Ransom

"'Bout time," I muttered, as I saw the anchor being raised on the Relentless. Turning to Africa, I said, "Get our hook out of the water and follow Jacky's ship in to the harbor. We'll tie up as close as we can." With a quick nod, Africa called to the crew, "Weigh anchor, we make for the docks."

And don't let him pour the drinks. There might be more than alcohol end up in your mug — he IS press-gang....err, I mean, recruiting for the Watch Dog, isn't he? Looks around the Kate. "Anything for breakfast?"

Leftover pizza and a glass of wine.

Patrick, even though he hasn't checked in lately, GoF did ask me for my address, so he's still in. TO KEEP TRACK OF THE BOOKS, PLEASE POST WHEN YOU MAIL A BOOK OFF, THEN RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL. THAT WAY WE CAN TELL HOW LONG IT TAKES SNAIL MAIL TO DELIVER TO THE DIFFERENT AREAS, AND IT WILL BE A HEADS UP IF ONE OF THE BOOKS GOES MISSING — BUT LET'S HOPE NONE OF THEM DO!!! BTW, kinda late post for this, but did you all put your name on your book somewhere? That also helps keep track of whose book is where in the rotation ( although I'd know Eye's and Patrick's books anywhere )

Balogne sandwich with Jack Daniels spicy mustard Lots of goofy pirate Halloween costumes A lady at the post office, dressed as a pirate queen - with skull crown! The PHSB crew and how much fun it would be if we could get together for a Halloween party (or any party) someday.

I read Name of the Rose and liked it very much. Pendulum is a tougher read — more convoluted. It also doesn't help that I take breaks to read other stuff, and don't get back to it for weeks, or up to a month. I should just knuckle down and keep to it, and maybe it would be easier, and fairer to the author. I DO recommend Dorothy Dunnette to anyone who likes excellent historical fiction. She has two series — The Lymond of Crawford series (6), and the House of Niccolo series (7). Super, super good books, expecially the Lymond of Crawford. I've been reading them since the mid-eighties, and am going through the Niccolo series again for the third time. I am also slowly collecting them all in hardback, mainly through Ebay.

Went into town today to do some errands — bank, post office, grocery store. What costume did I see the most? PIRATE!!!! Okay, so some of them were really cheesy dollar-store stuff, but hey, they tried. Maybe I should have worn my garb into town. That could have been fun.

Scales of Gold by Dorothy Dunnett (4th in the seven book series The House of Niccolo) Misfortune by Wesley Stace And, still slowly working my way through Foucault's Pendulum by Emberto Ecco.

Falling leaves, bonfires, dancing with the dead, dark of the moon, mulled wine, and all things that go bump in the night. Ah, tis All Saints Eve! Blessed be.

My book will go out to Patrick today, ON HALLOWEEN! Okay, Silkie, I'm tired of waiting for my original book. Now PEW has his back I'm the only one left without the first round book. If you don't have the tme to finish it, just send it home as is. Please.

Duh. Yeah, I went there, through the link in your "personal" page here on the Pub. Even hit the "subscribe" page at the web site. Didn't see any dollar amount, but guess I missed it...obviously. Anyway, thanks for the info. **note to self, ck glasses, Maybe due for a new pair?** R

Could be your grandmother heard the comment about dancing, and did a few "turns?"

I think the "awwww" factor just went off the charts.

Went to your web-site, but couldn't find any place where it tells you how much it costs to suscribe. So, what's the cost, and how many issues does that cover? Thanks! R

Yikes! At this moment, I guess I'm feeling grateful that I'm not the only one with disfunctional family members. Dance away, Jill!

Ioan was beginning to feel like a fox run to ground by a pack of dogs. He knew the crew of the Rakehell were watching him. He had also disovered they were not going to let him creep aboard some other ship and escape Port Royal. They had forcefully stopped him twice. But they hadn't done him any harm, other than rough him up a bit. Why? They had haunted his every step, making no attempts to hide the fact, yet none of them had lifted a finger in retaliation for the stabbing. Drunk, angry, and tired of the constant harrasment, and knowing the big black man was even now following him, Ioan swung around and accosted his former quartermaster. "What's the game, Africa? Plan on following me 'till doomsday? The lot of you too cowardly to stand up for that bitch of a captain?" Africa gave him a look of contempt. "We ordered to watch. We watch. But you a walkin' corpse, Welshman. When the time come fo killin', the captain do it herself. But she promise, after you dead, I get your carcass. I gonna leave it where street dogs can eat it. Den crows and seagulls pick at what left, den the rats come. I goin' to watch and curse your bones, den burn and grind dem up into corpse powder. Each member of da crew be wearin' your ol' bones to ward 'gainst the evil eye. How you like dat, traitor?" Ioan swallowed through a suddenly constricted throat, then turned and ran. Behind him, he heard Africa's deep booming laugh.

" Uhm toosh t' Phwtic" Takes a sip of tea to wash down the toast. "It's hard to toast someone with your mouth full of toast." Gives Jacky a sideways glanse, then a wink. "Didn't say Patrick had a flaw, luv. Just making an observation."

Both! Where is that dang book, anyways? **In the worst two-year-old tantrum rant** ...iwantmybook...iwantmybook...iwantmybook.... There, is that whine-y enough?

While the crew and myself made the Rakehell ready to unload, I kept glansing over at the Relentless, waiting to see what Jacky would do. He knew the port, the Navarros and the wharves. When the Relentless approached the docks, I'd give orders to follow and tie up close to her. I also wished we had at least one person on board who spoke Spanish. Waving arms, and pantomime hand signals wouldn't help much if a problem came up. Red Cat and Nate were getting ready to climb back down into the hold. Nate, whose true identity and background I still didn't know, and about who I still had doubts, despite his jolly facade and annoying grin. "Oi, Nate. You sure you don't speak Spanish? I could use an interpreter right about now."

I raise a brow and give Jacky a rather tipsey version of THE LOOK. "Are you daft, man, you don't use a fine weapon such as this to open a wine bottle. Like as not you'd end up wacking off the neck of the bottle and waste a good Cabernet." With what dexderity I have left, I whip from behind the bar a little devise known as The Rabbit. In a twinkling, I have Jacky's bottle open and two glasses poured. "Here you go, luv." I raise my glass. "To Nate, Roberts, Silkie, Red Cat...and you luv" ...I lean over and give Jacky a peck on the cheek..."my sailing companions and good friends. Salute! See you all at the 3000 posts party." "Now, where's the snacks?"

Papa Murphy's take and bake pizza Four days on the coast — ahhhh, perfect. Lou and Mildred, live-aboards on the Aquarius, friends in the Charleston, OR. marina. The crew of the PHSB — 2000 posts!

Pirates! One track minds, whot?

Awww, Sikie.