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“I know them,” Devinsaid.
“Yes sir, but you’re a hero and it makes it easy for you,” Parsons said, and Devin heard Mia snort. As for himself, he was becoming more used to the adoration his reputation brought even if he’d rather it not bethere.
“Captain Cadley,” Devin called, and all the boys turned as Mia rose to herfeet.
“Aye, Captain Winthrop,” Mia said and stepped towards thetables.
“Might you name rigging?” he asked and heard the boys in the roommumble.
“Running rigging, Captain, on a square rigged?” Her eyes went to one model ship on thetable.
“Aye, if youplease.”
“The main components, Captain, on the square sail are the halyard, braces, lifts, sheets, clewlines, buntlines, reef tackles, reef points, andbowlines.
“No.” Devin heard one of the boysgasp.
“And the purpose of the first two you named,Captain?”
“She’s a captain?” someonewhispered.
“The halyard raises yard and sail, and braces are to trim the yard,” Mia answered, folding her hands in front ofher.
“What of the standing rigging do you hold to be most important?” Devin asked to show it was important to know the multiple kinds of riggingsused.
“The shrouds, Captain,” Mia answered quickly and Devin wouldn’t disagree though no one part was very much moreimportant.
“And the purpose of theshrouds?”
“To hold the mast side to side. Should a ship be fired on and take a hit to the mast broadside it will be the shrouds which hold the mast and keep it from falling on deck or into the sea,” Mia said and nodded. Devin turned to see the boys working to identify the rigging she named and determine how it did as shesuggested.
“Do you see lads, it is the duty of all aboard, even the officers, to know the riggings and their purpose. It is of the utmost responsibility of the captain to know the lines and to know they are in place as expected. The entire safety of the ship could depend on suchknowledge.”
“Is she really a captain?” someonewhispered.
“Aye she is,” Devin said as Mia stepped up besidehim.
Some nervous laughter and more than a few lecherous looks from the boys. “Sail much ma’am?” Jinkinsasked.
“As often as I can,” Mia said. “Though at the moment I’ve only a sloop in port. My frigate and two barque are likely docked either in Boston or in Bannock. I do know our fleet’s flagship,The Molly, is due in port. It’s an old galleon, one of the lastmade.”
“The commodore’s ship?” Devin asked, startled to hear Mia’s papa was coming to England. He certainly hoped it wasn’t to take care of the matter Devin was still unable to settle. Ending Bennet was a goal, but the man hadvanished.
“It won’t be for another month or so but maybe you can bring them out and let them get a feel for a true sailing ship,” Mia said with a smile then she bumped against him. “You know, not one of those silly toy brigs like you sail in thenavy.”
“Toy? Silly?” Devin spluttered and the boys rallied behind him with calls of how wonderful a brig was. Not that they had any idea of thefacts.
“Avast, lubbers,” she said laughing and raising her hands. “Iyield.”
“Good rally men. Now off with you. Class dismissed,” Devin said with a laugh and watched as they snapped to and saluted before rushing for the door in a great herd. “Study those lines men,” he shouted before the first could push out andvanish.
“How sweet they are, Devin,” Mia said and started helping straighten theclass.
“Sweet, but not sailors,” Devin said with a shake of hishead.
“You’ll get them there. It isn’t as if they must be ready to sail tomorrow and even so the waters aren’t what they were even ten yearsago.”
“I knew these lines by name and purpose by age seven. The sea is a dangerous place Mia, and men sent out not ready won’t only kill themselves they’ll take a crew with them.” Devin lifted the model and examined it. “Though I’ve a feeling it won’t be these fine craft they’ll makehome.”
