Willis waited for any further instructions from the captain before leaving, when he received none, the stoker remained on deck for the time being to enjoy the fresh air as long as he could. He knew that once they set off moments like this would be few and far between as he worked with two other men to keep the engines going. It would be hot, it would be sweaty, and it would be rough at times. Leaning against the railing, Willis watched the boys run off, dodging around the people as easy as you please.<br/><br/>Content with watching the life on the docks, Willis heard some some of the crew emerge from their own quarters, sober, though still suffering from their indulgences. He knew a few wouldn't be coming back, and this troubled him. He had heard enough stories working on the ship to understand why some would turn tail the first chance they got, but he also knew that many of those stories were old wives tales, told late when the nights dragged on. Nevertheless, Willis Hopwood wasn't a strong believer in the supernatural, never had been, and as he liked to put it, never will.