that was great to read!!! I was happy that POB put women in a position where they could prove the old sailor's superstition (women being bad luck on a ship) false, and did it with spirit and good humor! And I think it revealed something more specific in Jack : that the reason why he doesn't want women on board isn't because he 'hates' them, but because he spends an inordinate amount of time worrying about them, knowing full well what sailors would try with the opposite sex nearby, and feels personally responsible if something bad happens...that on top of feeling personally responsible if something bad happens to his men!
Sophie at least has my respect as well, if not my total liking. My incompleteness of regard can be said of Diana too. I'm never fully sympathetic to either one of them, which really can be said of all the characters. POB makes them so fully human and real, it's hard to choose a favorite and most-hated. But Jack grabbed up my heart as quick as he could, and its been hardest to dissuade that of all the characters.
And I started liking Stephen again, once he was through his "dirty" period in H. M. S. Surprise. (I can't abide dirty people!) I blame that on both Diana and the French. The Stephen of The Maurititus Command was fearfully steady and useful