Black Nate

Nate had left the fancy sword in a corner of the rail, near where he was working. Captain Ransom appeared on deck and once she spoke, things went back to normal. Nate finished coiling some line and grabbed up the sword and approached her. "Ma'am, Sah, wanted ta make sure ya got this. Ya more deserve this than I." He held up the blade as he had before, balanced on his fingertips so she might take it and he could return to laying out lines and readying the ship to unload.

Cut my Rhum ration? Noooooooooo! We gonna sit around drinking tea an eating cinnamon toast listening ta poetry, are we? Wall, depends on th poetry er song I guess. Rhum for you Rhum for me We'll drink Rhum til we can't see!

Nate woke laying below deck, his jacket as a pillow and covered with a rough wool blanket. His head swam just a little bit, but as he sat up it cleared mostly. Nate got up and brushed himself off, gathered his pistol, cutlass, and fancy sword. He didn't remember all of last night, some things were foggy and dreamlike. He knew he had spent some time with Red Cat once they were back aboard the Rakehell, but Nate didn't remember more than a couple more drinks, some vague conversation and then it got foggy. Nate made his way on deck and into the sunshine, hoping he would see Red Cat and maybe she would give a hint as to what happened for the rest of the evening. Nate also needed to give the fancy sword to the captain as soon as he could. How it still remained in is possession only God knew.

Rum, Rum, Rum (sung to the tune of Fun, Fun, Fun the beach boys) Well her daddy's out late And he's late out, he's very tardy And though she's normally good Right now she's feeling a little bit naughty So she goes to the cupboard And pours herself a pint of Barcardi And she'll drink rum rum rum 'Til her daddy takes the bottle away (Rum rum rum 'til her daddy takes the bottle away) Well the girl is drinking Like she's chugging beer out of a can now (Out of a can now, out of a can now) And she don't like saki That warm stuff they drink in Japan now (Drink in Japan now, drink in Japan now) But her old man's back And you know what's gonna hit the fan now (Hit the fan now, hit the fan now) And she'll drink rum rum rum 'Til her daddy takes the bottle away (Rum rum rum 'til her daddy takes the bottle away) Well daddy's so angry That he's gone more than a little berserk now (He's gone berserk now, a little berserk now) Not what he expected To find returning from work now (Turning from work now, turning from work now) But she can't hold it in And there's carrot bits all over his shirt now (Over his shirt now, over his shirt) And she'll drink rum rum rum 'Til her daddy takes the bottle away (Rum rum rum 'til her daddy takes the bottle away) And she'll chuck rum rum rum over daddy till he takes it away (Rum rum rum now that daddy took the bottle away) repeat ad nauseam

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum Drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. The mate was fixed by the bosun's pike The bosun brained with a marlinspike And cookey's throat was marked belike It had been gripped by fingers ten; And there they lay, all good dead men Like break o'day in a boozing ken Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Fifteen men of the whole ship's list Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Dead and be damned and the rest gone whist! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! The skipper lay with his nob in gore Where the scullion's axe his cheek had shore And the scullion he was stabbed times four And there they lay, and the soggy skies Dripped down in up-staring eyes In murk sunset and foul sunrise Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Fifteen men of 'em stiff and stark Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Ten of the crew had the murder mark! Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! 'Twas a cutlass swipe or an ounce of lead Or a yawing hole in a battered head And the scuppers' glut with a rotting red And there they lay, aye, damn my eyes Looking up at paradise All souls bound just contrawise Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Fifteen men of 'em good and true Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! Ev'ry man jack could ha' sailed with Old Pew, Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! There was chest on chest of Spanish gold With a ton of plate in the middle hold And the cabins riot of stuff untold, And they lay there that took the plum With sightless glare and their lips struck dumb While we shared all by the rule of thumb, Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum! More was seen through a sternlight screen... Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum Chartings undoubt where a woman had been Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. 'Twas a flimsy shift on a bunker cot With a dirk slit sheer through the bosom spot And the lace stiff dry in a purplish blot Oh was she wench or some shudderin' maid That dared the knife and took the blade By God! she had stuff for a plucky jade Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. Fifteen men on a dead man's chest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum Drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. We wrapped 'em all in a mains'l tight With twice ten turns of a hawser's bight And we heaved 'em over and out of sight, With a Yo-Heave-Ho! and a fare-you-well And a sudden plunge in the sullen swell Ten fathoms deep on the road to hell, Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

