Jacky Tar

I knew Ransom meant well, an I waited fer her t' finish, then I piped up, "There is a reason the Dry Tortugas are called dry, there's no fresh water. I won't leave us stranded. The Relentless can tow a jollyboat, which we can sail safely through reefs an back t' Florida, if we had too." I placed my tankard on the table, an continued, "The Spanish hav laid claim t' those waters, an if we find anythin', they might be inclined t' take it from us! Hence the warnin' 'bout that."

I turned t' Red Cat, "Since, ye burned that wallet, there'd be no harm in ye tellin' us wot was in it, now would there?" As fer the rest o' her story, I said, "Roberts, acts like yer wet nurse some o' the time. Do ye wish t' elaborate on that?"

Finally, I turned t' Silkie, "If I hav t' deal wit' one more lass right now, I might shoot someone!" Then I smiled, "Not ye o' course, luv."

The Cat were playin' possum, an her 'Aye' made it three t' two. I needed it t' be unanimous, lest there be trouble later wit' dissenters.

"Ransom, if ye'd rather we travel aboard the Rakehell, I think we can reach an accord. I can hav the Relentless nearby, or join us later." I wasn't sure wot she we waitin' fer, I thought mayhaps she was givin' Jane moral support.

Now fer Jane, "Jane, layout yer concerns that we might address 'em. Or argue yer case fer a different course." Her reasonin' is usually sound, I thought. "I too want this t' be a profitable venture, but I know the real cost o' delay." The winds an the weather favor us now.

"Nice buckle. Do any rings wit' that skull an crossbones?"

Roberts an I had raised our hands, an said our ayes, but Ransom an Jane did not; The Cat was still dozin'. Frustrated, but not ready t' walk, I said, "The ship only gets us t' the wrecks, an keeps the Spanish off our tails. The rest may require some leg work, explorin' an divin'. Everyone can swim, right?"

I paused, Jane's expression showed she hadn't thought 'bout the Spainish, an I said, "Aye, I'll volunteer the Relentless fer this first part o' the voyage, they will drop us near land fall, but then put back out t' sea; I don't want my ship sharin' the fate o' those wrecks. If ye see fit, t' accept me as the leader o' the land operations, I'll take the customary one an a half shares. T' be clear, I share me portion, if there be any wit' the crew o' the Relentless."

I turned t' Ransom, "Yer welcome t' follow in the Rakehell, but both ships will be safer in open ocean."

Jane was growin' a spine 'fore my very eyes! I best step up an quell the mutiny, that was brewin'. Damn, she had the makings of a fine first mate.

Should I explain, that I had kept that bottle in a sea chest, in the back of the pub. I had learned the hard way, not t' carry such fragile things on my person. Mayhaps later, I thought.

"Jane is right, I misspoke. A captain fer such an undertakin' is elected, an late comers must be recognized by present company. Present company I believe includes, Jane, Ransom, Red Cat, Roberts an me self. Agreed?" Everyone except Silkie, nodded. "Good! the first leg o' this journey is t' the Dry Tortugas. After that anyone wants out, I can arrange it. So, the matter 'fore us now, is should Silkie be allowed t' join us on this first leg o' this journey. All in favor say, Aye."

I thought Ransom was aboard, wit' her it was just a matter o' timin', an a price yet t' be negotiated.

The ever resourceful Jane would stow away, rather than be left behind.

If Red Cat were in, so were Roberts, t' watch over her.

I turned t' Silkie, who had stopped hummin', an I said, "Aye, are ye in lass. Care t' sail off fer adventure, an a chance t' fatten yer purse?"

^ Europe! All of it, Spain, France, England, Italy, Germany...

< But alas, that will hav t' wait.

V When travelin', are ye the ugly American (or equivalant) or goodwill ambassador?

I was glad things had gone well, when I knew how badly they could o' gone.

I knew sailin' t' the Dry Tortugas would be the easy part of our next journey.

Weather an timin' had prevented me from confirmin' the wreck sites, in the past. I knew they were waitin' fer us. Mayhaps even pickup some gold an silver there.

Me mind drifted back, an I notice Roberts leave the table wit' pipe in hand. Jane was reflectin' in her mug, I wanted t' ask wot see saw in it, since she gazed in it so often. Silkie had stopped prayin', an was hummin' t' calm her nerves. Ransom piqued herself fer not fallen pray t' fanciful tales; but even she couldn't deny Red Cat's remarkable recovery.

I didn't want t' leave Roberts out, but I said t' present company, "Well, wot do ye all think? Worth pursuin', or sod off?"

^ Margarita

< Damn, ye folks are all prepared. I pack the night before, no lists, an no pre-packed bags. (Sleeping at events in a hotel. I like me shower in the mornin'. I know, non-period pirate, that is clean.)

V Wot stamp would ye like in yer passport?

One little jigglin' item missin', an I held out the Cat's bell an chain. "Ye dropped this!" She smiled an bounced over t' me, as Red Cat was want t' do. She spun an lifted her hair, an I clasped the chain 'bout her neck again. "Fer luck," I said. Truth be told, it warmed my heart t' see her back t' her old self, once more. Roberts smiled, an I thought I saw him wipe his eyes.

The bottle sat empty on the table, I could see Jane studyin' it, an glancin' at Red Cat. I believe we made a few skeptics believers this night. I wish I could bottle that kind o' magic!

"Yer not related t' Long John Silver, are ye? Ray I'll hav an ale on L. Silver's coin."

