It was a disquieting downtime. The officers of The Restitution were assigned to the new Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast to supervise the construction of the Restitution II. Most of the Restitution crewmembers had picked up a billet with other ships of the Clover Line.
Erin and Chelsea had spent downtime together at Erin's mother's boarding house. But the lingering Jonah prejudice had kept sea-going offers from her hand.
Until one bright March day, when a messenger appeared at her mother's door.
"Erin McMasters?" the messenger greeted Mom. Erin was summoned and thoughtfully donned modest attire to greet the messenger. He looked at her warily and handed her a note.
"Erin," the missive ran, "If ye find thyself at Liberty, would thee Parlay over luncheon at Goolies public house at 1:00 PM this day? Kindly send a reply with my man 'Staff?"
"Falstaff, atcher service, Miss," the messenger offered.
It was unsigned, except by mark: A bold 'X' with a skull at the top. Captain Danneskjöld!
Erin quickly scribbled a reply and thanked the messenger. "Give the Captain my compliments. I'll be there promptly at one!" As the door closed and the messenger left, Erin scampered upstairs to give Chelsea the news, freshen up, and get a clean outfit. Fortunately, her shore leave clothes were hanging ready in her wardrobe.
"I'll be at the 'Neighbors' pub later. Stop by for dinner, and give me any news. 'Goolie and Ghouls'! The worst!"
Erin secreted her new dagger, thought her sword might be too much, and stepped out to hail a jaunting car.
----
"Bonnie Erin! How have you been?" Captain Danneskjöld was in good humor.
"Fine, sir. Tho apparently unemployed for this season. I have learned a bit about patching up old boarding houses, however. I have been demoted to 'Jonah' by the trade." Erin sighed.
"Not by all. Tho the Clover Line may have passed you by, you are held in high store in some quarters."
"By those at the bottom of the sea, perhaps." Erin smiled in return.
Lunch arrived, hearty sandwiches and mutton stew. The waiter returned with steins of ales, but hesitated. Erin tapped the table, Captain Danneskjöld nodded, and the server set an ale by Erin's place. She hoped to not be staggering drunk before going home.
After lunch was cleared, Captain Danneskjöld got down to business. "Erin, let me be plain. Life on a Free Vessel is more rough and tumble, and less private, than a cargo trip. Privateers are the most dangerous and coarse crew on the high seas. That said, I'd rather have you billeted at full-rate than some fresh gaol-bird at quarter. You know the 'spect we have for you. The question is ... will you join us?"
Erin took a breath. She had been anticipating and fearing this offer since she had read the Captain's message mere hours before.
"Captain, I'll be plain as well. I fear not hard work, nor storms, nor battles at sea. I do fear being reduced and passed around the men. I am a sailor, not a ship's slut."
"We are agreed on this point. And, as you may know, I run a tight, disciplined, some would say brutal ship. All men are stroked aboard with the Cat, and given their privateers' nom de guerre. You will be hidden to the world, but you will always be a seaman amongst the men."
"How many stripes are necessary?" Erin asked quietly.
"Three at minimum. Six at most. I might could make an exception ..." Erin's steely stare froze Captain Danneskjöld mid-sentance.
"Three to six then. And you'll caution the men about romancing the tomboy? Done then." Erin held out her hand. "When and where?" Their handshake was firm.
----
YOU ARE READING
Erin the Bold
Historical FictionA Fair Tides sequel. Further adventures of Erin McMasters on the high seas in the early 1800s. After surviving a season on the packet ship Restitution, Erin finds herself aboard the Guy Fawkes-a slick, fast privateer that demands a master's touch on...
