6 Port Sudan

Early morning.... Mid-watch, three bells.. The Renown sails near the coast of the Sudan.....

.....TING.........TING..........TING..............................

"ON DECK THERE! SAIL HO!!"

"SMALL SHIP AT THE HORIZON SIR!"
"Where away Mr. Abbott?" "Three points off the starboard bow Sir! Not two miles distance!"

"It's a Dutch sloop.... Wait its signaling.... let's see... they wan't to meet!"

"We shall beat to quarters!!... Mr. Abbott wake the Captain please!" "Aye Sir!.... BEAT TO QUARTERS!! Rouse up! Rouse up!Sleepers awake!"

"Good morning Captain Campbell Sir! Dutch sail at the horizon signaling for a meet!" "Alright Sir Grant, Close the mainsail, we will have to slow down a little bit, The deck's yours Grant!"

"Mr. Archer! Prepare for salut! We are closing up on the Sloop!" "Handsomely on the yards tackle!" "Topmen aloft.........."

"SHOLDERRRR.....UP!"

Captain, The British have seen our signals, and are closing in!!" "Aah, good... let them get next to us!"

The Renown sails towards the Dutch sloop

"AHOY!!.. I AM MAJOR SAWYER OF THE H.M.S. RENOWN...... WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?!"

"AHOY THERE!!... I AM BEREND TROMP, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH YOUR CAPTAIN....."

"YOU MAY COME ABOARD SIR!"

"Nice to meet you Sir Sawyer..... I would like to ask if your Captain plans to dock at Port Sudan...."

"Actually we are headed for the harbour of Port Sudan, Why would you wan't to know Sir?" "Well, we just recieved word that in Port Sudan there is a Plague outbreak....... So we will not be able to go on land there... I just wanted to warn you Sir!"

"What is it this Dutch Gentlemen wants to meet us about, Sir Grant?" "Well Sir, there's a Plague epedemic in Port Sudan. This man came to warn us!" "Thank you Sir.......eeh?"
"Tromp, Captain, My name is Berend Tromp..... It's a pleasure helping other's avoiding this dark illness..... But Ill have to make my way to the ship now, if you'll excuse me... We have to make for an other port soon."

After the Dutch Captain returned to his ship, the Captain announces to the crew:
"Renown's! We cannot sail into Port Sudan.... There's a Plague outbreak so we will head straight towards Aden!!..... This mean's we will have to ration our supplies again!!.... There is enough grog for several weeks, so extra grog for all of you!"
"Master Gibb's... make sail to Aden... Wilson set course: Sou-Sou'east" "Aye, sir. Sou by Sou'east"

Chapter 7