Pirate

Syd and Swift were back at the helm, and we let out a loud whoop as we realized we had escaped. Minutes later, we rounded the point and found open water, the only thing visible of the frigate the top of its masts over the flat land. We moved faster through the water now that we had left the protection of the harbor and I realized, that at least for now, we were safe. It would take too much time for the frigate to regain its longboats, raise anchor, and set sail. I expected they would pursue, but it would take them too much time because of the speed or our craft. I studied the chain of islands just coming into sight as we rounded the last bit of land, as each gap between them allowed an opportunity for us to hide.

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Syd and Swift were not in sight and I ran to the companionway, stuck my head in, and yelled for them. “Bring a torch and hurry down to the hold.” I waited until I heard movement and went forward to the hatch just aft of the bowsprit. It was stuck, nailed shut to prevent the prisoners from escaping. I grabbed the ax that was lashed to the mast and tried to use the broken blade to pry it open. The wood splintered, but I ignored the damage and stuck the edge of the blade between the deck boards and the cover. Finally, the hatch gave way and the stench almost knocked me off my feet as air flowed through the hold.

“What’s this all about?” Swift asked as he held the lantern over the opening.

“There’s men in there. Bastards weren’t just smugglers—they’re slavers as well.” I took the lantern and descended the ladder two steps at a time. “Bring the ax,” I called up as my feet hit the deck.

The three of us crossed through the main hold together and peered into the forward compartment. The added ventilation provided by the hatch had sucked some of the smell from the room, but I still had to put my shirt tail to my nose to breath. Swift and Syd followed my lead as we went in and held the light. Half-a-dozen bodies were shackled to the boat, three on each side of the hold.

“Hold on, I have an idea,” I said, as I climbed back to the deck. I went to the captain’s quarters, pulled out the drawer below the desk, and started rummaging through its contents. Toward the back I found what I was looking for and withdrew a ring of keys. I went back down to the hold and found Swift and Syd leaning outside the door.

“Can’t take the smell for long,” one of them muttered.

I ignored them and went through the door to the first man. Swift held the light for me as I tried each key in the lock. On the third try, I found it and released the man. “Carry him out,” I called to Syd, who was still standing by the door. I didn’t wait for a reply, but went to the next man and freed him.

A few minutes later we had them in the main hold, and I went to check each one. Two still clung to life, but the other four had passed. One was unconscious, and I made him comfortable before returning to the first man. His eyes were open, but when I held the light to them, they were vacant. “Get some water,” I called, and tried to figure out what to do, wishing Lucy was here.

Syd went on deck and lowered a bucket into the hold. I took the ladle from it and put it to the man’s parched lips. Some primal urge must have come from deep within him, as he shot to life and grabbed the ladle from my hands. He put it to his face, wasting most of the water down his shirt. I took it back and refilled it for him. This time he managed to drink.

“We can leave these two down here for the time being, but we’ve got to get the dead off the boat.” Syd and Swift nodded in agreement and went to fetch the line attached to the block and tackle. The bodies released gas and fluid as we lifted them, and we stood in a pool of noxious fluids as we worked, some of it probably ours, as I heard one of the men vomit. Finally, the work was done and we sat in the fresh air on deck.

“Bloody bit of luck,” Swift said. “Something about you always finding people to save.”

I knew he was referring to our rescue of Rory and then the adoption of Blue and Lucy, who were now hiding out on an island with Rhames, and the treasure. I ignored his comment, went to the casks and lowered another pail of water down before following it to see about the two men still alive.

“Can you talk?” I asked the man who sat upright.

He looked around vacantly and rolled over onto his side. I did the best I could to make him comfortable and went back on deck.

“The one’s asleep and the other’s still out.” I leaned over the rail wondering what to do. The water swirled and something large jumped near the ship. It was dark, the moon still below the horizon, but I knew the sharks had found the dead men.

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