Captain Lupe De Feu
Chapter 11
In the Captain’s cabin
“So, you’re a pirate?” Morgan asked, walking around her like a shark.
Lupe didn’t answer. It wouldn’t do any good.
“Hmmm.” Morgan scratched his chin.
The crew was sent back to work, except Bengamin. He was in the cabin with Lupe and Morgan. He held the rope end that bound Lupe’s wrists.
“I can’t place your face. Nor have I ever heard of you before.” The Captain commented standing in front of her.
“It be Lupe De Feu. She had a pirate fleet fer over 3 years. She was known fer her quick sword play and red uniform in battle.” Bengamin quickly explained.
“I thought Lupe De Feu died 5 years ago.” Said Morgan.
“Apparently not.” Bengamin grinned. “But I wouldn’t say the same fer her first mate.”
Lupe lashed at him with her claws! Bengamin quickly dodged as Morgan drew his sword. Lupe heard Morgan’s sword leave the sheath, so she backed down.
Morgan glared at her. “So, you are the Wolf of Fire. What are you doing on my ship? Were you going to start a mutiny? Turn everyone against me and become the new Captain?” He accused more than he questioned.
Lupe didn’t answer. She just stood as tall as she could and stared straight ahead.
“Captain, there’s rumor that she be in the Queen’s cabin too.” Bengamin added.
“You’re just itching for trouble aren’t you?” Morgan asked her. She didn’t say anything. “Hmph. So be it.” He stepped away to think about the punishments. He turned around tapping his heels together. “10 lashes for entering the Queen’s cabin. 20 lashes for attempted mutiny. And 10 lashes for attacking the crew.” He announced.
Lupe nearly lost her breath. 40 lashes?
“Then you’ll work until we reach Morocco. When there, I’ll see what the authorities want done with you.” Morgan finished. Then he picked up his 5-tailed cat (whip), and walked out the door. Lupe and Bengamin followed him onto deck.
On deck, the Captain stepped forward and ordered every crewmember into two lines, one line on each side of the crate in the middle. Then he walked up and down between them like a general.
“I’ve gathered you all together here for a demonstration. If I find that any of you are pirates, you will be treated the same way as she.” He paused to point at Lupe. “I’ve caught Lupe De Feu.”
All their heads turned to look at the infamous dead pirate captain. A couple of them whispered. A few of the pirates in the ranks grinned, especially Black Beard.
“She is wanted for pirating the waters from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, and from the Northern Atlantic, to the Southern Pacific. While on board she also broke into the Queen’s cabin, pondered mutiny, and attempted murder. Her penalty is 40 lashes, slavery while on board, and a trial in Morocco. If anyone attempts the same crimes as she, they will be punished with twice the intensity. Is that clear?” Morgan stopped pacing.
“Yes sir.” They all answered in unison.
Morgan walked over to the small crate and uncoiled his whip.
Bengamin pulled Lupe over to the crate. Lupe bent over the crate as Bengamin tied the end of the rope tightly to a hook sticking out of the deck for the sails to be tied to. Then Bengamin pulled up her shirt enough to bare her severely scarred back.
Morgan stood a couple feet away and readied his whip. Then he pulled his arm back and snapped it forward! Lupe snarled and yelped as the tails ripped through her back.
Jim and Martin flinched.
The whip cracked again. And again Lupe yelped and snarled. Every few seconds the whip cracked. Soon Lupe stopped yelping. The pain was either strong enough to numb her nerves, or she was getting used to the pain.
Blare sat atop the poop deck, his pencil flying across the paper. He drew the pictures of horror that he saw. It was his first witness to a lashing.
By the last lashing, Lupe was breathing hard from the pain and anger. She glared hatred at Bengamin as he stood in front of her. Bengamin couldn’t hide his grin.
Morgan finally finished the lashings. “Let her go.”
Lupe dropped exhausted to the deck floor. It hurt to move and breath. She carefully pulled her shirt back down over her bloody fur.
“Bengamin, go down and fetch the chains.” Morgan ordered.
Bengamin hurried down the ladder to the cargo hold. He came back carrying heavy chains and cuffs.
