William Brand

July 24, 1704 - Aboard the 'Dog Five bells of the Forenoon Watch Siren had been aloft so long now, that she had forgotten what it felt like to stand on her own feet. The mast was ever the inverted pendulum so that siren had to brace herself well to keep from being tossed about. The prevailing wind was also such that her face and hands were blasted to the point of weariness. All was fatigue and weariness, but she kept a vigilant watch on the sea, the 'Dog, the 'Maastricht, and the distant bobbing Heron. ... In the surgery, William sat patiently as Tempest made improvements to the dressing on his hand. The wound was cleaned for the second time and she redressed it with fresh cloth. "You have been quiet of late, Doctor." William observed, and she answered him with silence. This brought a smile to his face. "You might have been more careful." She said, finally. "I was careful, but the gentleman in questions was ever so determined to cut my throat." "You might have lost the hand." "But gained an affectation often attributed to me in rhyme and gossip." he said with a smile. "Perhaps a barbed implement to replace this all too human feature. Think with what mirth Mister Hawks might have gone to his anvils in order to fashion me with a devilish trident or knife. I would become that which I am imagined to be. A red devil of the high seas." "Amytal." "Absolument pas! Red, my good Doctor. Rouge cardinal. Rouge-sang." He smiled a little and tapped his head. "Rouge cuivre..." It was her turn to smile. She shook her head a little as she did so, bandaging the hand with the care of a watchmaker, and still she remained quiet and he had time to wonder if her thoughts were elsewhere. "I am tempted to keep you a prisoner aboard ship when we reach Martinique, Doctor. For fear of losing you to French courts." "Je ne pense pas." She said, raising an eyebrow again. William looked at her for a long time, but thought that his jest might prove prophetic by week's end. "Neither do I."

Work aboard the Maastricht continued until nearly eight bells of Morning Watch. By this time, the Master Carpenter, Bosun and Blacksmith were convinced enough of their work to make a run at the tradewinds. During the night, a prevailing westerly current had carried them far enough out to open water, so that it would require them to set a course primarily to the East at first. The galley fires of both ships were put to task as a shared meal played out past eight bells of the Morning Watch, so that by first bell of the Forenoon Watch, all hands and prisoners were fed and William gathered his officers at the adjoining gang plank. Jim Warren was sent over to join the Bosun, Carpenter, Blacksmith and Sergeant-at-arms on the Maastricht, along with the marines and able seamen already assigned there. To this, William added Miss Constance for their galley and ordered each officer to carry a brace of pistols. With this accomplished, the officers fetched powder, pistols and personal effects against the voyage. This took no time at all, and soon they were all back aboard the Maastricht, where William waited to present official papers to Mister Badger. They exchanged many opinions on the subjects of course and prisoners. William sent down his final orders that the Maastricht should follow the Heron as she may, with the Watch Dog to parallel her by degrees. Having no Spanish colors aboard, the Maastricht would require a sheet of plain canvas sufficient to make her a Bourbon Banner at the flagstaff and Mister Badger was to do as he saw fit until they were all together again at Cul de Sac Royal. Then, William passed over those documents necessary to the Bosun, should they be divided, and he gave him the ship for the duration. As they unlashed those lines which gammed the two ships, William went to the quarterdeck of the Watch Dog, to observe the Heron making her lazy circle in the sea. When she was close enough to call out, he gave Captain Lasseter leave to make his way forward of them along the chosen course. The Heron slipped by them with speed as the frigate and Fluyt drifted slowly apart. Mister Badger was already guiding the Maastricht forward with his usual finesse, and, but for her diminished foremast, she looked as seaworthy as any weathered vessel. In a very short time their small flotilla was under way. July 24, 1704 - Bound for Martinique Two Bells of the Forenoon Watch

A little shark...? Why yes, of course. How would you like it prepared?

