sandrewn

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, is the only word remaining, that no one has used to describe any of the prior and even more so this latest chapter of yours. I and I am sure many others reread your chapters for pure enjoyment, while waiting for the next to come. You appear to have done the same, but with the intent of dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's. Every question I had saved up has been answered. Masterfully done and all questions about Spencer have been put to rest. I also, await with both anticipation and dread the final chapter. Mark,thank you ever so much.

And so say all of us, oh damn I can't carry a tune so just go to ( click on ) Now Ricky, calm down it is only snow (really only slightly chilled water droplets). To help put a smile on your face go to ( click on ). At least one or two of these should brighten up your day (it did mine). Oh, and Mark no.3 is all yours. Cheers.

Yes, but based on all of the ships Granger has commanded it would fit right in. 1. Aurore - caught fire and sunk 2. Commerce de Marseille - ended up anchored permanently 3. Intrepid - hit a reef and sunk 4. Belvidera - badly burnt and out of action indefinitely for major repairs 5. Bacchante - on the rocks with back broken My first thought was that HMS Forlorn Hope would be a go with his track record. Now, I think that HMS Endeavour or Enterprise would be a good fit. A purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort and boldness). An apt description our hero to date.

disks? What ever you've got I'm sure there is a pill for it. In the mean time I will just ask Scottie to beam you up and hold you in the buffers until the next book starts. That way when you rematerialize, you can enjoy the last two chapters and get right into the new offering what ever it is called. Wait, centexhairysub may need help also (weak heart you know), Scottie make that two to go please.

Just checking to see if posting here still works, yup I guess so. The silence in this forum is deafening. To pass the time I have been looking for a theme song for the series, this is the best one that I found to date. As to whom he is referring too, you can assume Caroline or just make a long list. ▶ The Last Farewell ~ Roger Whittaker - YouTube

You are filling in the gaps and answering the questions we had, most pleasing (really, really), just don't stop. Arthurs' mysterious comment of meeting soon with other things to discuss, hmm? Then Cavendishs' last words 'The Guild', what does he know, who does he know of? These are things George really needs to find out about to be able to defend himself and his family. A truly grand chapter, thank you. Sadly you have given us a timing for the end (2 chapters). Thinking positively, this just means looking forward to a book 7 in the Bridgemont series. Thanks again.

Just wanted to make sure that this forum was still working, I guess it is. Who ever said silence is golden, is full of horse doo doo. I'm wondering if it is a secondment, in which case Cavendish would still be a Lt in the navy. Or has he resigned it?

All that was said before me, times ten. I wonder how long he will be able to keep the crew at the Abbey safe from the press. Thanks again for that wonderful chapter.

Well, fancy that! Who would of thought (not me obviously) that my on going quest for the answer as to how that darn rating system worked, was right there. Oh so cleverly hidden away under a reference, called of all things ' Rating System of The Royal Navy ', ouch. Thank you Mark for taking pity on me. Note to Self: 1 - get one tall cap with dunce printed on it. 2 - take time out from twiddling thumbs. 3 - get a chair 4 - go sit in corner 5 - put on dunce's cap 6 - think about doing the obvious in the future 7 - afterwards put away chair 8 - keep cap handy somewhere (just in case) 9 - go back to twiddling thumbs

While taking a break from twiddling by thumbs, I came across this, The British Navy 1793 - 1802. It gives alot of background and a better understanding of the times. With the added bonus of making the 'Intermission' pass more easily. http://www.napoleon.org/en/reading_room/articles/files/british_navy_17921802.asp#ancre9

I would start by apologizing for leading you all to Faultytwin.com. Now as bit of distraction during our series intermission, I have found that there were indeed ships in His Majesty's navy, named HMS Intrepid, HMS Belvidera and HMS Bacchante. Note, that the description of this Belvidera's guns (36) just adds to my ongoing confusion of the rating system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Intrepid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Belvidera_(1809) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bacchante_(1876)

Well, we knew the end was nigh and now we also know a bit delayed. So to help fill the void I wandered the net and found this comic strip, I think it is from the U.K. Just keep pressing the foreward button to see more. See how long it takes before you feel the urge to delete it. It really doesn't get any better. The odd one did get a chuckle. Faultytwin.com - One man, no brain in comic strip form

I think he would serve at His Majesty's pleasure (an indeterminate length of time) and there was a stipend, George mentioned it. I feel like Ebenezer and the Spirit of Christmas Future (Westie) of things that may come to pass, has just visited us. Now I wonder. If we were to all chip in and send Mark a friggin great big turkey, might we effect George's future propects (hint, hint). It really was a great chapter, thank you again.

