Aurelie tries to help with the manoeuvres

The deck had suddenly grown busy as an ant-hill, with sailors moving in an orderly manner around, pulling on lines, laying them to pins, scrambling up and down the ratlines. Aurelie was eager to participate and tried to help wherever there seemed need of more hands. Each time she seemed to get in the way as she was bumped, buffeted and groped around.

She had seen quite her share of macho men in historic fairs as it was often thought that older times had a mory misogynistic way of life but there had always been some restraint in the behaviour of men. It was meant to be playful acting and although some were obviously carried over by their willingness to relive the old times, one could always feel that the customs of the modern life were never far below the varnish of history.

There was nothing like that on that ship, it seemed. The crewmen really behaved like misogynistic brutes. They did not fear to grope her in the most intimate places and when she would scold or glare at them, they would only grin in response, groping further.

At first she blushed from anger and humiliation. She considered going to Captain Stone to complain but she quickly decided against it. She did not want to look like a cry-baby. She could handle the matter herself. So, she began to reply to the lewd comments by her own mockeries. Any comment about her boobs or butt she responded to by a snappy joke about the man's manhood or virility. Being quite witty and quick-minded, she immediately found the comments that would wound the most the sailor's pride. When groped, she would grope back the offender's butt or crotch while making a nasty comment about the smallness of his cock or his want of muscle.

This behaviour seemed to get her some rest. The men did not respect her but at least they were less eager to get wounded in their pride. However, this did not allow her to join her crewmate in their tasks. She was always in their way or useless. Finally, she went to the quartermaster who was supervising the deck.

"I don't know how to help. It seems your crew does not really need more help. However, I can do a lot of thing. I can mend sails and rope, I can steer the ship to a heading or a wind-point, and I know all the sailor's knots. Please give me a mission. I really want to help."