Meeting and Greeting, 9th June

It certainly was a haul, for those two. Several coppers, of course, although mixed in with them were some suspiciously foreign-looking coins and some buttons - not all of them Other Ranks' uniform buttons.

"Now, where'd those two get their hands on that, I wonder?" Thompson said, picking out a noticeably brighter, golden-coloured button and holding it up.

Whoever these Shepherds were, Webb decided they were to be closely watched. They might very well be a couple the 'bad eggs' Thompson had mentioned only a few minutes ago. What else could they be, to have gotten hold of such a varied stash?

The nipper who'd delivered the bag was fairly beaming, even though the smears of dirt and what looked like tallow on his face. "Better arsk 'em, shoul'n't you? They'll be knowin' that lot's gone away missin' by now, I think, but they won't mess with they own corp'ral!"

That was true enough. "Still don't make it right, you goin' diggin' around in other folks' things, y'know," he pointed out.

He would need to talk with the Shepherds - both of them - but he wasn't planning on taking this any further. Why would he, after all?

"All right, run along," he told Fingers, and turned back to Webb. "Looks like duty calls. I'd best go an' sort this out. Good to see you again, though." He shifted the various bits and pieces into his left hand and offered his other hand to his former Corporal.

Something very like disappointment flashed across the nipper's face when he realised he wasn't going to get any of his ill-gotten bounty back. "But whattabout - "

Webb's eyebrows drew sharply together and he couldn't resist a sharp, "Scowp, y'little guttersnipe, like you was told."

The lad scarpered, his eyes wide at the brusque, unexpected command. That was that sorted. Webb shook his head once, deciding that, as ever, boys were nothing more than nuisances to be borne, and accepted the offered hand. Might as well get used to being part of this detachment.

"With beggars like that'n aboard, there'll not be a moment's peace, I'll wager."

"He's all right, really," Thompson said. "Most've 'em are, at any rate. Though the Shepherd twins - two of our drummers - can get up to mischief, like any of the nippers. They don't mean no harm, though."

He pulled a clean rag out of his pocket to wrap the bits and pieces in to keep them together - no need to lose anything, after all. Especially if he meant this lot to get back to its rightful owners.

"Need to go and find them Shepherds, if they'll be found." Which was always the question.

That, Webb thought, remained to be seen. But he shrugged. It was none of his concern which boys got up to what mischief, so long as it didn't involve him. If it did, however... that was a wholly different matter.

"They'll be missin' that little lot, so news of it bein' found'll bring 'em out," he remarked blandly and was surprised at himself for being even mildly helpful.

"True enough," Thompson said with a rueful smile. He nodded amicably to Webb before turning to head back down to the mess-deck in search of the Shepherds, wherever they were.

In some ways, Webb was happy to not have the burden of authority any longer. He had worn a shoulder knot for a fair number of years but it was gone now. Enough time had passed since that unhappy event that he had given up any real interest in having his lost rank back. It was beyond his reach and he had come to accept that fact.

Shrugging, Webb stuffed his pipe back into his jacket and looked away over the bowsprit. He'd have to go below again shortly enough. There was kit tend to. For the moment, however, it was good to be on deck with a fine wind and warming sunshine.