Keep in mind that when they cleared for action, all the partitions were taken down and Granger's stuff was stored below so as not to add to any shrapnel. His planter boxes thus become the two stern most guns of the gun deck, port and starboard. This must of irritated LeFavre to no end. It was not mentioned if on Bacchante there were guns in his cabin. Regardless, his stuff would still have been stored below for the same reasons.

Home Sweet Home. The circle is complete. I wonder if Caroline will end up explaining about Calvert and Gatling, I think it would be a good thing for George. His meeting with Spencer should prove interesting. Two Honors given (nice out). Does this mean that even if he gets an exchange, he is stuck on land for the foreseeable future, oh dear. If Calvert's sail drill appeared a bit shoddy, does that mean he didn't get Granger's crew? More questions needing answers, good job. A great chapter, thank you.

Gotcha, Mon Ami. Donegal joined up with Granger aboard Sir Horatio's Flag Ship, just prior to the Battle of the Nile. He has never met Calvert.

Kookie / Rosicky / Ricky, all observed the opportunity this chance encounter presents to Donegal. He mentioned before to Granger that he might like to join up with his friend, Patrick O'Higgins in Chile. Santa Clarita would take him in the right direction to do so. Granger might send a note along with him, addressed to his grandfather, asking him to assist Donegal in his journey, via the Caribbean and then across the Isthmus. I don't know if he would want to stay on as servant to Calvert, after working for Granger, who would.

What an inspired set up, to encounter the one person that would mean so much to George and able to fill him in on all that has happened since they parted. Now he will arrive home forewarned and ready for anything. Great, great chapter, thank you.

Once again our Master Weaver has found that one special thread that will help bring things together. Two ships in the night, Calvert off to the west Indies, Granger finally going home. The one person who could fill in all that had happened to both ships, their crews and officers. Also a chance to say good bye. Your good Mark, damn good. Thank you. Now he will arrive home prepared and ready to dive back in come what may upon his arrival.

1. On reflection it should of been obvious to me. The only reason I didn't consider it, was the equivalency. A Lt and a dozen or so men in exchange for a Commodore and all his ships' Officers. It seemed like an insult to the Spanish. 2. Reply from Mark Arbour (author) You know this is fiction when the banks come through for someone. (SMILE). This appears to be a timeless Truism. It could/should be engraved in stone for all the ages. I doubt many if any would disagree (except a Banker). 3. Reply from Mark Arbour (author) Thanks for the review. Well, living in those times was a risky thing, and life expectancy was pretty short, so we'll end up with more mortality in this story. Kill them all off (well, a few more anyways). Just leave Joshua Winkler alone, please. You have worked him into my heart. I mean, Batman wouldn't be the same without Alfred Pennyworth backing him up. Nor would Young Frankenstein have been half as good without Igor (see clip below). ▶ Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein - "Whose Brain I did put in?" - YouTube Please oh great and all powerful Author, spare him. Thank you in advance for your grace.

My bad, I went back and looked, it makes clear they are separate. I wonder how Don Jacobo handled that. That would mean those hundred men and officer he paroled in Valdivia would not be able (in theory) to take up arms until Spain could arrange an exchange, this could take half a year or more. BTW, glad you a had a good trip. I also found the natives (Viennese) to be friendly and ready to party.

Could someone clarify if parole and exchange are the same thing or two separate items. When Roberts was picked up at Gibraltar was that an exchange? Then when George dropped Don Jacobo Stuart off in Roses, was he still under parole until an official exchange could be arranged and if so did that mean he was honor bound not to fight until such time? Or was that an actual exchange? I bring this up because the last para or two of chapter 71 made me wonder about it. This last chapter was a great one, thank you.

Stamford during the voyage, now Robey after safely getting home, both gone. Aurore sunk, Belvidera burnt. It seems only Darby the natural son of the Duke remains (where ever he is) as a physical link to John Travers for George. A true kindness by Caroline, standing in for George for the family of Mr. Robey. Then making peace (sort of) with Calvert and Gatling and seeing their real joy in the news about George. Meanwhile our Captain is getting restless, will his actions help or hinder his return. I think that in his mind to be returned with out being exchanged would be a fate almost as bad as death. This was a really great chapter, thank you ever so much.

I just saw that you posted. I haven't read it yet. Just wanted to thank you in advance. Thank you.

So much for Caroline cooling down from the confrontation. Last time Calvert almost died. I am saddened by her willingness to send him off to the Indies(East or West). Hell hath no furry, like a woman........Now Spencer would attach him to an Admiral, who will make his life a living hell.Double damned, much to the glee of a certain two of your readers. Despite his faults, he doesn't deserve this. Meanwhile George is doing that which he does so well, making whoopee with his last remaining subordinate officer. Calverts' observations to Gatling were well founded. I confess these last paragraphs were a bit of a downer to me. I am glad you posted and look forward to a happier chapter. Thank you.