{DISCLAIMER: "Johannas Yenner" and "Carlos Rammnin" copyright to my brother and published without permission.}

Captain Sampkins was seethingly furious. The Feline saboteur knelt huddled and shivering on the deck below, surrounded by the jeering and threatening crew of the Barter Dame. By the grace of god himself were he and his crew unharmed.

A clever device rigged in the powder magazine, a stealthful abandonment of the ship. But for the cook's keen nose and the fast action of an attatched marine ensign, the Barter Dame would have been lost with a goodly portion of her hands.

After the danger had passed, the lookout had spotted the Feline waving madly from amid the swells astern. A dory has fetched him back.

The Protector had signaled some minutes ago and the Barter Dame was oblidged to lay to so that the frigate could pull alongside and inquire as to the goings on going on. Commander Hueard himself shouted over.

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Johannas Yenner, second mate of the Barter Dame, squinted down at the miscreant from his position at the pilot house. He listened grimly to the insults and threats that the crew were yelling and turned to inquire of his captain, "If you want him for somethin' other than shark bait, sir, than I'd better get down there and see to 'im...?" He turned back to survey the ugly crowd around the boy. They looked about ready to tear him apart.

"The little backslayer suits me fine for shark feed, Mr. Johannas. I have to confer with Hueard. Go down and hold a vote as to his fate. Take any suggestion." The Feline wretch could be damned by his would-have-been victims. It seemed the proper way to deal with the ugly situation, to Sampkins.

"Yes, sir." Yenner replied dutifully. It would have suited him fine to just lock him up in the brig, but he would take the order just as well. It would please the crew plenty, anyway.

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At the report of his designated protectorate's captain, Hueard was even more infuriated than Sampkins had been. "I would deliver him at Sivaleigh to be publically hung!" he shouted over. "A Feline has not dangled there in months(weeks)!"

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Down on the main deck of the merchant, Carlos Rammnin stood beside the prisioner with his cutlass drawn, warning the rest of the crew back by raising it menacingly towards them. He had a grim respect for the boy and after (him) going to the trouble of fishing him out of the ocean, he wasn't going to let anything happen to him just yet. Besides, he was just a kid(lad).

"Aye! Captain! What's to be his fate?" Rammnin shouted over the crowd. He didn't like the bloodlust the crew was showing and he knew that any defense of the saboteur wouldn't be well received. But, Hang it! He was just a child and must have believed he was doing right. Right or not.

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Juio Kipnetta, the cabin boy aboard the Barter Dame, was finding all the excitement surreal. First a near disaster that he realized would have killed him outright. Then to learn that it was no accident, that there was an enemy spy to whom the blame could be ascribed and due punishment metted out upon. And then to see that the deadly enemy was a boy his own age. He felt numb. And the worst part was when the Feline boy looked up once and their eyes met. Not hate on either's part, just acceptance and worry on the one side and confusion and dread on the other.

Then Carlos inquired of the boy's immediate fate and Juio was suddenly struck with the thought that he wanted the Feline's life spared.

New as cabin boy, he was aware that to speak in defense of such an enemy would not put him in well with most of his fellow crewers and certainly not his captain, but he hoped that his inexperience and lack of wisdom would beg him pardon. Not to say he was not bright. The best tack occured to him straightaway, in fact.

"Make him sweat and toil in servility for his murderous treason, captain! Auction him off to slave for the highest bidder! I myself open with fifteen gold pieces, sir!"

There were many surprised expressions, but Captain Sampkins himself smiled widely. "What was that the boy said? I cannot quite believe my ears!"

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Rammnin felt his jaw drop along with the others and then fought to hide his grin. Clever lad! "You can profit from this swine's treachery, Captain! Certainly a marvelous idea! I say seventeen gold pieces!"

Sampkins' smile froze and then waned completely. "Mr. Rammnin. You shall come up before me, sir. Turn over custody of the prisoner to the First Mate."

First Mate Drandow drew his pistol on Rammnin and waved him along. It had been a real exercise in self-control to not have shot the noncommissioned midshipman when he had first showed himself possessive and protective toward the boy. A prisoner guilty of transgressions of such a nature as this Feline, was held in common by the entire crew and his soul could be spoken for by only the captain in his rank of authority.

Johannas was already standing with Rammnin and the midshipman turned over the prisoner to him with the greatest hesitancy. Then, making sure to ignore the unspoken threat of the First Mate, he speedily(swiftly) climbed the stairs up(of?) the pilothouse to the(his) captain. He recognized that the man's tone and manner were not good. Things looked bleak for him AND the boy!

"Yes, Captain?"

"I find your suggestion that I might profit from the presence of the enemy aboard my ship, offensive to say the very least. The more when considering that he tried to blow me up with my livelihood. Am I quite mad? Are you?"

"If you say so sir," Rammnin replied meekly. He had to play this right if he was to save his (own) hide and reason for the life of the Feline (lad).

"Now, an auction seems like a fine idea to me, but we will not honor our unwanted guest by assigning him a rising value. You are of the newer hands, so I let you off in this instance lightly. Do not EVER put words in my mouth or lead your fellows in any manner. You are not a commissioned officer. Join the Hierarchy navy if you want to spit on merchant captains. Now descend, sir."

"Yes sir. I'll remember that, sir." Rammnin's relief nearly shone through his skin. He returned to the main deck and stood by Juio, smiling down at him and giving him a brief, discreet wink.

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Juio fretted for Carlos. He knew that a rowdy crew and loose tongues often resulted in an example being made.

But the midshipman rejoined his peers and seemed none the worse for his audience with Captain Sampkins. A wink from Carlos surprised him no end and he shied away precautiously. If a harsh vocal reprimand had been passed(conveyed), then it seemed unwise to act so trim, much wiser to slink and cringe for a few days after.

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The Barter Dame was back to setting the course and pace fifteen minutes later. The prisoner was down in the slave hold to await his own public mock auction at dusk. Captain Sampkins was saving the details until mess. Commander Hueard was invited to the captain's table to enjoy the festivities.