Miles's first task was to see Mr. Cobb and ensure all was still well. If he had heard that Miles and the crew were choosing to become privateersmen, there would surely be trouble for them.

"I have yet to see any of your men or their families come to me regarding the journey to England," Cobb told him. His office was even cleaner than before, nearly entirely empty. "I'll be closing up the office in four days, sailing in five. If they expect my assistance they should come soon."

Miles was surprised by the new timeframe. "It was not even a week ago you told me you planned to depart in two weeks."

Cobb waved a hand dismissively. "Arrangements have been made more quickly than I had anticipated. You are the last of my ships and crews not reestablished yet, so I'm eager to make the journey soon and leave this foolish place."

"As expected, most of my crew is unhappy with the arrangement," Miles told him, as casually as he could. "They are not eager to leave their lands, and most of the families who you will assist are not eager to leave their relatives and neighbors. There is discontent among the crew."

"I will force no one to leave their lives behind here," Cobb explained. "Those who do not wish to continue on may stay here. I've had the issue with other crews. The other captains have been content with the move but did lose valuable crew who did not wish to leave Nantucket. For some it is because of the war and their own misguided loyalties, and for others it is because of ties of family and community. You will find more to add to the crew once we become established in England. The others did not fear otherwise."

"I don't believe the war itself to be as great a concern to most of them." In truth, the question for him and, he believed, most of the crew wasn't of loyalty to either side, but of opportunity and employment so they could support themselves and their families.

Cobb began rolling a map that was spread across his desk. "Yes, well, choosing to stay here shows something of where their loyalties do lie. Loyalty to country should be stronger than family in such a time as this, it makes it appear as if they have chosen a side in this war."

Miles wondered how happy Cobb's family was to be moving to Whitby, but he chose not to argue. "As you say. I'll be on my way to ensure our repairs are completed in time. Only so much could be safely done while the tryworks were being worked and the carpenter has noted some concerns with the hull. We need more wood than I had expected to repair the leaks. We also found some damaged provisions in what we had remaining. We'll need to replace them, to be certain we have enough to reach Whitby if any delay were to occur."

Cobb nodded absently. "Whatever you need, I will pay. Have the sellers credit me and I'll settle it all before we leave."

That worked perfectly for Miles. "Of course. Thank you, sir."

With little time left to spare, Miles left Cobb's office minutes later and made his way to the Abigail Cobb. Clark met him as soon as he was aboard, clearly excited.

"Did you get us a ship?"

Miles grinned. "The best one I could. I believe everyone will like it. Where are the others? Mr. Cobb is leaving sooner than expected. We need to work quickly."

Clark led him to where the other mates were playing cards at a table set at the stern of the ship. The rest of the crew was lazing about, though he could hear hammering from below. He'd need to stop Jean Louis from wasting more time and energy on repairs. He would instead need to spend his time transforming the Spar into the Scot.

"It's good I have some things that will occupy this bored crew," Miles commented as he joined his mates. "We've a new ship to prepare and cargo to ready to be moved to it in a few days' time."

"You got us a privateer then?" Davis asked.

Miles grinned again. "I certainly did."

The last days in Nantucket harbor were spent on preparations. Miles made certain the entire crew had the opportunity to visit home and ensured each member of the whaling crew wished to join the privateer. He also spent some time considering what positions on the privateer each crew member could likely fulfill. Some positions would be easy to transfer. All the mates would become lieutenants, and many sailing positions were the same as on a whaling ship. Thayer was resolute about remaining the surgeon, though he suggested he may need assistance during and following battle. Banks grumbled, as expected, about extra mouths to feed, but otherwise seemed content to continue as cook, so long as he could also have an assistant. Howlett, the sailing master, was excited by the thought of a larger ship, though Miles had not yet told him how large the ship truly was. Jean Louis, the carpenter, was quietly ferried to the Scot under cover of darkness with a large quantity of lumber to begin his work modifying the former navy ship. James had reluctantly agreed to do the ferrying and reported that Jean Louis was quite awed by the new ship.