"Thank ye, Sir... Miss... Ye need t' add t' yer bio, an tell us a bit more o' bout yer self."

I nonchalantly replied, "Not sure about a fountain, the native I traded wit said somethin' 'bout a spring in the everglades; as had the Dutchman."

I sat back in me chair, "The Dutchman is not dead, an is get older, the same as you an me. That's the problem wit' retellin' tales, most don't get 'em right the second time." I smiled, at Ransom.

I saw Silkie cross her self, an looked at the disbelief on many o' the faces, at that table. "Silkie, it's not black magic. Spanish explorers hav been seekin' the source o' these waters fer ages. Tales purport the healin' waters can restore health, an more. I thought they were just tales, till I was able t' aquire some o' the water fer me self."

Silly o' me riskin' a demonstration, I thought. "Not all treasure is gold mates. I hav little o' this water left." I leaned over t' Red Cat, "I wish I had been carryin' this wit' me, when we found ye, luv. Take these last drops an use it on yer side. The catgut will fall away, when this touches the wound."

I wondered about that wallet an it's contents, that had been so precious a few hours ago. I gave Red Cat a quick glance, as the flames so quickly consumed it. A small gasp from Ransom, told me she wondered the same.

"Welcome, Silkie! Gather round mates fer we don't want the riffraff t' get wind o' wot we be up too." Everyone leaned in a bit closer, t' get a better listen.

"It's been a long while since any Spanish treasure fleets hav plied these waters. Tales are told 'bout Spanish ships sunk an lost t' storms, in water so shallow that ye can swim t' 'em; if ye know where they lie."

"I believe I know where one of these fleets sunk, an the ships lie in less than fifty feet o' water! We don't even need t' swim down t' 'em, fer the local natives hav been bringin' up the gold fer us."

I take a sip from my tankard, an pull from my pocket a few of the cobs I showed last time, an somethin I didn't show. I produced a small glass bottle with a liquid in it. Ransom said, "It looks like water!" I held it close t' the candle on the table, an said, "It is water, an worth more than gold, if ye need it."

I turned t' Ransom, "Give me the dagger ye carry in yer bodice." She started t' protest, an remarked she had no such thing. I held my hand out, an she produced the dagger. I took her dagger an slashed my palm. "Damn that smarts," I said. Ransom looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I put the small bottle t' my lips, an pulled out the cork. Careful not t' waste a drop, I poured the fluid on my bleedin' hand. The water foamed, along the cut. Jane said, "It's acid!" I laughed, "No, it's nuthin' o' the kind." I pulled a handkerchief, t' dry my hand. Then I showed my skeptical friends my hand, which was no longer bleedin', an had no visible cut.

I turned t' Roberts, "Thanks fer the drink mate!" So, it comes down t' this group, plus crew, fer our next adventure.

We had toasted our good fortune an friends. I raised me tankard, "T' adventure on the high seas, an travel t' far away places. May we return t' this safe harbour, t' tell the tale!"

^ Luck, Angels, an Divine Providence. Some things just work out, when they shouldn't.

< Feelin' lucky most days.

V Lucky or cursed lately?

^ White rice wit' Chinese food. Brown rice wit' everything else.

(This response was t' the question: lucky in cards or love?)

^ Unlucky at cards. My nine year old whips me at most card games. I swear I'm taken him t' Vegas when he's of age.

< I fair better when the outcome is based on preparation, an not luck.

V Does yer profession seem like a crap shoot, or hav ye won the lottery?

^ Board games (I've got children).

< Although, of late we play a lot o' card games. They luv fleencin' their grand parents!

V Poker face or Take my money?

"Drunken Sailor comes t' mind, an everyone knows it, or at least can learn the chorus. So, ye won't be singin' solo. Unless, o' course ye sing so low..."

^ Does skiing badly count? Sometimes confused wit' sleddin', when I hit a tough run.

< Can't ever get good at somethin' I only do once or twice in a year, an then only every couple of years.

V Somethin' ye enjoy, but don't do often enough t' get good at it. (Please keep it clean!)

rattlesnake

(I heard they taste like chicken, too!)

"Silkie lass, ye need t' add a couple shanties t' yer repertoire; it's how Iron Bess, the song siren, recruits cabin boys!"

Ransom had her concerns 'bout Roberts. I promised her, I'd let no harm come t' Jane. I'd keep a weathered eye on Roberts.

Jane was an enigma, she often removed herself from the group, then fain join any endeavour we'd undertake. Roberts seemed t' be an open book, wit' mayhaps a few pages missin'. I thought he'd be wit' us, while we kept company wit' Red Cat, who had a few secrets of her own.

Roberts had placed Red Cat at a table, soon her mates gathered round, t' share drinks an swap tales. Red Cat was well liked, an always added her own brand o' mischief t' any soirée.

While the Cat recovered from her wounds, we could plan our voyage t' the Dry Tortugas, t' look fer sunken Spanish vessels.

^ Get more sleep; when I drop below five hours a night, I'm most susceptible t' colds.

< I could be snowed in an still work. (Technology, blessin' an a curse)

V If ye didn't hav t' work, would ye?

The others rejoined us, an peered at Red Cat's mode of transportation. Red Cat threatened them against laughin' at her. I had already received my warnin', an I instructed the driver t' start toward the Pub.

The walk back wasn't particularly long, but wot a colorful parade we made. Roberts chatted wit' Red Cat non stop. Ransom an Jane, seem t' be renewin' their friendship, wit' conversations. I walked alone, an was glad t' put this adventure an rescue, behind us.