William Brand

"Aye." William agreed, watching the progress of the longboat crew from beside Mister Pew, his own glass as fogged and as disagreeable. He watched the longboat crew disappear into the cave and come out again, assisting a second survivor down the beachhead. "This is when it will happen...if it should happen", he thought to himself and he noticed that Mister Pew stiffened a little at the shoulders as if he too thought the same, but nothing happened. The island was as abandoned now as it had seemed since their arrival. All about them the world was nothing more than a monochromatic watercolor.

Cooking would be wonderful and my many thanks in advance to those who are trucking out the pots and pans. I can't fly to Florida with crockery, so it's nice to know we'll have a camp of cookware. I'll gladly pitch in a hand at the dishes and the dishes.

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Between Three and Four Bells of First Dog Watch William was much relieved to see signs of life ashore, but prudence dictated caution. The solitary individual standing on the white sand might be a diversion for forces laying in wait. William ordered powder to be brought up under the Fo'c'sle deck, if the need should arise to provide covering fire for the longboat crew. Mister Pew was also vigilant and he kept armed men above the deck with the lookouts for extra eyes and extra firepower. Since the last sighting, no more bodies had been seen and almost no significant wreckage was sighted. Most of it had been but small stuff, no pieces longer than a man's arm, but there were a few timbers large enough to speak of a boat of at least one mast. Because the people aboard the Watch Dog were not yet apprised of Mister Lasseter's discoveries, and because the waters around La Blanquilla were filled with all manner of fish, a conjecture had sprung up among the crew and officers that it was a fishing vessel sent here to bring back large quantities of fish to La Margarita's shipyards and ports. William hoped it was so. He did not want to return to La Margarita again so soon with ill news of great losses.

I love the idea of a nine pound shot-put competition. We could do it in the open space between the out wall of the fort and the sea. That way we have more open space and we won't do damage to the sod inside the fort. Also we could measure the distance of each throw with a logline and keep tallies in a logbook. Since we are expecting some twenty people for the camp so far, we will probably need two fire pits, so it would be very easy to have a flint and steel contest for fire starting. We might have a dutch oven recipe contest.

It's been about 18 years for me. A very long time to be parted from that place.

Drat. That puts you as far from me as the Bay Area pirate groups.

I've been offered it many times, but I have never tried it.

Aye. The search continues? How far north are you?

I'm planning on doing prints of some pirate art as a give away unless I think of something more interesting.

William raised his glass and found the place described just beyond the line formed between the Watch Dog, the longboat and the woman. Even in the gloom of the rain, it was easy to make out the bright red cloth she waved at intervals. Her voice was faint, but not completely overcome by the elements and the excitement it carried could not be mistaken. William could not keep back the smile that crossed his face. "Chanault." The quiet shadow who had stood near at hand in silence since coming on deck stepped forward from his chosen place at the rail. "Capitaine." "Please inform the good Doctor that we have survivors."

Where in Portugal were you and when?

You can't go wrong with pears and cheese. I also like dates. I loved sitting on the balcony in Jerusalem and eating dates.

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Three Bells of the First Dog Watch "Miss Smith." was all that William said at first, distracted by the work of the longboat crew. After a time, he turned from the rail and addressed her. "If we should find survivors, I would have you put off all duties touching the Ward Room and assist in the administering of food and clothing to those brought aboard. I would like you to be at the Doctor's beck and call should she require you. You will report to me as often as you can, but the duty to them will be paramount to all other duties for the present." "Aye, Cap'n." "Of course...if we find none alive, I would like you to see that all those in the longboat have warm fare and warm clothes available upon their return to the ship."

Aye.

Today's Special is a Tuscany Bean Soup.

Aye. Sadly true. How many attendees play musical instruments? I do a very little drumming, but no other period instrument.

Hello, William. I'm in Logan, Utah, which puts me about 20 minutes from the Idaho border. The only group that I have found anywhere near me is a pirate group in name only.

Smell...? lol I'm pitching my tent after you.

