The Pirate Hunter's Smarter Brother!

[Jacky Tar]

"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.

[Black Nate]

Nate was lucky the recoiling cannon hadn't run him over when it fired. But for his trouble he had crashed into the next cannon in line and his right knee suffered for it. The commodore had come below with a foul attitude, understandably so. Nate stood at attention as he was berated and ordered clapped in irons which took him aback some. The commodore headed topside and Mister Dillard took hold of Nate's arm roughly at first. Nate gave him a sobering look of calm. "No need ta be rough Sah. Commodore's of a mind that I don't understand nor would I pretend to. Lead on Sah, lead on." Dillard softened his grip and Nate took a step, his right knee in pain. Nate pulled up the leg of his slops and saw a fine gash and trickle of blood. Dillard tugged him along and he let his slops go and was escorted to what served as a brig on the Relentless and was clapped in irons. As Dillard left Nate he heard the Irishman voice some words to heaven. "Well Father, dunno wot yer intendin fer ol' Nate, but I trust Ye. I jus want back on me own ship."

[Ransom]

Colard's news about our damages went a long way to relieving my mind, but we still had to find a safe place to make repairs. With Colard and Ludo working on the hull damage, and Goose manning the pump, we sailed slowly along the shore, looking for a secluded cove.

Eventully we found one, and between anchors and shore lines heeled the Rakehell over even more, and set about clearing the damaged provisions away from the ruptured planks. As I checked on the two men making the repairs, I blessed the fact that the Spanish were notoriously bad cannoneers, and that the shot had only given us a bad bump. It could have been mush worse.

Yet all the while, as I helped shift the cargo, or dump spoiled food over the side, I wondered about Jacky, and the fate of his ship.

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie stood dumbfounded at the start of things. How did these two survive each other, Ransome and Jacky! Refusing to man a cannon she grabbed hold of line ...she didn't care what line just something to make herself look busy. When Jacky ordered her to raise the white flag she stood motionless for a half of a breath and an instant after dove for the chest that held the flags. She had to dig for the white ones. Finding them she sent a powder monkey with one scurrying up the shrowd of the main mast to the flag staff above the fighting tower and headed to the Ensigns flag staff aft the quarter deck to display a second.

[Black Nate]

All Nate could do was wait until things settled down, if they would at all. As he took in his surroundings, Nate found a place to sit and lean back. Once he was comfortable he turned his mind back to what had just happened. He grinned to himself thinking about the two iron shot he had fired, even if by accident. Nate did quite well with that cannon. He didn't see what damage had been done to the spaniard, but he heard them land true enough. Nate hoped if broadsides were to be traded and the fight brought on, someone would release him to join in the fight. But what to do until that time, or whenever someone came to fetch him? Shifting himself around, Nate got as comfortable as he could and began to hum a tune, occasionally murmuring a word of the lyrics. His eyes closed and he continued humming and singing to himself.

[Red Cat Jenny]

Red Cat followed Jacky below intending to aid assesin th' damage. When she saw him clap poor Nate in irons. Understandably th Cap'n would be within his rights..but there be a ship wit her guns still run out e'en below th white flag. "Jacky" she hissed.. cutlass drawn she leveled its point towards the direction of their assailant. "I b'lieve we need e'ery man armed an at th' ready! Do ye really b'lieve they means t' surrender after only one shot? He seemed t' stop an consider this. She implored him t' reconsider as Ransom was now wounded prey an they were alone aginst a heavily armed an crewed galleon. "Who knows if more o' th blasted Spaniards are t' follow? an if they turn small boats upriver on th Rakehell....should we send at least one boat behin us an into th river? We may be able t' send ward an plan t' squeze th bastards a tween us. I'll go if ye provides me wit cover..don't think Captain Ransom'd take t' most other o' yer crew after ..." She only hoped Ransom wouldn't shoot her on sight. Perhaps Nate would be a decoy after all he'd only wound up on th Relentless when th Rakehell sailed witout him. She shoved th' end o her cutlass in his direction as he hummed away rubbin his leg. "I'll take that one..after all he belongs t' her anyhows" She regarded th lanky figure settin in th brig. "She'd not b'lieve he'd anything t' do wit ...well...wit...aw hell she wouldn't think he'd fire on his own ship."

[Roberts]

Roberts had appeared behind th cat t' advise th Captain th guns had been secured. For once he agreed wit her "Aye" he said a look of concern on his face. He leered at Nate "Sah I'd send th' scrawny lad wit her. He may be a wee daft...." Roberts said in a husky low tone.

