Sea Baby with Christmas Coral by Robert Kline

Sea Baby with Christmas Coral

Mermaid baby art and story by Robert Kline

This mermaid baby art print is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″.

 This beautiful mermaid baby with the Christmas coral art print is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The lovely mermaid baby print has been derived from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of the H.M.S. Baci. The print is a lithograph reproduction of  Robert’s original pencil and watercolor painting. It has been hand labeled and hand signed by Robert in pencil. All of the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5×7′s, 8×10′s, 11×14′s are matted sizes so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each of the prints come with an excerpt from Robert Kline’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population.

Sea Maiden 2 Beatrice by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 2 Beatrice

Mermaid art and story by Robert Kline

This Sea Maiden print has been retired and it is very limited in supply. Therefore it is currently available in the following matted sizes: 11″ x 14″.

This beautiful mermaid art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for the Sea Maiden 2 Beatrice print:

Sir Edmund Roberts’s circumnavigation in pursuit of Sea Maidens continued with enhanced enthusiasm after the first sighting. The voyage’s misfortunes accumulated with at least as much vigor. Hobbs, the crewman who had the first Sea Maiden sighting predictably deserted to foster closer contact with her. Young Billy, the captain’s cabin boy and reported to be enamored of Hobbs, also failed to return to the ship.

To the HMS Baci’s captain’s chagrin and disgust, a quasi-giddiness infected the crew. Suspecting tom-foolery with the rum casks, he threatened to halve the daily ration. Sir Edmund attributed the crew’s behavior to “Sea Maiden Fever” and sought to further enhance it by what he called a dramatic and significant gesture. He offered a gold piece to the sailor who sighted the next Sea Maiden and underscored the challenge by nailing said gold piece to the main mast.

Sir Edmund’s reporting of what followed is at least as telling as the event itself. Captain Fitzwillies’s horror turned to rage as Roberts hammered a rusty spike into his pristine mast. All accounts but Sir Edmund’s relate that Captain Fitzwillie trembled then reddened, then drew himself up to his full five feet, clutched Roberts by the throat, lifted him from the deck and commanded in his foul-weather voice that if Mr. Roberts ever defaced his vessel again, he would leave have him flogged, keel hauled, personally thrashed and set adrift in an provisioned and leaking boat.

The following week, a Sea Maiden was sighted, ending Roberts bout of cabin sulking. Sir Edmund’s journal entry reads:

Wondrous news! We have identified our second Sea Maiden! Previous events were indeed harbingers of good fortune. In a masterful stroke of enlightened manipulation, I offered a reward for our next sighting. While Captain Fitzwillie managed to disguise his enthusiasm, I am certain he is merely reticent to appear over-zealous before his crew.

Without indulging in feminine pique, I must note that our captain is disposed to melancholy. Could it be because he regrets shipping Mrs. Fitzwillie, the infamous Constance Daphne, as his passage mate? The crew resents all 30 stone of her. She blocks passageways. Cleanliness is not her hand maiden.

Alas, perfection is but a myth. I am pleased with our voyage.

Maidenus Splendidus

“Beatrice”

April 6, 1832

St. John’s Rock

Another nocturnal sighting. Appeared “mesmerized” and unaware of our observations. I begin to suspect female vapors afflict Sea Maidens. Medium height. Medium weight. Dark hair.

Sea Maiden 32 Fanny with Sea Master 8 Surrendus

Sea Maiden 32 Fanny with Sea Master Surraendus

Mermaid and merman art and story by Robert Kline

This is a retired Sea Maiden and Sea Master art print that is very limited in supply and therefore currently available for purchase in the following matted size: 8″ x 10″.

