Dillard

I slapped Nate on the back. "Come on, we'll find you a berth to stow your belongings, while you wait for us to get closer to the doldrums," I chuckled and turned toward the hatch.

I turned to Nate, "Don't worry, he doesn't usually shoot the messenger!" I paused, "Of course there was this time he set one adrift near the doldrums?"

Many of the crew had collapsed in their hammocks, from exhaustion. Silkie's constant singing and duty assignments had taken their toll. I didn't want to admit it, but she had gotten the Relentless in ship shape, in short order. Just as I was about to surrender to sleep myself, she started to sing, again! I grabbed a blanket from my sea chest, wrapped it tightly around my head, almost cutting off the air I needed to breath; there are worse things then suffocating, I thought.

Tunney looked over the side of the Rakehell, and I shouted, "I have some fresh provisions sitting in the sun here. Lend me hand mate." Tunney motioned to some deck hands and we started to unloaded the jolly boat. I pointed to the barrel of ale. "Compliments of Mister Tar." Tunney, with a broad grin on his face, climbed down to tie it off and hoist it aboard. With no sign of Nate returning, I said to Tunney, "I have to get back to the Relentless, give my regards to Africa." With that I shoved off and headed back to the Relentless.

"Aye sir, I can do that." I have had enough of Havana, for one day. After a day like today I was glad to get back on board the Relentless, with Silkie singing or not. "Nate, are you ready to go? I'm going to start loading up the jolly boat." I bowed to Ransom, "Ma'am!"

I scowled at Silkie, as I left the Relentless. She smiled at me, sang louder and blew me a kiss. I have never been so glad to get off the ship in my life. Mister Tar moved to the stern of the jolly boat, and I pushed us away from the Relentless. He had just relieved me as first mate, and yet he was taking me ashore. The small sail caught the breezes as we tacked in to port.

After we had filed out of the brig, Roberts was about to shove the two remaining dutch sailors into the cell. I said, "I'll vouch for them, they were blameless." Roberts shot me a look that said, who'll vouch for you? I moved out of his way, when Mister Tar shouted from behind him, "Belay that Roberts. Listen up, Roberts is me actin' first mate. Dillard ye'll fall in wit' the crew."

grotto (cool underwater cave)

Something was happening on the main deck, I could of sworn I heard Mister Tar. "Must have been dreaming." Stones, Smithe, an Jonesy were aware something was afoot, too. If Spoons or one of his lackeys would just get close enough to this cage... Someone was coming!

To Miss Rosy Palm "U + Ur Hand" by Pink http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTMT5B6Fw5s

I waited for Roberts to descend into the hold, and kicked the main hatch closed, so it hit him in the back of the head; I heard his body tumble down the steps and hit the deck below. I wrestled with my remaining bonds and pulled the gag from my mouth, "Sorry, Mister Roberts I can't have you killing anymore crew. Someone has to sail this ship!" By my count and the bodies on deck, Roberts had helped slay Jonas, and slain Drake and Van Natten (the crewman who had tied me up). Unaccounted were: Stones, Jonesy, Smithe, Spoons, Templeton, Joseph P., Sullivan, Jackson and Perkins. I opened the hatch, and peered into the hold. Roberts was laying at the bottom of the steps. I grabbed a length of rope and went below. I removed Roberts weapons, and tied his hands behind his back. Unlike Van Natten, I could tie a few knots that would secure Roberts, until I could find some irons. I hoped I wouldn't need the irons or have to leave Roberts tied up. But until I could reason with him, this was for his own protection, as much as the remaining crew.

I turned to the crewman who had struck Mister Tar, "That was not called for. I told you to prevent him from drawing his pistol." The man shrugged and knuckled his forehead. Jonas was gathering up the personal arms, of those not in the know, including our guest's. "Smithe, go below and make sure Roberts and Stones are locked up. Then stand watch in front of Mister Tar's quarters." I took the helm, we were about to round the western tip of Hispaniola.

"Belay that last order, Smithe." Mister Tar's head swung around in my direction, his expression one of shock and disbelief. "Sir, I respectfully request you retire to your quarters," I shouted. "We will not tie our fate to that of the Rakehell." Before Mister Tar could go fer his pistol, or protest, a new crew member struck him accross the back of the head, wit' a belayin' pin. He fell t' the deck, in a heap.