July 24, 1704 Between four and five bells of Morning Watch William slept a watch and a half before waking. His sleep had not been so deep for some time, and he awoke alarmed at the amount of light which crept in through gaps in the shuttered windows. He bathed his face and arms, dressed, and went up to the quarterdeck. There he found the Coxswain and the Master-at-Arms conversing on the subject of taverns both favorable and awful. "Good morning, Gentlemen. Your report Mister Pew." Mister Pew laid out a detailed report of all prisoners, marines and the work aboard the Maastricht as he understood it. He reported that Paul Mooney had excepted his post with due diligence and that the prisoners had offered them no sign of treacherous behavior. Furthermore, the new recruits were also demonstrating a favorable transition aboard both vessels. The Dutch doctor and the First Mate of the Maastricht had completed all of the pressing surgeries of the night, but two of the wounded had already succumbed to their injuries. William nodded, and he was not surprised to hear of added losses among the wounded. He looked out over the almost barren decks of the Maastricht, where even now, hammers still rang out. "Thank you, Mister pew." "Owen 's showing signs of fever, Cap'n." Mister Pew added as a final amendment to his report. William nodded to this as well. "His injury was no small trifle. If he is anywhere on duty, have him report to the surgery for bed rest, and remind him that a dead man does not go ashore to spend." "Aye, sah." "Take two more able seamen as temporary marines and trade them out with those marines most in need of sleep. Then when you have seen Owen to a hammock, see to yours. I want you rested through the forenoon watch. I have the deck."

Mister Pew found the Captain yawning at the binnacle of the Watch Dog. A long day had come and gone and William looked as tired as any, but he stood by awhile as Mister Pew explained all of his changes to the marines, and he agreed that Paul Mooney would make a good replacement. "He'll do good service. Aye." William said, and unable to stifle another yawn, he turned over the deck to the Master-at-Arms. "The deck is yours, Mister Pew." "Thank you, Sah." William went below. He was glad to find the Ward Room cleared of debris, and apart from the damage to the Starboard quarter galley, the Ward Room seemed relatively unscathed. He crossed to his own quarters and slipped out of his clothes without ceremony. dropping himself into his hammock at once. Before three minutes had passed he was asleep.

William looked up from the Maastricht's ledgers, charts and documents at the sounding of the eighth bell. He gathered all of these finds up and went up to the quarterdeck. Orders went down from here to the Maastricht crew as they were divided into watches for rest. The Starboard watch went to their hammocks with great relief, though the Master Carpenter and Bosun went with some trepidation. William reassured them that the work would be better served by rested officers and sunlight light, both of which would come after a change of watches. Dorian's voice carried over the water from the Heron as William went over to the 'Dog to rest the Starboard watch there.

I am reading "Under the Black Flag" again, and I must agree with Kass on the subject of the author's "stream of consciousness". The man has his tangents to be certain, but a good read.

I vist this thread daily with great anticipation of pictures and stories mixed with great sadness. The first , because I love pictures of events I cannot attend, but second, because I am not there. I am determined to fly a Watch Dog ensign over a crew encampment next year. Key West in 2007.

William was more relaxed with the Heron away. This jeopardized the three ships less and allowed them some protection while the Master Carpenter and Bosun finished the rigging of a yard on the Maastricht's makeshift fore mast. This was accomplished in short order and a tired Mister Badger made his way over to the 'Dog. "The yard is fixed to the fore, Cap'n." Mister Badger reported, and the man looked exhausted. "She'll hold a good strong wind, and last against any that should back upon her." "Thank you, Mister Badger. A good job you've made of it. Please pass my compliments to the Master Carpenter." "We can away before dawn and it looks to be fine weather, Sah." "Aye, Mister Badger, but no need. We'll rest the watch at midnight. See that you find a hammock then. We shall move after a resting and not before." "Thankee, Cap'n." Mister Badger returned to his work alongside the Master Carpenter, anxious to accomplish all that he could by the turn of the glass that would sound eight bells.

Welcome aboard.

In honor of this forum's recent turn to all things spam, today's special will be...well...spam.

