William Brand

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/popcorn1.html "Tens of thousands of years before there were movies, there was popcorn. Archaeologists have found 80,000-year-old corn pollen below Mexico City. Because this pollen is almost exactly the same as modern popcorn pollen, researchers believe that "cave people" most likely had popcorn. Popcorn probably grew first in Mexico, though it was also used in China and India hundreds of years before Columbus reached the Americas. The oldest popcorn ever found was discovered in the "Bat Cave" of central New Mexico. It is thought to be about 5,600 years old. In tombs in Peru, archaeologists found ancient kernels of popcorn that are so well preserved that they can still pop. popcorn Sometimes, conditions can preserve ancient popcorn so perfectly that it still looks fluffy and white when the dust is blown off of it. In a cave in southern Utah, researchers found surprisingly fresh-looking 1,000-year-old popcorn. Popcorn was probably an important part of life in the ancient Americas. On a 1,700-year-old painted funeral urn found in Mexico, a corn god is shown wearing a headdress of popcorn. Decorated popcorn poppers from around the same time have been found in Peru. Europeans learned about popcorn from Native Americans. When Cortes invaded Mexico, and when Columbus arrived in the West Indies, each saw natives eating popcorn, as well as using it in necklaces and headdresses. Native Americans brought a bag of popped corn to the first Thanksgiving. A common way to eat popcorn at that time was to hold an oiled ear on a stick over the fire, then chew the popped kernels off it. Natives throughout the Americas also made a popcorn beer. Some made popcorn soup." http://www.nal.usda.gov/speccoll/images1/p....html#Europeans "European explorers throughout the Americas were introduced to, and intrigued by, popcorn. Around the year 1612, early French explorers through the Great Lakes region noted that the Iroquois popped popcorn with heated sand in a pottery vessel and used it to make popcorn soup, among other things. Writing of Peruvian Indians, Bernabé Cobo, a missionary in Peru between 1609 and 1629, remarked that they toasted "a certain kind of corn until it bursts. They call it pisancalla, and they use it as a confection." The new settlers embraced popcorn. Colonial families sometimes ate popcorn with sugar and cream for breakfast. Some colonists popped corn using poppers consisting of a cylinder of thin sheet-iron that revolved on an axle in front of the fireplace like a squirrel cage. Popcorn was still very much a small, home-grown crop."

Young Frankenstein Next: "Where's your car?" "You're drinkin' it."

Today's special is Corleggy Goat Cheese soufflé.

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Four Bells of the Forenoon Watch At four bells William was forced to follow his own orders and retire to his hammock. The limit of sleep that had visited him the night before was proving to be too little and it wasn't carrying him through the day. He gave the deck over to Mister Badger with strict instructions to wake him if the storm descended upon them prior to the first dog watch of the evening. He also ordered out the cutter, there to remain between the Watch dog and shore as they circled in their soundings. This afforded them a more detailed estimation of the remaining water between them and shore and allowed some of the younger and inexperienced sailors a chance to learn the ropes from Dinwiddie and Roche as they steered about the shallows.

Normally "too many cooks in the kitchen" would be an appropriate cliche' for a place with too many cooks, but everyone keeps posting such nice fare. I'm always hungry when I come in here now.

Sometimes present whims evolve into unexplainable traditions, but I'd hazard a guess that it is a formality to ensure that death is absolute. Of course, it is a bit overboard to drown someone three times under a tide, but that may only be a symbolism of religious meaning. Okay, now that I've pulled that haphazard reasoning out of my hat someone else needs to post the real answer. EDIT: I found some more on the tides, but no additional explanation apart from the public display of the bodies. Much like a crow's cage the prupose may have been to show the stark and final end given to all pirates... "Anyone condemned in England for crimes committed at sea were hung at Execution Dock. Near the end of the 14th century the river was infested with pirates and those inhabitants on land in the Wapping area put chains and barriers across the river inlets to protect themselves. Stow told of the deaths of these pirates at Execution Dock, Wapping and the Tunnel Pier marks the site. It lay between Wapping New Stairs and Wapping Dock Stairs. The gallows, two posts and a cross-beam, was erected on the shore and afterwards the bodies were chained to a stake at the low water mark and left there until usual three high tides had covered them. Their bodies were then smeared with pitch and hung on the gibbets on the Isle of Dogs and left to rot! Some were taken from Wapping to Bugsby's Reach and hung there. " The Watch Dog was built at the Isle of Dogs and I had no idea it was a place of death for pirates.

For the purpose of keeping track of available space and materials, may I ask what you have in the way of tents? My wedge tents have a footprint of 6' x 9' each.

