Excellent, and it is so nice that it was all Foster's fault for having the gunners fire.
I heard a rumour that the guy in Jones's tomb isn't actually Jones.
I heard a rumour that the guy in Jones's tomb isn't actually Jones.
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A naval battle to give Director a sure run for his money. 
Very well done, CatKnight. I am sensing that Jones may not be too pleased at having to rescue Mr. Heyward.
Very well done, CatKnight. I am sensing that Jones may not be too pleased at having to rescue Mr. Heyward.
That's the John Paul Jones we all know and love! Truly this was the era of wooden ships and iron men as in the old game title.
I look forward to the discussion between Jones and Heyward -- and also that between Bristol and Foster.
Amazing that either ship could get away under any control at all after all that damage.
Your map was fantastic! I am in awe and envy.
Truly this was the era of wooden ships and iron men as in the old game title.I look forward to the discussion between Jones and Heyward -- and also that between Bristol and Foster.
Amazing that either ship could get away under any control at all after all that damage.
Your map was fantastic! I am in awe and envy.
Wow! That was a magnificent battle! Luckily, it seems that the damage done was mostly to the ships, though clearly people died because of Foster's 'order'. Is that enough reason to make her walk the plank? I guess not...
Very well done, very enjoyable.
Very well done, very enjoyable.
CatKnight, page 26, msg 647: ...Daniels would have agreed with their assessment..He'd come to New York for one purpose only. His wife disappeared somewhere around here last year, and he planned to find her - and if these upstarts had hurt or killed her, there would be the devil to pay.
why do i have the feeling that our Cassie is this Sergeant Daniels wife? ?
i need some help here guys. i don't know if Cat has answered this question, or not. and, i won't be able to start back on this thread for another two days. i have finished page 26, but that leaves almost another 25 to go. if Cat has answered this question, either way, please respond. if not, then i would like that info. please! ! tia.
magnificent does not begin to do justice to the quality of this thread! !
why do i have the feeling that our Cassie is this Sergeant Daniels wife? ?
i need some help here guys. i don't know if Cat has answered this question, or not. and, i won't be able to start back on this thread for another two days. i have finished page 26, but that leaves almost another 25 to go. if Cat has answered this question, either way, please respond. if not, then i would like that info. please! ! tia.
magnificent does not begin to do justice to the quality of this thread! !
Hey folks!
Sorry I've been relatively quiet. It's been unbearably hot lately, which makes it hard for me to focus on writing. I'll try to get restarted shortly, and respond to everyone's comments.
Since GhostWriter directly asked I wanted to answer: It'll come to a head as you continue reading, but yes: Cassie was Sergeant Daniels' wife. It was an arranged marriage, so she didn't feel all that bound to it.
Sorry I've been relatively quiet. It's been unbearably hot lately, which makes it hard for me to focus on writing. I'll try to get restarted shortly, and respond to everyone's comments.
Since GhostWriter directly asked I wanted to answer: It'll come to a head as you continue reading, but yes: Cassie was Sergeant Daniels' wife. It was an arranged marriage, so she didn't feel all that bound to it.
Mettermrck: Thanks! Nah, I'm not sorry Reliance got away though. Captain Bristol was just the poor guy caught in the middle.
Vann the Red: You're right. Every time I write a naval action for this AAR - or even some of the 'regular' dialogue - I tend to slip into O'Brian's writing style.
Draco Rexus: We'll hang out with Tom for awhile longer, then go see what John and Jasen Exeter have managed to cook up.
J. Passepartout: I heard that rumor (about Jones) also. Truth is we'll probably never know. Didn't he finally 'come home' during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency (early 1900s)?
coz1: Well, you're right. I mean, look at it from Jones' point of view. You're walking down the sidewalk and decide to go wave "hi" to your neighbor. Then someone runs over from the neighbor and says "Help!" Before you can do more than tell the newbie to get behind you, your neighbor punches you in the mouth. All of a sudden you're in a brawl, when all you wanted was to find out if your favorite team won last night. It's likely to put anyone out.
jwolf: I used to have 'Wooden Ships..' Great game! If I still had it, I'd have used it for the battle.
Actually Reliance wasn't really hurt that badly. Losing a mast is certainly very bad, but realstically Bristol probably could have moved a few points from the wind and renewed the action. The truth is I was running out of ways for the battle not to end with either 1) one ship sinking, or 2) a boarding action with the winner taking two crippled ships home.
Stuyvesant: Now, the Royal Navy doesn't walk people on a plank.
They hang them. Sometimes they shoot them for variety.
Ghostwriter: Thanks!
