Episode 27 - Smoked Lobster
27th day of February, 1640.
Five days had passed since the four ships had left Cartagena. They were making slow progress due to the heavy hoard of loot they'd taken from the town.
Ol'Man's ship continued to sail ahead of Tews Man o War, while Coggy's Sloop escorted Moose's treasure ship, 100 yards astern.
Each of the ships' lookouts continuously scanned the horizon.
It wouldn't be long before news of the attack on Cartagena spread, and Coggy knew the place would be rife with Spanish warships and bounty hunters within the next few weeks.
"Most of the scum out thar 'ill be lookin' for us along tha Spanish Main," explained Cog, "so if'n we continues on our north-westerly course - away from tha mainland, we may just get away wittout too much trouble."
"Arrr, news in these parts spreads quickly, Cog" replied a concerned Quinn.
"Aye, 'n wit Ol'Man havin' ney more than a skeleton crew aboard 'is ship, 'n Moose bein' laden wit all tha swag, we's not gonna be able to out-run any swines that come a sniffin'" added Morgan.
"We's just gotta 'ope those swabs stick ta patrolling the shipping lanes between Puerto Bello, Cartagena, 'n Santa Marta... if'n they does, we should be 'awrite" replied Coggy, as he surveyed the horizon through his spyglass.
"We'll head up tha Mosquito Coast before swinging west again to tha Gulf 'o Honduras 'n onto Belize"
Aboard the Baron Boat, Moose was in the hold standing atop the pile of gold and silver they'd liberated a few days earlier.
"When we gets Cogs' treasure 'n finally divides this 'lil lot up, I's gonna buy me a whole bleedin' town 'n install me goodself 'as gov'nor," he said, with a broad grin.
Moose's first mate stood at the bottom of the pile scrutinizing some glittering jewels in his hand, "Aye, tis a grand dream ye as thar, Sir," he replied, "But when I gets my share, I reckons I'll be buyin' meself me very own ship ta command - dats if'n yew don't mind loosing a fine office like me, Sir," he grinned.
"Naw lad, yee've been a good man ta sail wit but I reckon's I's gonna be too rich ta continue wit me pirating ways... I's havin' me an early retirement. I wants me mansion ta be made 'o pure gold, wit a hundred virgin wenches at me beck 'n call." dreamed Moose.
The two men smiled and headed back upto the deck.
Ol'Man was sat in his oak rocking chair on the Bridge of the Grey Ghost.
He was enjoying a rum and rolled tobacco with his wench, Cyclone.
The two swabs basked in the sunlight and watched as La Foot and Coggy's pirate guards took it in turns to work on the sails and rigging.
"Those bunch 'o barnacles are tha sorriest seaman I've ever met. Gawd knows how they took Cartagena," said Ol'Man as he spat out some tobacco.
"Twas tha element 'o surprise 'n no more, Ol'Man" replied Cyclone, "'appen these bleedin' amateurs 'r no match fer tha likes 'o us."
Ol'Man nodded.
"And when we's got our 'ands on tha treasure - I's gonna enjoy killin' every last one 'o 'em," she added, as she looked over to the other three ships astern.
Ol'Man stood up from his chair and leaned over the Bridge, "Hey boy, cook me up some smoked lobster, 'n be quick 'bout it" he called to La Foot.
The lieutenant gave the Ol'Git a scowl.
"I aint yer cook, mister!… if'n ye wants some grub, git yer wench ta do it" he defiantly replied, trying to conceal his nervousness.
Cyclone wasn't amused, but Ol'Man smiled as he slumped back into the chair, "Go on love, be a darlin' 'n rustle up some grub fer yer Ol'Man" he asked.
Cyclone threw down her bottle of grog in a huff, stormed off the Bridge and reluctantly headed below decks.
Again Ol'Man smiled and took another swig of rum before biting into another piece of tobacco and gently rocking himself to sleep.
Back aboard the Grim Reaper, Quinn had removed the flag he had made and was relieving his boredom with a few repairs to the scorched silk.
Meanwhile, Davey Jones and Morgan where enjoying a game of poker with pirate Jim and a bunch of bored sailors as Coggy fed the gizzards of a gull he'd caught in the rigging to his parrot Arfur.
A thin spiral of smoke coming out of the Grey Ghosts' stern distracted the lookout...
A few minutes later...
Cyclone rushed back upto the deck of the ship and anxiously shook the Ol'Man awake, "Wake up yew Ol'Bastid - tha bleedin' ships on fire!" she screamed.
The startled Ol'Man quickly leapt to his feet and dropped his grog, "What tha bleedin' 'ell 'ave yew done?" he scowled, as the thin line of grey smoke quickly turned into thick black billowing plumes coming from below.
La Foot and a bunch of the crew quickly headed down to the inferno and began fighting the fire.
Cyclone looked on in concern, "Tis not my fault... yew should 'ave made yer own bleedin' grub" she called, as Ol'Man followed the others below.
Coggy's lookout looked on with interest at the commotion occurring aboard the distant ship, "SIR, THEY'S GOT 'EMSELVES A FIRE ABOARD!" he yelled.
Coggy and the rest quickly made their way to the bow and watched in amusement as Ol'Man's ship was engulfed in smoke.
"Awwww what a bleedin' shame," laughed Cog.
"Aye, mate, tis a pitty they's gonna burn 'emselves ta Davey Jones' Locker - 'appen we'll jus' have ta find someone else ta share tha treasure wit, HAAARRR," laughed Morgan.
The pirates stood on deck and cheered as the Grey Ghost billowed out yet more choking black smoke.
Aboard the Darkness, Admiral Tew watched the commotion unfold. But he wasn't amused. In fact he was quite irate, "Those silly buggers 'r gonna give away our position!" he called to his officers.
"Every bloated bilge rat out thar 'ill see dat friggin' smoke 'n before we knows it tha place 'ill be swarmin' wit virmin!"
La Foot and Ol'Man emerged from the bowels of the smoke filled ship; they were coughing and had black soot covering their faces.
Cyclone helped Ol'Man upto the Bridge, "Is yew ok?" she asked with concern.
"Just about, darlin' -cough- ney thanks to yew!" he replied, with a scowl.
Cyclone remained silent.
La Foot staggered upto the Bridge, "We's got it doused down 'n under control - but yer gonna need ta find a new place ta sleep 'n tha galley has been gutted" he said.
Ol'Man turned to Cyclone wit a menacing frown, "YEW USELESS BLEEDIN' WHORE! HOW HARD IS IT TA COOK A FRIGGIN' LOBSTER?" he yelled.
"I AINT YER FRIGGIN' COOK OL'MAN" she screamed, "GIT YER OWN GRUB FROM NOW ON, YEW LAZY POX RIDDEN CURD!" she called, as she stormed off towards the Bow.
Now it was La Foot's turn to smile.
Ol'Man gave him a scowl, and the Lieutenant wasted no time in returning below decks to check on his men.
One hour later...
The Grey Ghost still had a few plumes of thin grey smoke slowly drifting away from her, but the fire was out and life returned to normal for all the crews as yet again more boredom set in.
Meanwhile, just over the horizon, three Frigates were headed on an intercept course after seeing the smoke from afar...