Episode 10 - The Battle for Tortuga
26th day of January, 1640.
The Grim Reaper drew closer to the lead Spanish Galleon.
Admiral Tew's flagship, Darkness, cut across the Reaper's bow and slowly swung around to broadside the approaching War Ship, Mar Buceo.
"Give 'em 'ell, boys!" called Coggy as the Reaper opened up with a volley of double shot.
The Spanish ship shuddered violently in the water as the cannon balls ripped through her upper deck. Bright orange flames engulfed her port side and explosions blew away large chunks of wood.
"Arrr!, she's lost a mast!" called Moose with glee.
The Galleon's mizzenmast slowly toppled over to her stern, cracked in two, and fell partly into the water.
The Man o War, Darkness, continued pounding the Mar Buceo. Tew's flagship quickly turned about and slammed another volley into her heart.
"Bring us about, NOW, you pox ridden curds!" screamed Coggy, as two warships approached from astern.
Meanwhile, the Alliance ship, Fear, began graping another Galleon a few hundred yards off the badly damaged Man o War, Spirit.
Several smaller pirate vessels engaged the reforming dons to the north, but the Grim Reaper found herself under heavy fire from the Spanish flagship, Delfin, and her escort, Valdez.
A heavy volley blasted through the Sloops quarterdeck - blowing the five pirates to the floor. Timber and rigging crashed around the shaken swabs as they staggered to their feet.
"Are ye still with us?" called Coggy to his mates as he dusted himself down.
"Aye" said Moose.
"Aye, I's still in tha land o' the livin' too - just about!" called Morgan, removing the splinters from his beard.
"Bleedin' swines!" shouted an irate Davey as he stood up with a broken bottle of rum in his hand, "Me friggin' grog!" he moaned.
"Quinny, speak to us, mate," called Moose as he lifted some rigging off the sprawled out flag maker.
"He's out for tha count, Moosey" called a concerned Davey, throwing his bottle overboard.
"Lieutenant Cutter," shouted Cog, "Git some of me swabs ta take Mr Quinn below decks,"
Meanwhile, the Alliance ship, Darkness, took a brutal broadside amidships but managed to return fire with a 100-gun broadside of her own, which disabled her target.
"We're losin' too many ships!" screamed Coggy's lookout as he looked on in horror at the battle to the north, "The dons 'r blowin' tha fleet ta bits, Cap'n!"
Coggy turned and looked over at the ensuing battle.
"Arrrgggh, lads, we's gonna 'ave ta git over thar before it's too late" he called, before moving toward the bow.
Moose and Morgan left the Bridge and joined La Foot who was helping to clear the Reapers deck of smouldering debris, while Davey Jones rummaged through a case of rum looking for an unbroken bottle.
"The Valdez is commin' about again, Sir!" called La Foot.
"Right lads, I wants a point blank volley with this pass" said a calm Coggy as the Reaper too swung around to face her foe.
"Steady as she goes" called Cog, as the two ships grew closer.
"Sir, we can't take another hit like that last one!" yelled Lieutenant Cutter - anxiously looking at his Captain and over to the approaching Galleon.
"STAY ON COURSE!" came Coggy's immediate reply.
The two ships came within twenty yards of each other but it was the Grim Reaper that opened up first - with a deadly blast of double shot right down the throats of the dons...
"YEEEAHHH, yer slimy sea urchins" cried Cutter as the Valdez was ripped apart from bow to stern.
The Spanish sailors were blown to pieces and any sorry survivors were instantly picked off by Coggy's sharpshooters in the rigging.
"Dats three down," called La Foot, as the smouldering remains of the Valdez drifted by.
"Right - now git us over to the others," barked Coggy to his crew, "and be quick about it - else ye be swimmin' wit tha sharks!" he added.
Meanwhile, Tew's flagship was putting the finishing touches to it's run-in with the Mar Buceo when the Reaper quickly sailed by.
Coggy could see the Admiral standing proudly on his deck raising his cutlass in salute.
Coggy drew his sword and returned the salute before turning his attention to the stricken pirate fleet.
Morgan and La Foot finished putting out several small fires on the ships rigging, and then made their way back up to the Bridge.
"Moose, find Quintal" called Coggy as he slapped the drunken Davey around his face - trying to wake the blaggard up!
Within a few minutes the Grim Reaper, Darkness, and Fear, had regrouped close to the remains of the Tortugan pirate ships.
"Looks like the Admiral has lost one of 'is ships too," sighed Coggy, as the bow of the Alliance ship, Spirit, plunged beneath the surface leaving the scattered remains of her crew to tread water.
"The don's 'r reforming, Cog" called Quintal.
After few moments, the Grim Reaper had pulled along side Tew's flagship.
"Ahoy, Admiral" called Coggy.
Tew approached the side of his ship, "Arrr, Captain Cognito! Tis a fine day ta be duelin' wit tha don's, me thinks." he called.
"Aye mate, it is. Are ye still with us on this un?" asked Coggy, drawing Tew's attention to the reforming Armada.
"Aye Cap'n we are - but if'n we wins tha day, yer flag o' truce 'ill be not welcome 'ere, matey!" replied Tew menacingly.
"So be it, Admiral" replied Cog.
"Tis a shame though, 'appen meself, Moose, Davey, and Morgan 'ere, are embarkin' on an adventure or two after the don's 'r whipped." added Coggy, trying to entice the Admiral.
Moose and Morgan gave Coggy a scowl, "Whaddya tell 'im that fer!" asked an angry Morgan, quietly.
"Shhhh, 'Enry," replied Cog, "'appen we could do with Tew's 'elp after our losses today" he said, not taking his eye off the Admiral.
"Are we gonna stay around here all day, or 'r we gonna finish 'em off?" called Tew, as he motioned towards the approaching Spanish.
Coggy smiled and gave the order to prepare for another round with the dons.
"Are we ready?" called Coggy to his crew.
"YEAH!" came the hearty reply. And with that, the Grim Reaper, flanked by the Alliance warships, Darkness and Fear, turned about and positioned themselves astern of the ragged pirate fleet and waited for round two...