My Jolly Sailor Bold

The story My Jolly Sailor Bold is based on the song, "My Jolly Sailor Bold" (heard here). It was created for submission to Captaingoldvane2 and GenLawrence's Summer Writing Contest.

Chapter I - Walls of Wapping
''Upon one summer's morning I carefully did stray Down by the Walls of Wapping Where I met a sailor gay.''

It was a lovely June morning. I was on my route through the market stalls in the various parts of London, and stopping by to say hello to my friends along the way. One in particular, who I was under the impression, asked for my hand in a stray from the normal, busy streets of London, down to Wapping. Confused at first, I was. But he soon clarified he was simply going to a rather good fish vendor, and did not fancy venturing alone. So, arm-in-arm, we travelled out of the beaten path, one would say, and travelled east.

After the short stroll, we arrived in Wapping. He asked me to wait by what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse, whilst he entered. He assured me it was no black market, but simply a market safe from the ruffians that patrol the corners of London. As he ventured inside, I noticed a rather peculiar man. He was short, whiskery, and had an aura of distaste eminating from him. An obvious ruffian, possibly a pickpocket. I attempted to back up into the door, but he quickly approached me.

"Good morning, m'lady! How do you fare this fine morning?" asked the ruffian, he grinned a very toothless grin.

"Err, fine. Fine indeed. How may I service you, good sir?" I replied, unsure of his intentions.

He replied, with a short wink, "Well, m'lady, I noticed you seemed to be lacking in hand jewelry, and I found it appropriate to offer such a beautiful woman my finest." I glanced at my hand and found I had but one piece of jewelry. A small, gold bracelet around my left arm.

"Well, I'm flattered, sir. May I ask your name?" I ventured cautiously.

He was quick to reply. "Henry Tardleson, madam. And you are?"

Suddenly, a second voice from behind me approached. This voice was firm, seductive, and much more appealing.