Free Sea Change by Darlene Marshall

man knowing his task and his role in capturing goods and money to line their pockets and the coffers of the U.S. Treasury. It was no wonder the navy was having a difficult time getting sufficient sailors to man their ships, when the pickings and prizes were so much better aboard the privateers.
    There was a fair wind from the southwest, and a lookout aloft kept an eye open for further opportunities for the crew to enrich itself. And help the war effort, of course , he thought, as he saw Dr. Alcott emerge from below.
    The man was still a lubber and always would be, but David had to acknowledge, in all fairness, that the Englishman made a good faith effort to integrate himself into the crew. If the Fancy 's captain did not give him such a difficult time, the doctor might consider staying aboard and becoming an American.
    Dr. Alcott walked around the deck of the schooner, stopping to talk with the men at their tasks and ask questions of them. The crew laughed at the doctor's landsman ways, but it was good natured laughter. Mr. Bryant had been correct that having a sawbones aboard improved morale.
    As if reading his mind, Henry said, "Dr. Alcott has become part of the crew in a short time. Do you think he will stay with us, or will he insist on being put ashore?"
    "It is too early to say, Henry. I would like to do whatever I can to encourage Dr. Alcott to stay with us. He is young and by his own admission untrained, but he is better than nothing."
    "Far better than some I have seen," Henry said. "You and I both know ship's surgeons whose hands shake from drink and who kill more than they save."
    "I am hopeful, Henry, that even if Dr. Alcott wishes to leave the Fancy he will consider staying in the United States. We could use men of his talents, whether at sea or ashore. In the meantime," he said, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "let us emphasize for our good doctor the benefits of casting his lot with us. If we make his stay aboard the vessel pleasant, he may not push so hard for his release."
    Dr. Alcott joined them and looked Henry over with a professional eye. "The fresh air has put some color back in your face, Mr. Fletcher. I approve."
    "It is good to be back at work, Doctor. But this sling hampers me!"
    "Do not take it off!" Alcott said sternly. "You need to protect your arm until the sutures are removed. When you are in your cabin, you can stretch and move your arm carefully. You will lose strength in that limb; however, given your age and your general good health, you will regain it soon."
    David did not want to make Henry feel like he was hovering over him, so he joined the doctor in strolling the deck.
    "I need to do this more often," Dr. Alcott confessed. "Just as the fresh air has a salubrious effect on Mr. Fletcher, it is good for me as well. Sitting all day in the sick bay and not getting enough exercise will make me a candidate for illness."
    "Do you not worry about catching a disease from those you treat?"
    Dr. Alcott looked at him with a sidelong glance, a smile quirking his lips. "When I first started studying my father's texts I was sure I was developing every disease I read about. Not the women's complaints," he added hastily, "but every time my heart seemed to skip a beat, every time I felt flushed, I was sure I was coming down with some virulent plague. But I moved beyond that, and now know that with proper prevention I can do my best to avoid those ills. Exercise like this stroll, for example, and following the example of your sailors in drinking lime juice to prevent scurvy."
    They walked in companionable silence, then the doctor stopped and looked up at Jenkins in the rigging.
    "Your ship..."
    "Not a ship, Doctor, a schooner."
    "Ship, schooner, what difference does it make?"
    "Ah, when you are sailing a beauty like this, it can make all the difference in the world." David smiled and lifted his face toward the sunshine, feeling the wind as the Fancy soared across the water in a broad reach. A man could ask