"Well me hearties,  how goes the work?"  

Smokey, the Bos'n could see that new ropes had been fitted for the
sail crew to stand on while they let out or folded up the sails.  His
question was more of a greeting than an inquiry.

"We'll have to keep at it if we want to be ready to sail on time,"
said the agile Sumo who walked on the 80 foot high spars as if they
were laying on the deck.  His work was impeccable with the knots tied
just so and the ends seized to prevent fraying.

"Just one more mast to go Mr. Bos'n," chimed in Roxy.  She was another
aerialist like Sumo who showed no fear of high places.  We should be
done by the end of the week.

"Aye, but there be more riggin' to be done," said Smokey in the
nautical style that he affected whenever he got within sight of any
body of water larger than a puddle.  "This trip, Cap'n Pine Cone wants
to try setting up the ship to trawl for shrimp with a net.  The Cap'n
be tired of hearing cats complain about all the fish in the ocean and
us having to live on canned gooshy food and crunchies.  Aye, with any
luck, we'll be havin' fresh shrimpies on our dinner plates."

"I've never rigged a net before," offered Squidget.  "I wonder just
how  we're going to go about it."

"Truth be told, I've never rigged one either, but how hard can it be?"
replied Smokey.  

(How hard indeed?? -- O J)

"Now then, there be another matter that needs tending to.  I've heard
the scuttlebutt and I want it stopped right now!"

"What do you mean?" squeaked little Squidget in  the tiny voice that
accounted for part of her name.

"There's to be no more talk of a treasure map showing where the famous
old Finnish pirate, Erik The Scary, hid his loot on Marina's island.
It's just an old wives tale and there's to be no more talk of it.  If
the crew or especially the new crop of cabin kits gets wind of such a
thing, all ship's discipline will go to hell."

(to be continued)
((by anyone))

Regards and Purrs,
O J