Mary handed off the bottle to Richard and lifted a brow "Across the Atlantic?  More than I've done.  I've been workin' on the water for years, but mostly on an oyster boat. Made a few coastal trips down the Carolina coast and back, but not much more than that till I ended up here."  Mary seemed to mull something over then said "Did I hear ye say ye be an Alchemist?  Well, yer no fool, else youd'a blasted yeself  to mince by now.  But I have to say it, you be takin' care when ye be mixin' yer  concoctions around black powder, eh?  No offense, but I'll be sleepin' better knowin' tha' I said it.