Nates hummin echoed behind em. Cat just glared at em both.

"But he's a good shot.." Roberts knew thar was no stoppin Red Cat when she'd set her mind to a thing. "If I may sar.." Jacky nodded fer his first mate t' go on. "It aint a bad plan t' have a small boat head int' th shallows."Roberts thought if th Rakehell warn't too wounded aside from her Cap'ns pride...r'...heart..Roberts rolled his eyes heavenward an rubbed his head still feelin th scar o' their last battle..or..his last battle wit a large rock..He stood a rubbin an a thinkin fer a minute "We jes may take r'selves a prize by th end o' th day! They'd not suspect alliance from a ship wot we jest fired upon.." He broke into a wide, gold bedecked an wicked grin. "Aye sar..t'is a good plan aye?" he leaned forward t' speak in confidence wit his Cap'n "An...we'd be rid of these two fer a time sar...I'll keep a gun on em as they cross an we'll see how ol Nate does as a crew o' one" Red Cat hadn't exploded jest yet, tho Roberts had kept one ear peeled fer th' sound of a pistol cock. He didn't look at 'er but was hopin fer th' best. He knowed she'd be able t' mayhaps bring Ransom around an he knowed she didnt hear th last o wot he whispered to Captain Tar. This sort o' scheme was one they'd pulled off when they'd sailed t' gether afore. When it came t' daring he knowed Red Cat was jest foolish...r' was it cunning enough. He never could make up his mind if she were crafty or just as daft as ol Nate.

[Black Nate]

Nate was sitting there, humming when his ears pricked up to the sound of Red Cats voice. He sat and watched and listened as she, Jacky and then Roberts began talking about him and wot they was gonna do. Nate would be pleased as punch ta be off this ship, out of the irons and back to the Rakehell. He listened and didn't complain when they said ol' Nate was daft. Little did they know how far from the truth that was. Nate grinned to the heavens and thought about rowing away from all this with Red Cat. Off to the Schooner wot he called home.

[Jacky Tar]

"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?"

[Ransom]

It was so hot I felt like I was back in the steambaths of Havana. Sweat ran down my face and soaked my shirt as Africa and I adjusted one of the mooring lines that held the Rakehell at a hard angle, keeping lake water from flooding the hold. Colard, showing excellent carpentry skills, was teaching Goose and Ludo how to make the repairs to the hull, and Jimmy Cox and Tunny were on watch, fore and aft.

So far we had seen no boats patrolling the lake, and had heard only one distant cannon fire. Then silence. Maybe that meant the Spaniards were willing to make a deal, rather than blast the Relentless out of the water. Which meant they wanted something Jacky had. And once they had their prize, whatever it was, what fate would they have in store for the Relentless and her crew?

Hot, frustrated, worried — and dead in the water, I hauled the mooring line with a vengence, in spite of the heat, and prayed Jacky and his ship would survive.

[Roberts]

Roberts took th deck wit Cap'n Tar. The two men strode side by side a short distance, each glancin towards th galleon an her position last it be closin on the Relentless. The big pirate cracked the knuckles o' one hand and cleared his throat. "Cap'n. I know Red Cat kin handle herself in such situations..." He didnt like th idea o' cat goin off alone in a boat like so much bait..daft as she may be an successful as her bloody luck may make her at it, but nether did he like th idea o' leavin his Cap'n an ship wit a Spanish galleon starin down her gunbarrels at 'em. "I'd be no good t' ye in a wee boat while ye sit here like so many ducks.. but I'll leave it up t' ye Sar" He reached out an cuffed a crewman pointin to a poorly belayed line as they walked the deck an he waited fer an answer.

[Jacky Tar]

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.

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie heard Jacky and checked that her haversack was still hung over her shoulder, the hide was there. The easiest way to describe it was to say she "felt" Spoons presence before she saw him. This couldn't be good. After the white flag was raised above the quarter deck Silkie joined Jacky in the waist.

