Not much

By the time Brenan got back to his ship, the wharf was busy with activity. Three large wagons were standing by the ship and each wagon contained large crates each one a meter on width and height and one and a half meters in length. Damn! trust Ambrose to chose the least convenient form of packaging. As he got closer he saw that his crew were up to the task. A series of pulleys and levers were attached to the booms of the ship's two masts, and as he watched he saw one of the crates lifted from the wagon and guided over the cargo hatch located amidships.

More orders were yelled out - Brenan realized with surprise that it was James who was issuing the commands in a loud confident voice - and the crate descended into the gaping hull below. Brenan waited until the ropes were cleared before hailing the ship.

"Well done Lads!" He called out and saw James flush with pride.

"They wanted to charge us a fee of 50 crowns to rent their crane on Ambrose's dock Captain. I told them to use their crane to hoist themselves." James told Brenan as soon as he was on deck.

"He did too!" Interrupted Kyle with a loud laugh, "Those were his exact words. We'll make a sailor out of this one soon enough." Brenan smiled at how well James was fitting in.

"I brought you another deck hand." Brenan said motioning to Castillo, "Put him in Mr. Michael's spot and I'll take the gun-chief below and see to securing these beasts."

Brenan dropped through the stern hatch with Michaels following close behind and the two approached the cargo hold through the galley. Sasha was attaching one of the spare gun carriage harnesses to the massive crate that was settled slightly askew under the open cargo hatch.

"Just right lass!" Mr. Michaels boomed from behind Brenan as he stepped closer to examine her sea knots. Michaels picked up the heavy rope that ran through the block and tackle and hesitated as he looked at the captain. Clearly he wanted Brenan to man the ropes, but a third officer couldn't very well order his captain to pull hemp like a deck mule. Brenan smiled at Michaels as he took off his shirt.

"It's OK Mr. Michaels, consider me one of your gun crew until we get this job finished, then I'll get back to being your captain. Mr. Michaels tipped an imaginary cap in Brenan's direction and with a big grin pointed to the heavy rope by his side.

"Very well then, man this rope if you please." It took the better part of two long hard hours, but eventually all ten of the crates were laid out filling most of the ship's small cargo hull. A gap was left near the guns in case they were needed, but other than that the hold was pretty well filled. By the time the last of the crates had been lowered into the hold and secured to deck below Brenan's crew were working well together. Brenan was pleased to see that Castillo was working out well with the other three crew men. The last items that came on board were the new water casks replacing the scum filled casks that were nearly empty. He'd have to stop a a watering spot on his way up the coast and fill them first chance he got.

Pleased with how well the crew pulled together Brenan gave each man a silver crown from the heavy bag that Mr. Michaels gave him from Ambrose and sent them out for a few hours of liberty.

"We sail on the evening tide. I want you back on board by 5 bells. Don't get so drunk that you can't work." Brenan saw Sasha standing off to the side and added as an afterthought "And don't talk about the ship. Not a word about our guns, anyone who's on it or where we are headed." He hoped this crew had enough sense to keep their mouths shut. "The last thing we need is for some pirate to think we might be a good target."

Brenan tossed a crown to Sasha even though she wasn't going ashore. "You earned it." She had too Brenan realized as he remembered how strong his cook was. When she first started pushing on the crates as he and Michaels had used the ropes Brenan almost told her not to bother, but her added **** had made a big difference in how fast the crates were slid into place.

"Captain, do you have time to get a few more items?" Sasha asked as she slipped the coin into her belt pouch and took out a sheet of paper. "I made a list."

Brenan considered her request, he did have the time, but he didn't want to leave Sasha alone on the ship. Davy's ship yard should be safe, but he hated to take chances with her this close to sailing.