Jacky Tar

Spoons anxiously glanced at Nate and Silkie, who were both armed t' the teeth. "Nate here is preparin' t' take a boat t' find out wot's become o' the Rakehell," I said. "That is provided yer capitan will allow 'em safe passage, and not open fire on the long boat." I leaned in towards Spoons, and spoke in a hushed tone, "Silkie just doesn't like uninvited guests." "As fer special crew members, they're all special t' me. Furthermore, wot's lost t' the sea belongs t' the sea."

When they're dying? Aye, I believe MadL was referring t' healthy kids. I hope the lucky pirates are able t' lift the children's spirits at CHOC, wit' out belayin' pins.

As Spoons set foot on the deck o' the Relentless, I found my self askin' out loud, "Why are ye really here, Spoons?" "It can't be 'bout the maps o' the wrecks; as time, tides an storms will hav' scattered the wrecks. If Navarro can command three galleons, wot does he want wit' my vessel?" Spoons replied, "Mister Tar, I believe this is a discussion we should be having in private." "Nay, wot ever ye hav t' say, say it here and now." I said. "Very well," Spoons started. "Rumor has it that the Relentless has a special crew member aboard. A crew member whose talents would aid her captain in finding that which has been lost to the sea." He paused, "Should I go on? Or would you like to have the rest of this conversation in private, now?"

The approachin' boat's company looked more like a boardin' party than a negotiatin' party. Spoons had several Spanish marines in the long boat, wit' him. I motioned t' Silkie, an said, "I know ye hate t' be far from yer haversack, but consider stowin' it somewhere out o' sight, till our guests leave." I walked back t' the railin', an called out, "Why Spoons, perhaps ye didn't hear, we already filled the cook's position back in Havana!" "I know and as a result, I found less attractive employment in Havana. Which brings me to the reason for my visit, my new employer has sent me to convince you to reconsider his offer, Jacky." Spoons roared back. "Spoons, ye came all this way t' deliver that message? Well then ye can go back t' Havana, an tell Navarro me answer hasn't changed."

Iron Jon, may yer favorite wench, wit' a purse full o' dubloons, sit on yer chest an tell ye t' make a wish. Wot's that? Silkie says I've got the wrong Jon. She says yer the goode one... Alright, ye saucy wenches line up and sit where ever Iron Jon tells ye!

It's a bit late fer coffee, but then someone's got t' keep watch, over the pub. "Silkie, would ye like cream an sugar in yer coffee?"

I clapped a hand on Roberts shoulder, an looked him in the eye t' say, "Take good care o' the Cat, an tell Ransom, where I go she can not follow." "Smithe!" I hollered, "Prepare a launch fer the party settin' out fer the Rakehell." "Stones, set the stern anchor." With that, I looked skyward, t' shout, "Jonesy, reef that sail!" A long boat from the galleon was headed toward us, wit' a familiar face aboard. I turned t' Roberts once more, "Ye best go below t' fetch ol' Nate, an Red Cat." He knuckled his forehead, but scowled. Roberts had recognized that Spoons was one o' those in the long boat, approachin' us under a flag o' truce.

"Roberts, walk wit' me a bit." I motioned t' the large man t' follow me topside. "I don't know if Nate wants off this ship so bad, that he'd be crazy enough t' bring the wrath o' the Spanish down on us. But right 'fore he fell on that cannon, he stood on this deck an questioned my orders on loadin' those same cannons." Roberts nodded, so I continued, "We've been in rollin' seas before, wit' pitching decks, an I've never had any man jack accidently fire a cannon!" I paused t' consider the Spanish galleon 'fore us, now. "However, I'm willin' t' allow Red Cat t' take one o' the long boats, wit' Nate as crew, if you'll accompany them t' the Rakehell. I don't want any harm befallen her, an I need t' get a message t' the captain o' the Rakehell." "But first, I need t' see wot' demands the Spanish are 'bout t' put upon us, an insure they won't open fire on any boats we might put in the water. Wot say ye, do we hav an accord?"

