William Brand

Fournier's smile did nothing to William in the least, though he imagined what it might do to most. William had once stared down the twisted visage of a man whose smile and soul went beyond description, still he stayed on the side of care as he spoke. "My aid is exactly as it appears, whatever you may have heard about me notwithstanding. It is aid as aid may be on the sea. Mutually beneficial. We came upon the Danzig Trader burned to her weatherdecks and in need of much assistance." William paused to except a glass offered by the Captain's steward. "Their captain, a man who could have obtained such a title and position only by purse, had used up the fresh water stores of that wounded ship to put out the fires aboard her." William watches Fournier, searching it no more than any casual observer, before continuing. "Captain Scully, was re..." William stops, noting a small change in the otherwise unchanging face of Fournier.

William considered this, and decided that Mister Warren and the others might have no more of a chance aboard the ship then in the water if trouble should arise. "Very well. Mister Warrern, you are invited aboard to wait out of the sun." Mister Warren made a face that wasn't quite appreciative of the invitation, but sent all of the lads up the ropes to the deck of the frigate just the same, joining them at the last. William followed Fournier below into a ward room set with several chairs. Fournier did not take one himself, but he offered William a place in which to sit. Even as he did so, Fournier attempted a daring chess move early on, in what William had suspected might be as revealing a game as that which he had known with Moreau. "Capitaine Hollande, are you not also known as this William Brand?" William wasn't even settled in his seat as this question came. Fournier excepted a glass from his steward as William looked up. William was not surprised at the question. Not terribly happy about it, but not surprised. Of course Fournier would know who he was. A good captain would make it his business to know. Moreau had known. William could have lied then. He had practiced much on the art of deception, but deception was only as good a weapon as the situation in which it might be used. Instead, he made a counter move of pure truth. He was in a habit of playing his king earlier in every game. "No, Capitaine. It would be better said that I AM William Brand and I am also known as William Hollande. For William Brand is my name and by it have I been a Captain more than once. William Hollande was never raised above the station of a caulker."

"Merci beaucoup." William took the man's hand and greeted him as one might a neighbor. The man was possesed of a strong grip and nearer to William's height than Scully had been. William graced him with a genuine smile. "And with that, gentlemen, we have exhausted the length and breadth of my practical French. I am afraid that I must inconvenience you with my English."

William stepped forward, almost losing his balance as he had feared he would, but catching Mister Sons, shoulder. He went to the ropes and braced himself for the brisk climb, hoping it wouldn't cost him too much. When he made the deck, he removed his hat and greeted the Lieutenant. "Bonjour, je suis William Hollande."

As they neared the Chasse de Mer, William whispered to Mister Warren. "If trouble should arise, take what action seems most appropriate to yourself and the needs of this crew, Mister Warren. I shall do my best to be brief aboard the Chasse de Mer, if brief I may be." Then, they were under the watchful eyes of the Chasse de Mer's crew. William stood in the Samson and removed his hat. "My purchase shall fail me at any moment." William thought. "What a sight that would make before the French." William called out over the shrinking distance. "Permission to come aboard?"

William made his way into the Samson. It wasn't easy going, climbing down the side of the Watch Dog, but he made the journey just the same. He took no pistol, but in recognition to his position, he bore the mortuary sword that Mister Lasseter had given him. Still, as beautiful a weapon as it was, he missed his cutlass and would have given much to have it in place of this. Once abaord, Mister Warren ordered the crew out away from the Watch Dog and they made their progress over the deadly space between ships, the silence broken only by the steady rowers and the milling crews of the three vessels.

"Please send a runner over to the Danzig Trader informing them of my departure. Please insist that they keep themselves quiet and that they maintain there marines below deck and out of sight. I shall go over to the French and see which way the wind blows. If there should be treachery of any sort, I leave it to you to sort it out." William makes his way down to the Ship's Carpenter. "My good Carpenter, I wonder if you would keep this until I return?" William says as he passes over the crutch. "I will want it back upon my return. And Rummy, thank you for the sharp eyes. I go to rescue all your good labors. We wouldn't want your work aboard the Danzig to have been wasted."

William stands on the quarterdeck in silence for a time with his hand crossed behind him. He watches the frigate for a time, considering how best to procede. "Mister Lasseter. Please signal the French. I'm going aboard."

"Aye, Mister Warren" William said, not taking his eyes off the French frigate. "Mister Lasseter, confirm the flag configuration. I have it differently."

"Mister Warren. Please have your barge crew at the ready, should we need the use of the Samson."

