Bess Haggardy

Capture of gun number one. The second gun is a harrowing tale and a lady never tells her secrets. Come now! We've been waiting three full days for this tale! Do tell...PLEASE

Dutch, How did the fundraising go for the CSF at the Blackbeard Pirate Fest?

God's Teeth, Woman! This isn't a beauty contest! How would you like to toil over a hot pot of some sort of crud for 12 hours a day?!

I knew it! I even went back to read the thread to be sure! Wow tis amazing and very regal! You will look bewitching! My wee one likes it but she has assured me I cannot wear it as it is a collectible item..I have taught her to well... Well, do tell you're little one that Mistress McKinney only demands the best. She being a bit vain in her appearence will be the very down fall of my poor Master. (**SIGH**) Besides, when she's not about, I like to try on some of her finery...did you know she's got a matching muff, too?! Shameful, she is!

A Damn Fyne Pyrate...

Oooo! Cannot wait for the telling of those tales, Kate. As far as you smelling funny...what do you expect?! Tis your own damn fault for sharing the drive with a 'wet dogge'!

Hmm…now that be a good question! (Bess ponders a bit). I do manage the kitchen and the buttery for Captain Sterling. He gives me an allowance to furnish the household with goods and stocks of meats. (Turns and looks over her shoulder to see if the Captain is about). But there be many a penny saved if you know how to haggle with the Butcher and the Baker. Tis a sin what the Butcher charges for a side of mutton not to mention the price for a loaf of bread! I dare say that pig trotters are just as good and when mixed in a stew, who would be the knowing of it? Day old bread along with cheap port and a few moldy potatoes…no one knows the difference?! With the money I save the household…I can manage to steal away for a trip or two…and the Captain need not know of any of this. Snugs the word!

Fancy that?!? I was ravished by mercenaries! Lucky gal that I am!

Of course, Sean...and Joshua too. I guess I'll end up cooking for all the crewe! Here, do you think rusty bacon and beans will do?

Oh My...Here, I think I have a liniment that will set you right as rain! Now...this won't hurt as much as the fall did...

Here I come to save thee Cap... Wait...now that become a suethsayer/midwife/healer...I might as well look after your sick wife first. Last we left her she was throwing up like crazy! Hmm..what to do...what to do...what to do!!!

Thank you Ransom...Bess is quite a handful...just ask poor young Mr. Davis and Master Swanson!

Shouts down into the cellar..." Serves ye right, Mr. Davis! I should have beaten thee with me broom or spoon before I tossed ya down into that pit!" Wipes her hands upon her apron. "Now...where did I put that spoon?" I put up with no guff! Lookie here at the last man who pushed his luck

Abbi looked about the cottage. “No sign of the two of them anywhere?” She said to herself. “My word, if I were young and fancied another, where would I be off to?” In addition, with that Abbi shut the cottage door behind her. Bess suddenly realized that young Mr. Davis was a bit more randy than she had come to realize. It was bad enough stealing away from Abbi to the old Mill, but now she found herself lying with him amongst the bales and sacks of finished stock and trying her best to stay a ‘good girl’. “Nathan?” She whispered in between kisses. “Do you not wish to go back to the cottage? I am sure that Abbi will be…” “Shh…” was all he said. Young Mr. Davis did stop, but only to removed Bess’ cap and let her hair flow freely. “Very pretty.” He whispered softly before he claimed another kiss. It didn’t take long before Bess found herself within his embrace once more. Abbi slowly opened the door to the Mill walked slowly down the narrow pathway towards the stone. She held lamp high and continued towards the strange sounds coming from the stockpile. As Abbi held up her lamp, she quickly startled the young couple. “Here! We’ll have none of that here!” Both Bess and young Mr. Davis quickly sat up from the sacks that they laid on. With hair tussled, shirt a skewed, and stays half-undone they quickly gathered themselves together. “I am ashamed at the two of you!” Said Abbi turning her back so the two of them could claim themselves decent. “In the mill…of all things!” Once again Abbi shook her head. “And to think I have a perfectly good room upstairs for such a thing. All you two had to do is ask.”

