“Two and a half!” John kept repeating. “I think I’ve never bought anything so cheap! Look at all the words these books have! You’ll let me read them, won’t you, Sparks?”
I don’t think I even answered him. I was very worried. I had then an enormous secret, one of the biggest kind . . . I didn’t like to keep secrets, especially from my good friend John the Whale, but I was afraid to tell it.
And you’ll have to forgive me, but I won’t tell it to you just yet either . . . .
Anyway, all of that worry abrubtly ceased once we were back outside. The sun was shining fiercely, and in the distance, we could hear loud thuds. As we left the city and approached the sea, the sounds grew in intensity. Any pirate would have recognized those sounds. They were the sounds of cannon fire! What’s more, even though at the time I thought I was hallucinating, I saw a tiny, old Chinese man with a wrinkled face and a nose as small as a pea running away from behind a bale of hay that was stacked near the street . . . Do you remember the tailor of Basse-Terre? I told you so!
We picked up our pace, growing more alarmed with every step. As we reached the street that led to the port, the noise became deafening. And when we reached the pier where we had anchored a week before, what we saw left us speechless.
If I’ve ever felt true fear, I can say that it was on that day. Still tied to the dock, the Southern Cross was burning at its prow with flames that were like tongues of fire. The crew was struggling to loosen the ship’s moorings, attempting to head out to sea, where they could defend themselves. The Whale, in two great leaps, reached the ship and untied the ropes attached to the prow, which were burning without breaking. Then he turned to me and shouted something I couldn’t understand. I was unable to move. Then he ran back toward me, threw me over one shoulder and carried me to some barrels. He stuck me inside of one and gave me the package of books.
“Sparks!” he shouted over the noise of the explosions. “Hide yourself! You’ve got the money, right? Don’t move from here until we’ve left!”
“But . . . What are you saying?” I protested. “No! I’m going with you!”
“No, you’re not!”
Close by, a cannon shot sounded. The wood from our ship splintered all around us. John the Whale grabbed me by my shoulders and said, staring intently into my eyes:
“This is serious, boy! Stay here, in Tortuga, and I can find you! I . . . I’ve got to go, but I promise I’ll come back for you! I promise!” And then enormous Whale, with his eyes full of tears, made an X with his finger over the middle of his chest and spat onto the ground. “May I be eaten by hungry sharks if I don’t!”
That’s how my friend left, running without looking back even once. I saw him leap onto the burning ship just as it pulled away from the dock, sailing straight toward the enemy and firing at it without mercy.
And I remained on land.
Almost without realizing it, I squeezed the medallion hanging around my neck in one hand.
There on the other side of the estuary, near the port, a blackened bamboo ship with patched and faded red sails bobbed in the waves like a ghost. It was the Dragon’s Blood, without a doubt; Fung Tao’s ship that Phineas Krane had attacked in the distant seas of China.
And my pirate friends, with brave Barracuda as their leader, were going to meet them without me. That’s how things can change in life: while you’re distracted thinking about other things.
If we talk of Barracuda’s treasure, we should stop right here: with me alone, inside a barrel, holding a red package of books tied with a blue bow. For here is where my first stage as a pirate ends, at the tender age of almost twelve-years-old.
Of course, if you’re wondering what happened afterward . . . Well, that’s another story! You wouldn’t believe it either!
Maybe someday I’ll tell it to you.
Barracuda’s Glossary
A
Aboard: On or within the ship or boat.
Accordion: A box-shaped musical instrument that is bellows-driven.
Archipelago: A group of islands.
Arquebus: A “hook gun” or “hook tube“—an early muzzle-loaded firearm used in the 15th-17th centuries.
Artilleryman: The pirate in charge of the weapons (guns and cannons).
B
Barracuda: The captain of the Southern Cross; also a large predatory tropical marine fish with large jaws and teeth.
Bellows: A device that produces a strong current of air when its sides are pressed together (as on an accordion).
Billeted: An official order stating that a military member must be provided with room and board (as in a private home).
Black Jet: A black organic rock that forms when pieces of woody material are buried in sediment and coalified. Jet can be cut, carved, and polished to a luster.
Bodega: A wine cellar.
Brandish: To wave or swing something in a threatening manner (such as a weapon).
Bridge: The area from which one navigates (steers) the ship.
C
Cabin: A compartment for passengers or crew.
Cannon: A large gun that shoots heavy metal or stone balls and that was once a common military weapon.
Captain: The person in command of the ship.