William nodded. Only that. Just a nod. He scanned the Chasse de Mer, certain that the name had something to do with "driving out the sea", or something like it. And she was certainly doing that. Making progress across the water at speed. "We shall stay where we are for now. We must appear as unmoved by her presence as possible. No captain worth his salt would sink two ships that he could take whole without a fight, and since I think the French mean not to fight, we shall remain calm." William turned to see the Master-at-Arms making the gun deck. The Monsignor and his small band were moving about the Danzi Trader and all the officers and crew of the Watch Dog were at hand. "Excellent. Mister Youngblood. Have you men at the ready with poder and shot and stand to your stations. We shall keep the guns stowed and unloaded, but I should like to make a show of our strength by having your men standing at the ready."

"Then do you know who Captains her?"

"Run up sufficient flags to explain our position to the French, Mister Lasseter. Good Doctor. We may be in need of your French quite soon. Can you tell me what ship that is bearing down on us?

"Aye, Mister Youngblood. When occasion permits. Fire the salute." William watches the French Frigate move effortlessly under full sail. She is a fine looking ship and well armed. More than a match for the Watch Dog at Rest or in motion. William turns to the Danzig Trader. She is well repaired for her short journey to port, but with the conspicuous abscence of two masts, she is little more than an island of wood. William calls to their Ship's Master. "Me erger niet! Dit zijn vrienden!" William calls, then adds. "Ik zal geen kwaad aan u laten komen!" William turns to Mister Lasseter as the doctor arrives. "My Dutch has a touch of your Scottish. I hope I haven't just alarmed the Dutch by use of poor grammer."

William turns to the monsignor. "You are needed aboard the Danzig. Cross over now while we are bound together, and take a compliment of four men. Mister Pew should do for one, and Mister Johnson, another. You may choose whomever else you wish. Take arms, but make yourself the very image of calm. The Dutch and French have had differences enough, so keep a watchful eye to our quarterdeck for orders and instructions."

"Prepare to fire an answering gun off the quarterdeck, Mister Youngblood. Only powder if you please." William climbs the stairs to the quarterdeck and asks for a glass. He levels it to his eye and scans the approaching ship for a long time. "Please send word to our good doctor that the French are arrving post haste."

The Captain's steward arrives and he has her fetch his coat and hat as he carefully covers the distance to the door with the aid of his crutch. She is still helping him into his coat when he gains the gun deck. "WE WILL BE TO QUARTERS!" William scan the deck, careful to note that the monsignor and Bosun are on the weather decks. "Bring me Mister Warren." The Quartermaster arrives moments later as the decks fill with sailors from above and below.

William was awakened from a dead sleep by the call from above. "SHIP ASTERN!" He twisted his sore shoulder badly as he bolted up from sleep, calling for his steward.

"Mister Lasseter. Please join us." William sets aside his charts and logbooks. "No doubt the two have you have learned of the attack on Mister Pew." William waits for a nod from each. "It would seem that we have an assailant on board this ship. Now it would be easy enough to blame the Dutch, if not for the previous attack on our cook. Both attacks, gentlemen, are too similar to ignore. Now even though I do not suspect the Dutch, I should like any Dutch crew members, apart from Mister Scully, sent back aboard the Danzig Trader. This way, we can be sure to find the culprit should he or she present himself or herself by an additional attack or through a questioning of the crew. Please see that the Dutch crew is sent back again to the Danzig and begin questioning the crew of the Watch Dog from the top down."

Word reached the Captain that Mister Pew was discovered in the hold following an assault. He had been taken to the surgery and no sign of the assailant was discovered. William pondered the ramifications of the attack. It could be easily passed off as an assault from one of the Danzig's crew, but William didn't think so. It was true that many of the Dutch had been aboard at the time, but it seemed less than logical given their assistance to the Danzig. When Christine had been assaulted days before, William had considered that her attack might have been a fabrication brought on by fear and terror. Her injuries suggested that she had indeed been assaulted, but William didn't want to believe that anyone aboard the Watch Dog would attack another crew member while they were under fire. Now, he had to face the reality that the attack on Mister Pew was too similar to be a coincidence. He sent for the Bosun and the Quartermaster.

William woke during the ringing of the sixth bell of First Watch. He sent his steward for reports of all actions and watches. Messages were delivered with speed from all quarters and William was soon satisfied that all was well. After a time, Miss Smith brought him food and drink. She placed it at the table and then assisted him to his chair. He made no arguments. "Captain, what should be done with Mister Scully?" She asked. William smiled at her use of titles when addressing the former captain of the Danzig. "See that he receives all the fresh water that he can handle from our stores, but no food. I would not want him to forget his recent errors." He passed the remainder of the daylight on the subject of the Danzig Trader and where they might bring her into port. He had to find a careful place in which to return the Danzig. Some place both neutral and near at hand.

Great pictures everyone. It's the next best thing to being there. Actually, that's a lie. Being there is the next best thing to being there. Pictures are maybe the tenth best thing.

Just back that cake up anywhere!

Niiiiiiiiice.

Ohhh that's okay. I'm sure many of you would like to go to PIP while I'm there and can't go.