The Pirate Hunter's Smarter Brother!

[Black Nate]

As Nate walked to within a cables length of the Rakehell, he stopped and began to laugh. "Oh Father, That's a sight I wouldn't a believed had I not seen it wit me own eyes." His captain and the bosun having high tea on the quarter deck, was just an odd sight to him. As his laughter calmed he started towards the gang plank and a carriage pulled up, depositing commodore Tar and clattering away. Nate stopped again and waited to see what his return would bring.

[Colard Dysart]

It had taken all his will not to dance for joy when Colard Dysart saw the two ships come into Havana harbor. Beauties they were, and no mistake. And English, not one of those frumperied Spanish galleons with popish names, neither. Yet when they had tied to the docks, rather than rush up and beg to be taken on boad, as he wished with all his old heart, he'd waited and watched. No sense getting excited all for naught. May hap the captains wouldn't have him, being a stranger and all. But by God, when he saw the two on the quarterdeck taking tea, as if there weren't no cares in all the world, and not danger in every quarter, he could wait no longer. With a quick glance 'round to be sure his Spanish boss weren't lookin' his way, Colard, two years trapped in Havana and missing his homeland of Scotland, made a dash for the neat little schooner — and freedom.

[Jacky Tar]

I stepped out o' the carriage, an it occurred t' me that me pockets were still filled wit' smuggled jewels. I best deposit them in me own cabin fer safe keepin', I thought.

As I approached the gangplank, o' the Relentless, I spied Red Cat pacin' along the deck. I noticed she were alone, an once again, Roberts was no where t' be seen.

[Black Nate]

Nate watched as commodore Tar hurried to his ship. He cocked his head to the side for a second before resuming his movement towards the Rakehell. Again he was stopped in his tracks as a man dashed from a building towards the ship. Nate started at a dead run towards the man and drew his pistol. "Oi, you! Avast there! Nate continued to run at the man. Just as the interloper was about to make the gang plank Nate stopped and leveled his pistol and cocked it. "Avast I say or I'll put a bullet in ya!"

[Ransom]

Africa saw the figure rushing toward the ship and like a whirlwind, ran to the rail to stop him. I saw Nate running up behind the man, his pistol out. This was not good. If he fired and killed the stranger, all hell would break loose.

"Oi, Nate. Belay that pistol. One shot, and the Spanish will be on us like fleas on a dog. Belay, I say. Grab that man and hold him, but for God's sake, don't shoot him!"

In the blink of an eye, the man was strong-armed between Nate and Africa. I glared at the stranger. "Alright Mate, who the hell are you?"

[Colard Dysart]

Two alarming things happened before Colard could reach the ship. One, the large Blackamoor blocked his way to the gangplank, and two, behind his left ear he heard a pistol cock. Then the captain, who to Colard's great amaze was a woman, yelled for the men to grab him, which they did none too gently. He made no attempt to struggle, and his wiry frame was held until the captain stood in front of him, her blue eyes blazing like the furies, and demanded to know who he was.

"Colard Dysart, at yer service...er, disposal, sort to speak. I mean nae harm so's ye need nae fear. As ye can see, I've nae a weaon on mae person, more's the pity. Harmless as a bairn, ye could say. Just wantin' passage on a nice friendly ship that'll take this poor carcass away from this Popish country." He grinned up at her through his grizzled beard.

[Ransom]

"Colard, eh? Sounds like something I'd throw into a stew pot. And since it looks like you have a lack of coin, well as a lack of weapons, why should I take you on board?"

I threw a quick glance over at the Relentless to see if Jacky was watching this encounter, but he must have gone below, for the only one on the quarterdeck was Red Cat, and her gaze was directed on the wharf area where Roberts and Silkie had gone.

[Jacky Tar]

Wit' the stones secured in me cabin, I returned t' the main deck. As anxious as I was t' settle our account wit' Senor Raphael Navarro, I was even more anxious t' discuss the conversation I had wit' Capitan Navarro, wit' Ransom.

I glanced over at the Rackhell, an noticed that it looked like someone had tried t' board the ship unannounced. I thought my best course o' action might be t' stay right where I was, fer the time bein'.

[Black Nate]

Nate Did as ordered and did not shoot the man, but grabbed him up as did Africa. He held the grizzled soul while he explained himself to the captain, but never once did Nate loosen his grip or lower his pistol. The man might seem friendly and peacable, only wishing a way out of this port, but you never could tell. A storm often follows a peaceful time and Nate wasn't about to let his guard down.

[Colard Dysart]

"Colard, eh? Sounds like something I'd throw into a stew pot. And since it looks like you have a lack of coin, well as a lack of weapons, why should I take you on board?"

