As the sky darkened, the setting sun reflected the sea, and tiny waves jumped around the Blue Banshee, refracting the light in all directions.

The Blue Banshee's deck was partially off-duty sailors practicing small arms under the supervision of a boatswain. Unlike the army, which has standard weapons, sailors are basically what they can do, so the light weapons on board are also varied. In addition to the indispensable arquebuses and the rare flintlock pistols, there are more cold weapons of all kinds. The most numerous were the sailor's scimitar, followed by the dagger and boarding axe, and even bows, bayonets and short spears. The bow and arrow belonged to an Indian named Opaisenkanno and his four men, and Chen Shouxu had seen him nail to the bow of the ship with an arrow that was running on the deck, and no one on the ship dared to provoke them.

Chen Shouxu chose one of the most common sailors' knives, and the boatswain himself was his master. It had cost him another half a month's ration of beer, and now he had no drink unless the captain had an extra meal or someone else had a treat.

The knife in Chen Shouxu's hand was once again opened, and he staggered back, and the boatswain's left hand took out a dagger and clamped it around Chen Shouxu's neck like lightning. Chen Shouxu's heart was cold, as long as his father's dagger was a little bit forward, he seemed to be able to imagine the scene where the carotid artery was cut open and bright red blood burst out under the pressure of the heart.

The boatswain put away his dagger, "I've told you many times, footsteps, watch your steps." It's not land on a boat, so it's your instinct to keep your balance and find a place to put your foot between the sail line and the mast. ”

The boatswain moved too fast, and Chen Shouxu looked frustrated, "Yes, Mr. Wicks. ”

"Frazier," Daddy yelled, "come here." Accompany him to continue practicing. ”

Fraser ran over, "Hey, Oriental boy, let's do it." Ha ha. ”

Chen Shouxu responded without hesitation, "Come on, if you lose, my beer will be all yours today." "Fraser was a good sailor, but not a good fighter. Chen Shouxu is not without opportunities.

The boatswain, seeing that the two men were already fighting together, went to the bow of the ship. In addition to the aft tower, the bow deck is also a relatively high part of the ship.

"Wicks, in fact, he is improving very quickly, he is six feet tall, and his flexibility is also very good, which is really an enviable physical condition." A blonde man leaning on the ship's side guard called out to the boatswain with interest.

It is true that there were people on this ship who did not have to be involved in the work of ordinary sailors, and the Indian chiefs and the Germans in front of them belonged to this category, and they all had their own teams. If you think of Corsair as a joint-stock company (which is indeed very similar), the captain is the theoretical largest shareholder and de facto CEO, then the chief and von . Morality. Maiden is the equivalent of a minority shareholder.

Wicks frowned, in fact, he instinctively disliked these "outsiders", and more than once he reported to the captain that the people on the ship were too mixed this time. The captain didn't explain much to Wicks, but said that they had been specially invited for this voyage, and asked the boatswain to take care of the management of ordinary sailors and not to cause internal conflicts.

Wicks looked at the exquisite saber gauntlet on Maiden's waist and the somewhat old coat on his body, "Indeed, Chen's physical condition is very good, it's only been two months, and soon I won't be able to teach him." Maybe you can try it then. ”

"Hmph," Maiden smiled, "that's what I mean, and if you think it's okay, I'll train him from tomorrow." ”

Wicks didn't expect the German to have such a plan, but he didn't care.

"As long as Chen agrees, whatever you want." With that, he continued to walk towards the bow of the boat.

"Thank you, boatswain, then." Satisfied, Maiden walked down deck. "It's getting more and more fun on this voyage."

On the Blue Banshee, the best cabin in the aft tower belonged to the captain. The sailors crowded the first half of the ship, two or three people sharing a hammock or a bunk, and there were no bunks at all. The officers and minority shareholders had their own cabins in the aft cabin, which, although also collective, were much better than sailors' conditions.

Maiden walked over to his cabin, where everyone else was sleeping, except for someone who looked older and was writing something in the dim light.

"Herr Westheim, you're still sorting through those battle logs?"

"Yes, Ernst. These records are valuable experiences, wealth that has been paid for by countless sacrifices and blood. ”

Maiden picked up the brandy bottle in the cupboard, took a sip, and said softly, "What is this for, who can you show it when you write it all down?" ”

The man known as Westheim looked up at him with a determined gaze, "This is for our own sake, and history must not be forgotten." ”

Maiden pursed his lips, unsheathed his saber and threw it on the bed, "Damn, we only have one bottle of brandy left, do you want us to drink the horse's pee beer on the ship?" ”

Westheim looked at him sarcastically, "You can grab a Spanish ship, maybe there's a whole shipload of brandy there." ”

"Listen, Westheim, I know you're not happy with this business, but we need money. No matter what we plan to do, money is essential. Maiden seemed angry, "You don't have to go when you jump to the gang, just stay in the cabin." I single-handedly slaughtered the entire ship of West Bank. ”

"Let's not say a word." They spoke so loudly that everyone else in the cabin woke up, and someone spoke out to persuade them.