Before she’d come to the ship, Lupe always thought Bengamin was dead. But now she had someone else to wreak justice on. Not only Whittlefield, and Lawson, but Bengamin too.
Chapter 12
Day 10-Aboard the Mariana off the coast
Jim scrubbed the deck on his hands and knees. It seemed the harder he scrubbed, the less he got clean. Soon Morgan came over and inspected his work. He looked over the area Jim had already cleaned.
“Do it again.”
Jim stopped and looked at him exhausted. “But I just did that.”
“It’s not clean. Do it again.” Morgan ordered before heading on.
Martin walked by Jim carrying heavy sacks. He whispered, “I take back anything I said good about the Captain.”
Jim nodded scrubbing the deck again.
Once their work was done, the cook served lunch in the galley. Their lunch consisted of bread, a fruit, water, and salted meat. Everyone ate quickly. The morning’s hard work made them hungry and tired. But they knew they wouldn’t have very much to do the rest of the day.
While the crew ate at tables and benches, Lupe sat on a crate in the corner eating. Even though she was shard in chains, and her stomach and back were still healing, she acted with the dignity of a Captain, the dignity she had the whole trip.
Martin stuffed himself with his food.
“Do you think we should have done that?”
“What?” Martin turned to Jim, who was seated beside him.
“She got whipped 40 times, just like she said. What if they hang her when we get to Morocco?” Jim asked.
“She could’ve tried to mutiny. You heard what Morgan said. She’s Lupe De Feu.” Replied Martin. Then he gulped down all his water. Then he opened his mouth and let out a long and loud belch. Everyone in the room became quiet. A lot of men cheered him. Then they began eating again. Jim just stared at him. “That was a good one.” Martin commented.
Elizabeth shook her head in disgust.
Jim was still unsure about what he’d done. Maybe he should’ve just kept his mouth shut like Lupe told him.
When everyone was finished eating, Morgan came down to the gallery and made an announcement. “Tomorrow, we’re pulling into a port in Portugal. A town called Viana Do Castelo. We go ashore at 6:00 am. Everybody must be back on the ship by noon sharp. First bring aboard supplies, then you can be on leave until we shove off.” Then Morgan went back up on deck.
“We’re going ashore tomorrow?” Jim asked Martin.
“Yep. Finally some fresh air.” Martin replied.
“Should we leave the ship like Lupe said?” Jim asked quietly.
“Listen. For the last time, Lupe is a lying, thieving, murdering pirate captain. Not just a pirate, a pirate Captain. The only reason she probably told you to leave was because she was planning a mutiny and she didn’t want a kid to get involved. But now that she’s caught, we have no other reason to leave, except the way Morgan’s treating us. We’re not leaving the ship.” Martin answered.
“Yeah. Don’t worry about it, Jim. I heard that there are only a couple pirates on board. And one’s been caught, so if the other shows his face, he’ll get caught too.” Added Elizabeth.
Jim glanced around. He saw Lupe gazing at him. He turned his head acting like he hadn’t noticed her.
“She’s doing it again.” Jim whispered.
“What?” Martin asked.
“She’s staring at me again.” Jim answered. “I hate it when she does that.” Jim shivered thinking about the yellow eyes.
“Just ignore her.” Elizabeth answered.
“It’s hard. She does it every time I see her.” Jim said.
“Well, she won’t be able to stare at you when we go into town tomorrow.” Said Martin standing up. Everyone soon left the galley to get fresh air up on deck.
Later that afternoon, Jim relaxed on deck. He watched the sun set from his perch on the poop deck. He watched Blare drawing the ship at sunset, scribbling as fast as he could. But it was something about the sunset that made him sleepy. He began yawning. Soon he was fast asleep on the hard wood.
Blare stared at Jim sleeping on deck. He quickly began to draw him. Once the picture was finished he looked it over.
“Do you draw for money?”
“Sometimes. Mostly portraits.” Blare answered concentrating on his picture.
“How much for a picture of Jim?”
“Uh…about 2 bits.” He answered.
“Alright. Draw me a picture of him.”
Blare didn’t even glance up to see who gave him the commission. He set to work drawing Jim again on another piece of paper. In a matter of seconds he was done.