Simon returned with the Maastricht's spare glass, though even this showed signs of neglect. It was cracked but not broken entirely, so it would have to serve until Martinique. It was brought together with the glass from the Heron and the glass from the Watch Dog. William brought out the ornate timepiece from the Heron and waited until it dictated the sixth hour of First Watch. Every glass was turned at once and the stern bell on the frigate was rung, and so much time had passed since the ringing of the bells, that some people stopped amidst their duties to listen to the three double taps of the bell. "Very goode, gentelmen. Captain Lasseter, You may have those men already assigned to the Heron. I will keep the other men aboard the 'Dog and the Maastricht." William divided the remaining recruits and put the two halves in the 'Dog and the Maastricht. He further divided these halves between the Starboard and Larboard watches of the two ships in anticipation of resting the watches. With midnight approaching, Captain Lasseter made what preparations were necessary to cast off from the Maastricht, and the English cutter, now their cutter, slipped away from the fluyt and frigate into the pressing darkness. July 23, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Six bells of First Watch

Alder Wenge stepped just ahead of Andries Weers, but Simon Dunwalt was already ahead of the Carpenter's Mate. Simon proved to have a fine hand, and he made great show of signing his name. Each of them followed, one after the other, though there were some who lacked a knowledge of letters. Owing to a standard of education among the Dutch, almost every man from the Maastricht was able to sign his name. The rest made an appropriate mark or symbol to show their allegiance. While they did this, William stood and nodded to each man who signed and saluted. Part way through this documentation, he remembered the timepiece on his person and he removed it to check the hour. "Captain Lasseter. Please have the watches prepare a glass for each ship in preparation to begin the sounding of bells once again. It is almost six bells of First Watch and I we shall revive the revolutions on the berth decks."

Welcome aboard. I wish I could have bee to PIP again this year to say hello in person.

If you aren't taking pictures, don't bother to come back. I mean...please take pictures.

William amended his previous orders regarding the prisoners, allowing for Doctor Van Zandt and Bartel Raymer to move among the wounded unmolested. He also allowed them the privacy of the great cabin for more advanced surgeries. First Mater Raymer and Doctor Van Zandt were also given the use of ship stores, rum , water and linen for the wounded, which they excepted gratefully. Bartel gave William a long low bow for this and William returned it. They said nothing for a moment, but William thought, 'Here is a defeated man in whom I might give my respect.' Then William returned to the Watch Dog, where the gathering of new men awaited him. Mister Lasseter called "Captain on deck!" and they snapped to attention so suddenly, that William smiled despite himself. "Gentlemen. Welcome to the privateer frigate, Watch Dog. Her rate and her breadth are not great, but she is a fine little ship, and I hope you will be content to serve here and on the Heron." Then he amended. "Or whatever the Heron may be called hereafter." Mister Lasseter looked a little thoughtful, but only in pantomime. William walked to the head of the table, still set out with some of the ship's, finery. Miss Smith was in the act of clearing the table, and the sailors standing ready to sign aboard took note of her. "You have all volunteered to leave the Navies to which you belonged and sign aboard these two ships. You have excepted my offer of freedom, place and sustenance. However..." and he paused, placing his hands behind his back. "...let us understand the gravity of such a freedom. If you sign the articles of this ship, you will not be granted the amnesty afforded to prisoners of war. Those who remained aboard the Maastricht, will be governed by all the principles of chivalry and civilization offered to the captured in times of war. Once you have signed these articles, you will be members of this crew and subject to those officers in charge of you. You will also be hanged as pirates should you ever be taken alive. We have a freedom aboard that is not afforded to men of any Royal Navy, but the articles are binding. Break them, and suffer the punishments passed down from the quarterdeck. Do not believe that we do not exercise some disciplines here. This is a privateer vessel, not a tavern. Your reward for duties strictly observed aboard is an elevated freedom ashore and pay which exceeds any that you might know in any Royal Navy. Furthermore, in addition to these articles, you shall have to deal with me, so understand, I reward loyalty as well as I punish treachery. Serve against me in any way or cause harm to any aboard this ship or the Heron and you will learn which of those reports of me are true. You do not want to know which of them are true. Serve faithfully and be rewarded. Serve for me and beside me and you will prosper. Captain Lasseter. Please read the Articles of Agreement and have the men present themselves at the ledger to go on account."