I don't mind. I've handled much bigger events than this. This way we can coordinate the whole encampment, since they want us grouped together in the same area. It also allows us to know what to ask for. One big checklist for all. However, as the time draws closer we will have to divide it into east coast and west coast coalitions. They left "jurying" up to me last year and it was "flexible". Patrick passes with flying colors and Hawkyns does historic trekking. My kit is coming along fine and I have two tents, so I already have a spare if Mike doesn't go this year. I can lend it out to at least one couple if that's the case. The easiest way to make a camp period is to make it simple. Patrick's kit is compact, period and functional. The rest is just window dressing. We leave out the plastic skulls and the wicker sea trunks and we're fine. The atmosphere of the place makes up the difference if our clothes look right.

"You'd best see to your hammock, Mister Flint." William ordered, taking the opportunity to return to his original course. "Mister Flint, despite your much appreciated desire to add yourself to the laborers, you are hereby ordered to your hammock. There to remain until you have had sufficient rest. You need sleep, man. If the doctor should find you on the weatherdecks...well...she may deliver a broadside upon me in two languages. Already today, one man has been removed to the surgery from an accident, and this came as no result of fatigue. I need well rested men at present and I will brooke no argument."

Bill reported to Mister Badger, who in turn had him report to the Captain. William was penciling notations from yet another sounding as the able seaman approached and made himself known. The Watch Dog was not a part of any formal navy and protocol was seldom observed beyond a polite pecking order and an unspoken understanding of each person's responsibility. Still, despite his fatigue, and given his recent troubles, Mister Flint showed a careful posture and formality reminiscent of his time in the Royal Navy. William was quiet a moment, studying the man who had so recently come aboard. He had meant to be direct and brief, his intent to order a strict observance of watches, for the Watch Dog was poorly undermanned and they were not accorded the benefit of three separate crew watches. They were limited to an almost even split of duties and those who were not on deck were often abed, resting only a short number of hours before returning to the necessary tasks aboard ship. Sleep was a commodity in short supply of late, and given the accident that had just occurred, an important one. Mister Badger took a seat again opposite the small table to take the next sounding as the Captain paused. William took this opportunity to invite Bill to the Starboard Rail. "How are you faring, Mister Flint?" "I am well, Cap'n." he said in short, abbreviated way. William was not surprised by the answer, for it conveyed at once the man's brevity. Bill was direct, wasting no time in frivolous and personal matters. Another sign of his time in the Royal Navy. "The doctor assures me that Nathan will recover completely." "Aye, Cap'n. It does me good to hear so." William smiled a little at this, taking out his spyglass a moment to scan the coastline of La Blanquilla yet again as it passed by. "I imagine that Mister Walcott is much on your mind." "Aye, Cap'n." William collapsed his glass, still watching the stark, white beaches pass before them. Then he turned to Mister Flint. "I am not sure what comfort it can give you to know this, but I sent word to the Don on his behalf. I believe that favor, which the Don has showed to us of late, may find its way to Mister Walcott. I wrote at length of your forthright service in ferreting out those treacherous men who so recently came aboard my ship, though I was careful to leave out any actual names. I further explained that one Henry Walcott might be in the keeping of his junior officials, and if so, I asked that this man might be released, for he was no enemy of the Don's. I made it as clear as I might without drawing attention to the late Gaultier, that Mister Walcott was of little concern to matters touching the disagreements of those many nations in conflict at this time and that I would be most grateful to the Don if he would extend kindness to that poor castaway, Henry Walcott."

My liason duties have increased from four pirates to twenty. I'm going to have to do some smoozing.

I have added you to the list. The fort allowed us to dig up a section of the sod, which we kept in a box until after and then we replanted it. There is a great deal of firewood provided at the fort. Water is available from the kitchen and a spigot near the restrooms. The bathroom is within walking distance. Approximately 100 yards or less. I did not see any straw while I was there. There were no bales or loose straw. I can't imagine how easy it is to get straw in Key West, so you may have to provide for yourself in that regard. Do you know the rough dimensions of your tent? -W.R.W.

I saw this and thought of all those who are looking for tents. http://frontierfolk.net/ipw-web/bulletin/b...opic.php?t=6611

I am not actually in charge of the camping at the fort, but I did act as a liason for some of us that camped last year and were not vendors. however, I am putting together a list again for this year and I am waiting to hear back from the fort on numbers. Last year they said I could bring along 13 pirates for our encampment, but I know they want more than that this year. We had many people who wished to go and couldn't at the last minute. We were left with only four out of a possible 13. So far this year I have seven names, so there is room for quite a few more. If we excede the numbers, I may be able to urge them to allow us more space. I will include you in the tenative number. There is no cut off date. The fort is more concerned about getting responsible people with a good period look. You have a very good kit from the pictures I have seen and I would gladly take you up on the offer of poles and additional supplies. It will save me a considerble headache while flying. The tents are easy to pack as a carry on, but poles become a problem. As the time approaches, I will let the fort know how big our encampment is going to be on average, then I will submit names just a little before the festival since we won't all arrive together. I'll post more about it when I hear back from the Parks Division. -W.R.W.

