⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵. . . "Tour of the Gulf of Aden". . . (cont.)
[Last time...]
“Nice tae know yoo've got mah back Sairrr!" Galligan replied with a grin.
“Ahh always hav yer back mucker! But dornt make me stoke these smoke barrels unless Ahh really need tae! Ahh woods hate tae leave a bad impression oan th' population..."
“Aye Sairrr…”
“Gang in wi' a heavy hand...an’ dornt tak' onie jobby from th’ old man. His reputation isnae worth fife coppers or a jailhoose whoor'!"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The next morning the crew was busy as the mighty Silverton rounded the northern peninsula of Seychelles and sailed south towards the bay of Victoria…
“Boy” Errislravenhill was lashing down the davit blocks when she caught the eye of Seaman- Quarter Gunner Ilipino on the far side of the forecastle. It was obvious that he was admiring her and when he got caught, he looked down quickly.
“Aye' Ahh’m bonnie an' handy wi' a cutlass too sailur!” She said as she put her right hand on the hilt of her weapon. Ilipino didn’t reply, but did smile as he went about his work.
Petty Officer- Master-at-Arms Ickied came up and engaged Seaman- Ordinary Seamen Andofzara and Teemitag in a little conversation.
“Ahh heard Seaman- Landsman Ocketechange sayin' 'att silvers might suin gang tae 15 cents per oonce!” Ickied jested.
“Ha! Jist like in th' days when th' pirates sailed th' seven seas!” Andofzara replied.
“Th' days when th' pirates sailed th' seven seas?! Sailur, these ur th' days when th' pirates sail th' seven seas!" Ickied reflected.
“Ickied's reit! Haves ye awreddy forgotten Keptin Caleb MacGibbon oan Comoros Islain?! He was a grottie-dealin' pirate if thaur ever was one!" Seaman- Landsman Teemitag joined in. (See: “One hundred yards…” https://steemit.com/story/@joshuaslane/silver-cycles-adventures-of-captain-joshua-slane-04ja19-murder-in-the-cove )
“Aye he was!” Ickied replied as he thought back, “An’ hopefully th' nati'es o’ 'att islain finished heem aff!"
"Aye!" Seaman- Landsman Teeming-hot agreed.
Suddenly, Seaman- Able Seaman Tuna’s deep voice rang out from the nest!
“Ho! Victoria aff uir starboard side!”
The Captain walked over to the rail calmly and gazed out at the north-eastern edges of the city…
“An' a braw birthday present it is..." He said softly to himself as he took in its beauty, "Main sails doon! Brin' 'er in th' way o’ starboard Commander! Let's gang intae th' bay!"
“Aye Sairrr!” Galligan replied as he spun the ship’s wheel.
The big ship heeled to the right and slowly entered the northern Bay of Victoria.
“Main sails doon!” Cockpit Mate- Midshipman's Mate Fisky yelled out as the crew scurried.
In a moment the ship's speed fell to a crawl as she entered the narrow bay and proceeded west towards the shore of the palace…
⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵
Officers o' th' Silverton:
Galligan- Commander
Hack- Warrant Officer- Surgeon
Fisky- Cockpit Mate- Midshipman's Mate
Mickied- Petty Officer- Master-at-Arms
Spinny- Junior Petty Officer- Gunner's Mate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Confused? Ascared? Seasick? Need a private chat with the Captain?" - joshua.slane@aol.com
Reference: Pictures frae www.freeimages.com, www.pexels.com, pixabay.com, steemit.com an’ www.google.com/maps