Nate kept out of the way and watched as the captain headed to her quarters. He looked at the fancy weapon he still carried and wondered if he should find a way to give it to her now, or wait until the next day. Nate also watched as the commodore and Red Cat walked together, talking in low tones. he was about to call it a night and find his hammock when he saw Cat punch the commodore in the arm. He walked away form her as she continued to walk the deck with a smile on her face. Nate wondered not for the first time about her. She were an enigma, as was captain Ransom, but Red Cat was more so. She said she had a ship of her own, so she were a captain too. Both women dressed as men while aboard, and he assumed mostly all other times considering the discomfort they appeared to be in as they were dressed this evening. Nate knew they both felt naked without their weapons about their persons. Yet they both were able to be very much the Genteel Lady. Nate was sort of confused, but he took this to be the rum affecting him. Instead of trying to crack the enigmas, Nate decided he would spend the present time admiring the woman walking the deck in her fine dress.

Why commodore, tha's right nice o yer ta welcome me in verse. Thank ya fer th fine welcome! A toast back to ya!

Nate helped hold the boat steady as the Captain, Red Cat, and the Commodore climbed aboard the Rakehell. It was difficult keeping his eyes averted as the ladies climbed up the ladderway, but he did a fair job of it. Nate followed behind the commodore, gifted weapon under his arm. Words were passed between Ransom and Africa, Nate watched as the big moore looked at him, noticed the weapons in his hands and on his side with a disapproving stare. Nate took the hint and made himself scarce until called upon. He wanted to give the rapier to the captain, but wouldn't do so in front of the moore, so Nate would wait in the shadows watching until the time was right. Nate also watched Red Cat, hoping she might seek him out and keep him away from Africa.

Nate waited for the flask to come his way. He timed it right between strokes and got a snoot full of dark rum. He handed it off and continued to pull away, grinning at Red Cat, Nate nodded his thanks when she looked his way. No one else had picked up the shanty he was singing, so Nate let it lie. He glanced over his shoulder to see how far they were from the ship, wondering why it was taking so long to get there. Still, Nate didn't complain, he just kept on pulling and hummed the shanty to himself.

Nate helped the ladies into the boat the best he could and settled in himself. Once they were away from the docks he grinned again. "This be more like it now." The boat rocked some and Nate looked relieved. He patted his pistol and cutlass, and admired the gift given him. Nate noticed some looks shot his way, and although he was in his cups still, knew what the looks were for. He grabbed up a sweep and joined in pulling back to the ships. Nate began humming a shanty about then, a small grin on his face as he looked at his companions, settling more than once on the Red Cat.

Woooooooooooo!!!! Hundred thousand welcomes to ya, Lass!!!

As the commodore opened the door to the carriage, his three companions tumbled out onto the docks. Nate lay sprawled face up and seemed to be gripping the planks beneath him. "Father! Make it stop!" Nate finally let go of the dock and rubbed his eyes. Looking around and seeing where they were, he rolled over and stood shakily. After a moment he went to help the ladies up.

Cocoa rum balls? or

Sorry, it took me some time ta find it.

Fine weapon ya got there, capin! Polish it up? Looks ready for a fight as is, just keep it oiled and rust free. Ya could find another sword ta trade blows with, give it that been in action look, just file off any burrs. Treat it well an it'll treat you well, Ma'am!

It had been a very long time since Nate had gotten seasick, or otherwise sick, but the commodore's driving of the coach threatened to undo all that. Nate was trying to concentrate on keeping Red Cat and the captain, along with himself from bouncing off the roof or out of the carriage. On one bounce both swords in his possession seemed to float in mid air and he had to grab them fearing they might injure one of them when they landed. No one spoke aside from the occasional curse as they jostled and jolted along. Nate figured they were doing as he was, just trying to survive the trip to the docks.

Nate woke up with the final jolt of the carriage and tipped his hat back. He looked over and saw Red Cat snoozing away. The other two seats were vacant and the door open. "Looks like we be here ol' Nate, where ever here be." He sat up and stretched, grabbed hold of the side of the carriage for a moment to regain his balance and grinned. Looking at the sleeping form of the other passenger he smiled. Nate reached over and touched her arm and spoke in a low voice. "Wake up Miss Red Cat. . . . Lass, wake up, we've stopped an th capin n commodore are gone." He watched her as one eye popped open and surveyed her surroundings as a hand felt for where weapons should be. One hand reached down to bootknife. Nate sat back with his hands up. "Only ol' Nate Lass, tis well n good. I think we be safe, I think. I don't think we're at the docks, but we stopped." He waited for her to focus on him as the hand relaxed from the knife and both eyes opened. She yawned and stretched then, causing another grin from Nate.

