by Michael Aye
Seeing Nylinger’s reaction to the seaman’s comments, Taylor could see the captain of the Bonnie Lass was of the same opinion. “Probably wishes she was being taken,” MacArthur whispered to Cooper.
Two more pirates came on deck carrying a heavy chest. They let it fall to the deck with a thump. “It’s full of coin,” one of the pirates swore as he straightened up.
Seeing two able-bodied men standing idle, Captain Taylor ordered, “You two grab that chest and take it aboard the Raven,” speaking to MacArthur and Cooper.
Raven, that’s the pirate ship’s name, Cooper quickly concluded.
The chest was heavy, almost too heavy. MacArthur didn’t seem to struggle with it as much as Cooper. Seeing Cooper’s struggle, Taylor called out to a pirate, “Spurlock, if he loses that chest over the side, he’ll dive for it and that’s a promise.”
“Aye, Captain, dive he will,” Spurlock replied.
Damn, Cooper thought. Don’t help carry it, just toss my arse over the side. Peering at Spurlock, his tattooed biceps bulging with muscles, Cooper decided the rogue would relish the idea. Losing his footing as he stepped backwards onto the deck of the Raven, Cooper fell to the deck with the chest crashing down between his legs. Two thoughts quickly came to mind, first, why did I choose this end of the chest; and second, more importantly, are my jewels intact and can I still piss like a man?
Looking up, Cooper could see MacArthur laughing. “Damn Scotsman, what are you laughing at?”
“That was close, Coop, another inch and you’d have had two scars.”
“Damn you,” Cooper hissed as he got to his feet.
“Over there,” Spurlock said, pointing to the mainmast. “Place it there.”
After doing as bid, Cooper and MacArthur headed back to the rail to return to the Bonnie Lass, but had to pause and give way to the returning pirates and the two girls. That was when the trouble started.
A wave sloshed up between the two ships drenching Lucy and Linda. Soaked, the white shirt Lucy had on did nothing but accent her breasts as the material was now see through and plastered to her skin. Finch was beside himself and couldn’t control his lust. Reaching out, he grasped the front of Lucy’s shirt and tore it from her body. Lucy’s breasts were like ripe, round melons, proud and jutting out. The entire crew, including Cooper and MacArthur, gave a collective sigh at the sight of such beauty. Finch went further; he grabbed Lucy and crushed her breasts with his rough, dirty hands.
Cooper heard Lucy’s scream and took a stride to defend her, but Spurlock grabbed his shoulder. It was then that Cooper saw Captain Taylor, his face was fiery red. In two quick strides, he reached out and grabbed Finch, slinging him around to face him.
“Damn you, Finch. You know the rules. Touch this girl or any other and you’ll find yourself marooned.” Taylor was face-to-face and shaking Finch as he spoke. When he finished, he spoke to Lucy without even glancing her way. “Cover yourself, girl.”
The captain then turned to walk away. As he did, several things seemed to happen simultaneously. Finch, who was beside himself with anger, reached in his belt and pulled out a pistol. Seeing this, Cooper snatched a belaying pin from its holder and swung it down with all his might. The belaying pin snapped the bone in Finch’s arm but not before he pulled the trigger. It did spoil the aim and the ball smacked into the mast, not a foot from Taylor’s head. Wheeling around, Captain Taylor saw a smoking pistol on the deck, where it had landed with a thud. Finch was holding his misshapen arm and Cooper Cain stood by Finch holding the belaying pin.
“I’ll see no man murdered, especially from the back,” Cooper said, “be he rogue or gentleman.”
Taylor turned his attention back to Finch. Seeing the rage in the captain’s face, Finch backed up until he was against the bulwark. “Captain…captain,” he whined, “I’ve learned me ways. It…it was that girl, Captain. She’s a witch. I was in a spell, Captain, it was her fault.”
Taylor stopped about two feet from Finch. “Try to murder me, will you, you piece of whale shat. I’ll send you where you belong…to the bottom.” With that, Taylor deftly pulled his pistol and shot Finch in the chest. Still holding the pistol, Taylor ordered, “You men, pick that up and over the side before it stains me deck.”