[Black Nate]

Commodore Tar and Roberts headed topside, so Nate was left with Red Cat standing there. Both were left to wonder wot was ta happen. Soon after Roberts lumbered back down and straight over to Nate and removed the irons. "Thank ya Sah, do this mean we's leavin soon?" Roberts narrowed his eyes and took Nate by the front of his jacket. "You best watch yerself, Captain Tar is sendin Me along wit you an the Cat here, off ta find the Rakehell. Oy, Red Cat! Captain wants ta speak wit you, got a message ta send ta captain Ransom." Red Cat put a wry grin on her face and headed topside. Nate spoke up. "Aye Sah, I'll watch mself, as does our Father. If you'll be so kind as ta unhand me, I'll go gather me belongins and meet ya topside, Sah." Roberts dropped Nate like a stone and watched him tug his jacket into place, salute him and head to the berth where his belongings and weapons were. Roberts gave a heavy sigh and shook his head, Nate was humming and singing again. He wiped the sweat off his brow and headed to the deck.

[Jacky Tar]

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."

[Spoons]

"Well Mister Tar, Capitan Navarro is not one to take no for an answer, and the Spanish galleon is here to see that you acquiesce to his request. Permission to come aboard, Mister Tar?"

"He only sent one galleon?" Jacky quipped.

"And two more outside the bay." I retorted.

"I'll take the request on advisement, an ye alone may come aboard, Spoons." He said, as a crew member of the Relentless lowered a ladder, from the waist of the Relentless.

[Silkie McDonough]

Stow it? Silkie was incredulous. STOW IT?! Was he aware of what it meant to be parted from it? Did he have any idea what might happen if her hide were found by the wrong people? "Jacky I ...buot?" There it was again, that sensation of danger. She ran to Cat before the lass was able to get over the rail. "I needs yer elp! I ken nay leave Jacky ere alone n'I tink eh'taint Jacky wot dey ere after. Ef I goes wit ya dey er likely t'foller causin problems fer Ransom an hers." She pulled the hide from the haversack. "Take dis. Keep it safe lass, tis most prized." Cat began to object but the fear in Silkies eyes haled anything she was going to say. I kennay live like det ya knows it!"

With that Silkie left the nondescript bundle with Red Cat and headed below deck. Digging through her sea chest she found a few things to stuff into the now nearly empty haversack. She also strapped on her cutlass and her brace of Murdock's, then returned to Jacky's side. "I know we er sailin under a white flag buot I'll nil go witout a struggle."

[Jacky Tar]

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?"

[Black Nate]

Nate arrived on deck amidst an interesting scene. He was armed to the teeth, pistol, musket and cutlass, along with all his worldly belongings in a sack over his shoulder. Nate missed whatever conversation had already happened between the commodore and a man Nate vaguely recognized. Whatever had been said must have been a shock, seeing the look on some of the faces on deck. Nate didn't really want to know, he just wanted to get over the side and into the boat, off to find the Rakehell. He mumbled under his breath to himself, "Father, deliver me from this place, this place of great consternation."

[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."

[Spoons]

"Very well, since you have no interest in sunken Spanish galleons, mayhaps you'll loan the Sealkie, to us."

"Then we'll leave you to patch up your differences with the captain of the Rakehell, and be on our way."

[Dillard]

I piped up, "This is all 'bout Silkie?" With that Silkie glared at me.

Spoons gaze fell on Silkie, and he muttered, "Of course..."

Mister Tar stepped in front of Silkie, as if too shield her, and asked Spoons to leave.

[Jacky Tar]

"I believe we are at an impasse, Stones will show ye t' yer boat." I said t' Spoons, then I glared at Dillard.

Reluctantly, Spoons returned t' his boat, as he descended the ladder, he said, "I'll ask the capitan to allow your long boat safe passage, but don't try to leave this bay, Mister Tar."

[Silkie McDonough]

"Ní arís, thug sí rabhadh dom." Silkie shook her head and began to pace. "I gets too casual bout m'secrets" She said to Jacky in a hushed tone. Walking away she turned once again returned to Jacky so that only he could hear. "Cat gots m'ide." Pacing away once more Silkie looked up to see the crew looking after her. "Wot er ya all steerin at! We all gots secrets!" Whirling round she asked to Jacky, "Ken we talk in private?"

[Ransom]

With the repairs to the Rakehell progressing smartly, and with no sign of another soul on the lake, I risked ordering Ludo to put out a marker barrel at the mouth of the little inlet we were hiding in. If Jacky were able to escape, or if some of his crew managed to do so, they might come looking for us. The barrel was a small one, but a search party hugging the shore looking for a crippled ship, would recognise it.

I just hoped the Spaniards hadn't had the same thought. In case they did, our stern swivel guns were primed and ready.