"Damn." was all that William managed, as Ciaran confirmed the sighting. Given their own recent losses, he was in no mood to find bodies in need of burying. Meanwhile, Mister Lasseter was altering course to intercept the newly sighted victim. They found a man of maybe some thirty years, bloated past recognition and there were signs that marine life had been at him more than once. His clothing was as discolored as he was and James Whiting had to turn away to keep from spilling his most recent meal. It took an effort for any of them to keep a hold on the body and the empty sockets of his face proved an unpleasant shock to even the strongest constitution. Still, Mister Lasseter rifled through the man's clothing. The discoveries made from the contents of the pockets revealed much. The coins on his person were entirely of British origin, with some coming from ports found in the Caribbean and others from the British Isles. He was also possessed of a snuff box with the name Edward Parker engraved neatly on the lid. Mister Lasseter's face was grim. "Bad fortune, Mister Parker."

July 18, 1704 - Off the Eastern shore of La Blanquilla Two Bells of the First Dog Watch Covered pails of hot coffee and simple fare went up again to the lookouts who were sheltered only by their rain gear and a makeshift oiled tarp. Ciaran and McGinty excepted the food and drink gratefully, each soberly passing their thanks as they returned to scanning the shores and water off La Blanquilla. Siren, aloft in the Foremast, was more open with her gratitude and Patrick lingered with her awhile aloft. He was not often allowed in the rigging and he was enjoying the privilege. Mister Badger was once again given leave to retire and left the deck as drowned as a cat, barefoot and dripping. Mister Warren , who had taken a hand at the wheel only a short while, followed Mister Badger below deck. They both retired to sleep while sleeping could be had. The Captain and Master-at-Arms stood at the rail along the waist, sometimes watching the longboat and sometimes the shore. Mister Pew recommended that the Captain might like his sword or a pistol, but William just stamped the deck and said, "I am standing on a weapon, Mister Pew." Mister Pew smiled a little. "Aye, Cap'n" "I expect no boarders." he said slowly, his mind and eyes on the shoreline. "Aye, Cap'n. No boarders." "Though, I would not mind the rescue of twenty, strong and able seamen to replenish some of our numbers."

July 18, 1704 - Off the Eastern shore of La Blanquilla Between one and two bells of the First Dog Watch During the next hour the longboat was lowered over the side and it moved out ahead of the frigate with Mister Lasseter on the tiller and Robert Thatcher, Louis Morrell, Christopher Tucker and Jerrod Styles on the oars, along with Claude Marchande, Alan Woodington armed and James Whiting as a lookout forward. They proceeded the Watch Dog by nearly 100 yards and about two points of its starboard bow, scanning the water and shoreline as the went. The rain played off a bit, thinning a little as they went. The air was as still as it had been, blowing in from the East as before. Any sound from La Blanquilla was dulled by the rain and carried away from them by the wind, for they had rounded the island on the North and were head almost due South. 'The White One', as the island was called, was reduced to a grey smear by the elements. As expected in this weather, no fires or lines of smoke appeared anywhere. No sign of life at all was seen anywhere ashore. Back on the Watch Dog, William ordered the sounding of the tenth gun just before the second bell of the watch. The roar of 'His Grace' rolled out over the water and the quiet island. This was answered by the swivel gun on the longboat a few minutes later. "Let us hope they don't mistake that for mere thunder." William said aloud to no one in particular, wondering if anyone had made land.

The majority of the tents there were vendors. Just contact Julie and let her know you want to sell there.

"Indeed, Mister Lasseter." William surveyed the water ahead of the Watch Dog. The debris was small, but enough of it belied the loss of a ship, though there was not sufficient flotsam to determine its size, nor was there any immediate signs of a hulk or mass on any of the reefs ahead. Los Hermanos was near at hand, away to the East and South and a boat may have run aground there, sending these few remains Westward with the tide. It was also just as likely the bulk of the ship was gone below the waves. William began barking orders to the various officers of the ship and Mister Badger appeared just in time for his, dressed only in a night shirt and slops. "Mister Badger! Reef the Mainsail! Mister Lasseter, mark our position for soundings later, but keep the leads tossing for our own sake. Then have the barge swung out and prepared for transport if necessary. Mister Pew! I want six armed men of the watch! Muskets and pistols if you please! Hatchets and axes for the deck hands and mind the powder in all this rain." Mister Warren reported to the Captain in short order. "Cap'n. Patricia's been divided in her seams at the stem. Not much damage there, but she'll need the Carpenter before she can be put to sea proper." "How is our Mister Smyth?" "He's fine, Cap'n. Nothing but bruises and scrapes and then only to his dignity." "Thank you, Mister Warren. Rest is yours if you'll have it. If not, a meal and one bell's rest before you take the wheel." "Aye, Cap'n." They went to work and not one of them paused to satisfy their curiosity at the rail, even when Ciaran called out, "Body in the water! Abaft the Starboard beam!"

