It was Sunday, and the Hawkins family's merchant fleet was returning to port, leaving a few crew members on duty, including midshipman John Hawkins and his cousin Brady, and other family members who could go back to their respective families for a day of rest.

When it's almost time for dinner, the summer sun is still scorching the earth. The cool breeze blowing from the Atlantic Ocean and the heat that filled the air were entangled, and with an irresistible force swooped down on the docks full of boats, large and small, trying to whizz through the interior of every ship, every house and every person. Take away the dust of the haze that wafts over the town, and take away the huge heat that the people who live here are disgusted.

However, the feeling of whistling by is great, and the people here love the sea breeze. At this time, John and Brady, two and a half boys who were less than a year apart, finally put one foot on the hard road of the dock.

At the moment of landing, a child's smile appeared on the faces of the two, jumping and jumping happily. This kind of feeling after going ashore can probably only be truly experienced by sailors who have been drifting at sea all their lives. Brady put his arm around his cousin's shoulders and looked at each other with a laugh, "John, do you remember what you just said to me?" ”

John frowned, squinting his eyes and looking up at the cloudless sky. It took a long time to retract his jaw and say solemnly, "Brady, it's probably almost time for dinner." I thought, why don't you have dinner and then go buy roast chicken and ale? ”

"Oh, it's time for dinner!" When Brady said deliberately, he quietly stretched his right hand from his lower abdomen to the other party's right waist, grabbed the soft boy's skin on the other party's waist and pinched it vigorously, "You stinky guy still wants to lie to me." After dinner, still craving roast chicken and ale? No, you must buy me roast chicken and ale today. ”

"Ouch, Brady, you're scratching me." John screamed in pain, and reached out to break his cousin's hand as he twisted his body hard.

Brady hugged him tightly to prevent him from moving, the strength of his hand weakened slightly, and he said cruel words, "Admit defeat?" If you admit defeat, keep the promise you made. ”

John did feel the skin and muscles around his waist being scratched, and nodded his head like a chicken pecking rice, "I will fulfill my promise." Brady, can you let me go first? ”

Brady saw the pained look on his face, and wondered if it really hurt him. Hurriedly let go of the hand that was gripping the other party's waist and looked at him with concern, "John, are you in pain?" ”

At this time, John Hawkins felt the pressure on his shoulders also lighten, and his cousin no longer seemed to strangle his neck with his arm. The little eyeballs rolled, turned his face and looked at Brady's right side very seriously, and said, "Brady, look over there, there seems to be a beautiful lady watching you over there." ”

Born and raised in Plymouth, the two are no strangers to the bewitching dust girls who often haunt the streets. Brady believed it and turned his head to an alley on the right, "Where?" Let me see, is she pretty? ”

Just then, John suddenly grabbed his left arm and threw it off his shoulder, pulled his leg and ran. The moment Brady felt his arm being thrown off, he immediately understood that John was cheating on himself again. Frowning and staring at John's back, he spread his two calves and chased after him.

While chasing hard, he shouted from behind: "John Hawkins, you are cheating on me again!" When I catch you, I'll be sure to tie you headfirst to the mast! ”

John looked back and laughed as he ran ahead, "Hahaha...... Let's wait until you catch up with me first. ”

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As the two and a half children run wild on the road leading from the docks to the Hawkins family's domain, John's father, Captain Hawkins, who stands in front of the window, is always thinking about how to carry out privateering at sea on French, Spanish, and Portuguese merchant ships without affecting the family's overseas trade.

On the surface, the status quo of overseas trade continues to be maintained, but behind the scenes, the criminal deeds of royal pirates are committed. If all goes well, his family can use this lawful privateer to gain more gold and silver treasures. Captain Hawkins added a smile to his face as he thought of this.

Turning his face to look at his somewhat anxious brother, he said in the same calm tone, "Richard, I know what you mean, and I also know how much treasure open privateering at sea can bring to our family. However, the family's overseas trade still has to continue. ”

Richard focused on his brother's expression, nodded and stared out the window, "If trade and privateering go hand in hand, then we must be financed by Miss Isabel." ”

"Do you know how much money Miss Isabel brought to talk about cooperation?"

She also said. However, I think the two treasure chests they brought should be full of money, at least that. Richard finished speaking, holding out two fingers.

"2,000 pounds? My God, how could she bring so much money? Hawkins didn't believe his brother's words.

Richard shook his head, looked up at the sky again, "Well, time flies, it's almost dinner time." ”

Captain William Hawkins stroked his beard again, "Why don't you talk to Miss Isabel about it today." Privateering is different from trade, and all preparations must be made before going to sea. ”

"I understand, William."

After the two reached an agreement, they returned to Isabelle, and Captain Hawkins smiled politely, "Miss Isabel, Richard's opinion and I are that privateering and the family's overseas trade should be advanced at the same time. You know, overseas trade is fundamental to keeping the Hawkins family going. If we give up overseas trade, this family of mine will not be far from extinction. ”

Isabel didn't want to stop the Hawkins brothers from continuing to do overseas trade, her eyes rolled and she nodded with a reserved smile on her face, "I understand what the captain means, I know that sailing overseas is not something you want to do, you always have to prepare a lot of things." ”

Richard, who was standing on the side, smiled with satisfaction, thought about it and asked softly, "Miss, it's almost dinner time now, what do you think of your itinerary?" ”

Isabel did not consider the specific arrangements for the itinerary such as meals and accommodation. No matter where she went, she would never believe that she and the people she brought with her had nowhere to eat and no place to sleep. Glancing at Richard, who was courteous to him, he smiled, "Sir, I didn't arrange my trip, and I came to Plymouth from the north to stay for a while. ”