“Done.” He said showing the person behind him the picture.
“Acceptable. Here’s your 2 bits.” A big wolf paw dropped the coins in his hand.
Blare glanced up at Lupe. He hadn’t even heard the chains clanging.
“How do I know this wasn’t stolen?” he asked.
“Because even if it was you wouldn’t find the person it was taken from.” Lupe answered taking the picture without permission and walking away.
“Wait!” Blare got up and hurried after her. “What did Queen Cleopatra look like?”
“I can’t tell you.” She answered.
“Please! If you tell me I’ll leave you alone.” Blare pleaded blocking her path.
“You’re not hearing about it from me.” Lupe answered. “I’m in enough trouble as it is.”
Blare gave up. So he headed over to Spartan, the collie, and began to sketch him.
Lupe stopped. She turned around and glanced around her. Nobody was looking. So she hurried back over to the poop deck where Jim was still sleeping. When she reached the poop deck, she began walking slowly so as not to wake him.
She knelt down beside him. Then she carefully and quickly grabbed his mouth and held it shut.
Jim awoke with a start! He tried to yell. Then he calmed down.
“It’s alright. I’m not going to hurt you.” Said Lupe. After Jim settled down, she left go of his mouth.
“What do you want?” Jim asked still fearful of her.
“Is your last name Johnson?” she asked.
“H-how’d you know?” Jim asked.
Lupe paused. “What was your father’s name?”
“Why?”
“Because I think I knew him.” She answered.
“Did you kill my father?” Jim asked.
“I don’t even know who your father is unless you tell me.” Answered Lupe.
“His name was Charles Johnson.” Jim answered staring fearfully at her.
Lupe’s mind went blank. She sat down on the deck and stared at the horizon.
“What’s wrong?” Jim asked.
“How could you be his son?” Lupe asked.
“My mother died giving birth to me. My father had to become a sailor to earn enough money for us. While he was away, I would live in orphanages.” Jim answered bewildered. “I only remember seeing him a couple of times. Every time he would come back he’d give me something valuable, and I knew we had enough to live off of. But every time he would leave again. Last time I saw him, he said he would bring something really special home for me.” Jim paused. “Actually…he said he would bring back my new mom.” Jim paused again to fiddle with his scarf.
Lupe felt the ring in her pocket.
“He never came home.” Jim finished. “But that was almost 7 years ago I last saw him.”
Lupe gulped. “Where did you stay?”
“In the harbor at Johnstown.” Jim answered. He looked up at her. “Why are you asking me all this?”
Lupe slowly slipped the bandana off her head and handed it to him.
Jim stared questioningly at her as he held the blue bandana. “What’s this?”
“It’s Charles Johnson’s bandana.” Lupe answered looking away. “I took it off his head when he died.”
“You killed him?” Jim asked. “I knew it! His ship was captured by your pirates and you killed him!” Jim got up and began beating on her.
Lupe instantly stood up and grabbed his fists. “I didn’t kill him! I didn’t kill him.”
Jim calmed down again, and he stopped struggling Lupe’s iron grip.
“Now, sit down.” She instructed.
Jim sat down, as did Lupe.
“Johnson…was my first mate.” She said. “A pirate named Cyclops killed him when my fleet was taken. He took the bullet for me.”
Jim just stared at her. “My father, was a pirate?”
“Not a pirate. He was a privateer. Johnstown was his favorite place to stop. He never told me why.” Lupe explained. “We did everything together. We were always the first ones into battle and the last ones out.”
Then Lupe reached into her pocket and pulled out the gold ring. “I found this in his bandana.”
Jim’s eyes lit up. “That was the ring he showed me. He said he was going to give it to…” His voice trailed off as he realized what he was saying. “You? You were the one he was going to bring back?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
The two were silent. Lupe put the bandana back on and put the ring back in her pocket.
“Leave.” Lupe finally spoke up.
“What?”
“Just leave. Tomorrow. I don’t want to have to watch you die like I did your father.” Said Lupe getting up and walking away.