William called for the Master-at-Arms to take away the remaining prisoners to a place below, where all of them might be guarded together. The new volunteers were ordered over to the waist of the 'Dog under no more scrutiny than the marines aloft. Some of them seemed surprised by this, but William called for no additional marines to escort the new men. He ordered them there to wait there for his arrival, asking that they sign no articles until he had spoken to them once more. While they began crossing to the 'Dog, he went to den Oven. "Are you satisfied that the wager has been lost to you, Kapitaine?" "It seems dat luck vas on your side." den Oven admitted, albeit begrudgingly. "You are not as clever as I first imagined. Devious perhaps, but far from clever." Den Oven looked slapped and he answered slight for slight. "I do not believe for a moment dat you vould have honored such a vager. Such a...pirate vager." William locked eyes with the man and held them along time. "It was a gentlemen's game, den Oven. You understood the terms. You are a gentleman after all. Gentlemen sit in parlors and teahouses and decide the fates of men as carelessly as they do cattle. Gentlemen cheat and amble through high courts of law and society. So better a privateer than a gentlemen. I would have given you the Maastricht, sah. My word once given is never taken back again." "And come again after it." Den Oven returned, for he was not convinced. "Why no, sah. There would be no need. Had I lost the wager, and i don't believe I would have, I had but to give you the Maastricht, but owing to the restrictions of the wager, I would have given you the Maastricht and only the Maastricht. I would have given you no food, no water, no bosuns, no coxswains, no carpenters, no gunnery crews, and no able seamen. I would have given you the freedom I promised everyone else, and no more. Not even a pistol to shoot yourself." William said with a smile. "Once time had dispatched you, I would have come for her again." "Why did you not say as such?" asked Simon Dunwalt , who was waiting to cross over. "You might have had more men." "I wanted the right men." William explained. "More pirates." den Oven amended, and he was not happy, for William was no longer hiding his gloating behind polite formalities. "If you prefer." William allowed. "Dey are pirates, every one." den Oven said with conviction, fixing the lot with a cold look. "If they are, then you made them so. Not I. I did not plant the seed that became these men. I only harvested it." "Dey are all condemned men. You are a condemned man." he spat feebly. "Aye." William agreed. "Condemned to captain a good ship in good company under the protection of two nations. Keep me ever in your thoughts when you come to the prison house, Kapitaine. Take him below."

William watched men first pause, then advance. A carpenter was followed by a cook. An able seaman was followed by a Gunner's Mate. William looked to Captain den Oven and waited for him to dissuade those men already coming forward, and den Oven began, but much of what he said came as an echo of Captain Brand's own words. Piracy marked the theme of his remarks and the noose was mentioned more than a few times. He touched on the devotion to duty and to crowns far away, but many of the men who came forward were too far from home to find solace in promises of loyalty to half remembered lives and the too well remembered hardships of press gangs and Royal Navies. After a time the count had reached almost seventeen men, and den Oven took another tack. "He has vagered dat no less den a score shall cross over. He has vagered de Maastricht if you do not sign with him." William was not too surprised by this. It was a knave's trick of course, but a good one. They had never agreed to keep the wager a secret. Now the true test would play out, even among his own who were not aware of the wager. He wondered if they thought him reckless, or at the very least, arrogant. A Dutch man yelled out to Captain Brand and Simon translated the question which everyone wanted answered. "Is this true?" William simply nodded. He made no explanation and amended none of his words from before. This had an effect, for it caused some hesitation, but only some hesitation. Discussion sprang up among the throng and those loyal to den Oven, or more likely to their families, attempted to dissuade some to remain. Still, in the end, more than twenty men crossed before the mast to join the Watch Dog and the Heron crews despite den Oven's revelations and condemnations. William stopped counting at thirty.

