"Don't count me out yet. There's still another way to get the men I need." He walked to the railing and gazed out into the rain. "I've been thinking I might try getting some help another place."
"And where, pray, could that be?"
"You're not going to think much of what I have in mind." He caught her eye and realized she'd already guessed his plan.
"That's a fool's errand for sure."
"Kindly don't go prating it about. The truth is, I'm not sure yet what I'll do. Who's to say?"
"You're a lying rogue, Hugh Winston. You've already made up your mind. But if you're not careful, you'll be in a worse bind than this. . . ."
"Beggin' yor pardon, Cap'n, it looks as if we've got a visitor." Mewes was moving up the dark companionway to the quarterdeck. He spat into the rain, then cast an uncomfortable glance toward Joan. "Mayhaps you'd best come down and handle the orders."
Winston turned and followed him onto the main deck. Through the dark a white horse could be seen prancing in the gusts of rain along the shore. A woman was in the saddle, waving silently at the ship, oblivious to the squall.
"Aye, permission to come aboard. Get her the longboat, John." He thumbed at the small pinnace dangling from the side of the ship. "Just don't light a lantern."
Mewes laughed. "I'd give a hundred sovereigns to the man who could spark up a candle lantern in this weather!"