Jim just sat there thinking. Lupe would have been his stepmother. Jim watched her walk back down the deck with a piece of paper in her hand. He heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw Martin and Elizabeth standing there.
“Jim, are you all right?” Elizabeth asked.
“Did she hurt you?” Martin asked.
“I’m fine.” Jim answered. Then he turned and began staring at the horizon.
Elizabeth and Martin just stared at him.
“Well?” Martin asked. “What did you two talk about?”
“Nothing.” Jim answered.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Elizabeth asked again.
“I said I’m fine.”
“All right.” Said Martin. “We’ll leave ya alone.”
They walked away.
Jim sat there and thought long and hard. He finally decided to trust Lupe. If his father picked her to be his wife, then she was good enough for him too. It explained why she didn’t act like a pirate. It also explained why she always stared at him. He wanted to do what she said and leave the ship, but he knew she would most likely be hanged when they took her to Africa. He couldn’t leave her behind. He had to help her escape tomorrow.
Chapter 13
Day 11-Aboard the Mariana-At port in Viana Do Castelo
Lupe stood in the cell as Robert held her arms, and Bengamin chained her foot to the cell. Then they backed out of the small cell and closed the iron door. They both grinned when Bengamin locked the heavy door.
“What of the crew?” Lupe asked.
“What of the crew?” Bengamin asked.
“You know precisely what I mean you scurvy dog.” Lupe answered.
Robert chuckled at the insult.
“They be no concern of yours.” Bengamin replied.
“What of the Queen and Captain?” Lupe asked.
“You have worse things to be worried about.” Chuckled Robert.
Then the two pirates walked down the hall and climbed the ladder.
“Come on, Jim. Lets go get some air.” Said Martin heading towards the gangplank. They’d already finished loading supplies.
“You go on ahead. I’ll catch up.” Replied Jim standing on deck.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay then.” Said Martin as he turned and walked down the gangplank and onto the dock.
“Why aren’t you coming?” Elizabeth asked him.
“I have to go take care of something first.” Jim replied.
“Oh. Okay. I’ll see you in town.” Said Elizabeth before she stepped onto the dock.
Once most of the crew were off on leave, Jim slipped down below. He slinked past the cabins, and hurried to the cell.
Lupe’s ears perked up when she saw him. But then her face clouded over with worry. “What are you still doing on board? I told you to leave.”
“No. There’s a reason why my dad picked you. I’m not just going to leave you here to be hanged.” Replied Jim. He looked around for the keys.
“You can’t get me out. Bengamin has the keys. That is, if he hasn’t given them to Black Beard yet.” Said Lupe getting up and grasping the bars.
“Black Beard the pirate?” Jim asked, his eyes widening.
“Yeah. They’re the ones planning to mutiny. I think they’re going to do it as soon as everyone comes back from leave.” Said Lupe. “Trust me, you don’t want to be here when that happens.”
“Where’s Bengamin?” Jim asked.
“No. Get off the ship. Make sure your friends and the Queen get off safely.” Ordered Lupe.
“I’ll be right back.” Said Jim. He hurried down the hall.
Lupe relaxed her head against the bars with a thump. Jim was just like his father. Stubborn.
Jim ran over to the ladder and climbed up. At the top he peered at the deck. The ship was mostly barren, except for a few of the crew standing around. The crew was dressed in old clothes, had sneers plastered on their faces, and was loaded with weapons. Lupe was right; they were going to mutiny as soon as everyone got back. It would be a surprise attack. Jim gulped at the swords, knives, pistols and rifles they carried.
He heard men talking above him on the deck. He quickly ducked back down into the shadow of the hole and listened.
“Is the good captain ashore?” he heard someone with a gruff voice say.
“Aye, Captain. An the Queen be still readying to leave. Should I have the men take her yet?” He heard Bengamin ask.
“Not yet. I still see some sailors aboard. Chase off them goody buccaneers first, then capture the Queen. Ready the mainsail when ye see the rest of the crew coming back.” Instructed the gruff voice. Jim guessed it was Black Beard. He heard them walk down the deck. So he climbed the ladder and peaked out at them. He saw the stocky skunk and small duck walk on deck with their backs to him. Then they separated. Black Beard began walking towards Jim.