William considered the his placement on the quarterdeck and den Oven amidships, and gestured for the Captain to come up to the holy ground. Then, in a turn which den Oven and the likes of him would never understand, William descended to a place part way between the quarterdeck and the waist. He called Simon Dunwalt forward to translate for him. "I am William Brand. Some of you know the name, while others of you know only "Red Wake", but those of you who think you know me, do not know me, so let me speak plainly. I need more men to work my ship and the ships that come after. I have too few. While I have enough to dismiss any rebellion aboard this ship, I would prefer more. The Heron requires sailors, as does the Maastricht and the Watch Dog. Any of you who wish to come aboard, may do so. Sign our articles, for they are our articles, and you shall have place with us. Those of you who do not, need not be told what awaits you. If you are not mine before we reach the French at Martinique, you will be theirs. You men of the Heron and you men of the Masstricht did not know Lawrence Dinwiddle. Lawrence Dinwiddle died a wealthy man. Not two months have gone by since he signed aboard the Watch Dog, but in those months...what fortunes he saw." William said with a slow and profound awe in his voice. "When he fell fighting to take the Masstricht he carried enough coin that we need not have sent him to the depths with round shot. His fortunes alone would have carried him down." William paused, as if in thought, though most of what he was about to say was already rehearsed in his mind. Captain den Oven looked wary, though in truth, William had not yet left the boundaries set by the wager. "You did not know Thomas Fitch. A boy not yet sixteen years of age. His wages at Martinique would have been some four times the yearly salary of your most common sailor in the Royal Navy, and he but a boy." "Kapitaine..." den Oven chided, for William was edging ever closer to the boundary of the wager and its particulars, so William came to the point. "I cannot offer you any gold nor silver. Precious stones have I none...for you. If you sign aboard now you will be free and receive nothing but a place to sleep and food. When we come to Martinique, you will have no more than those clothes given to you before by mothers, fathers and the Royal Navy. Even your possessions aboard the Heron and the Masstricht do not belong to you. Your coin, spare clothes, hammocks, hats, shoes, bibles and any finery which you before possessed are gone. They are now prizes to the crew of the 'Dog. That clothing that you wear now and that alone may you keep for yourselves, lest the crew of the 'Dog shall give it back again. I can only promise your freedom. When you arrive at Fort Royal, you will have nothing from our coffers. You will have no coin. No purse. Not one farthing. You will only have your freedom. My men and my women shall go into the ale houses and the markets and the brothels unhindered by any thought of purse. Every one of them may freely spend to the horizon of gluttony if they wish, but none of you. You will have food, a place aboard and hard work. Nothing else. When the Maastricht is sold a prize at port, only those who fought to take her will take again from her. You will have none of her. Furthermore, the merest association with me may cause you harm. If you have family and friends who rely on you to serve the powers which brought you here, then to prison with you, for I am a hunted man. To know me is to embrace the many rumors and treacheries attributed to me. I have been branded a pirate, not in flesh, but in the minds of the rabble. To sail with me is to sail under a banner of infamy." Captain den Oven looked confused by the extreme effort William made to explain his seemingly empty offer. Indeed, he fixed Captain Brand with a look of amazement mixed with ridicule, but William didn't seem bothered by this look. "Kapitaine, den Oven offers you hard work, as do I. You will work side by side with my crew as my crew. Kaptaine den Oven offers you a hirelings wages and a hammock. I offer you freedom. When we put in at Martinique, you will do so as free men. Thereafter, when our first fortunes are all spent, you may join in the conquests to come. Until then, you must covet our fortunes with patience. Until then, you will live free and know no fortune but freedom. To come and go as you wish. To retire to other berths and other fortunes or to stay aboard and reap the rewards of an open sea under the marques of two nations. No contracts shall bind you to remain. You shall have a voice, a place and enough to sustain you. You will enjoy the equality of freedom as a privateer to make your fortunes where you will. This is your choice now. Become mine. Become theirs. Freedom is all I can give you for now." William said no more.

