An Officer But No Gentleman by M. Donice Byrd

Someone with your medical knowledge would be invaluable.” Charlie stared at him in disbelief. “After all I’ve done for you, you would let that cur abandon me?” The corsair’s mast was damaged so to put out a full set of sails would undoubtedly break its mast in two. If they want you back, if this was just an oversight, they’ll come back for you. She bit back the string of profanities that would have made the saltiest tar blush. “I’m not the kind of man who tells jokes,” Jaxon said, gingerly pushing himself up to a sitting position. Had no one told him? “Your ship left without you.” “About that, under the circumstances, I’d like you to consider staying on.” “Have someone remove the stitches in about two weeks and you’ll be fine.” At Jaxon’s dubious expression Charlie said, “Perhaps someday our ships will meet again after you’re healed and I can demonstrate for you.” Charlie tied off the last suture. “I could make short shrift of putting you on the ground.” “They call it karate,” Charlie continued as she began the last few stitches. His eyes were closed his mouth was gritted against the pain. Have you ever seen the Japanese fight?”Ĭharlie’s eyes darted to the captain’s face. Yori taught me how to use a bigger man’s size against him. It’s true what they say the big man has the strength, but the little man has the speed.

It always surprises these big tars when I best them in a fight. We had a Japanese cook for about three years. It’ll make me a better captain if I know as much as I can about every job on the ship. If I get an opportunity to learn something new, I try to learn it. As I’m sure you’re aware, life at sea can get monotonous. “My father brought me aboard when I was six. “I’m a jack-of-all-trades,” Charlie answered, too busy to notice the pun.

An Officer But No Gentleman by M. Donice Byrd