Physical preparations on the Abigail Cobb were immediately underway, putting the crew to work. Miles assessed all supplies to determine what should be taken. He was surprised by what a ship could accumulate in five years of use. What could be stored on deck was moved there for ease of transfer when the time came. He was thankful Mr. Cobb never endeavored to spend any time on his ships. If the man sought to inspect his ship there would be much to explain, but he had grown to trust Miles. Perhaps too much.

Miles did not doubt his plans for the Abigail Cobb, even if it may have been more wise to sail the whaler to Boston as a proper prize ship. Though a legal prize, Miles still felt it a far more personal one than any other ship they would take on the coming cruise. He had never cared for the way Mr. Cobb had treated many of the members of his crew in the few times he had interacted with them, and he had always been unafraid to tell Miles that certain peoples should not be on a Cobb vessel. His act of disrupting their lives for oil profits and old loyalties would be his final act against them.

"Mr. Emery, I would appreciate your assistance in sorting out that coffin you call a sail locker," Miles requested of the man when he came upon him sorting through the supplies in the hold, forcing his mind back to the present.

The sailmaker nodded and set aside the broken harpoon he'd been assessing. "'Course, Captain."

"We'll need some of it," Miles added. "Take what seems most useful for patching. Our privateer has little in the way of material for patches for now. It won't simply be the weather looking to destroy our sails anymore."

Emery nodded, smiling. "Understood. I'll bundle up what's best fit and we'll take it."

"Thank you," Miles replied. "How goes everything here?" he then asked the others who had been working beside Emery.

One man, an Indian who went simply by John, stood to speak to him. On the Abigail Cobb he served as a harpooner. "I would like to make use of my rifle during battles," he said. "I've heard stories of soldiers on warships shooting from the platforms in the rigging. I know a rifle would be better for such fighting than any other weapon you might be able to provide."

Miles had seen John show his skills in shooting contests on more than one occasion and trusted in his skill. If John believed he could take down men from the tops in close quarters with his rifle, Miles believed him. In truth, he wasn't certain what to do with the harpooners. While a respected position on a whaling crew, it didn't transfer well to a privateer crew position. He couldn't offer any of them positions as gunners until he knew they could man the guns. John's skills as a rifleman would make the change in vocation much easier for him.

"That sounds like a rather good plan," Miles agreed, to which John thanked him.

A short time later Miles made his way to the deck, where Mack, his fourth mate, was returning from his own visit home, some of the crew with him.

"Could I have a word, Captain?" Mack asked.

Miles motioned toward his cabin. "Of course. What is it?" he asked when they had reached the cabin.

"I'm sorry to have to say this, but I can't go on with the privateer."

Miles closed the door and went to sit at his desk. He was concerned and a bit surprised, but Mack had seemed less enthusiastic than the others from the start. He motioned for Mack to sit. "I respect the decision, but may I ask why?"

Mack sat and rubbed his chin uncomfortably. "It's only that my wife was pregnant when we last left and I didn't even know it. She gave birth while we were away. Two little girls. Twins. They were all unwell for a time, but they're healthy now."

Miles nodded, smiling. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Mack replied. "I just can't bear leaving them again so soon, for who knows how long. I could be off at sea for the entire war, however long it lasts, or I could be killed or taken prisoner. I don't want to be killed and her to be a widow, the girls without a father. I don't believe I would have continued even with whaling. It isn't just the privateering that worries me. The sea is a dangerous place."

"So I have seen. I only have one request. You can refuse it, of course."

"What is it?" Mack asked.

"To stay on just another month or so," Miles replied. "I will need a prize master to remain in Boston until our first prize is settled. It will allow the rest of the crew to continue on, as I don't know for certain how long the process will take. Surely, with Mr. Finley, our backer, you will be quite safe and comfortable, and able to return home as quickly as entirely possible. I want to ensure you receive your due payment for this catch. The prices aren't assured, as it will depend on what it sells for at auction, and we will need to share the prize among a larger crew, but without Mr. Cobb's large percentage I still believe we will all come out the better."

Mack thought for a long moment, then nodded. "Aye, I can do that. It seems only proper after you being a good captain for so long."

Miles chuckled. "Thank you for the regard. If ever you need anything, or if ever you wish to move to Dunnstown, I'll be happy to do what I can for you."

Mack nodded. "Thank you, Captain."