Timeline for De Guarde

17. May - Refit

Refit, the middie is former.
Thompson has a tumble down the ladder while bringing cargo on board. De Guarde cries in alarm, but seeing the others, slinks back out of sight. He waits to make another appearance when slinking off from his assigned task, to see how Thompson was doing. And when daring, inquires about his health. He is then ushered out of the sickbay. Later their long awaited cargo arrives in the shape of the animals - horses. An accident happens, which brings another sailor below to keep Thompson company. The horses are secured. De Guarde is put to duty as sentry for the animals, untill Halley the groom takes over.

18. May - Breathing fresh

De Guarde reflects on what was, and what he lost. While playing Midshipman pretend, Oxley the drummer arrives. (will continue )

23. May - Oporto

De Guarde sneaks off to have some liberty time on shore. There is a short run in with the provosts, but the lot escapes. They eventually end up infront of the cat-house, where Sticks and Buckles are not permitted to go. Thompson tries to convince De Guarde that going into a cat-house is a bad idea anyway. There is a little success in convincing that the boy could come along, but it is then decided he should merely sit in a corner and keep quiet. The tars and marine are then taken away by the girls, leaving the boy in wait. Mister Hollow appears and drags DG with him. He mentions Dunning, a Tar whose death he blames on the boy. After a struggle DG manages to run away. Mister Hollow is drunk, which is fortunate as he has also been bitten by DG, in the attempt to escape.


1st June: Punishment for DG - De Guarde receives a punishment of two dozen strikes with the boy's cat on his posteriors on deck for "disobeying orders and of conduct unbecoming for a sailor in His Majesty's navy" which must be for causing a scene at not wanting to be bathed in public.