t ain't right he gets her all to himself," a crewman grumbled.

 It was the same Garson had thrown overboard for demanding they take a share of her.

 About a dozen members of the crew had gathered at the corner of the fo'cs'le, where the crew's quarters were located. Since it was at the front, or bow, of the ship while the officers' and captain's quarters were at the ship's end, or stern, they could speak freely.

 "Nothin' as fine as that has ever walked this deck, 'n the captain keeps her locked away like we don't get the same rights to 'er," he continued.

 "She was a gift to the captain, Dickens," replied a younger seaman. "No captain is obligated to share gifts."

 "Are ya sayin' I'm alone in this? That none a ya wants a piece a such a perfect young thing?" Dickens persisted.

 A few shrugged and mumbled and nodded in agreement, but they didn't want to make a scene like him.

 "Nothin' much you can do about it," came a lazy reply from a man laying in a hammock.

 He blew sawdust away from a little figurine he was whittling. He was larger than the one speaking, his features aged and weather-beaten from many years at sea.

 "Really now, Holt? What's Captain Garson gonna do if we bust down his door 'n take her?" he asked with a crazed look in his eyes.

 The men grew silent at the threat and Holt glared.

 "Are you suggestin' a mutiny over a woman?" Holt asked in surprise.

 "I don't ... I don't think we should go that far," muttered another crewman.

 Most returned to what they had been doing rather than agree with the absurd suggestion.

 "It wouldn't be a mutiny unless the captain pushed us that far," Dickens replied.

 Holt quickly stood and threw his piece of wood onto the hammock. He grabbed Dickens by the throat and shoved him against a cannon.

 "No one's gonna do a damn thing to that girl," he growled. "We've never had it so good, and you're not gonna fook it up for the rest of us 'cause you can't wait for the next port. Fook your hand or a fish or one of these limey bastards that agreed with ya, but don't go pissin' off the captain and causin' a fight you're not gonna win."

 He released Dickens but didn't move away from him. As the crewman rubbed his neck and tried to catch his breath, Holt glared at him and around the room at the others.

 "Do you remember where we are?" he demanded of their urgent recollection. "This is enemy waters. The only ship brave enough ta traverse the Dragon's Lair is the Devil's Spear. Not a ship of these waters has come ta attack us because they know it's Captain Garson at the helm.

 Under his command, we get respect. We've had ships drop anchor just ta hand over their loot when we weren't even plannin' ta plunder. Hell, that girl's family brought her here as a gift ta Captain Garson because doin' business with him and this ship means somethin'.

 That weren't no beggar. Weren't no diplomat come ta make an accord. Captain Garson has such a name in high circles they're tradin' with us now.

 You ever hear an aristocrat sailin' out ta make bargains with any other pirate crew? Captain Garson made a name for himself and us just for bein' on his ship. And you're here talkin' about tossin' it all for a piece of ass," he glared at Dickenson once again.

 "That goes for any a you that thinks of insultin' her," he told them all. "Any offense ta her is an offense ta the captain.

 What should it matter if he has her for himself? What should it matter if he even takes her for his wife?

 As long as he does his duty to this ship and this crew, we'll be loyal and follow orders. Any a you have a problem with that? Any a you willin' ta mutiny over a woman?"

 The men all grumbled and glared at Dickens. A few others had entered during Holt's speech, and the small crowd explained what had happened. They agreed with Holt, as well.

 Dickens shoved Holt aside and pushed through the small group to make his way to the main deck and away from their angry jeers.

 Off in another corner leaning against a stack of crates was Orin. He watched as the men went to their cots and hammocks or returned to their hobbies, then hurried out to report to Garson.