Cooper stood in awe. He had never seen justice acted upon so swiftly, or seen a man shot down in such a manner.
“Take the girls to my cabin,” Taylor ordered a scrawny little pirate named Rooster, who walked with a noticeable limp. He then turned to the ladies and said, “My apologies, ladies. I’m sorry you had to see that. But no man disobeys my orders and they certainly don’t touch a lady, especially one under my protection.”
Cooper swallowed hard. Damned if the bugger doesn’t mean it, he thought. Looking around at the rogues on the deck, he had another thought…and they know it.
Once the girls were escorted to the captain’s cabin, Taylor faced Cooper with a smile was on his face. “Thank you, sir. It appears I owe you my life.”
“It was nothing,” Cooper replied. “As I said I’ll see no man murdered in such a way.
“Still it took bravery and initiative. I’d offer you a gold bar but they, meaning Captain Nylinger and his bosses, would take it away from you. How would you like to join us, become a free man?” Seeing Cooper thinking, Taylor said, “It’s rare you come across one like Finch.”
Turning to his friend, Cooper asked, “How about it, David?”
“I don’t know, we could get hung,” David answered.
“We might, but it might also give you a chance to strike a blow at Captain Sodomite,” Cooper replied.
Seeing the look on Taylor’s face at hearing the exchange, Cooper said, “I’ll tell you about it later.” He then turned back to David and asked, “What about it, David, time is wasting.”
MacArthur shook his head and said, “I’ll do it.”
“Go get your chest,” Taylor ordered.
Back on board the Bonnie Lass, Cooper approached Captain Nylinger, “You hear that shooting?”
“Aye,” Nylinger responded.
“The captain shot Finch. I think its best MacArthur and I go along and offer what protection we can to the girls,” Cooper said.
“Bless you, bless you,” Lady Williams cried. “I will tell my husband of your help. Rest assured, young man, it will not go unnoticed.”
“Lord, I better go along and help too. Those girls will need a servant,” Otis said.
“Bless you as well, Otis,” Lady Williams cried.
As the three descended down the companionway steps, Cooper winked at Otis, “You dog.”
“No more than you, sir,” Otis smiled.
Cooper quickly got all he cared to take in one chest. Leaving the rest he looked about, it was the start of a new day, a new life for Cooper Cain. “But vengeance is mine,” he said. “Phillip and the house of Finylson will know my wrath.”
PART II
CHAPTER FOUR
Cooper and MacArthur spent the first few days of their new life as virtual outcasts. Had it not been for time spent with Captain Taylor, the only other person they had to talk to was Otis. The slave had been a house servant for some years and had been educated. He could read, write, do sums, and seemed well-versed on a number of subjects. Cooper felt that it was because he was so educated that he was not immediately welcomed into the pirate fold, as the two other blacks in the pirate crew seemed to be accepted. The girls had only been spoken to once and that was on the day they were taken.
“We keep ’em segregated,” Taylor explained. “Limits the likelihood of another situation occurring like what happened with Finch.”
When Cooper expressed his concerns about being accepted as part of the crew, Taylor laughed. “Pirates are a suspicious lot, more so than your average sailor. Once you’ve been in action together and after you’ve signed the articles, you will quickly become accepted. Besides, I accepted you, asked you to join us. What more could you want?”
“What are these arti
cles?” Cooper asked.
“Rules to live by…my rules. Every man who would be brethren of the coast signs them. But time enough for that later. Your mate MacArthur…whom I’ll call Mac, already is a seaman. Things you’ve got to learn. You are a man quick to take action, but can you hold your own in a real life or death fight?”
Indignant, Cooper pulled himself erect. “I, sir, have been trained by a master swordsman, Jean-Paul deGiraud. He is world renowned.”
“That may be true,” Taylor responded smiling, “but a match or a duel between gentlemen is not the same thing. I’d say Mac here,” using the nickname again, “could best you.”
“Humph,” Cooper snorted. “I’ll not fight my friend, but I’ll take on any member of your crew.”
“You will?” Taylor asked, thinking maybe it would be best to prove his point right away. Doing so could save the boy’s life and he did like him. “Alright,” he said. “Get your blade and come on deck.”
