Well Mr Pickwick It’s only a waning crescent tonight so we shall wait
until sunrise to set these swarthy Frogs off in their boats, no point in adding
insult to injury. Mr Rees-Mogg finish any jury rigging necessary on the
Blaireau and attach the spare anchor.
I will assign Lt Blythswick to the Blaireau, he can compose an epic poem
for the Admiral on the way, Black Dick will enjoy that (!)
So Mid. Flyte has gone missing has he? Well, well, what a shame. In the
confusion of the action and in the half light, probably slipped and fell
overboard. Tsk, tsk... what a dreadful pity, ah well, see if you can find his
hat.
Mr Mudge steer SE. We shall tack up clear of the Isle de Groix and then
SSE to Belle Isle. Keep a look out for the merchantman Saucy Nancy.
Morning watch: 0400 to 0800
Mercifully you part company with Blytheswick at dawn, as he
is regaling you with his ode "How Quincy boarded the Badger." The Blaireau is a well founded ship and
should bring a good sum in prize money. With the shift in wind and the north running
current you tack around the Isle de Grois before making a reach towards Belle
Isle. The Sea state is running shorter
and that strength 5 means you can use all plain sail.
With the "Departure" of Midshipman Flyte crew
morale is now excellent, and the prospect of earning yet more prize money has them
"as keen as mustard" in Mr Mudge's words.
Forenoon watch:
0800 to 1200
Mudge is a little unsteady on his feet this morning. Charitably this is probably because of his
age, but Mr pickwick makes another search of the ship for Mudge`s stash of rum.
Dr Attenborough reports that he has stitched up the
sailmaker's thumb. Apparently he and
Mudge were celebrating the capture of the Badger (Blaireau) last night and this
morning he was careless cutting a patch.
Perhaps the forward sail locker should be searched for that rum...
Afternoon watch:
1200 to 1600
Keen eyed young
Midshipman Howe reports the masts of a merchantman. It's the Nancy
and you come up to her at the beginning of the first dog watch. Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash
in command. The "Emigre"
Officer is the Compte du Pommesfrittes.
He insists, no INSISTS, that he be taken aboard your ship and given the
best cabin, yours...
He demands, no DEMANDS, that he be landed at Auray. Mudge shakes his head, and even Pickwick
looks shocked. That is a dangerous
coastline, and shoals abound, Pickwick
explains, "They call that the Cote Suavage Sir!" (Pickwick delights in telling you things you
already know!)
First dog watch:
1600 to 1800
Mudge comes up with an idea. "There is a small fishing port called Haliguen
non the Quiberon Peninsular Sir. Its only
three miles from the La Teignouse passage.
We could get in and drop the Monsewer and his muskets there, only a walk
up the coast to Auray, or we could try to take the ship into the estuary and
brave the currents, tides and rocks at Auray.
Or maybe just leave Pugwash to do it in the Nancy!"
As you approach the point you see into the anchorage at Le Palais. A French Frigate. Lt Thatcher starts dancing up and down the
deck. "She's big sir. 40 Guns or more. It could be La Manche, she sank a British
frigate at Brest a fortnight ago."
Mudge points out how high the Frenchman is riding in the
water. You have about five hours of
daylight left Captain.
Mudge's Private chart shows rocky shoals, including one
called "the Pig." He doesn't explain
who Sarah Bernhardt is.
No comments:
Post a Comment