Jacky Tar

Everyone aboard laughed, an pointed at the choice o' the flag o' truce, flyin' from the main o' the sloop. "Lord help us, now that fool is pantless!" I remarked. A shout rang out, from the crows nest, as a galleon heave in t' view. "Haul up the anchor, an signal the Rakehell, we need t' put out t' sea." I shouted, "Smithe, signal the sloop t' follow!"

Wot!!!! Damn, ye mean I hav t' grow dreads? Aye, Iron Bess said, my bucket boots made me look historical, or was that hysterical? Doesn't matter, if they're good enough fer Jack, they're good enough fer me.

Jim's lack o' fashion sense aside, at many o' the pirate ren faires, on the west coast, pirates wear the Skull & Crossbones (fer better or worse).

Wear wot ye like lass, yer a pirate after all! Many here hav a eye fer things shiny, too; so if ye mean t' wear em, best keep yer pistol, or cutlass, close by.

"Did I hear her correct?" I asked t' the sailor standin' next t' me, "Did she say that fool, Nate, is aboard that sloop?" I began t' pace the deck, an I muttered, "An I only had the lads fire a warnin' shot!"

Happy Thanksgiving t' all those who frequent the pub! Now where's that turkey leg?

I used a spyglass, t' get a better look at the approachin' vessel, an remarked, "There's no doubt the sloop is Spanish, but the crew is a different matter. I believe the sailor above the main is dancin', an wavin!" I lowered the glass, an turned t' give the orders t' fire a warnin' shot. A single blast, followed by billowin' smoke, sent a cannon ball into the path o' the oncoming sloop.

I stepped on deck, wit' a very lively Ransom close behind, t' the relief o' the other crew members o' the Rakehell. I turned t' Ransom, t' remark, "Ye best return t' yer ship, an rejoin yer crew. If they're Spanish, they may try t' warn us off; after all, these waters belong t' the Spanish, or so they say!" I looked out across the horizon. "If it is just a sloop, I may warn them off!"

I laughed, "Where t' begin?" I took off me justacorps, laid it across the chest, an pulled open my shirt. "See, this entry wound?" I said, pointin' t' a barely visible scar on me shoulder." Ransom held up the lantern t' get a better look. "I did mention the mutineers shot me, didn't I? I treated the wound wit' the water from one o' those bottles." I studied Ransom's face fer her reaction, "If the salt water hadn't mixed wit' it, I believe there'd be no scar at all!" As I redressed, I asked, "Wot price would ye pay for water like that, if ye needed it?"

I slammed the lid o' the chest shut, sat on it, an quipped, "Who said anything 'bout sharin' it?" I shook my head, "Nay, this were brought up out o' these very waters, on our last voyage." I assured her, "Wot ever we recover this time, we'll share wit' the crew o' the Rakehell." I stood up, an deftly locked the chest, "So don't hold yer breath, waitin' fer gold, til' we're divin' on one o' those wrecks." Ramblin' on, "As fer watchin' someone's back, I've seen yers twice. Once, when ye left us in Havana, an later when ye left us t' face the galleon in that bay." I softened me voice, "Noble intent, or self preservation, will not save the day here. Neither ship can face a Spanish war ship alone, we'd be out gunned. One is out there, still huntin' us. If we run, we run together. If we fight, we fight together, an I don't mean each other!" I held a finger up, t' say let me finish, "Since, this trip began I've been mutinied on, shot, marooned, chased by amazons, accused o' smugglin' jewels, an had the misfortune o' firing on a Spanish galleon wit' out my consent!" I concluded, "Wot ever you think ye know 'bout me, an my ill fated quest, please take note. I intend t' recover more gold from these waters, trade some o' that gold t' refill those bottles, then follow a map, which I believe will lead us t' the source o' that water."

(If ye was DiSaronno, an live, ye'd only have minutes t' live wit' this group!) ^ Me... probably ham... wit' my luck, turkey! Have t' think 'bout which liquor... < I wish fall would get here. We've had enough smoke an ash. V Pass the question.

Thank ye, Tiny Jim! In keepin' wit' the holiday spirit, it brings a tear t' an ol' Scrooge Pirate's eye!

"Nay, this chest is filled wit' empty bottles," I said, an picked one up, an turned it over. "The attached parchments trace the date, an reason each was emptied, less I or any crew mates forget why we risked so much t' secure them." I moved over t' another chest, fished a key out o' me pocket, unlocked it, and ran me hand over the golden coins inside. "I believe this chest holds wot ye risked ship, an crew t' secure." Ransom stepped closer t' this chest, raised the lantern, peered inside, an smiled.