With Mister Tar at the helm, we were ready t' leave port. I was ready to give the orders, to get underway. "Silkie, hoist the signal flag, we're ready to make sail. Then join the lads aloft, and prepare to drop the main sails." "Alright lads, topmen aloft to the gallant yard, and let's loose the topsails." "Smithe, secure that jolly boat to the stern, and join Jonesy, and the lads aloft to drop the main sheets." "Stones, prepare to weigh anchor, have your crew grab their handspikes and man the capstan." Aye, it would be a good day aboard the Relentless, today! "You there on the leeward side, help pull the slack out of that line." With the anchor secured, and the wind in our main sails, we were underway at last.

I knew Spoons was right, but I didn't have to like it. I left the galley and returned top side. I spyed the sail of the jolly boat. Aye, Mister Tar would be aboard shortly.

I had to get away from her blasted singing, doesn't even sing chanties! So I went below deck to the galley. Spoons was busy at his craft, but had left some fruit on the table. I pulled out my knife to carve up a mango. "Damn strumpet, she's up on deck, singing. I have half a mind to toss her over board, and let her folick with that seal we saw the other day." Spoons, didn't respond. "Why didn't Mister Tar demand she sail with the other women aboard the Rakehell?"

Captain Ransom's response, was not unexpected given all that was said, but who did she confer with to reach her final decision? I replied to her refusal, and said, "I will tell Mister Tar that you do not require his assistance." I shoved the papers into my coat, and headed for the gang plank. The man she call Africa, gave me a stern look. His words had better be idle chatter, or I'd drop him where he stood. As I walked down the gang plank, I thought, 'Generosity is always met with suspicion, by this lot.' My blood was boiling, and I didn't look back. The Rakehell was trouble, Spoons was right, we must watch Mister Tar's back where she was concerned. I walked briskly in the direction of the jolly boat.

What ever charms she had shown to Mister Tar, they were absent today. She was ill tempered, paranoid, and lacked good sense. She probably kept vipers in that bodice of hers. 'Good lord, Dillard!' I thought, 'A women you didn't want to take to bed! That was something to write in my journal.'

Intranet (corporate information)

"Where would you like me to wait?" So, it was her pride that fueled her temper. No implied or contract debt, just foolish pride.

I looked at Ransom, with disbelief, Mister Tar's terms were generous. "May I be so bold, Captain Ransom, to address your concerns of indeptedness?" She nodded, so I said, "Mister Tar offers all these letters of credit, free and clear, except for the gun powder. He had to pay hard currency for that note, and he just asks that you return the unused gun powder, at the end of the voyage."

I was pacing a bit, when I spied Captain Ransom on deck, she looked puzzled to see me. "Mister Tar has sent me with letters of credit for provisions for the Rakehell. I believe he included a letter, with his terms. Some of the letters for supplies, are grants. One letter of credit is for gun powder, and I believe if the powder is unused... well the terms are all here." I held out the leather bound letters, and waited for her response.

Deja vu, I was standing on the dock in front of the Rakehell, again. At the rail, of the main deck was a large fierce looking black man. I hailed him, "Ahoy, crew of the Rakehell!" The man turned and looked through me, and said, "Wat you want wid dis ship!" Not wanting my voice to crack, I cleared my throat, an replied, "I have papers for Captain Ransom, is she aboard?" He paused, and said, "You stay dare!"

"Roberts, if you would be so kind, move to the front of the boat." He grunted and shifted forward, and took the first available, next to Mister Tar. "Prepare to cast off!" The starboard oarsman, pushed us away from the Relentless. The oarsmen struck their oars into the water, which was smooth as glass, an we headed for the docks. A light breeze came up, and I had the lads secure their oars. This jolly were a lugger and had one fixed mast. "Let's hoist the lugsail mates." The sail was hoisted, it quickly caught the breeze, and we schooned along towards shore. We didn't need to dock her, and could run her right up on shore. The lads could easily pull her up on the sand. Mister Tar didn't object and that's just what I did.

Mister Tar hailed me, an I said, "Permission to disembark, sir." He replied, "Permission t' come aboard, an permission granted t' disembark." He hadn't mentioned he was going to join us, there was room, an I wasn't about to deny him passage. "Aye, lads make room for Mister Tar." He quickly boarded an sat in front of the oarsmen, an I manned the helm. I looked up to the main deck, and shouted, "Ahoy, is Roberts on deck?"