Bess walked with young Mr. Davis to the Mill. The night air was quiet and she could hear the ocean in the distance. But there was something that was pressing on her heart. It was then she decided to speak it. Bess quickly grabbed on to young Mr. Davis’ arm. “You’ve proved yourself to me and to Abbi. Do not be a fool and risk your life for something you know nothing about.” With a smile young Mr. Davis smoothed Bess’ cheek once more. “No need to fear Bess. I am sure that Abbi will tell us more of her husband’s tale and as for being foolish…never!” Bess could only give him a concern look. “Do not fret Bess my sweet.” Said Young Mr. Davis and he opened the door to the mill. “I would never do anything that would jeopardize any of us.” And with that he kissed her passionately

Bess pulled back from the unexpected kiss. She could feel her face flush with crimson as she bashfully looked down at her apron. “Um…I think we best get back to the Mill.” Her response was one that didn’t surprise young Mr. Davis, but he was hoping for a little more passion. Bess walked aside her new found companion giving way to bashful looks and quick, nervous smiles. Sensing a personal moment between the two young people, "God bless em." Thought Abbi, as she quickened her pace in returning to the mill. "... but heaven help us, with the trouble that lies ahead.." “Hurry up the two of you!” Shouted Abbi as she continued to push her way through the over growth. “Keep up, you never know that they will be back.” “I find that hard to believe Abbi, for I am sure I can take the lot of them!” Abbi stopped and turned around to look at young Mr. Davis. “Proud as a peacock, you are! Do not be too sure of yourself, young man. We are not dealing with any ordinary ruffians. These are men who would kill you so much as look at you.”

It had been over a half an hour since Bess, young Mr. Davis and Abbi gave chase after the rouges who invaded the old mill. Young Mr. Davis quickened his pace as Bess tried to keep up with him and Abbi, trying as may, to keep up with the two of them. Soon the two of them stopped after they heard Abbi shout up to them. “Enough! I cannot go any further!” It was then young Mr. Davis and Bess quickly turned their attentions to Abbi. They found her perched on a log next to the path. She was breathing heavy as she tried to catch her breath. “I am not full of piss and vinegar as I use to be.” She said as Bess and young Mr. Davis stood in front of her. “I am glad that neither of you were injured in the row. Let us go home and pitch that damn fool’s body into the sea.” Bess looked horrified. “Do you not fear that those two will not come back for him?” She said holding Abbi’s hand. “Nay child, they saw the deed which was done by young Mr. Davis’ hand. They not be back, not for him.” Young Mr. Davis looked at the two women. “Abbi, what exactly did they want?” “A key,” Bess replied. “They took possession of a key that was hidden in Abbi’s bible.” Young Mr. Davis crossed his arms and looked down at Abbi. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with those stories Doctor Reiley’s been telling me about your husband’s adventures, would it?” Abbi looked up at young Mr. Davis and smiled. “Every one of those tales are as true as the Gospel itself! I lived with my husband for near two and twenty years and we never kept a thing from one another…except this one thing. He said if he were to tell me the whole story, my life would be in peril.” “Well, Abbi, he didn’t and yet you and Bess were surely in trouble this tonight! Come now, back to the mill and we will see what tales that dead man will tell us.” The three of them started walked back to the old mill. Bess reached for young Mr. Davis’ hand. “Thank you.” She muttered. “Thank you for saving us.”

“Mister Davis!” Said Bess in amazement as watched the wretched man flee. There stood Mister Davis, bewildered and stunned, and showing only signs of his deed upon his hands and coat. It was then Mister Davis finally heard the sweet voice of Bess crying out in surprise. Bess wrapped her arms about him tightly, as if she would never let go of him. “How? When did you …” It was Abbi’s voice to quickly alarm the young couple as they witnessed the two other men fleeing from the house. “Just don’t stand there, Boy!” She cried picking up a large petal. “We best be after them!” Bess suddenly felt a pang of horror thinking that she would loose him to such unfair numbers. “I will not let you leave without me!” She muttered. It was then the three of them quickly took to the task of chase!