Vann the Red: You're right. Every time I write a naval action for this AAR - or even some of the 'regular' dialogue - I tend to slip into O'Brian's writing style.
Draco Rexus: We'll hang out with Tom for awhile longer, then go see what John and Jasen Exeter have managed to cook up.
J. Passepartout: I heard that rumor (about Jones) also. Truth is we'll probably never know. Didn't he finally 'come home' during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency (early 1900s)?
coz1: Well, you're right. I mean, look at it from Jones' point of view. You're walking down the sidewalk and decide to go wave "hi" to your neighbor. Then someone runs over from the neighbor and says "Help!" Before you can do more than tell the newbie to get behind you, your neighbor punches you in the mouth. All of a sudden you're in a brawl, when all you wanted was to find out if your favorite team won last night. It's likely to put anyone out.
jwolf: I used to have 'Wooden Ships..' Great game! If I still had it, I'd have used it for the battle.
Actually Reliance wasn't really hurt that badly. Losing a mast is certainly very bad, but realstically Bristol probably could have moved a few points from the wind and renewed the action. The truth is I was running out of ways for the battle not to end with either 1) one ship sinking, or 2) a boarding action with the winner taking two crippled ships home.
Stuyvesant: Now, the Royal Navy doesn't walk people on a plank.
They hang them. Sometimes they shoot them for variety.
Ghostwriter: Thanks!
-= 155 =-
North Atlantic Ocean
June 1784
"Come."
"Sir?" The marine poked his head through the door of the hastily reassembled captain's cabin. "I've brought Mister Heyward."
"Good. Show him in." John Paul Jones didn't get up. He most certainly didn't smile. "Mister Heyward, pray excuse the lack of ceremony but I expect to be busy for some time yet." He indicated his table - dried pork moistened in water, dried peas, ship biscuit, the only things available on short notice. "Did they feed you on that ship?"
"This morning," Tom replied returning the captain's frown and trying to get a sense of who he was. Someone trying to save his ship before it sinks. "I'm not hungry, thank you."
His accent, colonial British with a slight drawl, placed his guest from the Deep South. Well, no one was perfect. Jones drank his cup dry and nodded to his steward, who refilled it. "Mister Heyward, as I said excuse the lack of ceremony, but I do not appreciate being drawn into another man's problems."
"Nor do I do so lightly, Captain." Heyward leaned on the table for support. "You were the first American I've seen, and I doubted I would find another before Halifax. It was you, or no one. I do hope you didn't lose too many friends today, however."
Jones relaxed slightly at the simple courtesy, "Well, sit down Mister Heyward. It would do us no good to go through all that and have you fall here and now. Are you ill? Do you need the surgeon?"
"No, captain. It's just a momentary weakness." Heyward did, however, sit. "May I ask where you're going?"
"Boston."
"Philadelphia would be better."
"Boston," Jones repeated firmly. "What is in Philadelphia?"
"Congress. I have to speak with them."
"I wish you luck there. No one can just speak with them. They've even closed the gallery, something to do with security after one delegate was killed and another injured. Even reporting on what happens is strictly controlled by censors for fear of word getting back to our enemies or being twisted by seditious elements."
"Nonetheless, I must speak. I have to warn them."
"About what?" Tom said nothing. "Sir, if you believe there is something that threatens our nation than you are obliged to tell me. Is it the British? Is that why they were so eager for your company?"
"This has nothing to do with them," Heyward shook his head. "That is...something else. I think."
"It sounds like you lead a complicated life, Mister Heyward." Jones shook his head. "Well, I will carry you as far as Boston. I certainly cannot leave you here.:
"Thank you, Captain."
He stood. "When I return, I will want to know more of what you believe Congress needs to be warned of. In the mean time, you may as well rest. I expect repairs to take some time."
-----------------
The darkness here, below the orlop deck and so literally at the bottom of the ship, was absolute. Even Adam Bristol's lamp could do little against it and the tightly bound boxes and crates on either side cast long shadows into infinity.
"Up there, sir," breathed Marine Captain Reynolds in his ear. He nodded to a dim light ahead, like a dying star .He raised his voice: "Sergeant?"
"Here, sir!" cried the star.
"It's about time!" shrieked the star's rogue companion. "I demand to be let out of here!"
"You are in a position to demand nothing," Bristol told them coldly. He could see her seated by the lamp, the light reflecting off her blond hair and fierce eyes. He turned to where he guessed the sergeant was. "Has she given any trouble?"
"None I could not handle, sir!"
"Captain Bristol, you appear to have forgotten who I am," Foster growled. "I demand..."
