William Brand

I believe I speak for everyone when I say... ...PICTURES!

Office space. The movie that touches us all. NEXT... "Because in 10 seconds, he won't know you from kosher bacon."

July 19, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Third Bell of the Middle Watch With the Master-at-Arms and Steward retired, William wandered the deck in a rain that had dissipated to little more than a drizzle. He eventually found his way to the quarterdeck and stood awhile at the wheel where only Mister Badger and one of the few armed watchmen kept the night with a wrapped musket and dripping inclimate weather gear. The watchman was so tightly wrapped against the cold and rain that William would not have recognized him but for his voice, which offered a solitary acknowledgment of his title with an accompanying gesture of salute. After a time, Monsuier Chanault's fife could be heard against the still waning patter of rain. William had not noted his arrival on the weather decks, so he was surprised to hear the sound, but not displeased. Music at night was an opiate for weary nerves. The salve of it went out to every man and woman on the watch and served as much as the hot fare which occasionally came out from the steaming galley. For a time, no sound interrupted the solo performance but the accompaniment of the weather and the occasional bell of the watch. Sixth Bell of the Middle Watch The hours rolled by until the rain was almost altogether gone and still the clouds remained. By the smell of the air, they would probably see little respite the following morning. No, it was more than likely that the rain would not abate completely, but continue on for at least another full day. William finally gave over to his own aching bones. The injuries he had sustained during the past two months were too alive in the rain. The damp air reminded him of his hurts both old and newly healed and he was forced to give over the watch to Mister Badger.

i'm sorry i missed the first 13 and won't make the 14th either! when will 15 be? and where? Baconfest 14 will be in October as will Baconfest 15 the following year. It is held in my tavern out back. Logan, Utah for those of you who wish to travel.

Not something I commonly hear on any given day.

William considered on the matter, but only for a moment. There was a restlessness in her mood of late, not that this influenced his decision. She was as worthy a choice as any other and if the Master-at-Arms favored her for the small expedition, he found no reason to disagree. "By all means, Mister Pew. You may take Miss Smith along as one of the seven in your party. We'll place you on the north end of that part of Los Hermanos where we hope to discover the treasure." he said gesturing to a place in the distant darkness. "While we are searching out the Ilex fortune, I would like you to discover all other parts of that promontory. Your task will be to circumnavigate the island and join us at its most southerly tip. By then, we should have secured the fortune or its whereabouts." "Aye, Sah." "We'll deposit you by means of the cutter. Pistols and muskets and whatever other arms you deem fit." "I think a light hanger per man...and woman...should suffice." He said, adding the additional title of gender with a smile that was several things at once. William looked about the Watch Dog a moment, noting how quiet it was despite the rain. "If both of you are to be ashore tomorrow, then we shall revoke your watches for the evening. You are to rest now. I will send for you both when we are near to Los Hermanos. Worry not about the bells or watches until then. I want all of you well rested for the foray."

The more the merrier.

The best thing is, I haven't put up all the images of Fort Amherst that I have. It's a Napoleonic fort that covers over 30 acres and has quite a sizeable portion of that - around 8 acres I believe - available for re-enactment. The rest of it, which is unrestored, they're hoping to have fully restored one day. It's also just across a road to the River Medway and is just down the road from Chatham Dockyard which was one of the major Royal Navy dockyards for several hundred years until it's closure around 25 years ago. We're hoping to do a full-blooded re-enactment event there next year. If so, then I'll post up details here. ....must...go...to...England.

Some very nice pictures, Mate. Beautiful location for a festival.

Happy Saint Erasmus Day! A very happy Saint Erasmus Day. In the spirit of St. Elmo and St. Elmo's fire, we'll be serving flambé all day. Brennan's Banana Foster Cherries Jubilee Crepes Suzette Flaming Bananas Flaming Pineapple Boat with Shrimp

John Bender says it in Breakfast Club. Next... "Sir, you can't let him in here. He'll see everything. He'll see the big board!"

"Needed? No." He said with his most 'at ease' tone. "The day's work is done for you, Miss Smith. But, I would have your thoughts." "Thoughts, Captain?" William shrugged a sort of 'yes' and leaned on the rail in a rather uncustomary way, leaning out to see the starboard stern light. When she made no attempt at conversation he began to speak on subjects upon which his own mind had dwelled of late. "Treasure, Miss Smith. We shall soon have the Ilex fortune aboard. Though, not knowing what might be found with such a treasure, the mind wanders into expectations best left abed I imagine. Still, the imagination does wander, doesn't it?" "Aye, sir." "Have you thought on it much? Imagined some alteration of your own as touching your portion and the future it might make for you?" It was her turn to shrug. Her mind had been on other matters. "I should like to buy off my enemies. I should like to ransom myself from a bygone mistake. A king's ransom to buy off a king's edict." William sighed. It was not a sad sound, but rather an old sigh that had been expressed so many times before on the same subject that it had become vacuous. Hollow. Aimless. "Is there treasure enough out there to buy back seven years?"