"Ernst, at noon you said you were going to take that Oriental boy as an apprentice, how is it now?" A man lying on the top bunk asked.

"The boatswain has agreed, Walter." Maiden sat down on the bunk, "I'll go and find him later." ”

Chen Shouxu naturally couldn't hear the conversation below deck, he was still practicing sailor knives with Fraser, and both of them were novices in knife skills. Fraser is good at moving and jumping on deck, while Chen Shouxu is better at height and long arms. At this time, the sky was gradually dark, and the other sailors saw that although the practice of the two was not exciting, it was more than intense, they all stopped what they were doing and gradually became onlookers.

Fraser was a little anxious, everyone knew that Chen Shouxu was a newcomer, and he couldn't take it down for a long time, and he would inevitably be ridiculed by the people around him when he went back. In an impatient mood, his hands became more and more chaotic. Chen Shouxu saw that there were more and more onlookers, and his heart moved, and his eyes became clearer and clearer. He abandoned his previous cautious style of play and began to stride forward, forcing Fraser backwards.

"Frazier, you're so stupid, what kind of pirate are you like this, get back to your bed in Norfolk." The commotion around is getting louder and louder, and some people have even started to bet on winning or losing.

Fraser was anxious and angry, but Chen Shouxu didn't intend to wait any longer, and while their stakes were still not big, the T-shaped steps staggered forward, but it seemed that he accidentally stepped on the support leg on the boom halyard in the aftermast, and slid down. Fraser's wooden knife slashed down, and Chen Shouxu held it with the knife, and said in frustration, "Unfortunately, I stepped on the rope, and I admit defeat." ”

"Ha, ha, ha, brother won." Fraser gasped, "Don't forget your bets. ”

Chen Shouxu dropped the knife, "Yes, yes, plus the cup rewarded for climbing the mast, I have a total of four beers today, one I drank myself, one has to be returned to Father Wicks, and the rest is yours." ”

"Haha, that's a good brother." Fraser also dropped the knife and helped Chen Shouxu up.

"Holy, what is this. That's it, and I haven't made my bet yet. ”

"No, no, no, I've played again, I haven't seen it yet."

There were more and more people who were making noise, and Fraser squinted his eyes and turned around, "Are you looking for death, who is making noise again, be careful that brother will hang you on the top mast to eat the wind." ”

This forced did not seem to be successful, and the coaxing became louder and louder.

"Dangdangdang", the boatswain had been looking at the hourglass, and when the time was up, he rang the ship's bell.

Everyone's faces sank, and they immediately lined up and stood up, and the Germans also came up. After a while, the captain stepped onto the deck, chants in hand. Led by the captain, the whole ship began their daily prayers in their native languages. Chen Shouxu was no exception, he simply followed the crowd and read it to the captain.

The prayer ended quickly, and it was time for dinner. Dinner was some biscuits and corned beef, which added up to about a pound each, and some vinegar. Of course, beer is also essential. These corned beef are very salty and difficult to eat. But I heard from the old sailors on board that it was much better than those ocean-going merchant ships. Because the Blue Banshee does not sail across the oceans, and can often dock for fresh water and food, it is not like those sailors on ocean-going merchant ships who eat beef that has been marinated for five or six years and drink stinky green water.

After eating the food in three or two bites, it was the most comfortable time of the day. The space on the ship is cramped, and flammable explosives such as gunpowder and arquebuses are stored under the cabin, so smoking is strictly prohibited below deck. But there was no limit on the deck, and at the stern near the aft tower was a small box with a small needle and a four-to-five fire rope beside it for everyone to light cigarettes.

Tobacco was still a very precious thing in Europe at this time, a luxury that only the rich could consume. But in the New World, especially in Jamestown, where the Blue Banshee set sail, almost everyone grows tobacco there, known as the Tobacco Coast. So the sailors had ample reserves of tobacco. Chen Shouxu also got some from Fraser, men, no matter what race, it is easy to close the distance by smoking two puffs together by smoking each other.

1. At this time, of course, there was no modern Germany, Germany was a cultural concept.

2. West Bank is the name given to them by countries in Europe except Spain and Portugal.