A dirty business

"All right," Thompson grumbled, good-naturedly. "You ain't goin' to let me have any peace till I do, are you? Let's go, then." He stood up, a little awkwardly, and balanced on his good foot, keeping his other foot off the deck. He tucked his crutch under his arm.

Well, what was the worst that could happen? Doctor Maturin could snap at him, and he'd survived worse than that before.

De Guarde pulled all of the tools and buckets out of the mare's range then moved to Thompson's side, to help him if he needed. Negotiating the companionway might be hardest. "Careful there. Slowly George." He smiled at the marine.

"I know what I'm doin', young'un," the Marine said. "Told you I had a busted ankle before, didn't I?" But it was nice not to have to negotiate his way around every little thing that could get in his way.

They made it to the companionway, and Thompson looked at the young sailor. "You can't take all me weight, Mathew, lad," he said. "But you can take some of it an' help keep me steady goin' up. Just, mind your feet. I don't want to put me crutch down on 'em, after all."

"Aright!" He smiled moving quickly to Thompson' aid. He looked eagerly at their challenge then to Thompson as if for guidance how he needed best help him. "S' long as you don't put all ye weight into t' crutch, then ye can... well, might be best ye still avoid me foot!" He chuckled.

"Alright, ready?"

"What I'm goin' to do is use the rail an' me crutch to help me up. I'll try not to put me foot down, 'cause it hurts a bit much doin' that. An' what I need you to do is put your arm round me waist and steady me on the way up, 'cause I'll be hoppin' it rather'n walkin' prop'ly, see. It's goin' to be a bit slow, 'cause I have to take one step at a time, like."

"A'right. " He moved so that a hand supported Thompson around his waist, just as he was asked. The boy took on the responsibility seriously and waited for the marine to take the first hop of a step. "Take yer time. Aye?" He murmured with a smile.

"Aye. An' thanks. You don't have t'do this, you know."

He gritted his teeth and moved the crutch to the first rung, sliding his hand up the rail a little. Hop.

And repeated the movement.

Moving slowly but steadily, they eventually gained the top of the ladder. The going would be easier now. He grinned at de Guarde as they turned for'rard. His expression was a little pained, which was only to be expected, of course.

They headed slowly to the sickbay.

(has come again from sickbay )

He slipped down the companionway frowning at the smell that greeted him. Blinking with his uncovered eye he lifted the lantern up on a hook along the beam and looked at the mares.

"..hey.." He muttered and took hold of the shovel again. "...jus' keep it in for half a day longer..ey. So I can be finished with you." He wrinked his nose and looked down at the manure. Lucky. Hmph, that doctor started it! He was mean first, and mean to Thompson and he acted as if he were an officer when he wasn't even the ship's surgeon. Of course the officers seemed to act as if they've just met their idol ,didn't they. All 'fangirling' about him as if he could do no wrong.

He shook his head And dropped the shit into the second bucket. Hop, and another one next. And then another shovel. Viola. Done.

Mop was next. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Dip in water and do it again. The mares were calm. He'd replaced the remaining old hay and the like with new. Wiping his brow he blinked. He was trusting the two animals a good deal too much with how he couldn't see what they were doing from one side.

Luck held though and at last the two mares could enjoy their freshly made and cleaned part of wooden home. "There. All done, and don't ye dare to shit a while." He warned the two mares. He checked briefly with the stallion and even he seemed well. He sighed and sat down for a moment. Everything smelled and he wated to wipe his hands clean as well as wash that nasty sensation of his feet. "You, Copenhagen..."He began observing the stallion, but said no more.

As a few moments passed and none of the horses decided to test the boy's patience, he stood. He took one of the buckets filled with filth and went to empty it over the side. Then he returned and so emptied the second bucket. The filthy water from the mop came next. Only once he had finished with clearing the last reminders of the work he had been ordered to do and washed his arms up to his elbows in salt water, and even dipped his feet he scampered up on deck again, remembering the lieutenant's orders. Once you are finished, you are to come to see me. Or something along those lines.

( Lil' former midshipman changes places again and this time he has gone on deck )