Yes, most definately. I'm told the quarters are haunted, but I know of at least two people who stayed in them last year. I am sure they would welcome you to stay there with full kit. I believe they have wooden cots and benches. The rooms are quite spacious.

Open discussion, not hemming and hawing. And the discussion is still open due to two principle points. One, Hawkyns has said himself that he may not be attending PIP. And two, the fort may have already appointed a primary powder and safety officer. Not that the fort couldn't use another. If he attends, he certainly has my vote. Most of us are well aware of his qualifications and attention to details on all matters of powder and guns.

Yes...Stripes was a dangerous gunner. As far as individual arms go, I don't know who was in charge. Willie Wobble had a cannon there and another man whom I believe was from Florida, but I don't remember the second man's name. Powder charges for two of the cannons were premeasured, as were the spherical charges of white bread used as shot. We were given very straight forward instruction and Mike and I were very careful to watch one another for any dangerous moves or possible mistakes. The cannon we shot failed to discharge once. We immediately stepped behind and to the side of the cannon and called the "master gunner" to examine his gun. The owner carefully removed charge, pin powder and the like before he declared it safe again for loading. We also paused once when I wormed the gun and a chunk of sparking powder came out with the worm. The gun was double checked and swabbed before firing could commence. Never take a cannon lightly. I shall get more information from Harry regarding specifics on gun powder, small arms and cannons.

There was one pirate who kept loading one of the cannons by standing directly in front of the barrel and shoving the ramrod while it was leveled at his midsection. I would have dragged him right off the line. I think it is a very good idea to have a Master Gunner, Powder man, or whatever designation we would like to use.

July 19, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Second Bell of the Middle Watch William stood in an uncustomary spot on the forecastle deck. It was darker forward and he was allowed the opportunity to watch some of the crew unnoticed as they went about their watch. Mister Badger had arrived on deck, taking the quarterdeck from Mister Lasseter. Mister Badger looked no worse for wear from the disturbance below. One might have said that he seemed almost cheerful. Perhaps he had needed a little disciplining in his routine. A chance to school the lads and lasses in the lessons of order. Ciaran came up on deck at the turning of the watch and noticed the Captain at once. It was rare when he didn't note the little details of his watch. He saluted the Captain from amidships before ascending to his place above the decks. He had spent so much of his life above, that he was fast becoming as agile as Chanault. He was now worth any three other lookouts aboard ship. William also noted Eric Franklin leaving the deck bearing muskets for oiling. William decided to retire then, his watch having been over and done with for some time, when he saw the Miss Smith come onto the decks, wandering about in her own thoughts. He made his way forward to join her at the rails.

Baconfest 14 is coming up. I cannot believe any of us have survived the previous 13.

July 18, 1704 - The Watch Dog - Berth Deck Five Bells of the First Watch Mister Badger's anger had not abated with the explanations he shouted out of the offenders below. He was in a poor mood. For one, he was splattered with food. He was also tired and his face hurt from an elbow that had found him sleeping. He glared about the dimly lit space. He weighed each man's actions and came to the decision that Hingerty would serve out his punishment in the galley, fetching and carrying for Mister Gage. In addition to this duty, he would be packed into the service of laundering all of the crew's clothes below for a period of one week. For their parts in the trouble, Robert Thatcher and Luigi would be on half rations for the week to remind them that 'This is what becomes of men who spill the ship's rations'. Mister Badger could find no serious fault with any others. Instead, he reminded all present that any fighting aboard ship would be severely punished. He also reminded them that the Captain's own temper was not to be trifled with. As for Jean Dorleac, he was given one day off and Rummy was allowed the rum rations alloted to Thatcher, Hingerty and Luigi for the week's duration. Rummy would later share this turn of good fortune with the ship's Blacksmith.

Mmmmm... carrots.

"Perhaps this is a matter for the Cap'n." Mister Lasseter offered, gesturing to the Fo'c'sle deck. The Captain was there peering out over the starboard cathead. Mister Pew made his way forward and broached the topic with the Captain. He explained the commotion below and offered the suggestion of a foray to the island. William considered on the matter. He walked over to the larboard rail, Mister Pew following after. "I mean to put the Watch Dog at anchor at Los Hermanos tomorrow. There to search out the Ilex fortune. With the weather as it is I plan to keep the crew close. However, a foraging expedition of Los Hermanos might yield additional discoveries about the loss of the Apollo. Perhaps even some additional survivors." "Aye, Cap'n." "Very well, Mister Pew. A party of seven should suffice, with yourself at the head of it." "Thank you, Cap'n."

