Sailors with shackles

" 'Fraid not," was the Marine's reply.

"...oh." Well that was that. And he was bored. He frowned and tried to lie down, now that he was warmer. He did not think anybody else would come to see him. Thompson would nurse his foot and probably hold it against him. The boys would be busy celebrating whatnot, the Tars would not care. He wasn't much of a friend of theirs, was he?

He sighed. "Got summat.. drink? I'll trade ya." Because a drink given out of generosity, was something he did not expect, getting.

A drink. That was something Ware wouldn't object to at all.

"Depends on what's for tradin'."

"...What do you want for one?" He asked with a slight shrug. "If it's something I don't have on me now.. you'll have t' wait for me ter pay it later. But.. I honest will."

Odd...

"Figured you'd have somethin' in mind worth tradin' a tot for."

"..Well, I could write you a letter if you's want one n' don't know how to. Read I can, so that's a sure thing too." He looked thoughtful. He did not know what Ware would want from him, and he could not exactly offer a tot for a tot. "I can do your kit fer three days or summat. I know how to, enough. Dunno wot' you'd be interested in wantin'. Don't 'zactly have money on me. But I got some skills.."

A letter? What use did he have for letter writing? The offer of kit-tending was tempting though.

"Dearest thing'd be swappin' sentry-go," Ware told him. "But if you're any hand at pipeclayin', maybe..."

"Swappin' sentry-go? I could do it, if you would want." Though he doubted he would be allowed to stand sentry in Ware's place. "...I'um.. a good hand at pipeclayin'. Aye. Done it enough time ter know how and do well." He smiled hopefully. "s' that a deal then?"

Ware snorted. "Have to be a proper Marine for swappin' those, fella. Fair different from standin' half a watch as a drummer, I'll tell you!" He fingered the sling of his musket and thought a moment. "Have to see you at it, first. I don't make no deals 'bout givin' up my rum lightly, see."

"Half a watch? .. I'd been there near full watch, and went straight onto my watch.. so's means , I've had no rest whatsoever. I'll tell you!" He relented: "...Gimme it. n' I'll show wot' good I can do." He shrugged. "But I ain't pipeclayin' it all for nothing."

"That's a fair bit different than stannin' sentry on the spirit room, a whole watch," Ware pointed out. "I can't fetch nothin' now, anyway. Stannin' sentry here, ain't I?"

"No. But..I'm thirsty now. Can't you possibly get me a tot. Ain't likely I'll run, is it?" He frowned. Most Tars on Terpsy would have been brought a drink by now. Chase had, would have. But he was not one of them like Chase was. They did not take him as one.

"...nevermind...s' not like you can have one up from your sleeve..neiter."

Ware shook his head. "Sorry. I ain't gonna get blown up for leavin' my post to get a tot, when it ain't even time for Up Spirits."

"Right." He leaned back again. A good bottle of something would have felt great. Washed away his worries, made him feel just.... he frowned. "Do ye think we'll get any more.. down here?"

"Any more what?"

"...Any more o' t' lads to be put in irons." Was it not obvious?

Now why would they expect that?

"I reckon most them others got sense 'nuff in 'em to take a washin' quiet-like," was Ware's observation.

"'fcourse. ..what they'um used to from their wee lives." He mumbled. Of course. They were used to it, had it done every single time when they were meant to bathe. Why would they think it anything but normal. "Ain't sense... it's habit.."

The Marine scowled. "I'm thinkin' maybe you oughta take a lesson or two from them, boy."

"T' lessons I need t' know are that o' t' ship n' how she be sailed. Nothing more." He answered haughtily.

"Then you're gonna end up spennin' a lotta time in them irons."

"What for?.. Fer learnin' t' ropes? Last I heard, that wasn't a punishable offense. Quite on t' contrary even." He retorted.

Ware scoffed. "For bein' a pigheaded brat, more like."

"You're quick to judge those you don't know." He muttered back, sitting up higher to relax his arms some. "I did m' wrongs no different than any other man 'ere."

"I seen 'nuff of you to know what needs knowin'." It was as simple as that.