Thawck! ...there you go!

Both the women glanced over at the young man as he held up Abbi’s bible. “Here, you tell me that old man read the Holy Book?” Bess watched Abbi’s face drain of it’s’ color when he tossed it over to the other young man. “Here, show some respect!” yelled Abbi as she forward to the hearth. It was then the Bible slipped from the young man’s hands and the book fell open upon the floor. “There it is!" Shouted the old troll as he quickly bent over and picked up a key which was hidden inside the book. “Your husband wasn’t cleaver enough, Abbi. He done us out of a good deal of wealth and died before we could antee it up. Now we’ll be the riches men upon this island!” Laughter from the three of them filled the room. “Now, you are gon’a tell us what this key opens and where the treasure is, aren’t you?” Abbi could only nod her reply. Bess could only watch. It was then she saw Abbi slowly move towards the large caldron that was on the fire. “Quickly Bess, serve the men as I said.” With a nod of her head, Abbi pointed towards the table. “Come and sit.” Shouted Bess as she tried to take command of the room. “The meal shall be done shortly. I have ale for you all.” The men stopped their destructive behavior and took a seat at the table. As Bess served the men, Abbi quickly brought over the bread and cheese. “Now, would anyone like anything else?” Bess asked as she quickly looked about the table. Abbi’s hand drove into the pocket of her apron, a knife hidden within. As the men quickly indulged themselves in their drinks, Bess smiled cheerfully. “Good.” She said with a nod, she quickly brought down the pitcher upon the head of the old troll. “That’s for not saying thank you!”

^ Gosh that's easy! Clumsy and Blunt. I'll do or say almost anything for a laugh < Pitched the cat outside and needs to get something to eat...it's late! V Fancy Feathers in hats or hair?

Bess reared back in disgust as the troll continued his lectures pursuits of her. “Here, let her be!” Cried out Abbi as she quickly stood from her chair. “If it is food you wish, I shall gladly bring it to thee. Please, I beg you. Do not harm her. She is nothing more than a child.” The troll held tight to Bess and he watched Abbi plead her demands. “Very well,” the troll said. He paused for a moment then leaned in close and licked her cheek. “I can wait for me dessert.” Then he released Bess tossing her over towards Abbi. Bess looked horrified as the three men took over the room tossing items back and forth as if they were looking for something of importance. Bess inched her way over to Abbi slowly as if to make sure she did nothing to draw her attention. Abbi quickly thrusted a pitcher into Bess’ hands. “Pour them a drink and make sure they have bread and cheese. I will bring the meat out soon enough.” As she watched Abbi walk towards the fire she then saw the old woman slip something into her apron. It was then one of the younger boys shouted. “Here! What’s this?”

Abbi Crane watched Bess closely as she stoked the fire once again. Night was falling and the nights were getting colder. “You seem wistful, Dear, what be upon yer mind this evening?” With a smile, Bess managed to wipe her face with her apron and shook off the comment. “Oh, is it the young Mr. Davis that still captures your thoughts?” Bess giggled. Was it that obvious? Abbi placed down her sewing. “Mind you Bess; he is in a good place, safe with those he knows around him. There be no need to fear. He is a kind lad, he is. Count your blessing, Bess. If it weren’t for the kind heart of Master Reiley and young Mr. Davis, you would be at the mercy of the streets!” Bess looked stunned. “Oh, Mistress Crane! I am very grateful, indeed!” It was then Abbi motioned the girl over to her. “I know you are, Bess. I’m also grateful that you have come to live with me. I’ll have good company when the rainy season starts. Not many people come this way then. It’s the roads. They wash out so quickly. I am old, Bess and a friendly face such as yours is good company. How I miss Master Crane.” Bess gathered her arms about the plump old woman and hugged her.

"The greatest crime in the world is not developing your potential. When you do what you do best, you are helping not only yourself, but the world.” Roger Williams Founder of the First Baptist Church of American

Okay...going out here on a limp..."Nancy Boy"