Pew

The men looked at each other, now knowing they had to act together to rid the vessel of the Frenchman.

Cards will be mailed out to those artists I have received cards from by August 2nd. We are a month behind the proposed date of delivery.

"SAH," called Geoffrey clutching his small wool cap , "Mister Pew is . . ." Dorian held his hand up against the increasing wind and nodded, now becoming somewhat annoyed. He walked the deck quickly rechecking everything that had been doubly secured. Returning to the quarterdeck, Nigel reported the storm was increasing in severity, but that he and Logan were well suited to ride it out. Dorian patted him on the back, sighed, then made his way to the ward room. He gave one last glancing look about the deck and nodded an approval to himself. Preston did not look up when Captain Lasseter entered the cabin. He was seated at the table thumbing through the list of those men that had perished aboard the encounter with the snow. "How's th arm?" Dorain asked matter-of-factly. Preston rubbed the crimson stained bandage on his forearm, but said nothing. Dorian removed his oilskins and hung them against the larboard bulkhead. He ran his hands through his wet hair and pulled it back tightly. The Captain could see Preston looking through the log book. "Aye, a few men lost." He stood over Preston now, reading the list over his shoulder. Preston's gaze narrowed a bit at the names of Brenton Coles and Nicholas Trodd. "Most lost 'n th' gunn crews, some in the boarding," Dorian said. He talked of the crew lost and those whom may not make it through their injuries. Dorian moved to the small table, pulled a glass and then turned back to Preston as he held up a second glass. The former ship's master nodded. The captain pulled the cork from a non-descript bottle and poured the amber liquid into the two glasses. He returned to the table and sat the glass in front of Preston. He raised it slightly, pronounced "to your health," and took a slight sip. Preston mirrored the Captain, took a sip then held the glass in his lap. The sea was raging outside and the men were doing their best to keep their liquids in their cups. "What 'appened?" asked Preston bluntly. He coughed sharply then rasped, "I've heard much talk." "You tell me," Dorian replied just as blunt. The former ship's master took another sip then grimaced as the rum burned on it's way down. "I dinnot know Dorian," he gruffed. Dorian sat across from Preston, crossed his legs and lightly placed the small glass on his lap. He looked Preston in the eye and told him of what he, Dorian, knew. The story began when the snow had called for quarter; Preston was seen leaving the deck angrily. Dorian did remember relating the sound of a pistol shot or two below deck. Robert Jameson had reported later on what he thought was the ship's master, with a dagger in each hand, covered in blood and that he had nearly shot him upon investigation. Johan Stadtmeyer also thought that shadow was Preston when he saw a man appear in the dark, but wasn't sure. Someone had called to them that there were none surviving. When they checked the narrow passage they found Preston along with Nicholas Trodd and Brenton Coles lying lifeless. Preston had stared at Dorian incredulously throughout the story. "If'n I was t' b' dead, then who called to them that there were no survivors?" He took another drink from his glass. A fog began to burn off in Preston's head. While he did not remember killing anyone below deck, he did remember going below. The snow had surrendered and he had gone below to find any remaining officers with Brenton Coles and Nicholas Trodd. He thought quietly as Dorian stared at him. Preston went back through those minutes. He, Coles and Trodd had gone below to search for anyone remaining alive aboard the King's Fury. Brenton's pistol suddenly fired in the darkness and brought up a flash. He then remembered being hit from the side. Nicholas and Brenton could not have died during the engagement. Someone else had been below.

Dorian made his way below deck checking with his own eye and hands the stores. While the deluge continued outside, he was pleasantly surprised that things remained as dry as they were tucked away in the hold of the Lucy. Several of the crew had found him working about and apprised him of updates on the ship and weather from the officers above. The Captain also received message that Preston had been looking for him. Dorian nodded a slight thanks each time he was told and continued about his self-appointed duty. He had heard the weather outside steadily growing while the ship plunged into each successive wave. Dorian wanted to gage the weather himself and needed to sit with Mister Whitingford. He returned to his makeshift cabin to retrieve his oilskins and then went above.

Updates?