This beautiful mermaid and merman art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for the Sea Maiden 32 Fanny and Sea Master Surraendus print:

Sir Edmund Roberts, explorer extraordinaire and charterer of the good ship, HMS Baci, continued his cataloging of the world’s Sea Maiden population. Just prior to departing the Easter Island complex the naturalist, in the company of the old salt, Gnarly Dan, spied his thirty second Sea Maiden and his eight Sea Master. Gnarly Dan, the font of Sea Maiden lore and source of more words than the average individual hears in ten lifetimes, explained the situation, though much affected by the drama before them. He swabbed a salty tear from his bristled cheek, snuffed loudly and whispered, “This’d be better luck than the time me second wife’s three sisters needed consolin’ when they favorite cat was trampled by a coach ‘n four. Warn’t one of ‘em much to look at, the squashed cat ‘cluded, but they tears turned to huggin’ an’ such, an’ well, afore I know’d it, we was sailin’ ‘fer heaven in a crowded boat.”

Sir Edmund glared heavily toward the old salt and hissed, “I do not give a hang about any of your multitudinous wives, their sisters, pets or predilections for unsavory unions. If you have information regarding the couple before us, do tell; otherwise, please keep that ever-moving mouth of your shut before I throttle you.”

Old Gnarly Dan feigned a deep psychological wound and then continued, “ As I was ‘a sayin’ before yer honor got testy,: That’d be wondrous good luck we’d be spin’. Firstly: A Sea Master finds himself alyin’ on the beach fer but one reason, and that’d be if he’s give up on findin’ his love. Secondly: Yer Sea Maiden saws her hair off when she’s grieven’ fer a lost love. Onst she does that, she rips the page involvin’ love from her chart book. She’ll nary love again. Think’ a’ chance a’ what we sees happenin’.”

He turned to Sir Edmund triumphant.

The naturalist shook his head in an attempt to clear his consternation. “My good fellow, you make absolutely no sense.

Gnarly Dan passed a sign of patience and began again. “Yer Sea Master there obviously got lost somehow; maybe a storm; a hurricane, perhaps, blowed him far away. He’s struggled back after a powerful lot a swimmin’. Now yer Sea Maiden was his girl, if ya catch me drift. She musta thought he copped it; drown or got eat by a giant squid, ‘cause she chopped ‘er hair nearly clean off, an yer Sea Maiden won’t do nothin’ that capital ‘less she’s powerful sad.”

Sir Edmund did finally understand and when he went to acknowledge Gnarly Dan’s wisdom, he stopped for the old salt was again lost in reverie. “Gave that cat a right nice send off. Headstone an’ all. Was that grateful.”

Sir Edmund’s notebook reads:

Maidenus gratitudus

“Fanny”

Maximus surrendus

Sighted in the throes of a homecoming.

March 1, 1834

Sea Maiden 24 with Sea Master by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 24 with Sea Master Inca

Mermaid and merman art and story by Robert Kline

This Sea Maiden and Sea Master print has been retired and is sold out. It is no longer available.

This beautiful mermaid and merman art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for the Sea Maiden 24 Xenia with Sea Master print:

Sir Edmund Roberts’ quest for Sea Maidens headed inland. Halley’s patented diving apparatus was distributed across a handful of taciturn llamas, as was the captain’s and crew’s gear, articles for trading, and an assortment of weapons. The HMS Baci’s old swivel guns were added to the mix, Woody the ship’s carpenter having fashioned several cunning little carriages to accept the four foot cannons now stowed aboard several of the mules also making the journey into the Andes.

Captain Constance Daphne was stunningly attired, as was Naughty (Nasty?) Natalie. Each upping the stakes for the crew’s attention, the captain’s approach more buxom than the pirate vixen’s, the latter being rather more wanton than uplifting.

The procession was a humorous sight from the beginning as it meandered into the foothills, the Bacis without their land legs wobbling beside the pack animals. Sir Edmund strode ahead, he rather miffed that a succession of llamas had demonstrated their penchant for spitting in the eye of the beholder, naturalist or not.

Days of walking turned to weeks as they hiked ever higher into the mountains, the adventurers entertaining themselves with wild speculation regarding the Inca treasures in Lake Guatavita. The locals were sullen at best, it being apparent they were in the company of their most recent pillagers.

