Grammont was ruthless to his enemies, but to his crew he was generous and fair. Astrea worked diligently for her new Captain and in short time became a valued member of the crew.
In her first days on the ship, Astrea could see that many of the crew were suffering from scurvy. She had learned from Spanish sailors a remedy involving citrus, and quickly concocted a brew in secret of Root Beer, Guarana Berries and Oranges and offered it to the crew during a stop in Haiti.
She told the crew the drink was ancient VooDoo that she had learned on the island. The superstitious crew took her at her word, and drank heavily. The scurvy disappeared.
