"Most satisfactory, sir!" The dockyard official beamed.
"I'll be in my cabins," Lewrie announced. "I leave it to you, sirs, to continue the mustering-out. Pray inform me when you're done, and I'll say a few last words. The boats will be alongside by…?"
"By Two Bells of the Day Watch, sir," the Port Admiral's senior clerk assured him.
"A final 'Clear Decks and Up-Spirits,'" Lewrie decided. "Later than usual, but… later, gentlemen," Lewrie decided, meaning a last issue of rum, full measure for all with no "sippers or gulpers," given to his crew to "splice the main-brace" just one last time.
CHAPTER SIX
As if things weren't gloomy enough! No sooner had Lewrie gotten to his cabins, now almost stripped of all his goods, and filled with piles of chests, crates, and boxes, than he had to deal with Pettus, his steward, and Whitsell, his twelve-year-old cabin boy.
"Hot coffee and a dollop of brandy with, sir," Pettus offered, his own canvas bag, his tight-rolled bedding and hammock, and his sea-chest before the door of the wee pantry.
"Thankee, Pettus," Lewrie replied, taking a welcome sip.
"Uhm, sir… might you be needing my services ashore once the paying-off is done?" Pettus asked rather tentatively.
"I do need a man, aye, Pettus, are you of a mind," Lewrie told him. "Couldn't ask for a better, really."
"Well, sir, I'd rather not, if you could find another," Pettus replied, looking cutty-eyed. "For I was of a mind to go to Portsmouth… to look up Nan, if she's still employed there. I've a fair amount of pay due me, enough to keep me for a time before taking service with some household, and… "
"And take up with the girl where you left off, aye, I see. If you need a letter of recommendation…," Lewrie said.
"That'd be most welcome, sir, thank you," Pettus said, perking up with relief. "Sorry to let you down, sir, but… 'twas only drink and the