Jim quickly climbed down and hid behind the ladder in the darkness. He heard the familiar chink of keys on his belt. He theorized that Bengamin had already given him the keys to the ship. Jim had never stolen anything in his life, but he figured it was for a worthy enough cause. He held as still as possible while he waited. He knew what it was like to be stolen from. They would bump you so you can’t feel them take your belongings. So Jim planned to take the keys while he was still climbing down the ladder. He waited. First he heard the clump of his feet, and then he saw his feet and ankles. Then he saw his pockets. The left pocket chinked. Jim reached in and carefully pulled out the keys. Then he grabbed the keys and held them together so they wouldn’t chink.
Black Beard walked down the hall and entered the captain’s cabin. He closed the door behind him.
Jim let out his breath. Then he glanced up at the deck. Everything looked clear. He hurried lightly down the hall.
Lupe perked up when she saw him. “How did you…?”
“Shhh. Black Beard’s in the captain’s cabin.” Replied Jim as he unlocked the cell door. Then he handed the keys to Lupe. She unlocked the cell chain on her ankle, then the rest of the cuffs.
Jim turned to leave. “Come on, let’s go.” When he didn’t hear her following he turned around. Lupe stepped out of the cell.
“Just some extra insurance.” She answered. Lupe then hurried the opposite way back to the women’s bunks.
Jim was going to complain until he heard the latch to the captain’s cabin click. He hurried after Lupe.
Black Beard stepped out of the cabin. He would surely like this new ship. Even the captain’s cabin was free of rats. He hocked up his pants as he fixed his Captain’s uniform. It consisted of a black captain’s coat, a blue sword strap, black boots, and dark colored pants. He also wore his black captain hat with the cross bones on the side, and he’d combed his beard and hair to make it stick out in all directions. It made him look fierce, which was what he was known for being. That and crazy.
His good mood vanished when he saw the door to the cell wide open! He rushed over and looked in. The floor was littered with chains, but the cell was empty. His mad temper fumed!
“Bengamin!!” he yelled running down the hall towards the ladder. The last thing he wanted was an enemy pirate on the loose in his brand new ship.
Jim stared down the hall, watching Black Beard climb the ladder and step on deck. He breathed a short sigh of relief. He turned and stepped back into the women’s bunkroom. He froze when he saw Lupe take a silver sword out from under the mattress. She hooked the sword lace to her belt and dug under the mattress further. She pulled out a loaded pistol and stuck it in under belt also. She also picked out two knives and stuck them in her boots. Then she dug into her bag and pulled out a machete. She handed it to Jim.
“Here. Attach it to your belt.” She ordered.
Jim stared at the machete in his hands.
“Don’t dottle, Jim. I expect my orders to be carried out on the double.” Lupe said sharply as she hurried out of the room.
Jim quickly strapped the machete to his belt and hurried after her. He found her in the cargo room, searching through boxes. She found the hidden weapons in the heavy crates they’d loaded the day of departure. She picked out several rifles, and pistols. She handed some pistols to Jim.
“Be careful. They’re loaded. Put them in your belt.” Lupe instructed pushing crates around.
Jim stuffed away as many pistols as his belt would carry. Then she handed him two rifles. He put the straps over his shoulders.
“What do I do with all of these?” he asked, feeling the weight of the weapons.
“I’ll draw the attention of the pirates while you get off the ship. Get to your friends and give them the guns. And these swords.” She said handing him a couple of swords. He slung the straps over his other shoulder.
“You’re staying on board?” Jim asked.
“I have to get the Queen off the ship.” She answered. “If your friends don’t believe you, the guns should waver them.”
“And what if that doesn’t work?” Jim asked.
“If the Queen’s off the ship and it’s suicide to come back on board, I’ll howl. Have them stay away from the ship.” Lupe instructed.
Then Lupe hurried out of the cargo room and down the hall. Jim ran after her. They stopped when they reached the ladder. They heard Black Beard screaming orders to his men to search the ship. They heard a pirate coming over. Lupe and Jim quickly hid behind the ladder. When the pirate’s feet touched the ground, Lupe grabbed his mouth and broke his neck. He fell slump onto the floor.
