Clydee

Thank you, Mark. Another very interesting chapter. So now I have to wonder about the master, Conway. Hmmm. If I wasn't an old Arbour fan I would hesitate to guess this, but I am, so therefore...what are you up too? I have a feeling the shit is going to hit the fan pretty soon, it is your style you know, but I can't for the life of me figure out what. Not enough info, I guess. Hang on, since it can't be just coincidental that Maidstone has a man (or men) in the crew, and maybe that one handed guy that came aboard might be part of a plot too. If the one handed guy is part of Maidstone's bunch this could get nasty. The one handed guy bothers me. There just might be some hangin's this trip. Just sayin'! Since we all know what happens to Nelson, it was saddening to me to know that that would be the last time Granger would seem him. They've had not a few adventures in their times together and whether they wish to admit it to themselves or not, they are friends.

Jack Aubrey did it in the "HMS Surprise" so it must have happened...it was in the movies so it must be true... Going around the Horn, I mean! It sure didn't look like he was having a good time, though!

Damn! I was right...that weight is gold! Let's have us a moment of silence for this very auspicious occasion!! By the way, I wonder if the postal clerk save a copy of those papers for himself???? Or for the reporters?? Not everyone is honest like me! This is a great chapter CJ! By the way, the price of gold today is $1620.00 per ounce, which means if that weight is 20lbs, which is 291.66 troy ounces, so it would be worth around $472,489.20 American.

Especially if the Americans are using some of their big-ass frigates to help him out...

This was a great chapter, I thought. You've got me so curious now as to who is behind all this manipulation. As Yoda says, "in time all will be revealed...", or something like that, so I suppose we will have to wait. Great stuff Mark! Thanks!

I agree..."cruel and abusive bastard!" All of that work and we still don't know what is on the tape. As to the weight of the tank...beware....I'm thinkin' booby trap...or maybe gold? CJ, I am sorry, and I know you don't use cliffhangers, but damn...this felt like another one!!

Naw, what's rewarding is when we get another chapter! It's Hornblower like, but not, because of the sex thing you've so graciously included for our viewing pleasure! It's also one of my favorite genres so I really look forward to each chapter. You are one of the best, Mark. Now let's get this damn ship out to sea and pick up a few prizes!

This is uncanny!! I was thinking the very same thing...Wilcox! I wouldn't be surprised in the least...and it does fit with Mark's devious mind, don't you think? I think Calvert got a bum rap, but he'll either gain fame or be killed on the journey...and lets hope it would be the first possibility! It would be bad if Wilcox caught them in a compromising position, though. Hmmm, maybe Mark has someone else in mind...like George's other brother! These things do get switched around!

Mark, you never cease to amaze me! My simple little mind barely gets me from point A to point B, and here you are with your Byzantine plots and twists! I don't think I've ever run across such an interesting, exciting story on the internet before! Even on land you come up with the damnedest plots and ways to get Granger laid...and we all know who the next one to get laid is...

OMG...I thought I would be able to resist picturing this, but I can't!!! Ewwwww!

Good chapter indeed! It seems we've resolved some of the family issues, but now the king might be vexed with Granger??? I think not...maybe he's interested in George's take on the "mutiny" and therefore would have a better feel for what to do about it. I think Spencer was in on it, but can't really agree publicly with George, as he's junior to most officers there. He knows George has a good feel for the crewmen and his take on what they are asking would be important. I think both Spencer and the King respect George enough to know he has good sense, but they can't publicly say that about a junior officer. I do think he has a lot of credibility with both of them, and that's why I think he was asked to go along. It makes sense to me now anyway. We all know I am usually correct in figuring these things out...

Grundig???? You mean he's a secret mobster killer monster??? Maybe he's just a nice quiet guy doing his job... That might lead us into a cliff hanger and we all know that CJ so doesn't use them!

Gawd...I don't know...that guy's a survivor. If he gets into the hands of the authorities he'll figure some way to escape, I'm sure. I'm not accusing a certain author of crafting a cliff hanger because I know he would never do that, but I have read his other stories and I know he has a devious mind! I'd rather Trevor threw him overboard and be done with him! This was a great chapter as usual, and I am getting rather saddened by the fact it's almost ending. I hope CJ has another project in the works to keep us happy. A sequel to this one would be nice, providing he lets everyone (our heros, especially) live...

So beautifully written and so sad at the same time...I'm hoping you let them survive. Crashing into the ocean would be a long shot for survival so maybe they just missed their flight and will be ringing any moment???

My reference to yellowing out Wilcox was to when Granger met with Jervis at the admiralty and Jervis had suggested it. I never heard any more about it and was wondering, that's all. Thanks for the URLs on the British naval history. It made for some interesting reading, and now I am wondering what Granger will be able to affect with the mutineers? Or if he will have much part to play in it at all. I am curious as to why Spencer wanted him along though. He must have some sort of plan.