"I remember you perfectly, madam," Bristol replied. "You are the one who illegally ordered my gunner to fire, thereby committing an act of war against a sovereign nation with no quarrel at this time, and thereby bring His Majesty's navy into dishonor. In so doing, not only did you subvert the lawful command of His Majesty's vessel, but you are directly responsible for the death of nine of my men, including Lieutenant Marshal, and injury of eleven more. In the resulting battle my own ship was seriously damaged, and there is now no chance whatsoever of our keeping are assigned date in Halifax, let alone my resuming the missions commanded me by the admiralty. This, also, you bear responsibility for."
"I would not speaking so righteously, Captain." She rose slowly, and for a moment he could not see her face. "You are ill suited for it. I am familiar with the Articles of War, sir. There is one that reads that a captain or officer who fails to assist in the capture of a prisoner, or suffers him to escape, is guilty. You allowed General Heyward far too many liberties. His escape, and therefore this battle you deplore, is your doing. Then let us look at your conduct of this fight, sir. You did not prepare for hostilities until after I spoke with you. Even before General Heyward's departure, it should have been clear that a minimum of precautions against a potential enemy..."
Captain Bristol was aware of a slowly building heat and a pounding in his heart, or was it his head? He <i>was</i> hot, the air down here could stifle anyone. His ship, his <i>baby</i> was crippled. People lost, good friends. Poor Marshal, what would he say to his wife. Hell and death, what would he say to the port admiral? And here she was, prating on about the Articles he'd memorized years ago, and over which no man on this ship and few in the world had the right to question him.
"Don't touch me, Captain!"
Bristol jerked out of his reverie to find his right arm raised high. He folded his arms, partially to look stern but mostly to keep his hand out of mischief.
"Once your mast is up, I will want to discuss pursuing him with you."
"There will be no pursuit, ma'am. It is true we have a spare mast, but it is sprung...damaged. We can only carry a minimum of sail, and I will use that to carry us to Halifax."
"Captain Bristol!"
"Because," he continued strongly, "there are still over one hundred men and boys under my care, and should we lose that, the foremast alone cannot carry us more than two or three points from the wind and we would be at the mercy of the current. We are going to Canada."
"You'll hang for this cowardice," she hissed.
"Captain Reynolds," Bristol didn't turn. "You will assign someone to retrieve for Miss Foster her belongings, as well as a hammock and a necessities pot. You will also arrange for men to guard her and repel any rats. I will have the surgeon stop by to arrange a schedule so she may take the air as he deems necessary to her health."
"Aye, sir!" Reynolds sounded triumphant.
"I am not staying here!"
"The lady is charged with murder and treason," Bristol added, still talking to Reynolds. "However, I will not tolerate brutality." Reynolds lost two men in the fight with <i>Ranger</i>, and he was a vengeful man. "She is not to leave without either the surgeon or my word. Do you understand?"
"Aye!" Reynolds didn't sound quite so happy.
"Captain Bristol!" Her anger broke. "Please."
It was far too late for that. Bristol turned to the sergeant. "You heard what I just told Captain Reynolds? Good. Stay here until relieved." He turned and walked away.
Ahhh...how fun it is to see sometimes when someone gets put in their place.
Will Foster try her own escape to save her neck and complete her mission or is she no longer a threat to Heyward? We'll see, but she seems to be very resourceful, not to mention possessing a knack for ignoring instructions.
Will Foster try her own escape to save her neck and complete her mission or is she no longer a threat to Heyward? We'll see, but she seems to be very resourceful, not to mention possessing a knack for ignoring instructions.
Aye, a bit of a misstep by Foster there. Be interesting to see, if we follow them past this point, how their relative charges fall out when they meet an official with the authority to hear them.
As a side note, you might want to fix your formatting brackets in the Reliance half of the update. Also, I believe Foster means to say, "I would not speak so righteously, Captain" vs "speaking". Granted she is under some distress, so should be forgiven her grammatical lapse.
Nice update!
Vann
As a side note, you might want to fix your formatting brackets in the Reliance half of the update. Also, I believe Foster means to say, "I would not speak so righteously, Captain" vs "speaking". Granted she is under some distress, so should be forgiven her grammatical lapse.
Nice update!
Vann
Tom may find a friend/ally in John Paul Jones, one that may be of great assistance in the future. And perhaps Tom's arrival in Philly will begin to bring things to a head in running Mr. Black out of town, so to speak.
As for Miss Foster... she is lucky Capt. Bristol is being as kind to her as he is. The Articles of War are quite clear that on a ship of His Majesty's Royal Navy, the Captain is second only to God or a Flag Officer, neither of which can be used to describe Miss Foster.
