A few more details

 

Part 3.

Between 1777 and 1787, (basically the entire American Revolutionary war) the Glace Bay boys sailed the Loganic as privateers for the colonials. Edward having argued strongly that they should fight for the underdog against the corrupt, greedy crown. Although Alexander had no desire to be a revolutionary, he generally went along with his friend's choice in this matter. But in truth the Boys were basically just pirates.

They progressed from a pathetic start as inexperienced adventurers to become highly skilled world travelers. By the time the found the mysterious island, 10 years to the day they had first seen it, they were as ready as could be.

During these years the Boys delved into the magical and mystical. They acquired a sizable collection of odd objects and books. Most of which they stored in the house they owned in Halifax. Kelly was openly a believer of the supernatural, which surprised no one. Alexander kept his interest publicly to that of an art lover, asking about an item's history and value with equal enthusiasm. But privately, he was the most driven of the group, to uncover the big mystery behind life's normal face. As for Edward, he very much wanted to find and slay the monsters of myth.

During these years as the Boys travelled around the world they made some friends and enemies, they gained much knowledge and a sizable fortune too. The Loganic lost some crew and gained some too. But most importantly, these years shaped the outlook the Boys would have on life going forward.

A few thoughts.

Getting rich is not at all the same as staying rich. Alexander thought about this a lot. Merchant shipping was a high risk and high reward business, just as piracy was. A good way to gain wealth, but not a safe and reliable way to do so in the long run. Land ownership on the other hand, the oldest foundation of wealth, didn't usually offer quick gains but had a steady income from rents. The market for any commodity or service would fluctuate up and down, but people would always need housing, and if said houses burned down, you still had the land. If your ship sank, it was simply gone. So it was that Alexander began to plan a business model that would have both kinds of income. Also he liked the idea of designing houses and other buildings.

Meanwhile Edward had been considering what he saw as they travelled the world. The Europeans did bring civilization to the barbarians, but almost all ways the natives did not benefit from it. They were oppressed, just as the peasants were still oppressed back in Europe. “Men are mostly evil, except to their friends and family.” Kelly said more than a few times as they talked. “Noble men may be good with their peers, but will think nothing of abusing and using those beneath them.” So it was that Edward started wondering how the Boys could be a modern Robinhoods.

As for Kelly, he paid attention to the many foreign people they met, learning as much as he could about their cultures and languages. Gathering stories of their myths and legends, but also learning about their modern interactions with the white men. He voiced no desires at this time about what he would do with this knowledge. He simply offered help with the other Boys aims.