork. EDIT: I answered Chole. I regret disposing of the that body in Cuba. kidding. < I was never a good student, but an F was so unfair under the circumstances. V Worst college experience you can talk about in public?

Teeke Ranst and Drewes Viervant shared a combined understanding of French that was so small that it only equaled some nine or ten words, none of which were more useful for anything than for greetings, partings or insulting a man about his wife. Still, they both had a little coin and the promise that their good looks would get them in the door of a brothel or two. They were not disappointed, for coin and a knowing look or two did buy them into one or more beds that afternoon and evening. Languages, known or unknown made little difference once they had achieved their goals. Teeke found a plump brunette who seemed all the more pleased to have a man who found her conversation enticing despite his inability to comprehend it. They enjoyed one another's company enough that they broke a chair and Teeke was left with a small scrape of a cut that Drewes ribbed him about later. Drewes was similarly lucky, for he found a woman who didn't mind his clumsiness and inexperience. She had enough for them both and Drewes left that place with an appreciation for the finer sins. They rounded out the day with drink and no small share of obscene anecdotes.

It was a good day and I feel fine.

Yes.

You do have to be careful running about because the coral is a dangerous thing. In the battle on the fort in 2005, I tripped in the coral at a dead sprint and turned my ankle. Of course, I kept my tongue and didn't make a sound because I had it in for redcoats and I wasn't going to let a turned ankle stop me from guttin' a soldier or two. Still, in hindsight, I was very lucky I didn't do more significant damage.

Maeve's delicious rice crispy treat sushi wrapped in fruit roll up and gummy worm center.

Maeve's April Fools Cake... ...meat. With mashed potato frosting.

Aye, in the trees of the Southwestern area. As for sharks...we'll make a song about you and drink to you in every year to come.

One isn't late for the tally until one misses the actual festival, but a more eloquent request to be added to the roll call, I have not seen. Added.

In 2005 we only saw dragonflies. I never witnessed any other insect that year. The days were warm and the nights were cool and we experienced almost no real humidity. And we had no real rain but for a solitary whisp of moisture on one night. It's amazing how much it can change from year to year.

May your day be filled with good humor and light hearted events with friends and family.

And that is Jim standing atop the fort wall on the left.

Mary Diamond was kind enough to send me these additional aerial views of the fort.

^ I prefer to listen to books while I draw and paint. I can devour whole books in this fashion. < I've listened to more books than I have read. V Favorite books?

I just realilzed it IS tomorrow...so here you go. A pic facing the westwall from the open field between the fort and the sea. Cannons being fired from the West wall toward the Wolf. Waving from the West wall.

^ We don't get TV. < I listen to books on tape and watch movies. And I live in this blasted Pub. V Addicted to the hobby?

No, Patrick, it didn't sound snooty. I always mention Redhawk because I'm a satisfied customer and I know their product lasts forever. However, I do think that many should make their own if they have the knack and the time. It would be cheaper, but it must be done right. See all testimonials from Silkie in 2006.

Any chance I can get a current map "marked up" with general camp locations, fort, and seafront battle locations asap?? I don't want to rush ye William with the wonderful rendition I am sure ye will produce, but in regard to earlier pms it would be most helpful... We've already got something in the works but would really like to see it mapped out first before I pass it along... Harry is going to designate camps on a sight map sometime in the very near future and I will post it here for the benefit of all.