⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵...(Tour of "High Island")...Continued...
[Last time...]
Galligan smiled and Kerrislravenhill giggled, “Ahh wonders what hee’s dreamin'?!”
“Nae tellin'! But he needs a hot cuppae coffee an' a warm bunk! He’ll be alright in th' morn!”
Kerrisl smiled broadly and reached out and patted Pocketechange on the shoulder as she thought back to her first day of battle on the mighty frigate Silverton. It wasn’t easy getting comfortable with that thought. (See: @joshuaslane/silver-adventures-captain-joshua-slane-11jl24-i-can-dream-can-t-i )
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[On the Silverton…ten miles offshore of Youngstown, New York territory…]
The mood on the frigate Silverton was merry as the waylaid crewman were finally brought aboard and the sloop trailed off behind the ship. After days of hard battle with the French of Fort Toronto, all breathed easier as they left the northern side of Great Lake Michigan behind them.
The crew was festive, some were playing their harmonicas and dancing, some were throwing balls for the ship’s dogs and some were arm wrestling on the barrel tops in a rare moment of relaxation.
The captain looked the other way that night, he knew the men needed the downtime. But a more serious tone was in the air of the chartroom as he sat at the long table. In front of him, neatly stacked lie the 1,000 ounces of silver they had ransomed for the life of French Capitaine Monet at the fort.
On the opposite side of the table sat Commanders Galligan, Kerrislravenhill and Lieutenant Trumpman…
“A radge mission completed in aw’ points…” The captain said as picked up one of the heavy bars of silver, rolled it though his hands and set it back down on the stack.
“Noo tae th’ business at hain…”
Flattening out a large chart on the table the captain carefully ran his finger along the blue southern waters of Lake Michigan…
“La Serpent is haur, whaur we left 'er at anchur, weel oot o’ reach o’ th' Ojibwe canoes. As thaur ur only tois ships oan th' stoatin lakes at th' moment, she shoods remain safe until we rejoin 'er.”
“Sairrr…” Galligan spoke up, “Whit ur yer plans fur La Serpent?”
“Sell her… sell 'er tae th' highest bidder in Yoongstoon!”
“Sell th’ French Corvette?” Kerrislravenhill asked in curiosity.
“Aye, it shooldn’t be difficult. Th' price will be right- fower thoosain oonces o’ silvers.”
“Fower thoosain!” Trumpman said as he envisioned it, “We’ll hav a huir uv a profitable voyage! Wa’ gang onie farther?”
“Why gang onie farther?"
"Haw! Haw! High Islain, that’s wa!” The captain said in a serious tone.
Kerrislravenhill raised an eyebrow and glanced quickly at Galligan before speaking…”Sae th’ tale is true ‘en Sairrr? A treasure twintie years auld, buried oan th' islain when ye waur jist a Lieutenant?”
“True enaw, an' a treasure 'att woods make thes stack o' silvers swatch loch a sit o’ bairn toys!”
“But Sairrr, whaur is High Islain?” Trumpman asked as he unfolded his arms.
The captain gazed up over the puff of blue smoke coming from his pipe as he lit it. Letting out a large cloud in the shape of a treasure chest, he finally spoke…
“That’s fur me an' Galligan aloyn tae knows.”
Trumpman and Kerrislravenhill both quickly glanced at Galligan but the Commander showed no sign of revealing the secret.
[Later that evening, down in th’ galley…]
The officers sat down for ‘Tatties and Neebs’ in a tight group. It was Lieutenant Trumpman who spoke first, a large bulge of food pushed to one side of his mouth…
“Sairrr, if Ahh may…” He said, glancing at Commander Galligan, “Ahh’m Lieutenant oan thes ship…an’ Kerrislravenhill haur is a Commander loch yerself. Wa’ ur we nae allowed tae be tauld mair aboot High Islain?!”
Galligan barely acknowledged the question as he swallowed slowly and then took a sip of hot coffee before looking up.
“Because…neither o’ ye tois waur thaur.” He said flatly.
Trumpman looked at Kerrisl and she looked back solemnly, knowing it was a true statement.
“Aye, we knows ‘att. Buy Sairrr, when will we be informed?” Trumpman persisted despite Kerrisl’s obvious discomfort with pressing the head Commander.
Galligan turned and looked down slighty. A certain sorrow fell across his face like a dark shadow...
“If ye knows what’s guid fur ye, yoo’ll drap it reit haur an' noo. High Islain was noo pleasant memory fur onie o’ us who waur thaur...”
Kerrisl nudged Trumpman’s leg under the table and he turned to her in question. With a raise of her eyebrows she let him know that the conversation should go no further.
[Down in the cargo hold…]
As Able Seamen Bleujay and Lupega rolled the last barrel of fresh water up onto the storage rack, Cockpit Mate Ironshield checked off the last box on his duty book and slapped it shut.
“Alrighty mates, 'att’s it fur tonight.” He said with a smile.
“Phew!” Bleujay exclaimed as she dusted off the pantlegs of her uniform, “Another barrel Sairrr, and I think I would have collapsed!”
“Haha! Aye, it’s a job naeain likes much, but is has dae be dain. Lake Michigan is a stoatin soorce o' caller skitin' 🥛water!” He replied.
Bleujay smiled as she stood up straight. Ironshield was a well-liked officer, not only for his cheerful demeanor but for the respect he always showed towards the crewmen.
“Ahh’ll leave ye tois tae yer free time. See ye in th' morn.” Ironshield said as he headed for the main stairwell.
“I wish you a happy evening Sairrr!” Lupega called out after him and then turned towards his partner, “I never mind doing my duties under the Cockpit Mate.”
“Aye, leadership ability depends more on your actions, than on your official title, rank or status in life.”
“True enough Matie!” Lupega replied casually, “So what will you do with the rest of your free night?”
“I’ve got a painting I’m working on, a white Lilly!" She said happily.
“And you?”
“Hmmm...I’ll be waxing the bottom of my surfboard. You never know when the surf will be up!”
“On Lake Michigan?!”
“Like I said…you never know!”
“Hahaha!”
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📝 Note: "If th' Toor o' High Islain' has caught yer intrest, all o' me stoatin' adventures kin be foond by searchin':
Silver Adventures of Captain Joshua Slane
Oan yer 'Hife Search tool' an' sae forth." 😉 -Keptin
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References: - Pictures from: RMC 100 oz Silver Bars, www.freeimages.com, www.pexels.com, pixabay.com, Hive.blog, Wikipedia an’ www.google.com/maps. Data also loosely interpretted froms: historica.fandom.com, Wikipedia, an' sometimes finely crafted reit from th' author's extensiff personal experience an' such.
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"Confused? Ascared? Seasick? Need tae gab with th' Keptin?- Skelp th' 'Reply' button muckers!" - Keptin
📝 "Remember maties, bein' crew oan th' mighty Frigate Silverton ⛵ is a sure cure fur loneliness! We sail together...ur nae at aw!" 🙌🏼🤝👲🏼🥷🏼👩🏼🍳👨🏼🔧👨🏼💼🧑🏼🎨🧕🏼🤵🏼♂️🤵🏼♂️🦹🏼💁🏼🙋🏼♀️👩🏼🍳🤴🏼👮🏼♂️💂🏼♂️🕵🏼👨🏼⚕️ 😉 -Keptin
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