Bloody Bill Flint

Their grinning expressions told him that mutiny was probably the whole point, and they didn't intend to hang for it. The man on the deck rose and collected his knife, intending to finish what he'd started.

He sidestepped Bobstay so as not to be caught in the middle of the two. "This is mutiny, you'll all hang!" he hissed.

Unfortunately, the heavy breathing was from someone behind him. He spun to face the new adversary, but a sharp rap from a belaying pin across his wrist forced him to drop his weapon.

A quick kick to the ribs left the man writhing in pain. He drew his pistol, "How many more?" was all he said.

The blood pooled at his feet causing the deck to look eerily dark in the moonlight. He stooped and checked the body for any signs of life, knowing he would probably find none.

Meal Ready to Eat Meatball and Marinara type One Ea.

Sad thing is this actually beats the stuff KBR has been cranking out in the chow hall lately.

Being a well travelled foodie, there's so many but I'll list a few of my faves.

Vallejo's in Sacramento, CA: best Chile Relleno you'll ever have

The Brick in Roslyn, Wa: It's a bit out of the way but the food service and beer is worth the trip

Ford's in Sacramento, CA: Little burger joint behind the strip mall on Sutterville and Freeport across from Land Park. You've gotta try the 1lb. burger

Johnny Reb's in Victorville, CA: Best BBQ this side of the Mississippi

A Taste of Texas in West Columbia, TX: They've got a patty melt to die for

Hyde's in Poplar Bluff, MO: all you can eat catfish and shrimp. need I say more?

Dock's Knot Inn also in Poplar Bluff: great seafood and steaks

The Purple Cow also in PB: You've never lived until you've had a grape milkshake.

Lambert's in Sykeston, MO: part resturant, part floor show. Down home cooking in generous portion(read that skillet sized). All you can eat side dishes. Bottomless beverages served in 44 oz. trucker mugs. Be prepared to catch the freshest, best tasting dinner rolls you've ever had from halfway across a dining room the size of a football field. On the same token watch out for low flying rolls when moving about.

Flint quietly stepped out and returned to the surgery. He noticed a small amount of blood had seeped through his dressings. But it was not much, at least not near as much as there should have been. He removed his used dressings and examined his wounds. Though the appeared to be healing at a rate normal for him, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over him since he awoke to find himself being prepared for burial. He should be more fatigued and bleeding from his exertions, but was not. Was he possessed by some manner of devil as the crew had suggested? Bill sat on the hammock he previously occupied, alone with his thoughts.

Congrats to all

Bill had scarcely settled into his berth back in the surgery when Charlie Goddon burst in.

"Mistress, come quick it's Master Whit-" his sentenced died on his lips as he realized that, one, the doctor was out, and two, he was faced with Bill Flint. After having heard the stories passing around the crews quarters of Mr. Flint he found he liked being alone with him even less than Preston.

"She's in the Ward Room, what's wrong with Pew?" Bill queried?

"He's dreadful sick sah" Goddon somehow found the courage to say

"Where is he?"

"In his cabin sah"

"well you know where to find here , now go"

Charlie knuckled his brow and hurried out. Bill rose and made for Preston's cabin. The two Marines guarding the door paledat his approach.

"Begging pardon sah, no one's to enter save the Cap'n and those he appoints." Robert Jameson said nervously.

Bill gave a look that brooked no argument and the Marines stood aside. Inside he found Preston doubled over and heaving onto the floor. Flint knelt beside him.

"what've you gotten yourself into this time mate?"

Bill sat in silence. His gaze wondered around the table. Most would not meet it, and the few that dared quickly looked away. Even Nathaniel looked uncomfortable to be in his presence.

"They think I'm mad", he thought. Then again mayhaps they were correct. No, he'd felt the frost on the ground in the meadow and Tammanend's breath on his face. He had been in the Hunting Grounds. Flint wiped his face and excused himself. Brocke made to assist him but Flint waved him away. "Nathaniel you shall serve in my stead til such time as our good doctor shall pronounce me fit for duty again" Brocke knuckled his brow and Flint made his way slowly and painfully towards the surgery.

Bill chewed slowly while he considered the Captain's words. Mr. Lasseter didn't seem at all shocked by what Flint had said.

"Before I return to the surgery sar, I must say one thing more."

The others drew save the captain drew back a bit wondering what new madness was about to erupt from the Master-at-Arms.

"Captain it's not that it was not yet my time to go, I was sent back."

"No, Bill..." Brocke began, but Bill cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"The spirit of the great sachem Tammanend sought me out in the space between Life and Death and offered me my life again in exchange for returning the tomahawk to it's rightful place. I was hopeful that once our business is concluded in Martinique we might inspect the company's holdings in Manhattan. I understand you can give no answer now, but I would like it to merit the consideration of the company."

