The only door open led to the steward's storeroom.

Feeling it best to be prepared for any eventuality, I selected a pistol from the rack, saw to its loading, and slipped the weapon into my pocket.

Except for one man busily engaged coiling a rope, the main deck was deserted, and I climbed the short ladder to the poop, meeting LeVere as I straightened up.

The sea was a gentle swell, the sky clear above, but with a mass of dark clouds off the port quarter.

A glance aloft revealed a full spread of canvas.