William nodded, but then shook his head again. "She is still not mine to wager." "He's an ass." Mister Lasster said, so plainly that William choked a little. "Aye...but perhaps a little clever. Perhaps a fool with some art. Though he seems more stubborn than artful." Dorian shrugged as if to say 'What of that?' and William nodded. Was it even worth calling it a wager if ten were already purchased to his cause. He still might take the Masstricht, after all, den Oven thought him a pirate. This idea bothered him more than any other, for he hated the unchanging opinion of decided critics. "Have the men from the Heron and Masstricht assemble on the fluyt, Captain."

"Shoot me for a fool." William said, and he looked perturbed. "Cap'n...?" "I allowed that jackanape to haggle my patience." William said, pointing in the general direction of the 'Dog while he said this. Then he fell to pacing about. "I can no more give up the Maastricht than hand over the 'Dog herself. Neither belongs to me. The crew owns them both. Blood and seal." "Give 'er up? Why should y' give up th' fluyt?" "I made a fools wager." William said, shaking his head in ernest. "I wagered den Oven that I could draw some twenty men or more from among the prisoners against the Maastricht."

'Ladies?' William said in his head, and wondered if Dorian had meant the mistake as a slight, for only one lady was present at the table. He tried his best not to let his smile spread to much. "More wine...? "Thank you, no." den Oven said, and still his food went untouched. "Ven vill you address de prisoners, Kapitaine?" "Perhaps tonight, sah." "Den perhaps you should." "Perhaps a wager is in order." William said as he refreshed his own glass. "A gentlemen's game. Or if you prefer...a pirate's game." William amended, and his tone was dark, but also daring. "A vager, Kapitaine...?" "Aye. We'll call forth the prisoners and I will make them an offer." "Go on." den Oven said, intrigued. "I will offer them their freedom. That, and no more, for the present. And I shall wager you the Maastricht that no less than twenty men will cross over to me from the prisoners. I will even allow you the opportunity to dissuade them from this purpose." "You, sah, 'ave a vager." "Steady, Kapitaine. I must first confer with Captain Lasseter. If you will excuse me."