“A monarch, when good, is entitled to the consideration which we accord to a pirate who keeps Sunday School between crimes; when bad, he is entitled to none at all.” - Mark Twain

“Merchant and pirate were for a long period one and the same person. Even today mercantile morality is really nothing but a refinement of piratical morality.” Friedrich Nietzsche

"Lying is a way of taking personal responsibility for reality." - Garrison Kiellor

Well, if you are looking for a very sturdy, reasonable tent I would recommend the following vendor. http://www.redhawk-trading.com/products.htm The wedge tent and Queen's Bluff are very nice. They are very durable tents. Here is the once I bought and camped in at the fort. Our encampment... Patrick's Kit...

When we camped in the fort last year they required that we have period tents and a period encampment. A simple wedge tent or lean to will do. Patrick brought an entirely period kit. His luggage, clothing and tent were all accurate. We did not arrive with period luggage, so it was camoflauged under blankets and bags. It was a very simple setup, since all of us flew in from the Rockies and West Coast, but it was a nice little camp. I'm waiting for word from the Friends of Fort Zachary Taylor about the numbers who may camp inside the fort this year. I'll note you and your wife when I speak with them next. Do you have a tent? Are you able to bring other period items for an encampment?

William had just settled into the chair on his side of the small table, allowing Mister Badger the opportunity to walk about awhile as he took the numbers cried out from those sailors at the leadlines, when Mister Flint came up on the weatherdecks. Mister Badger was in the midst of popping his back when he noticed the sailor and William noticed Jacob noticing the man. "Mister Badger, has Bill Flint been in bed a full watch yet?" "I don't believe so, Cap'n." "Please invite him aft, if you please."

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Two Bells of the Forenoon Watch The forenoon watch crept by like a slow ebbing tide. It brought with it dozens upon dozens of soundings and Captain Brand and Mister Badger worked at the table on the quarterdeck comparing and re-comparing the changes as they went. The tiny table straddled the nine pounder affectionately called Blackwood and there was barely enough space for the chairs that William and Jacob occupied. William occasionally leaned back in his chair just far enough to rest it against the 12 pounder behind him, that he might stretch his legs, and they were both forever occupied in keeping the charts from blowing away through the use of heavy books. Occasionally, William went to the Starboard rail with his spyglass to take visual cues from the island that he might compare them against the artistry of the ship's charts. He found himself shaking his head again and again at the stark, but also beautiful white and treeless island. It reminded him a great deal of those places he had visited in his youth, especially in and around Palestine. While he was in these thoughts an unfortunate, but not uncommon accident befell able seaman Pascal. Far from being at fault himself, he was still the unfortunate victim of an accidental fall, though it was in fact Harold Press that slipped from the rigging. Harold was in the midst of one of Master Badger's many alterations on the mainsail when he failed to place he feet soundly in the ratlines. He dropped a full 30 feet onto an unsuspecting Pascal who was crossing amidships, and while Harold sustained no real injury whatever, he dislocated Pascal's arm and bloodied his mouth and nose. William moved to the ship's waist at once while a concerned Mister Badger was forced to keep recording the soundings from the lead lines. Harold Press apologized three dozen times at least as Pascal was carried to the surgery, and considering his pain, Pascal managed to remain gracious enough in the face of Harold's repeated gratitude. For had Pascal not been there, Mister Press would very probably have broken his neck. Once the injured and nearly injured were off the weather decks, everyone fell back into their rhythm of duties at once.

July 18, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Just prior to Forenoon Watch The intervening time between the passage at Los Hermanos and the arrival off the shores of La Blanquilla were filled with evaluations and preparations common to the day to day aboard the Watch Dog. William gave orders to the Master Carpenter to be ready with extra hands should the Watch Dog come afoul of any coral or sandbars as they did their soundings. It was a precautionary matter, but always a necessary one when familiarizing one's self with a new coast. The tides and times of the sea might change a place within a few short weeks given the right or wrong weather and William meant to ere on the side of caution. While Rummy and a handful of able seamen stood at the ready, William set other precautionary orders in place, from additional lead lines to added watches at the bow and Starboard rails. Meanwhile, La Blanquilla loomed. It was a squat island of no significant altitude. The shores gleamed as brightly as any whitewashed counting house and William was certain that the name "The White One" had been given to the island for this reason, though he was disappointed in the conspicuous absence of trees. Minus a few palms and a variety of cactus, the place was decidedly open. The whole of the island looked to be very exposed and the impending rain that might reach them before days end was a greater concern ashore than before. Still, the morning was fair and with no real clouds overhead they began their soundings and consultation of charts almost at the very moment they reached the coast of that small island. Mister Badger and Mister Lasseter had brought them to La Blanquilla almost at the very minute of their estimations.

Great Scott, man. Is that you in a powdered wig?

I'm now looking forward to the time when I can use the term "montage of my flintlocks". Aye.

A round of streakers and rum.