( The time lines merge - A quick staccato of the Dr Who theme)

"Well yunker", quothe the Gunner of the "Restoration", "What be you a looking for ?"

"If you please sir - I want to go to Sea !"

A chorus of guffaws, and comments about the Golden Bolt arose from the multitude. The Gunner silenced them with a stare, and a significant thwack of his starting cane on the tavern table. " To sea is it - does the thought of Scurvey, Shot and Storm, Salt Meat, and maggoty bread not frighten you ?"

"No sir, even a pound of maggoty bread, is better than the gaurdians allow us in the Poor House, and Storm and Shot is a better hope than the Gallows"

The Gunner laughed, the powder marks under his beard rippled in the lantern light " Well younker, we can always fit another nipper on board. Oh you'l carry shot and powder, nip the cable to the messenger, and climb the rigging like the best of them. And if you survive - Well we'l make a Seaman of you."

The boy's face lit up - The hope of better food than his present lot - of possible fame, and possible fortune, were within his grasp "Thank you sir, oh thank you !

In a mellowed mood the Gunner sank his quart " Well younker what be your name ?"

"Sammy, Sammy Hood sir."

"Sammy Hood eh! maybe when your a famous admiral they name a Line of Battle ship after you."

The Gunner orderd a platter of Bread and Cheese, Here Sammy, you look as if you need to get youn self outside of that - Now take station on me till the tide turns, and old Amos, Master Gunner of the "Restoration" will tell you the tale of another yunker who came aboard at the turning of the tide. Of Benjamin Bragg and how he helped deafeat the Dons in the years of our good Queen Bess"

Insert the Dr Who theme music again