[b]"I am the Kings Man Sir," [/b]James responded with the instant rote reply of a hundred Wardroom toasts. The upper class accent rendered sir more like sar. Hands moving more or less of their own voliton James bough his cup to his lips and tossed off the content, some sort of local claret, off in a single mouthful. James grinned a trifle wryly, he hadn't won and lost two fortunes by being a blind follower of orders.

[b]"Although in fairness, I find my lance a little freer of late,"[/b] he qualified. James sorely hoped that they never had cause to fight a British manowar but he could square his conscience in pretty much all other matters. He could get back in, he just needed lightning to strike thrice.

[b]"The ships in good condition sir, properly laded and squared away Bristol fashion. She's a tough old bitch I'd wager and she will go windward like a witch in a high sea."[/b]