William held out Miss Smith's chair as she returned to the table. She looked at once flattered and befuddled. Perhaps she had expected more from the Master-at-Arms, and indeed she wasn't wrong to, but the Captain offered her no explanations as she took her seat. William returned to his own seat, and before he could take his fork in hand again, den Oven picked up the conversation as before. "I 'ave a proposal, Kapitaine." den Oven began and William nodded for him to continue, for the man would not be blocked by wine or food. "Ve are not yet at Fort Royal. You 'ave command of me and my men. Perhaps you may be persuaded to put in at port on Bermuda." "The English occupy Bermuda." William replied, matter-of-factly, narrowing his eyes a little. "Aye, so dey do, Kapitaine." den Oven agreed. "But dis fact is not in dispute. I 'ave vithin my prevue de ability to grant pardon to criminals." William and Dorian exchanged another significant look. William had expected negotiations, certainly, but not an offer of amnesty from a fallen opponent. To say that his curiosity was at once aroused was and understatement of the effect which den Oven's words had on him then. It amused him to hear such an offer. "Go on." "You might join de English now. Join vith your countrymen once again. Fight again for you country and its peoples." William said nothing, so den Oven continued. "You vould be free to valk again on English soil. Free to fight in an honorable fashion again." "Do you mean to imply, sah, that I fight dishonorably at present?" William said, curious to understand what den Oven thought of him and his ways. Indeed, everyone now at the table and within earshot of him, was curious. "You vill 'ave your good name again, Kapitaine. Your reputation." "I have always had my good name, sah. Even in infamy." William said with a smile. He had waited so long for an offer of pardon, for any vindication, that now that the opportunity was laid before him, he found the idea almost ridiculous. "As for my reputation, sah, it is a thing of fog and speculation. I have enjoyed the dispersions cast upon me by the English crown for some eight years now. The Dutch have added more than a little to it themselves. No one understands my reputation better than I do. I have crossed swords with them on many occasions. Do you honestly believe that they will embrace this prodigal after so long an absence?" "It is var. Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends." Den Oven was not wrong. Governments often pardoned, hired and embraced old enemies for the sake of alliances in times of conflict. One's enemy one year could become one's declared brother the next. William was a condemned man due to a mistake of alliances. They were born and reborn as often as kings and queens. Den Oven continued, and perhaps he did so thinking he was making headway. "How many of your men vould velcome pardon? How many of dem would except dis offer, Kapitaine? Dere must be other pirates here." "I could not say." William said, and his tone was darker than before. "Moreover, I would not say. There may be, as you say, pirates aboard this ship, but who made them such, sah? How many of these pirates were given such a title by men who where not privy to the acts attributed to them? A man might commit as many acts of patriotism in a year as he may, but let one captain, let one statesmen call that man a pirate, and all acts which came before and after become treacheries." It was den Oven's turn to say nothing, so William continued. "I was never a pirate, sah. A patriot lost along the way, but no pirate. Exhile? Yes. Outcast? Yes. But no act of Parlament can change me aught. Let them rewrite their histories. Let them publish liable to the heavens. I was never a pirate and their believing can not make it so." "You fight for Spain." den Oven returned, as if this and this alone was enough to legitimize any definition of piracy aimed at William. "Under marque, den Oven. Under marque. For which I also fight for France." William added with emphasis. "England vill not remember your documents if you are brought...by compulsion...to England. Your papers are as fragile as your life." William marveled then that den Oven should adopt a threatening tone, no matter how idle it was. He marveled that den Oven should think such arguments were compelling, coming as they were from a man who could not prove that such powers were available to him. "I am well aware of the definitions of time and place, sah. One man's privateer may be another's pirate, but I am a Captain. The marques do not make this so, but they do recognize that I am such. I am a privateer of the present and most Catholic Majesty of Spain. And if fortune favors the fool, I will be so again for that majesty which follows after. And were I not so favorably favored by Spain, there is still France, of which I have more friends than England." "Marques of a pretended Majesty." den Oven returned, and his tone did not hide his disdain. The man was not stupid, but he demonstrated with each passing minute that he lacked the experience or talent to adapt to unfamiliar ground. He showed no creativity at conversation. He blurted when he should hold his tongue and held it when he should conjure. "That may be." William agreed at once. "Who am I to say that one pedigree outweighs another...my own, being as it is?" "Vill you not consider dis offer den, Kapitaine? For your crew?" den Oven asked, and his tone was superior in a way that William liked not at all. "You vill condemn dem to the noose?" "England condemns them. I do not." and before den Oven could counterpoint this, William continued. "The cook prepares for me that same food which he sends down to the berth deck. It is an equality of shared understanding and shared possibilites. An equality exists here which cannot be given to us or taken away from us by England. You use the title of pirate too freely, sah. You discard pardons just as easily. I could go to England on your promises, but England might yet forget them as easily as William of Orange forget three hundred and seventy-four patriots. But no matter, I will not except a pardon from you or from England. The hour comes too late. I am wed now to Spain and France. I will not exchange my dignity or my friends for freedoms as you define them. To except a pardon now I should become the pirate I never was, for I was never a pirate. To except a pardon would be a confession to crimes which never took place. I have nothing to confess to England, except this only, that I once loved her enough to serve her causes and fight with her enemies. Furthermore, that you might understand me better, should any man or woman aboard this ship wish to except such an offer of pardon, I will let them return to fair England of their own free will, for free will have I in droves. I will put money into their purse and send them with my blessing."

"Granted. He may be aboard the Heron even now." William said, looking along the Heron's line for the able seaman. "Take whomever else you need and assign sufficient numbers to Eric on the Maastricht. Choose a second for each of you from among the marines." "Aye." "The Watch Dog will keep the rear guard, while the Heron scouts out the sea ahead. We should reach Martinique unhindered"

William drained his glass and excused himself from the table. He made his way over to the bulwark rail with the Master-at-Arms and they stood awhile in discussion, and while the subject of the Steward becoming a marine was surprising, it was not unreasonable given recent events. "Miss Smith is both courageous and tenacious." William admitted. "You may present the position to her. Do you have enough men to watch over so many prisoners?"