Vauvert interjected hastily: "Oh, on a caper—it's an old Dutch term for going in search of plunder."
"Er, I'm considering th' prospects," Kydd answered politely.
"Might I know what you conceive t' be a captain's first concern in a private man-o'-war?"
Kydd hesitated, then came back stoutly, "T' keep th' seas without cease until a prize be sighted," he said, "an' then t' spare nothing until th' prize is ours."
Robidou replied in measured tones, "For m'self, I'd think that the higher is t' take a proper regard f'r the ship an' her fittings as they are the property o' the owners, Mr Kydd. Cracking on in a chase is all fine an' well, but if she strains aloft or carries away her sticks, is she fit t' carry on after th' next prize? An' can ye tell me your outlay f'r a prime main-yard? 'Twould make y' eyes water, sir."
Kydd mumbled something, but Robidou pressed on: "Then what would be y'r second-most concern, sir?"
"Why, y'r books of account, o' course, sir," Kydd replied. "What is y'r prize-taking without y' know your expenses t' date as must be set against y'r profit? Double-entry, o' course, an' properly shipshape."
"Well said, sir!" rumbled Robidou. "So many neglect the same t' the eventual mortification o' their finances. Tell me, Mr Kydd, have ye experience at sea in th' commercial line?"
"I have, Mr Robidou. I was captain o' the Totnes Castle in th' colony trade around th' Cape, an' the owners were pleased enough wi' my service." There was probably no need to explain that it had been a convict transport. "And I stood by m' brig-sloop fitting out in Malta. A right caution t' see what hookum snivey the chousin' rogues tried at th' dockyard, it not being a King's yard."
Robidou nodded. "Totnes Castle—can't say I've knowledge of her. Now, these Channel Islands, do ye feel comfortable wi' the sea conditions t' be found here?"
"Aye. In Teazer we had on board Mr Queripel, an' a taut hand he was at y'r currents an' tides. He was good enough t' allow me t' hoist aboard a mort o' learning o' th' Brittany coast."
"I know Queripel," Robidou said. "A good man. Well, I can see ye'll need to haul in a lot more about the privateer trade, but b' the look o' you, we'll rub along, I'm sure. Mr Vauvert, if we can satisfy Mr Kydd with our articles, I think we have a venture."
It was no good. He couldn't go on any longer: a privateer captain or a stagehand—he couldn't be both. But if he stopped working he would be without enough funds to contribute to his lodging or whatever lay ahead.
Rosie was sympathetic. "My dear, it happens to us all. You're between engagements and embarrassed for means." She smiled sweetly. "You shan't leave us on that account." Crossing to a corner table she touched an odd-looking china cat with an upraised paw. "If y' have need, just ask Mojo here." She lifted its head and found him some coins. "In course, we give him back th' rhino as soon as we're in the cobbs again."
Kydd felt a gush of warmth. He felt he was sharing in a tradition that might have been handed down from the travelling players of Shakespeare's time, a custom that helped the needy without causing embarrassment. "Don't worry, Rosie, I will," he said. "An' when m' first prize comes home, we'll have such a hob-a-nob together as will set th' town t' talkin' f'r weeks."
Robidou's small office was on the top floor of an old ship's chandlery on the waterfront near the harbour and still smelled of the century of sea stores that had once been there. He looked up from a broad desk set under old-fashioned windows with a view out to sea. "I think it only proper t' tell ye what's to happen afore we can think t' fit out our craft for cruising."
An elderly clerk scratching away against the wall murmured something but Robidou cut him short. "No, Samuel, those figures must be presented tonight—we'll not disturb ye." He took Kydd into another room and said gravely. "He's preparing our case as will be put t' the investors. It has t' be a fine rousin' one or they'll not hazard their capital."
Kydd felt a sudden chill: his hopes might yet be turned to dust.
"Don't concern y'self, Mr Kydd, that's business for me. But after we've got agreement we must appoint the officers."
"The officers?" Surely this was his prerogative?
"Why, yes! I shall be made ship's husband, o' course, but there's the business house in London. We'll need a bond agent—Paul Le Mesurier I'd trust. We has t' find a proctor an' notary public, and there'll be insurance and legal agents t' appoint. But ye won't be interested in this-all, you'll want t' hear about drawing up th' articles of agreement and shares."