That had gotten him a laugh, and a jeer or two at their "Nip-Cheese," Mr.

Coote, as all Pursers were termed.

"Seeing as how 'tis just before Seven Bells of the Forenoon," Nicely had further said, "and Proteus is well-anchored, with none but the harbour watch to stand, with your captain's permission…?" he had looked over at Lewrie, cocking a brow 'til Lewrie nodded his agreement, "I propose that you 'Splice the Main Brace'!" Nicely had cried down to the waist, giving leave for every man and boy to have a full rum issue, with no sips or gulps owed among them to lower the brimming measure.

"And, do you come this way, sir," Lewrie had offered, gesturing aft, "we'll 'splice' our own. I've a case of fine French claret."

"Delighted!" Nicely had cried; though his eyes had been shifty. Once below, with Aspinall and Andrews, Lewrie's long-time Black Cox'n, to take charge of hats, swords, and such, Capt. Nicely shied a bit, peering about intently, though managing to hide most of his nervousness deuced well. "It, ahh… you've re-painted lately, have ye, Lewrie?" "Nossir, not in some time, why?" Lewrie said as he did honours with the first ready-opened and breathing bottle with his own hands.

"It smells… fresher than I recall," Nicely tentatively allowed, accepting a semi-conical, low-stemmed, and footed glass from him.

"Oh, the cats, d'ye mean, sir," Lewrie replied with a well-hid simper. "Don't know quite what got into 'em, when you were aboard. A tribe that don't brook 'change' all that well, I've discovered. A new person where their master usually is… pining for me, as well, sir? My apologies, again, for what harm they did

your things."

Far aft in the bed-space, Lewrie could espy two pairs of ears, two sets of hard-slit and wary eyes, perhaps even two noses, one with pink nostrils, the other grey, lurking over the top of his extra pillow and the folded-up coverlet, in his wide-enough-for-two hanging bed. Where, he fervently hoped at that moment, they would be content to stay… muttering only the faintest spiteful "Mrrrs," scheming nothing.