April 26th, Tenth Morning Bell
I have finished my studies! This is great joy since this means I will be able to roam the ship as I please for eight days. Hopefully, some of the nicer sailors of the ship can teach me about taking care of a great ship. I will write later.
Sixth Evening Bell
Oh! I had the greatest pleasure of spending time with the crew. The sailors are very kind. The second in command, Gregory, does not like me much. He believes no woman should be called a sailor, yet alone a pirate. He believes woman should wait on men. To prove my worth, I helped the crew wherever needed. Today, I helped scrub the deck, shoot ducks for dinner, lookout for the second and third afternoon bell while playing poker in the crows nest with the other lookout, Matthew, and braid rope. It was fun until Father saw me helping the crew. I was surprised as he just smiled and walked on. Steven told me that Father must be happy to see me do things other then studying. An old sailor named Hamlet, told me he overheard Father and Doctor talking. Hamlet has ink markings on his arms that have illustrations of ships and the ocean. The ink never fades away from the skin and Hamlet tells me that the ink is put in needles inserted just underneath the skin. Father has one on his left forearm of the ship and his seal. According to Hamlet, Father is worried I will bury my nose in books and not be able to defend myself for when I will inherit this ship. I trust Hamlet so I believe his word. To prove myself, Hamlet suggests I duel someone in a wit of swords. The duel will grab the attention of the whole crew as well as my Father. I agree and I asked him who I should duel. To my surprise, he told me the boy who could not catch. This would be the seventeen year old that picks on me often and was the reason my arm was in a splint. I told him the boy is sure to beat me, and the boy overheard us talking. He has proposed a duel this evening at the seventh evening bell. I am nervous because I have not used my sword in so long. Hamlet and Steven say they are confident in my skills. Steven reminded me how much Father tells other captains about my great swordsmanship. I am very proud of that and I only hope I do not fail. I will write of the duel to night.