Day Trip

"It generally is," Vickery said in response to Blackwood's observation. "I have never seen a place quite like it, myself, although things seem to sort themselves out."

Bolitho shook his head, embarrassed that the men were already acting up. They had not even left yet. Perhaps this did not bode well for the actual trip...

"Please tell me they will all be able to control themselves on the trip," he muttered.

"Indeed." An undeniably interesting place. Blackwood stepped aside to let the blonde sailor scamper past with a blue-coloured box. "The men seem quite industrious, all things considered."

"Mind your backs, sirs, mind your backs," Evans called, following Chase outside. He was carrying a bag that looked as though it was filled with canister shot.

Jenny ignored the men's hustle and bustle and continued reading her magazine.

Cotton offered Maggie his arm. "Will you like to come 'long-of me?" he said, and smiled at her. "It looks like this here'll be a good time out, this'n."

"I said, an orderly fashion," Vickery said, raising his voice a little and glaring at Chase and Tide Evans. "That means, one at a time and no pushing in."

"Of course!" Maggie answered Cotton with a grin. "Didn't think you was so keen on ships though."

Evans blushed. "Sorry, sir. But we gotta stow things properly, sir, 'fore anybody comes aboard, like." He passed the bag to Chase and directed him where to put it. "Ain't see a craft like this 'un 'fore, though."

"It isn't a boat," Vickery pointed out, and sighed. He intercepted a slightly anxious look from Cotton. "There are plenty of other things to do and to see," he said, and picked the abandoned leaflet up, offering it to Maggie. "This will tell you a little bit more about what you can expect to see when we arrive."

"Ain't that what I told you?" Chase asked, coming down out of the bus.

" 'Nuff of that, Cob," Mister Evans replied.

"S'it safe to board, sirs?" Branning asked, looking almost shamefacedly at the officers. He hadn't quite managed to fix the door, which now hung slightly sideways on its hinges.

Vickery looked at the door and shook his head in disbelief. He wouldn't have believed it, if he hadn't seen it for himself. "Yes, Private, it's quite safe to board. Provide you don't do so with your usual exuberance."

All Blackwood could do was shake his head wonderingly. "I would not have thought it possible, to have such a great mix of men," he said. "And so peaceably together, as well."

Jenny heard his comment and smothered a smile.

"Aye aye, sir," Branning said and took care to avoid touching the door on his way outside.

"Come on George. Let's go! There's that strange carriage/boat/thing with our name on it!" He had been a mere observer of all the chaos and mayhem that just happened. The house at least was not on fire!

He looked very quiet and insignificant passing the Lieutenant and the captain, and then grinned again. "Do you think the crew also came here the same way as we did? "

Pye observed their means of transportation very suspiciously and distrustfully, clothing his bag - naturally filled with food, for the trip - in his arms.

"Captain.. are ye sure we ..ought to go in there?" He asked. Firstly, why would anyone want to go in, to go somewhere - if that in wasn't a carriage for the rich, a wagon, for the injured, or.. that was about it. This looked like neither. No horses to pull it so it wouldn't move. And anyway, carriages were for officers if they weren't common , poor wagons. And this one certainly was NOT a wagon.

"Yes," Vickery told him firmly. "Along with anyone else who's coming. It's a long walk to where we're going." He hid a smile at the sight of Pye's bag.

"Longer than a day's walk, sir?" If Vickery said he had to go in, Pye would. And if they got lost or locked in to this strange apparition, he had enough food for a few dfays at least! He just didn't know how safe it would be with all them Tars, looking well enough to it it all in an hour!

"Yes. Besides which it's more comfortable. And there are enough seats for everyone, including us officers. Stop worrying about that."

Pye looked apologetic. "..But.. is only officers who ride in carriages sir, n' this is not wagon." He murmured very quietly. It wasn't a protest, since he was willing to go on. It was just, his thoughts and worries that the privates were not supposed to be 'on board' at all!

Maggie too looked at the coach apprehensively. "Maybe we ought to wait for the horses. Get in after they're hitched up."

"This don't need horses," Chase called down from his perch atop the bus. "It goes all on its own. Don't even need sails!"

Newbury watched from the doorway, having silently followed the general movement outside. That had to be the strangest contraption he'd ever seen.

"Those Marines ain't bothered by it," he pointed out. "Can't be too unseemly if they're goin' with it."