These are bulky and heavy and
> positioning them, to keep Alida on an even keel, takes
> experience as well as muscle. Fortunately there
> are experienced men in the crew, notably Bosun
> O'Casek, who are up to the challenge. By six o'clock
> everything is stowed andsecured and the last of the
> furniture has been carted away.

Gaspard stood by with the ledger, carefully keeping track of every item of
the cargo, to make sure all is appropriate. Besides heavy work is not exactly
his forte given his build.
>

Shortly before seven a hackney coach, pulled by a pair of mismatched mares
arrives at the wharf. It is driven by a middle aged blackman and a young boy of
about ten in the role of footman. The coach turns a full circle in front of the
wharf and stops, facing back the way from whence it came. The boy, dressed in
thread bare hand me downs, hops off and runs to the gang plank.
"Mista Bodden sends es regards." The youth is clearly concentrating to recall
the exact words.

As the boy is speaking, Issac Bodden, who has been sitting in the shade of some
fishing nets, comes forward. The boy sees him coming and bobs his head in his
direction.
Mista Bodden say yer ta come ome too, sir."

"I will, Mala, I will." He turns towards the Alida and her captain and
officers, but his eye wanders to Cygni even as he speaks. "At your convenience,
Captain."

Gaspard can tell that the young man is obviously interested in Cygni and is
not really surprised. Once the woman is in a dress, she is quite striking. He is
not immune to her charms either.