Colard looked from the Blackamoor to the other man holding his arm, then back at the captain. 'Cause that would be by way of being a good Christian act, ma'am." Then Colard cranked his head around, looking to see if his boss, that swarthy devil Macario, had discovered he'd escaped — or nearly escaped.

[Ransom]

The old man seemed harmless enough, but you never knew. However, I was one crew member short after losing that young sailor in the storm, so if this old codger knew his way around a ship, he might come in useful. Hopefully, Jacky wouldn't object, although he had the right.

"Can you work a ship without falling overboard? If so, then young Nate here will take you in hand and show you around. If you slip up, or turn out to be less than capable, you'll find I'm not quite so charitable as you think. You anoy me, and I'll put you ashore at our next port of call."

I noticed this Colard seemed worried, and kept glansing over his shoulder toward a shabby building perched on the edge of the wharf. "You expecting company?"

[Colard Dysart]

Colard looked quickly behind him again, but so far, his boss hadn't noticed he was gone. He faced the captain. "Well, as it happens, yes. Foreby, I'd really like it if young Nate here could show mae on board, whippety quick. I'm in nae trouble, mind, but...well, I've nae mind tae stay in Havana any longer, if ya take my meaning, ma'am."

[Black Nate]

Nate kept an eye on the grizzled soul, the wharf, and the bay. Not an easy task and one he was taken from when he not only heard the captain but this raggedy man refer to him as Young Nate. he thought to himself "Ya hear that ol' Nate? Seems yer now th younger! Young Nate, why I'll be." He very slightly shook his head and grinned his wild grin. "Iffn me capin orders it, ol' young Nate'll do just that, aye." Nate looked to his captain for a concurrence or to have the man put back on the wharf.

[Ransom]

I needed to make a decision, for although Nate had put away his pistol, the altercation was beginning to draw unwanted attention. I also wanted to talk to Jacky about his little secret mission in the coach.

"Nate, escort Mr. Dysart on board and show him around. He's your responsibility until he proves himself to me and the rest of the crew."

With a roll of his eyes, Africa released the man's arm.

"Africa, keep watch for a bit. I need to have a conference with Captain Tar."

As Nate led our newest crew member on board, I headed for the Relentless.

[Jacky Tar]

Ransom was headin' in our direction; so, I turned t' Red Cat an said, "Batten down the hatches, there's a storm a comin' are way!" I pointed at the fast approachin' captain o' the Rakehell. "I wonder if she'd take it personal, if I had Stones pull up the gangplank?"

[Black Nate]

"Nate, escort Mr. Dysart on board and show him around. He's your responsibility until he proves himself to me and the rest of the crew."

Nate gave a quick salute to captain Ransom. "Aye-aye, capin! I'll show im b low." Nate released the man and held out his arm to show the way. "This a way, ya look needy o new togs, maybe we can see wot be in th slop chest." As they walked Nate hung back a step and whispered to another crewman. "Oi, where be th slop chest? This feller gonna need ta better imself and got not but hi but his person." The crewman told him were to look and Nate caught up to Colard, heading below. They found the chest of old clothes and soon had the grizzled soul looking better with a new to him shirt and slops. They were patched and worn, but better than his rags. "Aye, the Almighty thinks ya look better, but in need of a shave. Lets see if we can find th barber aboard."

[Ransom]

As I approached the Relentless, I could see Jacky just standing there with Red Cat, watching me with that grin on his face that drove me crazy. It was also a sign he meant to try and placate me, which also meant he was hiding something. I scrambled up the gangplank, crossed the main deck, and climbed up the short ladder to the poop deck. Jacky was still standing and grinning.

"You look awful pleased with yourself. I'll take that as a sign you got paid for all the cargo we just unloaded, or you've had another hob-nob with Navarro, which included a nice lunch. Or both. So, my next question is, when do we leave?"

Fists on my hips, I planted myself square in front of him, so this time there would be no sidestepping me to escape.

[Colard Dysart]

Colard truly thought he'd died and gone to heaven. He hadn't expected the captain to take him on, and here he stood in new togs, and the prospect of a shave. Not that he'd lose all his beard, mind, but a good trim would put him right as rain. Yup, ol' Colard, he thought, you've landed yerself into a nice plum pudding, that you have. He turned to the man called Nate. "I'm that grateful, suh, that I am." Then he gave the young man a wink. "Now tell an ol' salt, how is it workin' for a woman? For I've nae seen the like of it before."

[Jacky Tar]

Wit' Ransom blockin' me, I said, "So am I prisoner 'board me own ship or will ye let me pass?" Her stance relaxed a bit, but she didn't budge.