"It's a bit dark, so watch yer head!" I said, as we descended in t' the hold. A lantern was lit, an would be required fer where we were headed. I stopped in front of a series o' locked chests. "Hold this!" I said, as I thrust the lantern in Ransom's direction. Free t' use both hands, I inspected the chests, "Aye, this be the one!" Liftin' the small chest t' a nearby table, I pried back the latch, an lifted the lid. Ransom brought the lantern in fer a closer look at the chest's contents. Lookin' disappointed, she quipped, "You brought me down here to inspect your bottle collection?" Wit' a free hand she picked up a small bottle, wit a bit o' parchment tied 'bout it's neck. "You know the message is suppose to go inside the bottle, if you intend to set it a drift!" She remarked. I scowled, "Give me that!" I held the small object wit' the all the reverence one might bestow on a religious relic, and carefully placed it back in the chest.

She growled, and I growled right back, "Treasure! Is that all ye think we're after?" I grabbed her arm, an she started t' resist, an I said in a menacing tone, "Come wit' me, please!" She started t' follow me; so, I released her arm, an said t' her crew, "Easy lads!" As they were reachin' fer their weapons. "I'm just going t' show yer captain the card table."

I sniffed at the air, an smelled but salt air. So, I replied, "I'll admit many a man here could use a bath; but, we serve no salmugundi in this galley." The smell was gone, an I knew Ransom had noticed the change. I spun about, an said aloud, "Any o' you lads smellin' visions?" More stifled chuckles, this time from Ransom's crew members. I turned me attention back t' Ransom, "Aye, these waters are remote, an things here can work against a less seasoned crew." I smiled, an nodded, "As fer men dying, men only die here from two causes, poor judgement, and bad weather." I said a little louder, "I won't deny, there are things here, which I can't explain away. Call 'em ghosts, or spirits o' the dead. They can't really hurt ye, unless ye let them." I moved in a bit closer, so only Ransom could hear me say, "The weather looks fine. But, mayhaps ye might wish t' take that course change yer quartermaster was offerin', if ye hav any doubts."

Climbin' out o' the hold, I saw Ransom tappin' her foot, an I piped up, "T' what do we owe the honor o' this little unannounced visit, from the captain o' the Rakehell?" The men behind me chuckled softly, and scattered. Ransom's moods could change like the weather; so, 'fore she could answer, I stopped wit' the greetings, an asked, "Silkie didn't swim over t' yer ship, did she?" Givin' Ransom a more serious look, I added, "Seems the lass has gone missin'. Is that the reason fer ye visit? Are ye harbourin' her board yer vessel?"

The apparition, said, "Usted tiene huéspedes." I shook me head, "Guests?" He replied, "Adiós para ahora, capitán!" Wit' that, he disappeared an the stench wit' him. I opened the door, an stared at Smithe, "Wipe yer eyes, Smithe." I gestured fer the round man t' back away from the door, as he tried t' glimpse inside. "Has Silkie, turned up yet?" I said abruptly. Smithe offered, that mayhaps she'd gone fer a swim, as she had not been found. "I hope not here." I retorted. She's smarter than that, I thought, as I headed topside.

I suppose this means ye'll hav t' dress the part, now. Black clothin', a pencil thin mustache, an a top hat, says I. Mu.ha.ha!

"She doesn't want an answer," I muttered. Stones replied, "She's within range, suh. Should ye wish t' get the last word." I chuckled, "Nay, she'd never allow that!" Clutchin' the parchment in me coat pocket, I whispered, "Aye, I know where t' look." I turned an shouted, "Someone fetch Silkie!"

ass (the four legged kind...)

I walked t' the railin', an gave Ransom the royal wave. "That's apart o' the Dry Tortugas, alright!" I gestured out t' sea, an said, "But somewhere out there, beneath the waves, lies the lost treasure fleet." "Aye, too much sulphur in the gun powder, it's a wonder the canons fire at all." I said, referrin' t' the smell. "I suppose ye'll be wantin' t' make some repairs here?" I said, tryin' t' change the subject.

Belated birthday, Greydog! Best wishes mate.

Sniffin' the air, I smelled the unmistakable hint o' native sulphur. The smell got stronger as I approached me cabin. I opened the door, t' me cabin, an saw the specter seatin' in me chair. "Entre." He said. "Cierre la puerta." "El Diablo!" I replied, "Ye wasted no time findin' us." "¿Es ése uno el mío?, Señor Tar?" He pointed a boney finger out the window, at the Rakehell. I paused, "That one?" A pregnant pause, "Nay, I hav a nice fat galleon comn' fer ye, just like I promised!"