Jib

Angus was sick as a dog and could barely speak for his lecture. He soldiered through and gave a very nice presentation. Someone told the Scot to drink a little port to help his throat. I would have told him to drink A LOT of port to clear his throat!

Angus Konstam was the second speaker in the lecture series about pirates. I brought some of his books along and he signed them for me. I must own about 10 books that Angus has written. He has over 72 titles to his credit.

A lecture series accompanied the exhibit. Of course I attended more than a few of these.

The Spanish Captain appears to believe my story that I am a shipwrecked Portuguese sailor. I am further able to sell my story with a few Latin prayers to a Franciscan Friar who just happens to be aboard (but I avoided his offer of the sacrament of confession, no need to shock the poor man!). La Arcelia has sailed out of Campeche with San Domingo as her destination. The Captain, a portly fellow named Fermin Luis Ortega, hails from San Domingo and offers me a deal. He will provide me with safe passage to San Domingo. In return I must work as one of the crew. I gladly agree! After arriving in San Domingo Fermin Luis takes me to his plantation where he treats me to fine meals and even better wine! It is then he informs me know that he knows my real name and my criminal past… His silence has a price. One I must pay or swing from a rope! Well at least he has a full wine cellar…

I create a makeshift flag from my shirt and hope to attract the Spaniard closer. With luck I see that she launches her long boat. My rescue is at hand! The ship is named “La Arcelia”, in English “The Treasure Chest”. A good omen!

After several days I manage to spot a passing ship. By her colors she looks to be a Spanish merchant. I hope I can summon her closer.

The bonfire provides both heat and a comfort. Of course rum and a lass would do the same…

I can gather enough debris to make a bonfire. I have found a small shard of bottle glass. The good Lord be willing I can start a bonfire and alert a passing ship. Hopefully I can signal one that doesn’t know about my history.

I seem to recall that coconut milk can be fermented!

Food is available if you know where to seek it. Coconut palms cover the island. Now my goal is to climb one. It reminds me of working the top sails or perhaps from my childhood as a thief in Plymouth.

I knew not what Island I had been marooned upon. I knew of a plague island just north of the Mona Passage. Tis time to find what comforts I can.

Of course I had lost my first command. Solitude and grief are my only companions. Failure is hard thing to eat day after day. I had best change my diet.

Once ashore I needed a rest. I had to ponder my situation. The trade winds blow through this region. It is a major on a major shipping route. With luck I could be picked up by the next passing ship. Of course many of those ships would hang me for piracy.