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nom de plume

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"Who the bloody hell fired on them!" I screamed. I wanted t' keelhaul, someone. "Stones, take the helm." I shouted, as the Spanish raised the flag of truce. "I'm goin' below, t' get t' the bottom o' this." As I passed Silkie, I bellowed, "Raise the white flag, 'fore they change their minds." As I reached the gun placements, I screamed, "Who gave the order t' fire?" Dillard mumbled something 'bout Nate's stumblin' accident, and I replied 'fore he could finish, "Then Mister Dillard clap Nate in irons an lock him up safe, for we can ill afford another accident!" "The Spanish have raised the white flag. Mister Roberts secure these cannons." I said more calmly, as I returned topside.

"Hold yer fire Mister Dillard," I screamed. The Rakehell was listin' t' starboard an runnin' fer the north lakes, an her attackers now had their guns pointed in our direction. "Steady, lads. Hold yer fire, if we're t' hav any chance at all, it must be a full broadside!" "Stones, cut us free o' this anchor... Now!" I yelled t' Jonesy, who was aloft, "Give me any canvas ye can!"

Dillard shouted, "Mister Tar, the Rakehell is coming back around, and she's has gun portals open!" "Mister Roberts, belay the drills. On my orders, and my orders only, prepare t' return fire." Roberts moved like a cat, grabbed Nate by the scruff and hauled him below t' the gun deck. We had no time t' weigh anchor, so we had t' disable the Rakehell fast. "Mister Dillard, load chain shot on the forward gun an prepare t' fire on the Rakehell!" I shouted.

"I'm thinkin' were goin' t' need more cannons," I said t' Red Cat. "The captain o' the Rakehell is a women, and like most, as unpredictable as the wind." Red Cat grunted. Once again, I'd fergotten she was a woman. With the smudged face, ill fittin' clothing, and hair tucked under her cap, it was an easy t' make that mistake. I cleared my throat, an said, "Current company excepted, I can always predict ye'll do wot helps line yer pockets." With that, she stopped jinglin' her pockets, and turned t' watch the Rakehell sail away. "Roberts, continue wit the drills an fire a few partin' shots, away from Rakehell." I said, "Have Nate here load round shot for the next salvo."

I snarled back, at Nate, "Aye, round shot!" "Nate, I'm not in the habit o' repeatin' orders when I give them. Until I know her intentions, we'll stand ready." "I'd load anvils, if I had the guns t' shoot them. This is a pirate bay, that is a pirate ship, and we hav no business wit' their captain. If she runs up a flag o' truce, we might parley."

I gave Nate an incredulous look, and said, "Nate, you've met the hellcat that captains that ship. Wot would make ye think we could take that ship?" Nate looked dumbfounded, so I continued, "Load round shot an don't spare the powder."

Welcome Faad! I hear tell lawyers make great pirates. Our English around here is not so good too.

No one said wot Merrydeath is in fer? I hope they don't remove her sense o' humor, and send her back in good workin' order.

'Eyes, I've seen yer pics o' late, an ye make a better lookin' pirate than I (Birkenstocks or not). Hope t' see ye in Corona. I hope the weather is cool in late April, an Herself is able t' attend, too.

(Seein' the softies welcomed here, banner.) Aye, details please!

"I'll be damned," I said. "Mister Dillard, prepare the swivel gun, an fire a warnin' shot across the bow o' that ship. Mind ye, across the bow not in t' the powder magazine, Mister Dillard!" As temptin' as that might be, I thought. Dillard smiled, a wicked smile, all too happy t' comply wit' that order. "That should give 'er pause," I mumbled. "How did she find us?" I turned t' Red Cat, an said, "We'll be tradin' wit' locals fer some provisions, we'll be needin' in Florida." I paused, "See if ye can roust Roberts, he'll be takin' the watch while we're away."

Kenneth, nice assortment o' weapons, mate; where did find the cutlass?

Pull! "Nay, that wasn't an IRS agent... just openin' the aspirin bottle."

Tax season. "Don't ye wish it were open season on those guys!"