Once we had assured our course was correct, I instructed the Second Officer not to disturb me (with a wink) and received a grinning affirmation in return.
"Aye, Cap'n, I'll not bother ye for less than the likes of a great whale, or the Admiralty's flagship. I trust ye'll break the girl in well, sir, and quickly also. We're all lookin' for'ards to our turns, ye see."
Viewing the bedraggled face of Edwards, my Second, and hearing his words, one would never think of him as the son of an Earl. Child of a scullery maid, he was cast from his mother before he was seven, and grew up on the streets and wharves of Liverpool. He was mostly self-educated, being just patient enough to listen as an educated dock-whore taught him to read and write. She'd seen a fair young lad who'd grown tall for his age with a shock of blonde hair falling over his brown eyes. He'd made a deal with her, that in return for steering customers her way, she was to teach him things. Not among the things the 12 year old had imagined was reading, but she demanded he learn that before anything else. He absorbed the knowledge quickly, being strongly motivated. Sadly, he'd been impressed onto a British Frigate as a cabin boy before he gained the experience he really wanted, so he'd been making up for lost time since. At 29, he was 17 years at sea with wide sailing experience and a true touch for dealing with the men. Between Jorge and Edwards, the need to have ships' punishments was few and far between.
Laughing at the comment, I ventured aft to my cabin, and found Jorge guarding the door, as I had instructed. A solid mountain of a man and dark, he was child of a long line of Blackamoors who had settled in Spain centuries ago. His family had become Catholic to protect themselves from the suspicions of the Inquisition, but Jorge's heart had little concern about God in it. The only times I'd ever heard the word pass his lips was when he was in the midst of battle, damning an opponent, or 'tearing off a piece' as he says.
My First was my strong right arm; I'd seen him loft two over the rail at once, with neither touching it. He was a head and a half taller than I, and nearly double my weight. The strongest of his characteristics was his loyalty, however: having realized him for the man he was, I offered him a Mate's position rather than running him through in an early conquest. Earning 5% of all our profits, he'd made out well and now shares in the ownership of a winery in Spain. Black of hair and eye, the man is pure of spirit: I trust him with my life.
He, too, smiled as I approached. "A fine one she is, Captain. Her price will be high, and the men will enjoy her spirit." A flash of grin brightened his dark countenance. "It was.... challenging.... to prepare her for you, Sir. The doctors bathed her, which she did not like. After both had been bitten, they asked me to hold her; this I would not do, as I hope for children some day. Instead I bound her spread and allowed them to do their jobs. They think her to be a virgin, Sir."
"Has she been noisy, Jorge?"
"Oh, Si, yes Sir. She has wished us all to the depths of the ocean and of hell too. She cannot seem to decide which is better for us, fire or water." He laughed heartily, and clapped my shoulder. "Go take care of her, Captain. I will get my sleep and be ready for my share of the enjoyment at dawn."
