Pew

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.

As the strange ship got closer, a voice tinged with sarcasm hailed the group, "Mauvais fortune, mes enfants, non?"

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?

so the cover on my 98 wrangler needs replacing. I'm thinking about the bestop with tinted windows. i've read the manufacturers instructions and comments from users- seems sim-ple enough with only a few manufacturers errors- eh, it happens. anyone here have any experience with their replacement tops?

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.

"What the Devil is going on here?" Thompson demanded

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."

Cards sent

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 . . .

I blame the Absinthe. LOL

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. . .

A canvas tarpaulin had been rigged in the waist to protect those necessary on deck. Preston stood facing the wind peering at the storm through squinted eyes. With his hands on the rail, it became hard to discern salt spray for that rain now attacking the crew on deck.

The weather felt good to Preston. The rhythmic rise and dip of the Lucy in the storm made him feel whole again. He knew he wasn't quite right since the battle with the snow, but didn't know why. Preston needed a word with Dorian.

In the next flash of lightning, another ship's sails were sillowetted(?) against the dark sky and a warning shot was fired, so close that the spray hit Fletcher in the face.

The mysterious man held the crew at bay as he lit a shaded lantern signaling the other ship to cease fire.

Preston could hear the rain begin to tap lightly on the stern windows. He awoke from an otherwise uneventful sleep. Drowsy still, and a tad of bowel discomfort led him to try and admonish both. IA brief stop at the galley to grab a last cup of something hot just before they went to dump the coals sounded like a cure-all for his ails. A lucky respite before all had been tossed found him with a lukewarm cup of coffee combined with a dash of his daily ration.

He passed by many on their way to trim the sails in preparation for the evenings deluge. Preston made his way placidly back to the ward room in hopes of finding his captain there.

Coughing,Fletcher grunted, "And on whose side do those interests lay?"

"On my side," the shadowy figure quipped as he stepped into the waist.

Fletcher, mindful of Bobstay and Halward still fumbling around on the deck, yanked Thompson to his feet, keeping his now loaded pistol on the other mutineers, "One twitch of an eyebrow, you dogs, and I put a ball between your eyes!"

Silence fell across the deck save for the low rumble of thunder and a sudden musket report from the fo'c'stle.