The Lucy was bearing the brunt of the storm as far as the crew could tell. Taking her position well ahead of the Navarra and having the Watch Dog nearly out of sight, she stood hard against the ever changing wind. Nigel and Logan had their hands full maintaining course towards Trinidad. The Lucy would want a larboard roll while the sea had an altogether different plan. To get both men in consort, they would have to feel the Lucy make her own decisions and steer her thus. She would yaw to larboard as she would climb the face of the first wave, rolling her to starboard. On the descent into the trough, the opposite would occur. Each scend and pitch of the bow made Mister Brisbane stare hard into the deluge to make sure Mister Styles was still aboard carrying out his duties from a somewhat safer perch from on deck rather than aloft. Charlie Goddon had made his seventh trip across the waist to check and double check the lashings of his subordinates. While the tarpaulin had stayed well put in the oncoming storm, the increasing winds made the prudent decision of hauling it down easier. Five crewmen solidly struck down the canopy and reefed it as best they could against the larboard scuppers. Charlie made sure that those waves breaking over the bow had as little impedment to running off the deck as possible. He check the small boats lashed in the waist. Satisfied, he called to the bow to check on Jerrod who simply replied by a raising his hand quickly then returning it to the rail. Cut-throat also made his rounds on deck, albeit more gruff than his counterparts. Mister Aretineson had suffered more than one brow beating from the Master Gunner about the standard to which the gunn crews had lashed their cannon down. Even though Joseph was nearly ten years Nicholas' senior, he showed the man respect, more in deference to the position than the man himself. His talents among cannon had long been lauded as among the best in the navy and he knew as much. The gunner's mate smiled as he followed Cut-throat among the great gunns and tightened each down, again. Alder remained below. The Lucy had sprung a plank, and it's source had not yet been located. This frustrated the ship's carpenter to no end. He would find the leak come hell or high water. He chuckled to himself as the last thought passed through his mind. The ship's captain had other matters to attend to. He knew the Mister Brisbane would keep them aimed toward Trinidad. Dorian knew Mister Tucker would have the deck set to rights. He knew the Mister Johnson would have each gunn lashed soundly to the deck. He knew Alder had been searching below for the source of leak. While that did not give him comfort, he knew that it would be found. What he did not know was how much Preston knew of his own actions. That troubled him. ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~ Navigation Log of the Lucy: Direction: E, ship on the wind, both closehauled on a starboard tack with sails full, also gusts and waves bending her into the wind, sails somewhat shivering Speed: 10 knots, nearly into the wind, mounting sea, 4m high with foaming crests Wind: Near gale conditions, from the ESE

Now sopping wet, the former ship's master removed himself from the deck to find the captain. Word had been passed that he had retired below. Preston nodded a thanks to Mister Aretineson and went in search of Dorian.

Thompson and Fletcher looked at each other quizically, completely abashed that they had been mutineed by their own crew and now been taken over by pirates.

July 12 update: So far I've received: Ransom Cap'n Mac Karadimos Patrick Hand

Oppressive . . . .

Take your time. I'd like to have them out in the next couple weeks, but it's more important (I think) to have everyone finish up and then send out a complete set of 10. Whenever anyone finishes, just PM me and I'll shoot you my snail mail.

Each member on deck looked at the other not quite knowing how to respond; pirates they were and not ready to be taken over by another.

Try Quadratec, Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers, or Four Wheel Drive Hardware. All are jeep specialists companies. Also try 4x4 group buy (dot) com. It is a great site to ge reduced prices on jeep tops and equipment . . .

It's July 2nd now. How are we getting along?

We own 6 jeeps. Not one top is the same. Regardless of the suppossed year, make or model. Through trial and error, we've found the best method is to leave the top in the sun for a day or two to let it stretch itself out. Work with the top in the late afternoon after it has been out all day. We use silicone spray to lube the zippers on the windows before cinching everything down.

The figure turned and sneered in the darkness, "The Devil has arrived."

Perhaps, but now I feel even more devilish drinking it. . . . .

So far I've received: Ransom Cap'n Mac Karadimos So they're safe . . .

Tomato Juice and Budweiser . . .first day of summer vacation . . . .

Arguing with an engine company on why I need an inline fuel pump to measure 49 psi at the rail . . . "Yes, it has to be J-tec." "S-bec is much easier." "I know that. I have J-tec."

Got 'em today. Very cool.

Now that has had a bump . . Has everyone had their books returned?

I'm looking to send the cards out by July 1st-ish . . .

That's how they say the problems always start . . . . . :o

PM sent. Also, to all involved: Remember to include a SASE for the return trip. . . .Shame on you Ransom. . .