I was forced to use the beach showers in the middle of the night. Naked. Cold water. Cold breeze. Clothes never felt so warm.

I'm in the mood for a very slow cooked brisket. There isn't any good brisket around here.

Mister Lasseter took refuge under the small overhang of quarterdeck at the aft gun deck. The rain had slowed since earlier, but with no signs of stopping it paid to remain out of the weather whenever possible. Down below, Mister Badger had begun his own storm of words, and Mister Lasseter shook his head. "What's business do you 'ave, Mister Pew?"

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Fourth Bell of First Watch William and Dorian conversed for the better part of an hour on subjects ranging from horses to German politics. All the discussions of the day's business had already played out in the Ward Room, and with the Watch Dog at anchor they were able to speak on other things. While they spoke above, a fight had broke out below. Quarrels and disagreements were fairly common in the suffocating spaces of the berth deck forward. The crew was all but piled upon one another there, despite the division of the watches. Personalities both varied and of differing cultures and classes would commonly clash in the long term. This was not an unexpected thing, but the Watch Dog had proved extraordinary in her relative peace aboard ship until now. The day had been a long one. Men and women were soaked through to their bones from their labors above and on the water. Many of them were tired past common courtesies. As it happened, the entire matter played out due to unsure footing. Robert Thatcher had come below bearing hot food from the galley. Thatcher stumbled against Jean Dorleac who was stepping forward from under his hammock. This caused Thatcher to spill the better portion of his supper on the deck, and Luigi, not seeing the slippery spill, stepped into it and went flailing. One blindly swinging arm struck Jean Dorleac across the chin and sent the powder monkey sprawling. Luigi's own meal was hurled upward into the waiting face of Manus Hingerty. Hingerty was not greatly hurt by this, but he was angry before he could fully assess what had happened. Seeing Thatcher's half empty plate, Hingerty labeled him a 'Damned foolish jackanape!' and struck him across the chin. What followed after was a half-lit brawl of misunderstandings, tactless accusations and more than a few mislaid punches. Blows meant for one man would fall on another. Any remaining crew members not yet involved in the scrape, were now jostled in their hammocks by the chaos. The Master Gunner, less than one bell abed, arrived half dressed just ahead of Mister Pew. Both of them came onto a confusing scene. Mister Badger was standing over a blinking Hingerty. The Bosun's balled up fists were shaking from the adrenaline of his startled awakening and not a little anger. His clothes showed that he too had received a portion of Luigi's airborne supper and he was bloodied by misdirected elbow. Still, Mister Badger's anger seemed fueled by other reasons. Rummy, the Master Carpenter, was picking herself up from a tumble of fallen crew members. One of Hingerty's poorly calculated blows had struck Rummy across the back of the head and knocked her down. Badger, like the animal of the same name, was bristling. Seeing a fellow officer and a woman struck in such a manner, intended or not, brought out the warmest of indignation in him. The Bosun had landed the only true and capable blow of the night and Hingerty looked utterly dazed from it. Mister Pew and Mister Youngblood were left at somewhat of a loss. The cause of the fight was not immediately apparent. This did not keep Mister Pew from stepping into the widening space with his pistol, nor did it keep the Master Gunner from glowering at his gunnery crew. Mister Lasseter arrived behind the Master Gunner. "What's all this?" No one said anything for a moment. No one knew what to say. There were no reason for the fight. No real one. Most of the those who had traded fists in the dark had no idea what had happened. Some of them were rubbing their eyes more from sleep than injury. Mister Badger helped Rummy to her feet, and still, no one answered. "Speak up." Mister Lasseter urged, his tone careful, but commanding. Robert Thatcher stepped forward and straightened a little, "Twas an accident, sar." Mister Lasseter looked around at the 'accident'. At least ten crew members were nursing part of their face or limbs. The slightly disheveled Master Carpenter seemed no worse for wear, but Badger was bleeding a little from his nose and the man's dander was obviously up. Recognizing that the Bosun was in a mood well suited to deal out a little discipline, Mister Lasseter gave the matter over to him, returning to the gun deck with Mister Pew. Mister Badger smiled a smile that was anything but heartwarming and Mister Youngblood gave his gunnery crew a look that said, 'Tomorrow, gentlemen. I'll deal with you tomorrow.'