William Brand

Have the Master Gunner prepare to board and make ready for departure. I want these seamen aboard. (folds up his glass) Push forward our efforts to refresh the water barrels aboard and see that Mister Badger has my rigging checked before nightfall. Shrouds and stays to be checked and double checked. I'll not lose the masthead from lack of checking. Mister Hawks is to have what provisions he needs to finish all repairs and put a man next to him to fetch and carry food and drink. I'll not have the blacksmith stop his work. That could have been a frigate there. We'll be fortunate only the once, I should think.

Welcome, Jim. See to your gear and report to the Master Gunner on the double.

(William conitunes watching the ship's angled approach.) Take a look Mister Lasseter. She has gun ports, but too few to be well armed. Note how she sits very low in the water. She must be heavy laden. What say you?

Thank you, Mister Lasseter. Please see all able seamen armed for precautions sake and go ashore to notify Mister Youngblood to keep a wary ye in case we must o'r shoot the Watch Dog at our enemy.

(William draws out a spyglass and watches the ships progression. He is quiet for a long while.) Aye. It is indeed. You have a sharp eye. I believe she is a merchantman carrying trade goods to town. We'll keep an eye on her. She may yet be more dangerous than she appears, but I think not. I'll have the watches put out the barge and see what can be seen from the fort tower as well. Thank you, Master Carpenter. Aye. You have a sharp eye indeed.

"Well now... ya think so do ya? Move closer sos I can sho ya whats been appenin to um. ya sees right e'r. Thens salt pits. and this here one runs verticle to the pins olden em agether. A stress point I seen in may a day. Ana, i'fn ya sees in a few spots ya can e'n see the wood aneath through tiny holes. Not a good sign. Most wouldn't e'en know it till it be to late, an SNAP!!! Ana, thar be some others as well. Now..I'fn you be willin ta risk it and all on board that be a different matter. But tis me job ta fix wit me skill o smithin what need fixin ta make her sea worthiness stay intact. So now, what ya say? Ana you to Mr Lasseter, cause I be gettin right wit it as soon as ya says so." Mr Hawks , knows metal well and has worked with it for 25 years. But with his hands tied at the moment waitin on a decision, all he can do is wait. He is a master at his craft and can make what is needed even better then what was there. It's been said he can create what others only dream about. But for now, a decision needs to be made. (William inspects the braces and timber) Mister Lasseter! If you would please. I believe that Mister Hawks has pressing work here.

(William finishes his turn at watch, while his tired crew spends the night in laughter, conversation and song. He wanders the length of the beachhead and takes note of the diligence with which his orders are carried out and how well the crew and officers propel their responsibilities forward. He hears Christine's voice more than once over the night air and the familiar laughter of faces that grow more familiar each day.) "Soon." he says aloud to no one. "Soon..."

Christine! How are you good lady? You have been most prompt in serving the tired workers today and I thank you. Please treat yourself to that remaining rum and see that all who are not on duty tonight finish this barrel.

Good work today! Aye. Ye lads and lasses of this fine crew have done well. Bring on that promised double ration of rum and let us put a pig on the spit!

Thank you, Mister Blydes. Is my face red?

(William raises his hand in brief and continues to scan the far horizon for any lofty ships or dangers nearer at hand.)

(William departs the Doctor's company and goes to the tower top to survey the fort, cove and ship.)

(Raises his glass) To our enemies. (Then adds with a smile.) Any who have escaped thus far.

I understand. If you should find some favorable benefactor, please use the name William Holland when referring to me. The name has had some use before and sheltered me from scrutiny in the past. As for my constitution, it is as it ever has been and no storm ever made a difference of it. I will weather what worries as I may. (William seems to turn inward for a moment with a calm, but somewhat predatorial smile.)

(William doesn't speak for some time. His face measures out no emotion at all for a long while.) Good, Doctor. If you believe that such documentation can be procured, then by all means, see to that possibility. However, you will have to use some other name than Brand, when speaking of your captain. (He pauses there for a time.) You see, Doctor, I am already wanted for pyracy. If the Watch Dog is ever boarded or I am captured while ashore, I will be surely hanged. It may be that anyone found with me will be hanged, as my offenses, both real and proscribed, are many.

I have time enough for any discussion, I should think. The work outside is being done with speed and good judgement and will not be halted by my abscence. (considers the offer of a drink.) Some water if you please. It is already showing signs of being quite hot.

Very well. Carry on, Monsignor. (Recieving a request for an audience from the doctor, William returns to the fort as well.)

(William makes his way out to the Watch Dog early to inspect her waterline and rudder. He makes what notes he can about her, spending a full hour sketching as much of her as he can. It is not often that a Captain may inspect this much of his ship, so William takes full advantage of it. Then he climbs aboard her precarious decks and checks the lines and block used to haul her over. Then he hears a request to come aboard and peers over to find Shipwreck John.) Good morning, my good man. I would give you consent to come aboard, but since she is hauled over and much of her is pitched too far to stand, it may be best if you don't. The Master Gunner is at the cove fort yonder. Make yourself known to him and watch for the arrival of the Ship's Master for your duties, sir.

(William returns with logbooks and writing materials. He makes note of the crew and where each crew member has placed himself or herself before retiring.)

(William makes his way into town to procure the items on his list.)

That is well, Mister Youngblood. Please see to the assignment of gunnery crews, three per cannon if you please while in the fort. And Monsignor, who pray tell is my cabin boy?

Excellent. I shall put my hand to making copies of them at the first available moment. You may discover such treasures at your leisure, Monsignor. They will be of great benefit to our gathered understanding of the sea. No harm, Mister Youngblood. How is your recovery?

Aye, Monsignor. You have discovered gold indeed! Well done, my good sir.

I was about my duties, Monsignor. Since waking, I have put tasks to several officers. I have spent a good while caulking the ship. I spent a considerable time on the subject of those cannons both functional and not with our Quartermaster. I spoke at length with Mister Lassester about the filling of positions aboard the Watch Dog. I greeted new recruits and gave orders regarding personal weapons. I made updates to the ship's armory and the ship's muster. And now that the day is waxing to its end, I am venturing into town to fetch back those supplies befitting my office. (A slow smile spreads across William's face as one eyebrow rises up.) Did I not seem busy to you, my good Diego? And what have you discovered? (Smiling again) Tell me that it is gold to finance the ship's repairs.

(William spends his day along side the caulkers and pitch boilers. Not since Amsterdam has he spent more time working on any ship. The Tsunami notwithstanding. It is a warm day and not a little moist out on the water and William takes care not too spend too much time in the sun, taking his work into the lower holds amongst the perilous angles of the pitched over decks. It is at once disorienting and strangely fascinating to the Watch Dog hauled over from the inside. Then William informs the Master Carpenter of his plans to go into town and buy the necessary log books, chart papers, callipers, dividers, inks, quills and all else needed to keep one's ship well recorded and well charted.)