Nate had settled back and closed his eyes, almost. He watched Red Cat through his eyelashes. Tonight had been very interesting so far. He very much enjoyed being with her, and she knew how to have fun the way he did. He shifted in his seat and smiled, tipping his hat over his forehead, allowing him to more easily keep an eye open unawares. Nate nodded off once or twice, being jolted awake but the rutted road they traveled on.

Nate, although intoxicated, noticed the look on the captain's face, and her quick glance at the commodore. No answer came to his thought to be back aboard ship this night, and he thought he might know why. He looked at Red Cat. Red Cat looked at him. He smiled and settled back in his seat, letting things be as they lay. Nate checked his pistol one last time and sat quietly.

Nate's eyebrows lifted and he checked under the seat. The commodore spoke truthfully, his weapons were there and Nate took them up to inspect them in the dim light. All seemed well with them, so he hung the pistol on his belt and laid his cutlass beside him, along with the spanish sword. Two swords could be no different. The cutlass was a stout tool, made for taking a beating. The rapier was delicate looking in nature and was more like a piece of jewelry. Even so, Nate was glad to have the extra arms. "Not ta question yer authority, commodore, but wouldn't we best spent th' night back aboard? Send a lad fer th weapons an all in the mornin, aye?" Nate wasn't liking the idea of spending more time on this foreign soil than he had to, prefering the solidity of a ships deck under his feet.

"Aye" Nate said, then got a look on his face. "Hold fast there. Ye weren't armed when ya gots ere. Not since. . . . Not since. . . . Th bath ouse!" An me clothes are dere too!" Nate looked at the captain and commodore, waiting to find out what was to happen next. Nate wanted to get his weapons badly now after realizing that there weren't many weapons between the four of them so close to the estate.

Nate reached out to catch Red Cat as she spilled forward with the jolt. She caught herself quick enough and he settled back as Ransom spoke of their weapons. His resignation that he would not see them again had caught up with him as he had pretty much forgotten about his weapons collected at the door. Not that he was so very attached to them, but they were good weapons. The pistol was very new, as far as Nate knew he had been the first to fire it after finding it in the barrel. He still wished he had emptied as many others from the barrel before it had been lost, but he figured they were safe there. The cutlass he possessed was a good stout weapon, it felt good in his hand. Aye, Nate wanted them back. "Aye capin, good call, Ma'am Sah. I'll be happy ta be sent back ta retrieve em, by yer leave."

Nate stood upright slowly, his grin suppressed. "Well capin, say wot ya will, He believes in me, He believes in us all." Looking heavenward, "Aye Father, I'll tell em." Looking back at his companions, "Even th doubters, aye, even th doubters." He turned and began to walk to where the one coach and four stood, and with much grace, opened the door for the others.

Nate's eyes went big as Red Cat hiccuped. He fought very hard not to laugh. But one small snort of laughter escaped his lips. The captain and commodore were talking more and soon there was talk of leaving. Goodbyes were made and although Nate was disappointed at missing whatever the desserts were, he was happy to leave. As he stood he felt a hand on his arm. Looking Nate found the commodore helping him up. Nate turned and saw the captain doing the same with Red Cat. Being careful with his gift, Nate took his time walking and bowed to those around them as they made their way to the door. As soon as they had exited into the fresh evening air and he had a couple lungs full, Nate felt better. Turning to his companions he grinned. "Told ye we'd be fine. Me Father told me it were so. That one Navarro was a fine fellow. The other, wit th scar." Nate pointed at his own face, tracing where the scar would have been on the spanish captain. "He weren't such a fine fellow, but his gift were a nice surprise. And, as I said afore, I ain't worthy o it. I give it to ye, Sah, Ma'am, capin Ransom." Nate bowed and offered up the weapon, balanced on his fingers to the captain.

Nate smiled at Red Cat, he was starting to feel the affects of the spirits and it was starting to show. Nate was happy now, still sharp, but happy. "Aye Lass, I's hopin fer some pie. Been a long time since I had pie." He looked like he'd say more but stopped himself. Nate covered his mouth for a moment then stroked his chin and shrugged his shoulders. "Wonder wot kinda pie they might have? Peach, Cherry, Rhubarb, Molasses, Blueberry, Apple. . . . " His eyes took on a far away look for a moment or two. Nate blinked and came back to the here and now, Looked at Red Cat and chuckled with a sheepish look on his face. "Ah, um, sorry."