Jim stared at the body. “You…you just killed a guy.”
“Come on. I’ll lead them away from the ladder and gangplank so you can get off.” Said Lupe.
“But…”
“Now!” Lupe whispered. Then she climbed onto the deck and ran up onto the poop deck! The pirates ran after her, ignoring the rest of the deck!
Jim jumped onto deck and sprinted to the gangplank! It was the fastest he’d ever run before! He ran down the dock and into the town. The town’s people stared at him as he ran through the streets heavy with weapons! He ran into the first bar he found and began searching for his sailor mates.
Lupe was surprised the pirates weren’t shooting at her. She realized they weren’t shooting so as not to raise suspicion from the town and the rest of the crew. 10 pirates soon cornered Lupe. Their swords were drawn and they closed in on her. Lupe glanced over the side of the ship. She saw the window to the Queen’s cabin only a few feet below. She sheathed her sword and quickly leaped over the side!
The pirates ran forward and tried to grab her, but she grasped the windowsill above the windows! She kicked the locked windows open with her feet! Then she swung in!
The pirates immediately ran to the ladder and began climbing down into the hall!
Lupe jumped into the cabin. The Queen stood up from her pillows. Her leopards were still guarding her. They immediately heard the two leopards outside the door fighting the pirates.
“You have no time to loose, Cleopatra! You have to jump out the window!” Lupe pointed to the window. “Then you and your guards can loose the pirates in the town!”
“I will not jump out of the window.” Said Cleopatra disgusted.
“It’s the only way for you to escape. Your guards are no match for them!” said Lupe hurrying over to the door.
Cleopatra and the leopards walked over to the window and stared down at the cold ocean water.
“And don’t scream, and try to dive so you’ll make less noise.” Said Lupe listening to the fight on the other side of the door.
Cleopatra gathered up all her dignity and jumped out the window. Her two leopards followed her. They hit the water with three splashes! Lupe ran over to the window and watched them swim to the docks. She didn’t stop watching until she saw they were safe in the town. Then she turned as the door latch clicked. The pirates burst through the door and entered the room!
Chapter 14
In Viana Do Castelo
Jim hurried through the bar. He finally saw Martin and the others. It felt like he’d searched half the town. He ran over to the table they were sitting at. They all stared at him.
“Jim, where did you get…?”
“Lupe’s still on the ship! Black Beard is mutinying!” Jim quickly said. He unloaded all but his machete on the table in front of them.
The group picked up their cups so they wouldn’t get spilled. Martin got up from his chair.
“Jim, did Lupe give you these?”
“Yes!” Replied Jim. “I got her out and she told me to come here and get you. She said not to come back on board if we hear her howl from the ship.”
Elizabeth got up and examined the weapons. “These are brand new. There weren’t supposed to be any weapons on the ship.”
“Black Beard’s on our ship?” Geoffrey asked getting up.
“Yeah, him and half of his crew!” said Jim. “Come on! Put them on! We have to hurry back to the ship and help the Queen!”
Jim turned to run back out of the bar.
“Jim, listen to yourself! You’ve gone mad.” Martin grabbed him.
“Let go!” said Jim.
“Jim, calm down and tell us what’s going on.” Said Elizabeth.
“I freed Lupe and overheard Bengamin and Black Beard talking about capturing the Queen and mutinying. So we went back into the cargo hold and found these hidden in the crates.” Jim paused to point at the guns. “So she created a diversion while I sneaked off the ship. She told me to come and warn you.”
The group stared at each other.
“She could be telling the truth.” Said Bowler.
“I’m not convinced.” Said Martin. “I’d have to find out what’s going on for myself.”
“Fine! Then pick up these and let’s go!” said Jim. He wrenched his arm out of Martin’s grip and hurried out of the bar.
The others struggled to catch up as they carried the weapons.
Jim stopped at the docks and peered at the ship from a distance. Then he heard it. A howl. A loud wolf howl. “Oh no.” Jim breathed.
The rest of the group caught up with him.
“What was that?” asked Martin staring at the ship.
