She had no fears though, for although mariners could be a rough lot, they were generally salt-of-the-earth types, and she felt strangely safe clutching Robert’s arm. Indian Sex Robert Standish entered, followed by three more unknown men, who were ushered in by Richard Ward, who carried a wooden flask and a lidded pot. With an air of astonishment the younger man, who was perhaps the same age as Mary or more like a couple of years younger said “Is this the maid from last night of which thou hast spoken?”
“Indeed it be.” Cooper answered “As if stepping from from some fantasy of the night, from mine dreams into real life!”
Both men leered at her. As she passed the woman she flashed her an approving smile. It was a relief to sit down, having spent many hours on her feet whilst she worked, the hard wooden shoes making her feet ache, despite the cork insoles she had fashioned for them. One of the men went to the door of the cabin and, holding his hands to his mouth, let out a hoot like an owl.