The glory of the volcanic lake opened to the Bacis on September 2^nd, whereupon Sir Edmund’s diving bell was hastily assembled and descents into the icy waters began. Gnarly Dan, embarrassed with his ignorance of freshwater Sea Maidens, culled what he could from the guides and laborers. At last he was able to expound with easy authority, “Unlike yer normal Sea Maidens and Masters, these here’d be more forward in nature. Yer Sea Maiden rules; is rough-like in disposition, spendin’ ‘is leisure playin’ in the gold, romancin’ Sea Maidens’, and tusslin’ with other Sea Masters. We should be on double watch when we’s below; some Sea Master what feels ‘is hawser’s been crossed could swim ‘neath yer bell, grab an ankle an’ yank a gob inna the drink; if ya could catch me meaning.”

So they were cautious and within the week spied a brace of sea creatures communing. Sir Edmund, the captain and Gnarly Dan were in the diving bell. “Any gob can see he’s at the helm,” Gnarly Dan instructed, “An’ she ain’t close ta mutiny.”

Sir Edmund’s Journal reads:

Maidenous Enraptous

“Xenia”

Magnus Enraptous

“Inca”

September 5, 1833

Lake Guatavita, Andes Mountains, Gran Columbia

Handsome couple. Strong physiques. Healthy. Preoccupied.

Mermaid and merman art and story by Robert Kline

This Sea Maiden and Sea Master print has been retired and is sold out. It is no longer available.

This beautiful mermaid and merman art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for this print:

Once again the HMS Baci strayed into troubled waters. Made jealous beyond endurance by their beautiful captain’s fascination with Sea Masters, the slighted crew mutinied, leaving Constance Daphne, the old sage Gnarly Dan, and the voyage’s underwriter, Sir Edmund Roberts, gentleman naturalist and Sea Maiden quester stranded in Halley’s patented diving bell beneath a ton of warm Pacific water.

The three sat in disbelief. The Sea Master who had been cavorting before then left and eventually was replaced by a brace of sea creatures who were at once more attractive and their dance more subtle and sensual than any the bell mates had seen before.

At first the Sea Maiden moved in graceful arcs about the hovering Sea Master, skillfully avoiding touching him. Then she swam beneath him and slowly glided upward, her body softly brushing against his. As the three shipmates in the bell leaned forward and watched in awe, Gnarly Dan whispered, “She’s showing that she captains their ship, don’t ya see. He must clamp ahold hisself and let her have her way. No clawing or fumbling about like we does.”

They were silent again until Gnarly Dan added, “Yer Sea Master’s all agog to learn her way. He may be strong as a Malay and pleasing to lay an eye on, but it’s a lady’s world down here. Yer Sea Maiden rules with her heart and there ain’t a Sea Master afloat what cares to resist.”

The dance progressed before them, a ritual of restraint, temptation and instruction as the Sea Master silently acquiesced. Coincidental to the languid dance, the bell’s atmosphere was becoming more cloying as the temperature and humidity rose. Constance Daphne’s light cotton shirts went from damp to soaked to transparency as she sat enthralled. At first with the convert glances and then with full blown admiration both Gnarly Dan and Sir Edmund shifted their attention to their captain until finally, in what could only be seen as a mutual lapse of moral fortitude and decorum, Sir Edmund and Gnarly Dan nodded and then removed their own shirts, then they seemingly losing themselves in their attempts to staunch unseen leaks in the bell’s bottom. At last gnarly Dan implored, “…could use another bit o’ cloth, cap…”

He said it quietly and with humble honesty and the effect was of course what both men had hoped. Sir Edmund Robert’s journal has a half blank page at this juncture and one can only conjecture what followed.

Unhappily, the incident was noted both in word and image in Sir Edmund’s infamous “blue notebook”*.

The last journal entry of that day comments on the Sea Maiden and Sea Master:

Maidenus Commendare

Average weight, dark hair, dark complexion, lithe and supple.

Magnus Submissio

Average weight, tall, muscular, dark hair, dark complexion.