As they left the captain’s cabin, Mac whispered, “He’s right, Coop. There’s a big difference between a gentlemen’s duel and fighting for your life.”
“Not you too,” Cooper hissed. “Just you wait, you’ll see.”
Once on deck, the captain had a number of pirates gathered near the mainmast. “Gentlemen,” Taylor called out to the men with an amusing smile. “We have as a new crewman a master swordsman.”
I didn’t say that, Cooper thought. I just said I was trained by a master.
“What we are going to have today,” Taylor continued, “is a display in swordsmanship.”
Several of the crew gathered. Cooper had learned some of them. Spurlock, the gunner, Diamond, the bosun, Lee Turner, the quartermaster, and a big, mean-looking rogue named McKemie, who Cooper thought was the carpenter. Other members of the crew hearing the voice of their captain gathered. Otis and Mac stood close by.
“Let’s form a circle,” Taylor ordered, “and watch as two gladiators amuse us.”
He’s making light of me, Cooper thought just a little aggravated but determined to keep his cool. First rule of swordsmanship, don’t let your opponent get you angry.
“Now, Master Cooper, you have your choice of blades.”
Several cutlasses filled a barrel that was placed close by. Taking his rapier from its scabbard, Cooper made a couple of cuts through the air making a swooshing sound. “This is my blade,” he said.
“Now, sir,” Taylor spoke again. “You have chosen your weapon; now choose your opponent, preferably one with both timbers.” Meaning not the one-legged captain’s servant.
I’ll show you, Cooper thought. He looked around and picked the biggest rogue of the lot. “Mr. McKemie,’ he announced.
Surprised, but then again not so much so, knowing the young man wanted to make a point, Taylor said, “McKemie, step forward. You have been challenged, sir. Do you accept the challenge?”
McKemie smiled. He couldn’t believe he of all the crew members had been challenged. “Sure,” he said and without looking reached down and pulled a cutlass from the barrel. Mocking Cooper, he sliced through the air a couple of times and whirled about, causing the crew to laugh.
“Step forward,” Taylor called to the combatants. “This, men, is not a life or death battle. It’s nothing more than a match for bragging rights. I don’t mind a bruise or two, or a little blood. But if one or the other kills his opponent, he will be marooned. If this is understood then the match will go forth.” When both men voiced their understanding, Taylor stepped back and said, “You may begin.”
“En garde,” Cooper shouted and with his hand on his side, he stuck his right foot forward assuming the position for a match.
McKemie looked at his opponent thinking how ridiculous. He did several things at once. He took his cutlass and knocked Cooper’s blade aside. He then stomped on Cooper’s outstretched foot. As Cooper bent forward in pain, McKemie slammed him in the chin with the pommel of his blade. Cooper never knew what hit him…he was out. Diamond caught him as he fell backwards, easing him to the deck.
“He’s got guts,” McKemie swore.
“Aye,” Spurlock agreed. “He might just make a good mate yet.”
***
The Raven sailed on toward Marco Island. “It’s a barrier island off the southern gulf coast of Florida,” Turner explained. “We are supposed to rendezvous with our other prizes there. Some call it Key Marco and others even call it San Marco. Once it was called Horr’s Island but they ain’t no whores there ’thout you bringing them,” he said, laughing at his play on words. When we meet up with our early ships we’ll sail on to Barataria. That’s Jean LaFitte’s bunch but they know’s each other well. We can generally sell our plunder and ships there. If not, we take 'em to South Carolina or Savannah, Georgia. If we have any slaves we always can sell them to LaFitte.”
“Those places, they’re in the American colonies?” Cooper asked.
“That they be,” Turner answered.
“They just let you come and go?” Cooper questioned.
“Sure, they does. We don’t mess with no American ships. That’s one of the captain’s rules. LaFitte’s too,” he added. “Captain Taylor says you got to have a place to rest your head. As long as we don’t take no American ships, they got no call to fuss. Captain Taylor says you don’t piss in your porridge.”
Since Cooper’s one-sided sword fight he had become somewhat accepted. Some thought he was next to worthless as a landsman but he was quick and eager and learn.
