Jacky Tar

I knew the crew was restless, an some a bit worried. Although standin' on the bridge wit' Stones, the big man seemed quite content, an not nervous at all.

"Stones" I said, "Not worried 'bout wot lies ahead?" He looked almost pensive, fer a minute, an then he smiled, "No, sir."

I nodded, an remarked, "We'll that makes two o' us!" Now if we can get everyone else on board, I thought, as I gazed over at the Rakehell.

The weather, on Saturday, at Ojai was great. I spent most o' the day in the company o' the Tales of the Seven Seas (TO7S) crew, an they are a grand group indeed.

The pub's own Red-handed Jill, an her Jack, head up Bang and Boom (part o' the TO7S encampment); Bang and Boom, had the loudest cannons at the Faire.

Mister Smee (of TO7S) gave navigation lessons, Lola gave stick fightin' lessons, while the camp's duck seemed t' attract more than his fair share o' attention ('fore returnin' t' his hotel room)!

Aye, an Ransom, an her first mate Chain Shot were on hand too (also, members o' the TO7S, an good mates).

The encampments, like Tales of the Seven Seas, an their willingness t' interact wit' the faire goers, make faires like Ojai very special events.

Better late then never, Happy Belated Birthday Rumba!

Italian Deli

(Now I'm hungry!)

I hope t' see a few new faces, on Saturday... as I'll be hidin' from the familiar ones...

We had lost sight o' land, an the sun was quickly settin' behind us. Would be a full moon t'nite, an the waters were eerily calm.

"Mister Dillard!" I shouted, "Light the lanterns, don't want the other ship t' lose us durin' the night!"

No spectral lights in the water. No bumps in the nite. Thankfully, no unwanted guests, least not the deceased ones.

Thanks t' Stynky, the pub is a float again.

The pub may need a little paint, but it's back!

I heard Silkie's words, an uttered a few references of me own 'bout the lost souls in these waters. "Aye, lass I've heard tales 'bout them wot' doesn't know they're dead. The ones who still cling t' this world, an whose very souls are bound t' the wrecks in these waters."

Stones lit his pipe, an I said, "The spirits that haunt these waters, like the smoke from Stones' pipe, are harmless apparitions mostly." But I knew that wasn't the full truth of it.

Stones had nodded in agreement, wit' me explanation; but Silkie seemed t' be excited 'bout the prospects of an encounter wit' ghosts, harmless or not.

Belated wishes, Rogue Mermaid.

Thirty is a grand one, indeed. So, I guess the surprise party means ye won't be needin' any new cabin boys?

"Fortified wine, or punch is it?" I give the Spaniard, the once over, "Ye look familiar, Tomas." I chuckle, "I'll be havin' some o' that Madeira, if ye please."

"Keep a weathered eye out." I said t' Stones, "If the winds stay steady, we should catch a glimpse o' the Dry Tortugas, t'morrow."

I shouted t' Dillard, "Go below, an take an accounting o' our fresh water stores. They'll be no fresh water t' be had in the Dry Tortugas."

It appeared that the Rakehell's repairs had held, thus far. 'Course the Dry Tortugas, have served as a graveyard fer healthier ships, durin' bad weather. We hoped fer the best, an prayed fer good weather.

(Aye, when live gives ye alligators, make ...)

Handbags!

Tall ships was a grand event indeed! The weather was perfect, and the locals were friendly.

The Port Royal Privateers (wit' yers truly in tow) took over the HMS Bounty, on Saturday, wit' out firin' a shot! This grand ship, an her crew, welcomed us wit' open arms. In point o' fact, the second officer kept huggin' us. If all ships were this friendly, pirates would still be sailin' on tall ships!

"Well then, I just saved yer life." I said, somberly. "It was the last man that played a prank on Stones wot' got lashed t' that anchor!"

I responded t' the conversation 'tween Silkie an Stones, wit' mock surprise; it had been some time since Stones had lashed anyone t' an anchor. "I believe it's the captain's prerogative whom we sink aboard this vessel!" Stones replied, "Aye, Suh."

I grabbed Silkie by the arm t' lead her away, an whispered in hush tones, "An I'd appreciate it, if ye didn't flirt wit' the crew!"

"Stones sink." she grinned back at the man.

"So do Silkies, when lashed t' an anchor." Stones muttered.