Captain’s Chambers: The captain’s private room or quarters.
Cistern: A tank for storing water.
Clodhopper: A foolish, awkward, or clumsy person.
Cobblestone: Stones frequently used in the pavement of ancient streets.
Coffer: A strongbox or small chest for holding valuables.
Coiling Ropes: To lay a line down in circular turns.
Command Bridge: The room or platform from where the captain issues commands.
Cord: A long, thin flexible rope made from several twisted strands.
Cove: A small sheltered bay.
Crestfallen: Sad and disappointed.
Cretin: A stupid person.
Crow’s Nest: A lookout platform or shelter fixed near the top of the mast of a ship.
Cur (Swindling): A surly or cowardly cheater.
Curse: To swear; also to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone.
D
Dagger: A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a weapon.
Damsel: A young, unmarried woman.
Davey Jones’s Locker: The place at the bottom of the ocean reserved for pirates.
Deck: The floor of the ship; the walking area.
Diphthong: A sound made by combining two vowels; also known as a gliding vowel.
Disembark: To leave a ship.
Dock: A protected water area in which vessels are moored (also referred to as a pier or a wharf).
Docking: To tie up along a pier or wharf.
Doubloon: A Spanish gold coin.
Drop Anchor: Let down the anchor and moor.
Dutch Antilles: A group of six Caribbean islands that were formally Dutch colonial possessions, also known as the Netherlands Antilles.
E
Ebb: A receding current.
Ebony: A black or very dark brown timber from a mainly tropical tree.
Embark: Go on board a ship.
English Armada: A fleet of English warships.
Escudo: A coin historically used in Portugal and Spain and in their colonies.
Estuary: A partially enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers or streams flow into the ocean.
Eye Patch: A cover worn over an injured or missing eye.
F
Fabrics Merchant: Someone who owns and runs a cloth manufacturing import or export business; also known as a cloth merchant.
Fate: The power that is believed to control what happens in the future.
Feeding the Fish: To vomit over the side of a vessel from seasickness.
&n
bsp; Flows: The rise of an ocean tide.
French Detachment: A group of French troops or ships sent away on a separate mission.
Full to Port: Keep the sails full of wind and to the left.
G
Gale: A very strong wind.
Gangplank: A movable plank used as a ramp to board or disembark from a ship or boat.
Gobsmacked: Utterly astonished; astounded.
Grog: A rum drink mixed with water.
Gunpowder: Invented in China, it is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate used to fire cannons.
H
Happy Shipwrecks: A crew of less-than-stellar pirates.
Helm: The wheel or tiller that controls the rudder.
Highest Mast: The tallest mast (vertical pole) on a ship.
High Seas: International waters.
Hook: The metal device used to replace a pirate’s lost hand.
Hourglass: A device with two connected glass bulbs containing sand that takes an hour to pass from the upper to the lower bulb.
Hovel: A small, squalid, unpleasant, or simply constructed dwelling.
Hull: The main body of a vessel.
I
Infantry Battalion: A branch of armed forces that fights on foot.
Inlet: A small arm of the sea, a lake, or a river; a cove or a bay.
Inn: An establishment that provides food, drink, and lodging.
J
Jackpot: To suddenly win a large prize, money, or treasure; to hit the jackpot.
Jerky: Meat cut into strips and dried, using salt as a preservative.
K
Keel: The centerline of a boat running from the front (fore) to the back (aft).
Kerchief: A piece of fabric used to cover the head or to tie around the neck.
L
Lad: A young boy.
Land Ahoy: An exclamation announcing the sighting of land from a ship.
Landfall: An arrival at land on a sea journey.
Layabout: A person who habitually does little or no work.
Leave (on): Time permitted to be away from work or military duty.
Legend: A well-known story that is believed by many people but cannot be verified; also a person famous for doing something extremely well.
Lintel: A piece of wood or stone that lies across a door or window and holds the weight of the structure above it.
Loot: The goods that a pirate takes from his enemy.
Looting: The act of plundering and ransacking to obtain treasures.
Lumberjack: A person who cuts down trees.
M
Mackerel: A derogatory term for a pirate; also a large sea fish with a strong taste.
Mainmast: The tallest mast (vertical pole) on a ship.
Mangy Cur: A mean, cowardly person.
Mardi Gras: The last grand celebration before the Catholic season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
Marionette: A puppet controlled from above using wires or strings.
Marquis: A European nobleman ranking above a count and below a duke.