“It was Lupe. The Queen’s safe. But she said not to come back onto the ship.” Said Jim.
“You can tell all that from a howl?” asked Martin.
“I’m going back on.” Said Jim ignoring Martin’s remark.
“If Black Beard is on our ship, and he’s really mutinying, we should stay off the ship.” Said Elizabeth.
“Yeah. I’ve heard horror stories of what he’s done to prisoners.” Said Geoffrey.
“Aw, big kitty scared of a little pirate?” Martin asked.
Geoffrey growled him.
“Hey, Jim, why are you so set on…Jim?” Martin turned back to Jim, but he was gone.
“Uh oh.” Commented Elizabeth.
“The kid must have just snapped!” said Geoffrey.
Bowler stood ahead of the group. “We have to go get him. If anybody’s brave enough, they can come with me.” Bowler stared at them.
Martin quickly stepped forward. “Let’s go. The rest of you yellows can stay here.”
Bowler and Martin immediately rushed to the gangplank and ran aboard. They quickly hid behind the edge of the poop deck. They watched as pirates came out onto deck from below. Then they saw Black Beard in his full uniform come up behind them.
“That’s Black Beard? I thought he would be taller.” Martin whispered.
Bowler elbowed him. Martin glanced back at him. Bowler pointed to a pirate coming down on the other side of the deck. The pirate pulled Jim down towards Black Beard.
“Captain, looky what I found!” The pirate had Jim by the hair.
Black Beard turned around and glanced at Jim. “Where’d he come from?”
“I found him hiding behind the wheel.” The pirate answered through missing teeth.
“Take him below until we have all the crew.” Black Beard answered.
“Come on, brat.” The pirate pulled Jim roughly along.
Martin felt like lashing out at the pirate. Then they watched as some of the crew returned to the ship. The pirates came upon them like buzzards and took them below just like they had with Jim. Martin almost jumped out of his skin when Bowler tapped him on his shoulder. Martin glanced back and saw two pirates standing above them.
“Oh.”
The pirates led them down into the cargo hold. There they met up with the rest of the crew. Apparently, Elizabeth, Geoffrey, Coal, Spartan, and Sean had tried to sneak on board also. The pirates bound them hand and foot, and took their newly acquired weapons. The pirates left the cargo hold, closing and locking the door behind them. The prisoners were left in darkness.
“Great.” Commented Martin.
“Oh, shut-up.” Elizabeth snapped.
“Could someone explain what just happened?” asked an fox.
“We’re the new prisoners of Black Beard.” Said Geoffrey. “And it’s because of a little brat.”
“Put a sock in it, Geoffrey.” Bowler defended Jim.
“You should talk, mister ‘I’m going to go and act all courageous’.” Geoffrey retorted.
“Everyone, just shut-up!” Martin yelled.
Everyone quieted down.
“Now, Jim, why did you come back on board?” asked Martin.
Jim remained silent.
“It’s okay, Jim. You can tell me.” Coxed Martin.
“I…I already lost both of my parents. I don’t want to loose my stepmother.” Jim said quietly.
Everyone was extremely silent.
“Um…” Martin nearly lost his voice. “W-who is your stepmother?”
“Lupe.” Jim replied quietly. “She was going to be, but my father died before he proposed to her.”
“Oh.” Martin breathed. “Why didn’t you tell me this a little earlier?”
“I just found out last night.”
“So…let me get this straight…your father was a pirate?” asked Elizabeth.
“A privateer. He was Lupe’s first mate.” Jim replied.
“Uh huh. And your dad proposed to her?”
“Well, no. He died before he could.”
“Oh. Then how do you know he was going to?” asked Martin.
“My father showed me the ring he was going to give to Lupe to propose. She found the ring in his bandana when he died.” Explained Jim. “So, in a way, she is supposed to be my stepmother.”
“Oy.” Bowler commented. “Having a father and stepmother that be pirates is chilling.”
Jim glared at him. “They were privateers.”
“Yeah. Whatever you say, kid.” Commented Geoffrey.
Then they heard the pirates returning to the cargo hold. Everyone quieted down to see who they were bringing next.
The pirates unlocked the door and forced in Captain Morgan.
