Assembling A Crew
Captain Peanut Butter • Chapter 14
New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 starting here:
In the previous chapter, Elise learned that her ship was ready for its first voyage. Elise, Britpop, Andelbert, and Maria all sailed with Snoffduffle to France. Elise informed her father of her new position as Captain. He mocked her, saying it was foolishness.
We returned to the Sea Merchant II, where Snoffduffle, Andelbert, and Maria were waiting.
“I trust your meeting went well?” Snoffduffle asked.
“Unfortunately, no. My father is as mule-headed as ever. He does not think I am capable of being a sea Captain,” Elise replied.
“How unfortunate. But I assure you, Grand Duke Goatbeard does not share your father’s opinion. He is most confident of your abilities.”
“As am I,” I added.
“My father will just have to get used to the idea. Let’s get started. What is next?” I asked Snoffduffle.
“First, we must spread the word that we are hiring a crew for The Eternal Horizon,” Snoffduffle replied. “We will visit the local inns and pubs and make announcements. Word will spread quickly. Then I will introduce you to our local suppliers. Tomorrow, we will start the interviews at our office. I will lead the interviews, but you are free to ask questions also.”
“Very good.”
“Well, my love. It seems you will be quite busy. Since the day is young, I think it best if Andelbert, Maria, and I start our journey to Versailles,” I said to Elise.
“I agree. There is no need for you to delay. I will miss you and dearly wish I could go with you. Give the King and Queen my regards. And remind the Queen that you are now spoken for.”
I laughed. “You need not be concerned about the Queen. I have eyes only for you.”
“I am glad to hear it. Farewell, my love.”
Elise and I embraced, followed by a kiss. Maria smiled and wrapped her arm around Andelbert’s.
I turned to Andelbert and Maria. “Shall we head for Versailles?”
“Yes, please,” Maria said.
“I am looking forward to it,” Andelbert said.
Elise will take the telling of this portion of the story.
Snoffduffle was correct about word spreading quickly. As we arrived at the office the following morning, a large number of sailors were waiting for interviews. Truthfully, I was thankful that Snoffduffle was handling the interviews. He was businesslike and blunt. Knowing what questions to ask to get a good judge of the sailor’s experience and character. I added a few questions of my own. Mostly asking if they were comfortable sailing under a woman Captain. A few were surprised, and some flat-out refused. But it didn’t seem to be an issue for many. I suppose the prospect of work outweighed any objections.
To my surprise, one of the applicants was a young woman. Snoffduffle quickly rejected her as she had no experience as a sailor. But something about her intrigued me.
By lunchtime, we had two-thirds of our crew. I was pleasantly surprised. They were men with ample sailing experience and seemingly good character.
“We will break for lunch now,” Snoffduffle announced. “I recommend the Souris Brune Inn. Fear not. They do not serve mice.”
“Will you not join me?”
“I prefer to stay and attend to the necessary paperwork. I will eat as I work.”
“Very well.”
I arrived at the Souris Brune Inn. It was a typical port inn—well-worn and filled with sailors. I had eaten here countless times with my father. My attention was drawn to the barmaid. She was the young woman who had applied for the sailor position earlier that morning.
I sat at the bar and waited for her to come over. She did, and I saw the recognition in her eyes.
“Captain Boissoneau, right?” she asked.
“That is correct. I am sorry, I do not remember your name.”
“I wouldn’t expect ya to. I am Celine Lavigne.”
“Well met, Celine.”
“I have to say, my heart soared when I learned that the Captain of The Eternal Horizon was a woman. It has always been my dream to be a sailor. I have never been out of Bordeaux except the one time my father took me to Paris on a business trip. It was heavenly, and it made me want to see more of the world. He passed when I was fourteen. I have no other family. I have tried to get on any ship with an opening, but they just laughed at me and told me to find a husband.”
“I can relate. My own father thinks me being a Captain is foolishness. And several sailors openly refused to sail under me.”
“So, how did you do it? How did you become a Captain?”
“My father owns a shipping business. My mother died when I was young, and my father took me with him on trips. I was raised on ships and learned the shipping business from my father. I approached Grand Duke Goatbeard in Kapri about a possible business arrangement, and he was impressed. When he learned of my desire to be a Captain, he offered me my own ship.”
“What a dream come true.”
“It was, indeed.”
“Well, lunch is on me. Whatever you want.”
“Thank you. Surprise me.”
“You got it,” Celine said with a smile.
“You truly want to be a sailor?” I asked.
“More than anything in the world.”
“It is long, hard, tiring work. And can be very lonely.”
“It has to be better than fighting off drunk sailors here every day.”
“Are you willing to put in long hours of learning without complaint?”
“I am.”
“Then welcome to my crew.”
“Truly? You mean it?”
“I do. It will be a trial. One sailing. At the end of the voyage, if either of us decides it is not working, you will be let go.”
“Perfect. I accept.”
“It won’t be easy. The rest of the crew may give you grief.”
“I am used to that.”
“I imagine you are. It will be good to have female company on the ship.”
“Thank you, Captain. You won’t regret it.”
“That is my hope.”
After lunch, I returned to the office.
“Snoffduffle, add Celine Lavigne to the crew list.”
“I already rejected her. She has no experience.”
“I will train her myself.”
“Is that wise? You have much to learn as a Captain. Will she not be a distraction?”
“I will manage. The Grand Duke is taking a chance on me. Should I do any less?”
“You have the final say. It is your ship.”
“Good. I will inform the Grand Duke that the decision was mine.”
“That is not my concern. I am only concerned for your success.”
“I appreciate that, Snoffduffle. I cannot say specifically why, but my instincts tell me this is the right thing to do.”
“Then the decision is made. I will add her to the crew list.”
“Thank you.”
“You need not thank me for doing my duty.”
“I may not need to, but I want to.”
Snoffduffle stared for a minute, perhaps not knowing how to reply, then changed the subject.
“More sailors are waiting. Shall we continue?”
“Indeed,” I said and smiled.
Next Chapter
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Captain Boissoneau would be a glass of water without the title of captain.😀
I will say this Mark Starlin: When you write your OWN stories you can do anything you want! Women can go to pubs alone without being accosted. Women can be hired as crew without the crew men deserting the ship ( women are notoriously bad bad luck at sea!) Good for you for creating a new reality here. When this is made into a film, please,please, please let me play Snofduffle! And, ahem... Tom Hiddleston as Peanutbutter...