Episode 18 - Ships News
The afternoon of the 19th day of February, 1640.
As the ships sailed closer to Cartagena, the lookout bellowed, "Thar's a ship leavin' the harbour!"
"WHAT NOW?" shouted a frustrated Coggy to himself.
"Tis a Frigate, Sir" explained the lookout.
Coggy peered through his spyglass, "Jeeessuss!… the bugger be right fer once!" he said to his comrades.
"If'n it's Spanish, they'll raise da alarm and the don's 'ill be ready fer us" said a concerned Moose.
The Frigate continued sailing towards the pirate fleet.
Coggy passed the spyglass to Quinn, "Who it be?" he asked.
Quinn paused for a moment, before excitedly calling "That be Cap'n Dredd Robert's ship!"
"How'd ye know that?" asked Morgan.
"'Cos I designed his bleedin' flag!" replied the proud Quinn on recognising Dredd's colours.
"E's right, Cog. - 'tis Roberts all right" said Moose with a smile as the ship came closer.
"Raise tha flag o' truce, lads… I's wantin' ta know the latest news from Cartagena" called the relieved Coggy.
Twenty minutes later...
The ships slowly came about, and within a few minutes Dredd's open launch pulled along side the Grim Reaper.
"Welcome aboard, Sir" said Coggy as the visiting Captain made his way up to the Bridge.
"Arrr, 'tis a fine fleet of ships ye 'as 'ere, Cap'n" said Dredd admiringly, "Where's ye headed?" he asked.
"We's paying a lil' visit ta Cart." replied Coggy as Dredd shook hands with the pirates.
"I's jus' left that vile cesspool - 'tis a pirates worst nightmare!" said Dredd, with a word of caution.
"Thought tha don's spat on all pirate vermin like us, Dredd?" asked the puzzled Coggy, "how did ye manage ta visit tha place without getting sent to the locker?"
"Arrr, 'appen I's got a second cousin in Rio de la Hacha who knows a Spanish privateer from Sisal who 'appens ta be a mate o' the Gov'nor of Coro." expained Dredd.
"This Gov'nor 'as a son in Maracaibo that's friendly with a pirate hunter from Santiago." he added.
Coggy scratched his head and replied, "Ye knows some unsavoury folks, Dredd. But what's all this gotta do with getting' inta Cartagena?" he asked.
"Well, mate" continued Dredd, "The pirate hunter has a brother in high places in that thar town, n 'da geezer deals in stolen jewels! 'Appen I's got a deal wit him - 'e gave me a fake Letter o' Marque in return fer one fifth of me ill-gotten gains,"
"I's been usin' me Letter o' Marque ta trade and recruit in Cartagena - 'tis a useful ting to 'ave." finished Dredd.
Coggy was more confused then ever.
"Hey, maybe yee'd like ta join us in our endeavours" asked Quinn.
"Sure, I could do wit a bit of action," replied the enthusiastic Dredd.
"Me men 'ave been murmurin' against me lately and I could do with cheer'n 'em up a bit" he added.
"Tis a deal, then" replied Coggy before asking for the latest news.
"Well, Coggy," began Dredd, "last I heard wus England 'ad declared war on France who are fightin' tha Dutch. The Dutch 'r at war with Spain who've got an uneasy alliance wit the English. The French 'r tryin' ta ally with tha Spanish in a 'ope ta 'elp 'em with their war with England but the English 'ave offered a pirate amnesty for any swabs attackin' Dutch ships who 'r sinkin' their supply convoys from Bristol. Anyhow, word as it that the Dutch 'r formin' a sneaky alliance with their Danish cousins ta 'elp with their fight with tha Spanish"
"Arrggghh shut the frig up!" said a totally confused Coggy before disappearing to his cabin for a lay down.
One hour later...
The pirate fleet held it's position ten miles off Cartagena.
Coggy invited all the Captains into his cabin to discuss their impending raid.
"Cap'n Dredd, 'ere, 'as first-hand knowledge of Cartagena. He knows of troop movements, turret positions, number of armed townsfolk - the lot" said Coggy to the listening band of men.
Patting Dredd on the back, Coggy invited the Captain to reveal what he knew.
Roberts stood up and began to explain, "Well, me hearties. Tis like Coggy seys," he started, "'Appen I knows tha place like tha back of me hook. For yer information there be at least eight guard ships patrollin' tha bay - they be Frigates, and I reckons each one carries at least 80 guns," he said.
"These Frigates won't leave tha bay under any circumstances! - 'appen the dons 'r more sneaky than ye tinks, for they keep thar ships close to the turrets - fer added cover," he explained.
"Anyhow, Cartagena itself be a bastard of a place to attack fer one simple reason," continued Dredd as the pirates listened intently, "Any attackin' force that gets past the guard ships as ta deploy thar marines onto a beach - but be warned mateys! The beach be overlooked by several turrets that'll cut yer men down where they stands if'n given tha chance."
Dredd paused, took a swig of rum and continued, "I reckon's we'll take heavy losses on the beach so best be sendin' in yer scurviest men first. If'n we manages ta get passed the bleedin' turrets, we'll be met by heavy resistance in tha form of local militia, peasant folk, n' gentry ponces."
He took another swig of rum, wiped his lips, and continued, "Now these buggers will not put up much of a fight - but tha swines will probably surrender on sight makin' the place a bit crowded - yer men 'ill be sittin' ducks fer any passin' grenadiers."
He paused again and gulped down yet more rum.
"<hic> <burp> <hic> …Best be takin' ney prisoners <hic>" he said, with increasingly blood-shot eyes.
"Ney worries 'bout that," blurted Coggy, "'appen me men 'r experts at not takin' prisoners!"
"Haaarrrr!" came the unanimous agreement from the others.
Dredd finished the rum, swayed around a little, and continued "Anyhow… once inta the town itself <hic> <hic> …we's gonna be met by a shit load of redcoats <hic>" he said, with increasingly slurred speech, "some of those buggers 'ill be grenadiers or nusketeers, so watch yer back... <hic>" added Dredd, before toppling over and succumbing to drunken unconsciousness.
"Well lads," said Coggy as he stood up, "I reckon's we's in for a 'ell of a day!" he said, with understatement.
"Aye," replied Moose, "and poor Dredd is gonna miss all tha fun!" he said, as he removed the empty bottle of rum from Dredds one good hand.
Coggy and the others left Dredd to sleep it off and headed for the Bridge.
"Make sail yew scurvy sea urchins" shouted Cog to his crew, "We's got a date with destiny" he announced, as the fleet of pirate ships got underway and headed for hell...