April 12, 1833

Protected harbor of San Carlos, Island of Chiloe

*During Sir Edmunds waning years there was an unsavory attempt by his relatives to access his considerable wealth by having him declared mentally incompetent. The subsequent trial; was the talk of London as everyone from chimney sweep to barrister followed it’s progress. A key and damming piece of evidence was a notebook containing his writings and sketches of Sea Maidens and Sea Masters cavorting in various combinations and situations. Included also were Sir Edmund’s romantic musings regarding Captain Constance Daphne and a collection of watercolors drawling’s of her, which to speak conservatively, were of particular interest to the male jurors. One glorious painting was of Constance Daphne bathed in the warm light of the bell’s window, her upper body a glisten.

And yet, for all the prurient details and hoopla of the trail, and in spite if the small army of aunts, nieces and nephews proclaiming him ripe for Bedlam, it was in the last hours of the last day of the trail that Sir Edmund, much reduced by the strain and notoriety, humiliated by the attacks on his sanity and made the fool for his steadfast belief in Sea Maidens and masters, slowly rose to his feet before a full court room and with a simple question brought the world back to his side: “And if, is your claim,” he said, “I only imagined them,” he paused, drew in a breath and asked, his eyes focused on a distant voyage, What was the crime in that? They were so beautiful.”

Sea Maiden 3 Constance Daphna by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 3 Constance Daphne

Mermaid art and story by Robert Kline

This is a retired Sea Maiden art print that is limited in supply and therefore is available in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

This beautiful mermaid art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for the Sea Maiden 3 Constance Daphne print:

Through the winter of 1832 the HMS Baci, ever vigilant for “Sea Maidens”, sailed southward into warmer waters, bad luck cruising in her wake. One gusty afternoon, Sir Edmund Roberts, the naturalist charterer was on deck seeking to repair his abominable relations with the ship’s captain. Captain Fitzwillie’s hat, he called out, was singularly handsome. The crew paused to watch the exchange. The captain glared for a moment and then grudgingly invited Sir Edmund onto his hallowed quarterdeck. He removed his hat with monumental reticence and passed it to Roberts relating with menaced pride that it was worn by his grandfather at the Battle of Trafalgar and had in fact been used to fan the mortally wounded Admiral Nelson.

“It is,” he whispered passionately and furtively, “more dear to me than my wife.”

It was as Sir Edmund struggled with that thought, that he fell victim to a confluence of playful wind and the devilish masthead hail, “Sea Maiden ho! Hard on the port bow!” Sir Edmund dashed to the lee rail, neglected his grip and watched as the cherished hat wafted far out to sea before settling on a distant wave.

For three days the Baci’s crew rowed her boats in ever widening circles around the bobbing and funereal ship, but to no avail. A fortnight later the third “Sea Maiden” was sighted by Sir Edmund himself. Sir Edmund’s subsequent journal entries are a swirl with naiveté regarding Captain Fitzwille:

We have crossed the equator and I have seen another Sea Maiden! Have to at the small island of Fernando de Noronha off the coast of Brazil. Slept on shore and awoke to a glorious Sea Maiden illuminated by our guttering fire and within arm’s reach. We stared at one another for at least an hour before she backed to the water and swam off. To assuage our captain. I have named her after his wife. Attempted to atone for that blasphemy with her Latin name.

Maidenus Voluptuosus

“Constance Daphne”

May 27, 1832

Fernando de Noronha

Average height. Average weight. Dark hair.

The following week he wrote: Captain Fitzwillie has forgiven! He has assured me two assistants: A chipper little fellow of the Japan Isles named Sushi and a massive and sage African the crew calls Bones. Says he, “As long as Bones has friend, Bones unafraid of hunger.” Well said! Both very anxious for our next Sea Maiden. Regret doubting Captain Fitzwillie’s ability to forgive.

Sea Maiden 33 Endive and the Curious Cat by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 33 Endive with the Curious Cat

Mermaid art and story by Robert Kline

Available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″.

This wonderful Mermaid and cat print is from a collection of Mermaids, Mermen, Mermaid babies and pirates created by renowned author and artist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The print is a lithograph reproduction of an original pencil and watercolor painting. It has been hand labeled and hand signed by Robert in pencil. All of the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each of the prints also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes his various Sea Maiden, Sea Master and Sea baby sightings. Thus, you will receive the page from the novel describing the particular event in which the character in the print is sighted.