Oh, that mutiny...I guess I should read up on it so I'll know if Mark is accurate... I loved the confrontation with Wilcox...but I thought they were going to yellow him out??? I wonder what Granger is going to do about the mutiny...I don't think the demands are too much and I don't think Granger thinks so either. I know the thinking was different in that time period but common sense says "fix the problem" so we can get on with the war! It must have turned out all right 'cause England is still there! It was pretty ballsy for them to protest, though. One would think that England would learn a little from the french about dealing with the lower classes...disparity can only go on for so long before something has to change. I see this mutiny as a warning sign...maybe the king will intervene...maybe I should read up on this!

CJ, thank you for not leaving us with a cliffhanger, even though it sort of feels just like one...or several! I looked at the map where all of this was taking place...ain't much there from what I can see! You'd have to love isolation to live there... Would someone please eliminate Bridget??? Is there really any reason for her to be alive??? If I were Billy I'd be heading for the hills before she turns on him, which I am sure she will. Maybe Trevor will do it (get Bridget) with that big ole 44 magnum pistol or whatever it was...

Great chapter, and it looks as if the next one will be even more interesting...it certainly appears like we are building up to some sort of clash. The promotion to Viscount was interesting in so far that I never knew how that took place. I was assuming it would be more ritualistic, like the Knight of the Bath ceremony, rather than just a proclamation in the Privy Council Chambers. So does that mean that Granger as a lord outranks Wilcox who is an admiral? But then there is the command structure of the Navy, and since Granger is a naval captain, I would imagine Wilcox would prevail that way... It occurs to me that the issue of the men being rounded up by the press even though they are signed on to Granger's ship and currently residing on Granger's property makes me wonder if pressing them would even be legal. Couldn't George tell them to fuck off, they're mine, signed, sealed and delivered??? Do press gangs have unlimited power? Can Granger, now a Viscount override their claims? It seems counter-productive for the press to take Granger's men when they are all ready assigned to a ship. It's like stealing. Hmmm, maybe that is the purpose in the first place...

I am not so convinced Brad has changed in his attitude in any way with Will. It feels more like he's going through the motions to get Will come home so he can work his revenge for what Will has done. I am also pretty confident that no one in the family will let him get away with that, but I still think he will try. Brad's email didn't sound very convincing to me. Sure he wants his son back, but I think he resents him now for what he has done, and is spoiled enough to want his own revenge. I hope I am wrong with this assessment, I would like Will to come back to a Donna Reed type ending and live happily ever after, but reality says it ain't gonna be that way. This is about two very strong personalities butting heads here...

Damn!!

I do what I can...

Mark...I really was hoping for the answer to the question we are all waiting for and which you so cleverly hinted to and then avoided and quickly sidestepped...damn! I think you owe us another chapter soon, like maybe Wednesday???? Or sooner! This is not unlike when he gave the ruby of Oran to the king...well the anticipation of the thing I guess...(heavy sigh!) All of your chapters are worth waiting for, so I guess I can wait for this one too, although I am old and frail so maybe you wouldn't deny me...would you????

Jeez, angry young man!! This all could have been avoided with just showing a little more love and affection. Now we have a wild kid on our hands...'scuse me, angry irrational wild kid! I was afraid this would happen, but I admit I too was shocked at the violence! I think his running away is a big mistake...he should have gone to Stephan. Will is not seeing things realistic right now, and resulting in thoughts and actions that are not very rational. The first time he gets ripped off in Hawaii he's going to wish he were back home, even if only to face the wrath of his angry fathers... He doesn't appreciate the fact he's only fifteen and a target for a lot of nasty predators. Street smarts come after some heavy lessons...my experiences have told me that much... I think the marine got some of what he deserved back, although there may be consequences for Will about that later. I'm talking about the roofies...I don't think you can use an illegal drug even in one's own defense. Will is going to have problems about this whole episode, because of his Paris incident, because of this marine jerk-off, plus his dad's indifference. He needs help and right soon, and I wish his dad or Robbie would get a clue. Stephan will be apoplectic when he sees the pictures...that marine will be lucky to be alive or even in one piece when he gets done with him! Well done, Mark...another great chapter from a great writer!

Well, he's not horrible at figure skating, in fact I get the impression he's pretty good. He's in the juniors, and if he stays with it he could conceivably win, which will eventually vault him into the seniors. It all depends on his skill, interpretation, and dedication. It's a matter of getting the right coach, getting known by the judges, a lot of things go into it. Yes, he could conceivably be a star.

In reference to the last chapter, I was wondering who it will be that finally has the epiphany..."we are really screwing this kid up!!" This being probably the most volatile age...fourteen through at least sixteen...with no one to pay attention to his needs, and we are talking quite a few here. Believe it or not I was fourteen (through sixteen) a few hundred years ago, but I remember them very well. Talk about completely out of control emotions... lets see, paranoia, anger, horny, anger, horny, did I mention anger....and thats just to name a few! Oh, maybe a little belligerent too...My point is, no one seems to give a damn and they don't think he's mature enough to notice. It ain't going away until some of this gets resolved, including their changing things. JJ is a potential star, but he's not at that stage just yet. Will is, and he won't be happy until something happens... Part of Will's problem is he's so goddam smart! It's a detriment for him at this stage, because his fathers don't appear to realize how smart he really is. They aren't dumb either, just clueless. Ryan ain't helping either!