I turned t' Silkie, "That won't be necessary, lass." I pulled a small pebble from me pocket, that's center glowed red, an showed it t' Silkie. Wit' out further explanation, I shoved it back in t' me pocket.

"Of course, if ye feel ye must get wet, Stones can help ye in t' the water!" Silkie turned an saw Stones grinning.

I turned me attention, back t' the Rakehell, "'Course, we'll honor yer distress call!" I shouted back. "Unless, she keeps crossin' our bow, wit' out regard t' our vessel's course." I muttered.

"The Rakehell is coming up fast on our Starboard, sir!" Dillard shouted.

"Are her gun ports open?" I said, t' which Dillard replied, "No, Mister Tar."

Thankful fer that, we waited t' see wot' were their intentions.

As they came along side, Ransom shouted that Red Cat had fallen overboard, an Nate had set out t' retrieve her. T' which I replied, but not loud enough fer her t' hear, "More likely, Nate accidentally pushed her overboard!" Which brought a stifled chuckle from my crew.

In a louder voice, I shouted, "So says Nate, an ye gift him a boat, wit' no terms set fer it's return." I shook my head, "Fools bargain, Ransom." But I knew she was no fool, before I could say so, Africa pitched the Rakehell on her elbow, t' show us her hull near the water line.

"Yer luck is runnin' from bad t' worse, Ransom. There are no dry docks in this part o' the Caribbean, luv." Her options were limited, beach her vessel, or run the risk o' sinkin' in the open ocean, if her patches fail.

"I hav spare oak plankin', an it's yers fer the askin'. But we both know, ye need a boatyard an some shipwrights." I was saddened fer her, an shouted, "We're not far from the gulf coast, an I suggest ye head north, an seek it out."

"See the Rakehell has turned in t' the wind, t' allow the boat a safer launch." I said, "There's only one sailor in that boat! Whom would Ransom want off her ship bad enough t' give up a Jolly boat, which she may need?" I wondered out loud.

Dillard, replied, "I believe it's that sailor Nate, sir."

"Wot?" I stepped forward an snatched the spyglass, from Dillard.

"It would seem that Nate, has left someone behind, too." A figure standin' at the waist, had a pistol pointed at the sailor, in the boat. "An they seem t' be takin' exception wit' Nate goin' solo." I said, while gazin' through the spyglass.

I shook my head, an handed the spyglass back t' Dillard.

"Orders sir?" Dillard asked.

"Stay on our present course." I replied, "If Ransom, is willin' t' give up a boat, her ship must be more seaworthy than ye thought."

A Very Happy Birthday Rumba Rue!

May yer day be filled wit' all the things that bring ye joy, luv.

As Silkie went off in a huff, I muttered t' Stones, "Why couldn't we hav recruited a male selkie? Aye, I'm beginning t' come around t' Dillard's way o' thinkin'. Women aboard a ship bring bad luck, or worse." Stones nodded.

I continued my sermon 'fore the mast, "Women are temperamental, and unreliable anywhere aboard a ship, except the galley." Stones chuckled, an added, "They is a handful, suh."

"And like rats, once aboard, we must learn t' live wit' them." I said wit' a smirk. "Or, at the very least, keep their number in check!"

"Aye lass, I wouldn't mind seein' the faces o' Red Cat, an Roberts." I replied, "But we best keep Ransom, an her crew right where they are, lest we exchange more than words."

I smiled, "So, ye still hav a soft spot fer that fella Roberts, do ye?" I didn't expect an answer. "We're only a few days out, from our next anchorage. Mayhaps upon our arrival, saner heads will prevail, then we can resume bein' in hailing distance o' that ship."

"Silkie, since when were ye nervous 'bout goin' in t' the water, luv?" I sighed, "I'll hav yer back, even if I hav t' throw Dillard in the water t' watch it." Dillard winced, as Smithe shuffled him away.

I chuckled, "Ye know when the Spaniards netted ye, I thought Dillard might swim out t' rescue ye." Silkie gave me a doubtful glance. "Aye, it was the first time I've seen him express any concern, 'bout yer well being."

"By the bye, the ships in the Dry Tortugas might lie in as little as thirty feet o' water. If luck, or chance, favors us, ye may not need t' take yer other form. Sides, I've heard tell, ye can dive t' that depth in yer maiden form."

Red RAspberry JAm

(Very good on toAst, wit' A mochA!)

MochA CAppuccino