Sea Maiden 32 Dolly and the Ships Cat by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 32 Dolly with the Ships Cat

Mermaid art and story by Robert Kline

Available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″.

This beautiful mermaid and cat illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (Mermaids), Mermen, Mermaid babies and pirates created by renowned author and artist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The print is a lithograph reproduction of an original pencil and watercolor painting. It has been hand labeled and hand signed by Robert in pencil. All of the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each of the prints also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which the Roberts family describe in their journals the various Sea Maiden, Sea Master and Sea baby sightings. Thus, you will receive the page from the novel describing the particular event in which the character in the print is sighted.

Sea Maiden 31 Holly and the Christmas Cat by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 31 Holly with the Christmas Cat

Mermaid art and story by Robert Kline

Available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″.

This beautiful mermaid and cat print is from a collection of Mermaids, Mermen, Mermaid babies and pirates created by renowned author and artist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The print is a lithograph reproduction of an original pencil and watercolor painting. It has been hand labeled and hand signed by Robert in pencil. All of the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each of the prints also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes his various Sea Maiden, Sea Master and Sea baby sightings. Thus, you will receive the page from the novel describing the particular event in which the character in the print is sighted.

Sea Maiden 11 Kathy by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 11 Kathy

Art and story by Robert Kline

The HMS Baci sailed southward. New Year’s Eve in a howling gale was followed by weeks of high seas, blowing spindrifts and ever cooler temperatures as the Baci’s crew seized every chance to repair their foul and cold weather gear. Only Sir Edmund Roberts, the Sea Maiden questor, remained unprepared; no tar being available for waterproofing his tarpaulin coat, it thus remaining brilliant white in a sea of black jackets.

Regardless, he spent much time on deck, scanning the endless horizon for a Sea Maiden sighting. Gnarly Dan, the omnipresent and always poised to speak common sailors’ Sea Maiden expert lamented ceaselessly that the sea through which they were traveling should be thick with them, it being migration season (“southing” he called it, remarking: “Yer Sea Maidens should be southing in great pools*, sir, making for the ice islands where they’ll spend some time hobnobbing, laying about undisturbed by sailors and such.” It was obvious Gnarly Dan was imaging them, for he wet his lips, closed his eyes and continued: “Right lovely they be now, sir, and precious as gold dust; fatted up for the cold water (he smiled to himself) healthy like so’s a man can get a grip and still have plenty to lay into.”

Sir Edmund attempted to dissuade further elaboration by feigning absolute disinterest, but Gnarly Dan was in the arms of his fantasy and unstoppable. “We sailors has a hard lot, sir, not that we complain, ourselves being used to it, but every hard workin’ soul” – he emphasized the word and repeated himself – “every hard workin’ soul takes is comfort where he finds it. It’s like an unwrit law: the harder a man works the softer he likes his women. So your bigger Sea Maiden is most pop’lar with a sailor.”

Gnarly Dan collected himself and added: “Beggin’ yer pardon if yer missus is skinny sir. Plenty o’ sophisticated gents such as yerself likes ‘em all sharp edges and bones. But not yer sailor.”

Within a fortnight, on an uncharted island where they stopped to water the ship, Sir Edmund saw his eleventh Sea Maiden. She was robust as predicted and aloof and a sore temptation for Gnarly Dan to desert, but he knew her stay would be short lived and so maintained allegiance to the ship.

*As whales travel in pods and fish travel in schools.

Sir Edmund wrote in his journal:
Ah, most weighty discovery! A beautiful Sea Maiden in the bloom of migration. Sighted on an island we have named Succoro, she remained but briefly before returning to the sea. Studied the stars most diligently before departing, tracing odd figures and tangents into the sand. I now understand Gnarly Dan’s preference even though my heart still belongs to our trim captain, Constance Daphne (I do not discount her bounteous chest).

Maideus Robustus
“Kathy”
January 29 1833
Succoro Island, South Atlantic Sea
Corpulent, yet agile. Dark hair, green glistening scales, strong but padded upper body.