“How dare you!” Morgan raged. “Unhand me you slobbering monkeys!”
The pirates pushed him onto the floor and bound him with more rope than they did with the crew.
“Who is in charge of this mutiny?!” Morgan ordered.
“Why, me, Morgan.” Black Beard stepped into the cargo room. “But, I can’t take all the credit. Yer first mate here, helped me out much.”
Bengamin stepped into the room.
“You?!” Morgan was very surprised. “Why you double-crossing, no goodghhth” One of the pirates shoved an old piece of cloth in his mouth and gagged him with another.
“Nobody likes a blabbering captain. Is that all the crew?” Black Beard asked.
Bengamin went down the sign-up list. “Yep. All of the goodies are here.”
“Excellent. We shove off at once! Have the men set the sails! Let me know when we’re 15 miles out to sea.” Black Beard ordered.
“Aye, Captain.” Bengamin snickered at Morgan’s anger. “All those months of brown-nosing finally paid off.”
Bengamin and the pirates left the cargo hold. Black Beard glared at Morgan. “It’s going to be fun to get rid of you.” Then he walked to the door.
“Where’s Lupe?” Jim asked forcefully.
Black Beard snickered before locking the door behind him and leaving them in darkness.
Chapter 15
Day 11-Aboard the Mariana-Off the coast of Portugal
"Captain. We're 15 miles out from port." Bengamin reported.
"Bring up the prisoners to main deck." Black Beard ordered before he left the cabin.
Everyone was up on deck in a couple of minutes. The pirates cut the rope binding the prisoners, all except Morgan. They tied Morgan to the mast and readied their guns.
The pirates stood around merrily drinking their bottles of rum.
Black Beard walked over to Morgan. "This is a demonstration, to anyone who wants to share the same fate as Captain Morgan, here. A few of you will be spared if you join my crew of pirates."
The pirates cheered with ‘Arr’s.
"The rest of you will become my prisoners." Continued Black Beard. Then he walked away from Morgan sneering. "Men, do the honors."
"Aye!" the pirates said at one time or another as they finished off their rum. Then they showered Morgan with the bottles, breaking them over his head and at his feet!
The imprisoned crew stared on with horror as Morgan was sliced by the thick glass. Morgan screamed from the terrible pain.
Black Beard held up his hand. The pirates ceased their bombardment. "Anyone here need target practice?"
"Aye!" Said Robert stepping forward. He was drunk again.
"Aye!" Said Sabeena stepping forward. She readied her pistol.
"Anyone else want to practice?" Black Beard glared at Lupe. "Want to get your fill of revenge?"
Lupe folded her arms and stood her ground.
"Very well. You can fire when ready." Black Beard announced turning around to watch.
Robert and Sabeenas' guns smoked as the balls ripped through Morgan's body. He was soon dead.
"Show's over. Anyone want to join my crew?" Black Beard asked, facing the prisoners. "How about you, Blare? Want to draw some pictures of us taking towns and ships?"
Blare said nothing.
"Hmph. Well, this should be an interesting chapter in yer book...if you live to write it. Put him in shackles and set him to work." Black Beard ordered. The pirates instantly grabbed him and took him below.
Black Beard walked over to Lupe. "Because of yer reputation of being a great pirate in yer time, I'm giving you one last chance to join me crew. Remember, my crew keep nothin' from me, an' I keep nothin' from 'em."
Lupe spit in his face.
Black Beard wiped the spit from his fur and punched her!
Jim lunged at Black Beard but a pirate grabbed him and held him back.
"Well, well, well. I may have use fer you yet, brat. Put him in shackles as well. And do the same with Lupe." Black Beard instructed.
The pirates took them down below.
Black Beard glared at the rest of them.
"I'll become a pirate." Said Sean.
Black Beard eyed him. "All right. Set him to work, Bengamin."
Bengamin took Sean away from the group and began to instruct him.
"Traitor!" Elizabeth yelled at him.
"Shhh!" Martin shushed her.
"Anyone else want to join? Last chance." Black Beard said gruffly.
The rest of the crew was silent.
"Put them all in shackles and set them to work!" Black Beard ordered.