Mast: A vertical pole on a ship that supports sails or rigging.
Mauser: A type of rifle.
Medallion: A large medal.
Memento: An object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event.
Merchant: Someone who buys and sells goods, especially in large amounts.
Mizzen: A fore-and-aft (forward and rear) sail set on the mizzenmast.
Mooring: An arrangement for securing a ship to a mooring pier.
Moor the Ship: To attach a boat to a mooring buoy or post.
Muck: Dirt, rubbish, or waste matter.
Musket: A light gun with a long barrel that is fired from the shoulder.
Mutiny: An open rebellion against those in charge, especially sailors or pirates against the captain of the ship.
N
Newbie: A brand-new pirate.
O
Open Sea: An expanse of sea away from land.
Oxcart: A cart pulled by oxen.
P
Paella: A Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, etc., cooked and served in a large shallow pan.
Pantry: The compartment of a ship where food is cooked and prepared.
Parchment: A stiff, flat, thin material made from the prepared skin of an animal and used as a durable writing surface in ancient and medieval times.
Peg Leg: An artificial leg, often carved out of wood.
Pier: A loading platform that extends out from the shore.
Pirate: Someone who attacks and steals from a ship at sea.
Pirate Oath: A solemn promise among pirates.
Plunder: To steal things from a place (such as a city or town), especially by force.
Port: The left side of the ship; also where a ship docks.
Powder Keg: A barrel of gunpowder.
Provisions: A supply of food and other things that are needed.
Prow: The forward-most part of a ship’s bow that is above the waterline.
Publicans: A person who owns or manages a tavern; the keeper of a pub.
Python: A large heavy-bodied nonvenomous constrictor snake.
Q
Quarrelsome: To bicker; argue.
Quarters: A room on a ship; the captain’s quarters.
R
Rigging: The lines and masts on sailing ships.
Rum: An alcoholic liquor distilled from sugar-cane residues or molasses.
S
Saber: A heavy cavalry sword with a curved blade and a single cutting edge.
Sailcloth: A heavy canvas used for sails.
Scourge: A person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering.
Scribe: One who made copies of documents, especially before the invention of printing.
Scruffy: Shabby and untidy or dirty.
Scurvy: A disease resulting from a severe lack of vitamin C.
Seasick: Suffering from sickness or nausea caused by the motion of a ship at sea.
Second in Command: Someone who is ranked second in a group or organization.
Shaman: Someone who is believed to use magic to cure people.
Shiptrap (wretched): A notoriously dangerous area for ships.
Shiver Me Timbers: A pirate exclamation to express shock, surprise, or annoyance.
Short Pistols: A small gun that can be aimed and fired with one hand.
Skirmish: A brief and usually unplanned fight.
Spanish Armada: A Spanish naval invasion force; a fleet of warships.
Spirits: An alcoholic liquor.
Sprog: A brand-new pirate on board a ship for the first time.
Stations: The specific places where pirates perform their assigned duties.
Steer the Boat: To control the direction in which a ship moves.
Stern: The aft (back) part of the ship.
Stocks (replenish): To refill the ship supplies.
Stowaway: A person who secretly boards a ship to travel undetected and without paying.
Swab the Deck: To clean the ship’s deck with a mop.
Swindle: Use deception to cheat someone out of money or possessions.
Swindling Cur: A despicable cheater.
Swordsman: A man who fights with a sword.
T
Tailor: One who makes clothes to fit individual customers.
Tarred and Feathered: Smeared with tar and covered with feathers as a punishment.
Tavern: A place that sells alcoholic drinks, like a bar or a pub.
Tomb: A burial chamber.
Tome: A book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one.
Treasure Map: A pirate map that marks the location of buried treasure or a valuable secret.
U
&nbs
p; Unsheathe: Draw or pull out a weapon (like a knife or saber) from its sheathe or covering.
V
Valarian Root: A flowering plant, the root of which is dried and used as an herbal remedy.
Vengeance (dish best served cold): An old phrase that means revenge is more satisfying when exacted in cold blood.
Vermin: Wild animals, like rodents, that carry disease.
W
Walk the Plank: The short walk to a watery grave off a plank that extends off the edge of a ship.
Watch Station: Area where crew members are on duty, such as the crow’s nest.
Weigh Anchor: Take up anchor on a ship when ready to depart.
Wooden Pajamas: What a pirate “wears” when he sleeps the big sleep; dead.
Wretches: Despicable or good-for-nothing people.
The Treasure of Barracuda Page 11