As for Miss Foster... she is lucky Capt. Bristol is being as kind to her as he is. The Articles of War are quite clear that on a ship of His Majesty's Royal Navy, the Captain is second only to God or a Flag Officer, neither of which can be used to describe Miss Foster.
Draco Rexus said:...the Captain is second only to God or a Flag Officer, neither of which can be used to describe Miss Foster.
She probably thinks she ranks above God in the chain of command.
I hope Bristol can make those charges against Foster stick.
As for Heyward and Jones -- true, Heyward has a sympathetic listener, probably, but only until he starts babbling about a demonic enemy from another world. That will be the end of Jones's assistance to him. :wacko:
Heyward is certainly having a better time of it than Foster. Serves her right. Nice to see Bristol stand his ground and keep his honor.
If only she were eligible for the cat o'nine tails, but I am not sure the Articles of War would allow them on a woman in her situation. Of course, I have not studied the Articles of War so I may be wrong.
And you are correct on when Jones' remains were returned. There was an article on it in the (I believe) Smithsonian a few months ago.
And you are correct on when Jones' remains were returned. There was an article on it in the (I believe) Smithsonian a few months ago.
CatKnight: yes: Cassie was Sergeant Daniels' wife..
thanks CatKnight! !
OH, congratulations on 30,000 views! !
thanks CatKnight! !
OH, congratulations on 30,000 views! !
Miss Foster clearly is in deep trouble. A ships captain is judge, jury and executioner on his own ship. She’d better have very powerful friends in the government or she won’t survive the British admiralty’s displeasure. Now what is Tom going to say that will convince anyone that he isn't mad?
Joe
Joe
At the risk of sounding too much like a fanboy, I really enjoyed your response above. The rhythm of it seemed perfect and it considerably cheered my day.CatKnight said:Stuyvesant: Now, the Royal Navy doesn't walk people on a plank.
They hang them. Sometimes they shoot them for variety.
Bristol's authority on his ship is clear. As long as they're at sea and everbody can see the reminders of Foster's actions, he'll have the upper hand. When they get to shore... I fear things will change then. Clearly, Ms. Foster has powerful friends. So, to save himself from that hardship, Bristol ought to have a quick, tidy hanging (as soon as the new mast has been put in place). However, I'm sure the necessities of the story dictate otherwise.
As to Tom, his dilemma has been, and will continue to be, that as soon as he starts to talk about Black, he sounds like an asylum escapee. Either Black has to screw up really bad, or someone else needs to step forward to attack Black. Otherwise, Heyward will get no traction with his talk of demonic creatures bent on destroying the world.
CatKnight: ...All: Wow! I'm hurt! No one noticed I doctored the Oregon flag. The back of the Oregon flag has a beaver on it, not a cow.
how many of your readAARs have ever seen an Oregon flag? ?
that said, i realized that you had put a cow on the reverse of the flag. what i did not realize was that a beaver should have been on the reverse! !
so, i am up to page 48! !
with only two hours sleep in the last 44 hours or so, i need some sleep! ! you can guess what i have been reading! !
most excellent AAR, CatKnight! !
The back of the Oregon flag has a beaver on it, not a cow. how many of your readAARs have ever seen an Oregon flag? ?
that said, i realized that you had put a cow on the reverse of the flag. what i did not realize was that a beaver should have been on the reverse! !
so, i am up to page 48! !
with only two hours sleep in the last 44 hours or so, i need some sleep! ! you can guess what i have been reading! !
most excellent AAR, CatKnight! !
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CatKnight: ..."Philadelphia would be better."
what is it with these landlubbers? ? thinking that they can tell the ship's captain what to do! ! :wacko:
CatKnight: ..."..You are ill suited for it. I am familiar with the Articles of War, sir.."...
please excuse me for ignorance here, but do those "Articles of War" apply when at peace?
CatKnight: ..."The lady is charged with murder and treason,"...
WOOHOO! !
hmmm. i guess we will have to wait and see if the Captain is backed up on land! !
excellent updates! !
what is it with these landlubbers? ? thinking that they can tell the ship's captain what to do! ! :wacko:
CatKnight: ..."..You are ill suited for it. I am familiar with the Articles of War, sir.."...
please excuse me for ignorance here, but do those "Articles of War" apply when at peace?
CatKnight: ..."The lady is charged with murder and treason,"...
WOOHOO! !
hmmm. i guess we will have to wait and see if the Captain is backed up on land! !
excellent updates! !