David MacArthur, former Royal Navy lieutenant, was without a doubt the best navigator in the crew, even better than Captain Taylor. He had assumed all the navigational duties and had started teaching Cooper the art. “What we are doing,” Mac explained, “is usually taught by the ship’s master in a navy ship. The one that taught me must have been sixty years old and said he went aboard his first ship at nine years old. He truly knew his trade. Bragged that at one time period he didn’t set foot on land for five years. Don’t know if it was true or not but you didn’t argue with the master. Not if you didn’t want to kiss the gunner’s daughter.” Mac then had to explain this meant having to lay over a big gun and have the bosun lay it across one’s arse with a piece of rope.
Mac had just taken the noon sights with Cooper when he said, “I think we might be in for a blow.”
Cooper had learned what this meant. Looking up, the sky was clear and the winds were favorable. The captain had said they’d likely reach Key Marco on the next day. By late afternoon the sea became very choppy as the wind picked up and it began to drizzle. By dark the rain was coming down in sheets and now the wind was howling. In the distance jagged lightening could be seen.
Captain Taylor came on deck and spoke with Diamond, “We’re going to need another man on the wheel.”
Hearing this Cooper volunteered. He’d never been in a storm at sea. However, lately he’d been thinking that one day he might like to have his own ship. Therefore, this was an experience he’d need.
Lifelines were rigged and sails were reduced to just storm sails. Before long those men not actually on watch went below decks, all but one. The captain stayed on deck the entire time. Responsibility, Cooper decided, one of those things that came with being a ship’s captain.
***
The storm lasted only a few hours and the next day the sea was normal. The sky was again blue and only a few puffy white clouds filled the sky. It was late in the afternoon when the mainmast lookout shouted, “Land ho!”
Spurlock was on deck when the sighting was called down. He pointed out various landmarks to Cooper and Mac, and then pointed out Sanabel Island. “We used to rendezvous there but it got so that the Dons use the island so much we moved on to Key Marco.”
Just as the last rays of sun fell below the horizon, the Raven anchored in a sheltered cove. Four other ships were already there. A ramshackle village of sorts was on the beach not far from where the ships were anchored. Several fires had been lit and were blazing, lighting up the n
ight. From the shore, laughter could be heard and the smell of meat being cooked over a spit made its way to the ship.
“Well into a rum keg, I’d say,” Captain Taylor volunteered. Cooper hadn’t even heard him come on deck. “Go ashore with Spurlock, McKemie, and Diamond if you’d like,” Taylor suggested. “Fires will help drive off some of the mosquitoes and from the sound I hear they’ve got women ashore. Could be you might get lucky. Don’t get in any duels though,” the captain joked.
“You are not going ashore?” Cooper asked.
“Not with the girls aboard, I’m not. They liable to be gone when I returned if I did, and then there’d be one-hundred pounds gone.”
Cooper thought there was more to it than that. The captain didn’t want harm to come to the girls. More responsibility, he decided.
“Besides,” Taylor said, “yonder ship is the Tigre. That’s Dominique Youx’s ship. He and I have been shipmates before, so he’ll find his way aboard before too long.”
“I don’t want to leave you by yourself, Captain. I’ll wait until Captain Youx comes aboard and then I will go ashore.”
“Nonsense, Cooper, go ashore. Get a feel for these buccaneers.” Laying his hand on his young friend’s shoulder, Taylor warned, “They are a rough lot, lad. Otis is more a gentleman than the whole lot. Stay close to our crew members, especially Spurlock and Diamond.”
Mac came over to where Captain Taylor and Cooper were talking. “You coming, Coop?”
“Sure he is,” Taylor answered, settling it.
Rooster ambled over to Taylor as the men climbed down into the ship’s boats. “Your partial to that ’un, Captain,” he said, as much a statement as a question.
“Aye, but who wouldn’t be. The lad will become a good seaman given time. Besides, he saved my life, what’s not to like.”
“He’s got hatred, Captain. A deep biding hurt and hatred, I’d say. Don’t reckon I’d want to be on his bad side.”