Lady B if'n it's a special occasion yer waitin' on I have a list of lesser known holidays you can celebrate. I'd be happy to help with the celebrating if it means that rum is getting opened.

It disconcerted the Matser-at-Arms that Dorian seemed to be delaying with the business of Mr. Pew. It was if he wanted to hear Bill out first. Very well then Flint sighed to himself. If the Captain was to learn that he may have a lunatic on his hands better it be in the prescence of the ship's doctor.

"Captain Lasseter," he announced quite abruptly," I was dead and have returned to you from the Great Beyond."

Beside him Nathaniel Brocke nearly choked on his food before a slap across the shoulders from Bill's large hand set him aright. The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Bill wanted badly to speak to the captain about his expiriences in the past day or so, but he feared his reputation in such mixed company, never mind that the captain may think him mad. So instead he blurted out "What's this about Preston?"

Brocke and Flint made their way into the ward room and Bill was helped to a chair. Miss Ashcombe started at their sudden appearance.

"Begging your pardon Miss Jenny, I'm just here to see the Cap'n" Bill said.

Barkeep, Areed Chai Hesse!

For those of you that enjoy hunting dinosaurs. May I suggest the Howdah pistol. It is available as a double barrel pistol, shotgun, or pistol-shotgun

combination. Unless you live in one the six states that does not believe in The Bill of Rights you can purchase this fine weapon on-line.

Best place to find 'em is the Dixie Gun Works. www.dixiegunworks.com . FYI Pedersoli just released a beautiful limited edition one with Damascus barrels.

I'm not sure if this truly qualifies, but I've always loved the movie Time Bandits. It's got time travel and mixing of cultures, especially in the final battle against evil, and what's not to love about a movie that stars a criminal organization composed entirely of little people?

Bill grumbled in his sleep once more about his ruined vest and then came to. He slowly gained his feet and carefully made his way on deck. All work in his immediate vicinity stopped as sailors looked on slack jawed. More than a few crossed themselves and uttered prayers for protection from the supposed fiend that had just crawled up on deck.

"What're you apes gawking at? Back ta work!' Bill snarled, the effort costing him. His hand flew to his side where the pain was most manifested and he coughed, noting flecks of crimson on the back of his hand.

"Sah!" Nathaniel Brocke practically flew to his superiors side "Feeling better I hope?"

"Aye a bit lad, where's the Cap'n?" Flint asked

"He's with Mister Pew" and Brocke wore and uneasy look as if he'd said too much already

Flint raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Best I let the Cap'n tell it sah."

"Agreed then, be so kind to help me to the Ward room so I might await his audience" Flint said

Brocke obliged and ducked under the Master-At-Arms shoulder, and together they slowly and painfully made way across the deck to the stares of more than a few crewmen.

Brocke stood dumbfounded

"Sah, we swept the enemy afore us as we took the deck, do ye not see? When Mister Flint were shot no man of the snow would have been positioned to fire on his back!"

Dorian found Nathaniel Brocke at his elbow.

"Sah. I've sumthin' ta report regardin' Mister Flint sah"

"Go on lad" the captain urged him.

"Well sah, the lady docta, she says she musta cut at least twelve balls from him, and well.....she says he were shot in the back three of 'em"

McCormick and Hudless knelt next to each other, the better that they may further conspire, as they'd had been giving the task by Mr. Johnson of scrubbing The Lucy's bloody deck clean.

"Fine lot o' good that did us." McCormick muttered

"Perhaps if your aim'd been truer." Stephen Hudless shot back

"I shot 'im three fekkin' times! 'More'd ye want?" Jonas countered

When Hudless didn't answer McCormick continued his rant

"How was I to know he had the strength of a bloody ox? I suppose I could've cut him down with a blunderbuss but that'd been a bit obvious don' ya think!?

Stephen shrugged "Well, now we must think of something else."

Dorian heard movement and a cleared throat behind him. He turned to face several of the Lucy's crewmen lead by Jonas McCormick and Stephen Hudless. Captain Lasseter didn't like the looks of this at all, especially with these two instigators leading the fray. McCormick spoke first

"It's not natural Sah"

The Capitain raised an iquisitive eyebrow

"The Master-at-Arms sah" replied Hudless "Just rising up from the dead and walking away."

There was grumbled assent among the gathered men.

"We should not suffer such evil to walk amongst us" someone in the back offered.

Bill coughed and came to his senses. He sat up fully under his own power much to the amazement of the ship's doctor and those presently gathered. The movement caused a ball that had but scarcely made penetration drop free of his flesh.

"Aw Christ Almighty," croaked Bill," I jus' bought this vest."

Whispers were beginning to circulate amongst the crew that the Master-of-Arms was posessed by a demon. Flint slowly found his feet and two of the braver souls among the throng rushed in to help him.

"S'alright lads, I'm not shot below the waist" he muttered.

He nodded toward the surgeon "Madame I shall see you below" and he stumbled off to the surgery.