"Very well. No doubt, ye saw me take a little carriage ride. Fer I mistook the carriage t' be from Raphael Navarro; as it turned out the capitan had borrowed one o' his brothers carriages, an sent it t' collect me."

Ransom nodded fer me t' continue wit' me tale, "Even more interestin' was the travelin' companions he sent t' collect me. Spoons an another dutch sailor were waitin' inside the carriage." Ransom's expression soured, an I continued, "They persuaded me, at gun point, t' accompany 'em back t' the castle." Now Ransom was bristlin', so I inclined my head an said, "When I got out o' the carriage, a firin' squad was waitin' fer me." Ransom's expression changed t' one o' disbelief." I chuckled, "Aye, I was none too pleased 'bout me company or the prospect o' bein' shot again, either."

[Black Nate]

Nate put a hand to his chin and scratched while he though of what to say to the new man. "I were surprised when I came aboard that th capin were a woman. I been on many a ship under many different capins, an so far she be high on my list." Nate wasn't about to let this man know he hadn't been aboard for very long. Nate motioned for the man to follow him back topside and as they cleared the deck he asked Colard his own questions. "How many ships ya been on 'ol' salty'? An' how is it yer makin an escape from these here spanish?"

[Ransom]

Jacky's tale, as it unfolded, got stranger and stranger. At the mention of Spoons, I felt my hackles rise. At the mention of the firing squad, I thought my heart would leap out of my chest.

"What are you caught in the middle of, Jacky? And what price are we going to have to pay to get out of this harbor?"

[Colard Dysart]

Nate motioned for the man to follow him back topside and as they cleared the deck he asked Colard his own questions. "How many ships ya been on 'ol' salty'? An' how is it yer makin an escape from these here spanish?"

Colard followed his young guide to the upper deck. "Oh, I've known ships since I were a bairn. Me family has a long tradition o' bein' in the Owl trade off the coast o' Scotland, ifn ya take mae meaning. Then it were one ship after another. I landed on this popish island by mischance and mae own foolishness. Drunk, I were, more's the pity. Got taken capture, an' figured it were a Spanish galley for me 'til the end o' me days." He scratched his beard, then grinned. "Guess them Spaniards decided not ta waste an oar on an ol' codger like me, so brought me ashore an put me ta work in that warehouse I run from. That were, oh, two years ago, come winter. I was that glad ta see yer fine English ships come inta the harbor."

[Jacky Tar]

I looked Ransom in the eyes, "Gettin' out o' this harbour is not a problem. We may even do it wit' a Spanish escort."

I paused, t' let Ransom fully appreciate wot I had t' say next, "It seems that Capitan Navarro wants yers truly t' lead a little expedition t' Florida, t' help the Spanish recover lost Spanish gold." I knew Ransom's fear o' the Spanish an figured she might want out o' this next leg o' the journey. "Seems Capitan Navarro knew 'bout our next undertakin'. I believe Spoons made some deal wit' him; since, I still hav command o' the Relentless he appears t' be willin' t' deal wit' me, fer now."

[Black Nate]

Nate nodded as the old salt told his tale of life at sea and how he ended up here. Looking about for the captain, Nate wanted to be sure if it was a good time to engage whomever it was that did the business of barber surgeon aboard. He was about to muster the courage to ask Africa when he spotted her on the deck of the Relentless. Her posture spoke of annoyance with what looked to be the commodore standing there. Nate also noticed Red Cat was just off to the side of the two captains, but he couldn't tell if she was a spectator in whatever was happening or not. An uneasy feeling passed over Nate and he turned to Colard. "Yer shave might need ta wait a bit, somethin ain't right between th capin n commodore yonder. Might need ta make a quick run outta th harbor. Here, have a dip o water an hold fast where ya stand." Nate handed the dipper to the old salt and walked over to Africa. He too must have had a bad feeling because he was touching the thing that dangled about his neck as he looked to the Relentless. Nate cleared his throat. "Africa, sah, beggin yer pardon, tell me I be wrong but I gots a bad feelin."

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red Cat had just stifled a chuckle at Jacky's remark in time, as Ransom had come aboard. The two did provide her entertainment at times..

She stood by listenin t' Jacky's explanations and dividin her gaze 'twixt th' Rakehell's decks wit some odd newcomer, th' two Captains and th wharf whar Roberts an Silkie had gone. A brow raised as JAcky spoke o' th' Spanish joinin their little party. Didnt sound good...aye...not good, she thought. They'd be outnumbered at sea. CAt mentioned so, casually as she gazed upwards at th' sky, hands clasped behind her. She figgered the First mate an her friend should be returnin soon as dusk looked to be not far off. Cat waited for either Ransom to lay into Mr. TAr or Jacky to address her question..Likely both were forthcomin..