Aye. Safety first, but entertainment is a very close second. Here are some other things I would like to see at PIP. 1 - More Pirates. Much more. 2 - More period freebies. If enough of us pooled our resources and prospective talents, we could make small period items to trade. This may be a little ambitious for pirates on a budget, but I'd love to give out freebies of some sort and have an exchange of goods between crews. 3 - We need a giant group picture or two. Crews should be photographed under their flag and then all the pirates together. 4 - I beachside barbeque would also be fun. Roasted pig on a spit. 5 - More live musicians. The piper was a delight and all of the musicians who played on and off the stage were wonderful. We might have a class where we all learn a few period shanties together. 6 - A knot contest. We could see who can tie various sailor knots the fastest. 7 - Feats of strength. 8 - A climbing contest, if some upright rigging with shrouds could be set up.

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Eight Bells of the Afternoon Watch, First Dog Watch Begins The sounding of the eighth bell of Afternoon Watch brought a groan from the sailors forward who were locked in a contest of labor. Friendly and not so friendly jibes passed between them as was want with sailors as they stowed or exchanged their work with the fresh watch coming on duty. In the Ward Room, Captain Brand excused Mister Badger with his thanks for maintaining his post through long hours of concentration and effort. Mister Badger went gratefully from the room with little more than a tired smile and an 'Aye-Aye' made up of what strength he had left. In the galley, Mister Gage had set upon the tiresome, but important task of drying fish for storage, content that fresh stores of that providence could be resupplied daily along these shores. All was well aboard the Watch Dog as the two watches exchanged labor and hammocks, the fresh sailors coming up into the rain to take over at the barrels, lead lines and rigging, while the well worn, but content laborers of the afternoon retired below to drier clothes and drier quarters. Just off the Watch Dog's starboard beam, between it and shore, the cutter was preparing to return in exchange for a fresh boat header and a few lead tossers. They had endured the rain, taking on no small quantity of water. This normally might have threatened the cutter, but the sea was relatively flat despite the downpour and neither Jim Warren or Andrew Smyth felt inclined to bail. Instead, they resolved to drain the water while against the 'Dog and were discussing this as they drew near to the light frigate. Smyth, who was at Patricia's bow, noticed too late a great timber of planking barely kept at the water's surface by its own buoyancy lying directly in their path. The rain was coming down so heavily that anything not protruding from the water was masked by the spray. The cutter was moving at a fair clip when it thudded hard upon the timber and threw Andrew forward just as he was standing in the boat. He pitched clean over and into the water, sprawling out on the significant flotsam. It was wide and long enough to support him like a raft, but he still flailed a bit for purchase, too surprised not to. Mister Warren was on his feet almost at once, carried forward a little by the unexpected lurch. He moved to the bow as easily as he might have through a market street, weaving past the single mast to investigate the situation. Overhead and just off the cutter's larboard bow, the lookouts of the Watch Dog looked down upon this development. No one had noticed the timber in the shallows until Andrew's surprised cry had awoken them to it. Now, Ciaran, who was half way down the rigging and on his way to bed, echoed McGinty overhead. "Man overboard! Hands and lines to the Starboard Rail!" It was a cautionary cry. Mister Smyth was in no real danger, but the brevity of the lookouts demanded that they draw attention to the man in the water. Sharks had not been sighted anytime since coming to La Blanquilla and Smyth was a good swimmer, but the crew was at the rail in short order just the same. The real danger lay in the damage to the cutter itself. The rough end of the broad debris had struck Patricia were the overlapping planking joined the stem of the small craft. A split too small to be dangerous in clearer weather, now threatened the water laden craft. Mister Warren, experienced with the launches of the 'Dog like no other aboard, assessed the danger and resolved it in short order. The water was shallow enough to make the loss of the boat nearly impossible, so instead of bailing, he took up the long line coiled in the stem and threw it to the reaching hands at the Watch Dog's waist. The crew hauled up on it hard, drawing the cutter past the debris as Andrew was helped into the boat by the Coxswain. All the while, the various lookouts, including Ciaran who had rushed aloft again, sent down their various calls, alerted now to before unnoticed threats now perceived in the gloom. "Two barrels off the larboard beam!" "Debris two points off the Starboard bow!" The Captain and Quartermaster joined the throng at the rail, adding their hands to the line.