Episode 28 - The Pirate Hunters: Part One
The afternoon of the 27th day of February, 1640.
Coggy's lookout was scanning the horizon.
"Three ships Sir!" he called, as he pointed towards the west, "I think they've recognized us!"
Coggy scrutinized the distant vessels, "Who are they?" he called.
The lookout continued watching the ships for a moment before declaring, "OH NO!… THEY'RE PIRATE HUNTERS!"
"BATTLE STATIONS!" screamed Cog instantly, as the crew frantically prepared the ship.
Aboard his ship, Moose had also spotted the approaching Frigates.
"Dammit!… dats all we need,"
"Right, yew bunch 'o swabs… git ready fer action!" he called to his MooseMen.
Tews Man o War pulled away from the rear of the fleet and set an intercept course to the Pirate Hunters.
"What's Coggy doin'?" he called to his lookout.
"They's spotted 'em too, Sir. Looks like they's commin' about." he answered.
Aboard the Reaper, Coggy ordered a crewmember to signal Moose.
"Tell him ta contiune shadowin' Ol'Man… the Baron Boat's too sluggish in tha water ta 'elp us wit this fight"
Meanwhile, Ol'Man and Cyclone watched the three pirate ships prepare for action.
La Foot stood at the stern of the Grey Ghost and anxiously watched the ships break formation.
"They're gonna need our 'elp" he shouted.
But Ol'Man and Cyclone continued watching with evil smiles on their faces.
"OL'MAN, BRING US ABOUT - NOW!" shouted the Lieutenant.
"Listen 'ere, yew lilttle pox ridden curd," screamed Ol'Man, "We's not got tha crew ta man the cannons... so we's no use to yer snivelling mates - boy!" he replied.
Cyclone gave a broad grin, "Stinky, why don't yew jus' sit back 'n watch tha show"
The two swabs gave a sly laugh, and watched with interest as Tew's flagship came within range of her attackers.
Moose's ship continued shadowing the Grey Ghost, but the heavy burden of loot in her hold made the going slow.
"Those swines 'r pullin' away from us!" called the Baron Boat's lookout as he pointed to Ol'Mans' flagship.
Moose stood on the Bridge, but could do nothing.
Back aboard Grey Ghost, La Foot quickly made his way upto the Bridge to confront Ol'Man once more.
"Lookee 'ere yew blaggard, we's gotta stay wit tha others so tell yer men ta reef some sails so's Moose can catch up"
"Arrr shat yer trap, Boyo! I's Cap'n 'o this 'ere ship, 'n I seys we gits outta 'ere while we can" barked Ol'Man.
And with that, the first volley of cannon fire bellowed out as the Pirate Hunters opened up against Tew's Man o War.
The Admiral's ship took a hit on her starboard side, but continued turning parallel to the first Pirate Hunter.
"FIRE!" came Tews order, as the two ships came within range.
The Grim Reaper was now in position to take on the other attacker.
"Steady as she goes, lads," said Coggy as his ship turned to face it's foe broadside on.
"LET 'EM 'AVE IT!" he screamed - and the ship shuddered with 50 cannons bellowing out thick smoke, instantly followed by their first wave of cannon shot.
La Foot was remonstrating with the Ol'Git, "Slow tha ship down... NOW!" he pleaded.
But Ol'Man gave a nod to Cyclone who immediately made for the young Lieutenant - striking a vicious blow to his cheek, before following it up with a blow to his stomach.
La Foot stumbled to the floor, and Ol'Man watched with glee as his beloved wench went to work on the poor officer.
Coggy's guards, distracted by the ensuing battle 300 yards astern, where instantly pounced upon by Ol'Man's skeleton crew and hand-to-hand fighting broke out on deck.
Grim Reaper and Darkness continued to duel with the three Frigates, but Moose anxiously paced his deck wondering whether to turn about and try and help his mates - or continue trying to keep up with Ol'Man.
"Gawd Dammit!" he screamed to himself, "We's gotta go back - we's gotta give 'em a hand" he announced.
"But Sir, we're too heavy ta be much use" came an officers anxious reply.
"BRING US ABOUT!" ordered the irate Moose.
Ol'Man, Cyclone, and their crew wasted no time in overpowering the pirate guards and quickly began to throw the dead and injured overboard.
"Tie that bugger up," growled Cyclone, as a crewman dragged La Foot's battered and unconscious body toward the main mast.
"I want's ta 'ave a bit 'o fun wit that'n when 'e wakes up" added Ol'Man with a grin, "'I'm gonna use 'im fer shark bait" he laughed.
The battle was well underway when Moose's Baron Boat entered the melee.
"Right, we can't out manoeuvre 'em but we sure as 'ell can make 'em eat some lead" called Moose as the crew prepared the cannons.
Tew's ship was caught in between two attackers who blasted the Man 'o War with two 100-gun broadsides.
The poor ship took massive damage and many crew where killed as timber, canvass, and rigging was blown apart.
The Admiral suffered several injuries but managed to wipe the blood from his face as he watched the panicking crew douse the flames.
Grim Reaper was also taking damage, but the hardy vessel had managed to take out most of her targets' sails.
Quinn, Morgan, and Davey Jones took up firing positions with their muskets as the Sloop unleashed another volley of double shot into the heart of her enemy.
"WE'VE HOLED HER!" screamed the lookout in delight.
"RIGHT, YEW BUNCH 'O SCRUVY SCAGGS - GIT US OVER THAR 'N KILL 'EM ALL!" screamed Coggy as his crew of murderous Cutthroats readied for boarding.
Meanwhile, the Baron Boat fired another round into one of Tews attackers, but the Pirate Hunter easily out-manoeuvred Moose's heavy ship and readied her 100-guns for a deadly broadside of her own.
Moose's crew tried in vain to swing the ship around and hit her attacker with another strike, but the enemy ship instantly returned fire and hit the Baron Boat in the heart - blowing the deck apart and damaging her sails.
Tew's ship had lost a mast but had managed to cripple one of the Frigates. She was coming by for another pass as the Admiral looked towards the bow and watched with anger as Ol'Man's Grey Ghost made no attempt to come about.
"THAT FRIGGIN' YELLER BELLY LA FOOT HAS LEFT US IN THA MIRE!" he screamed.
Tew leaned over the damaged Bridge and ordered the men to hit her enemy with one last volley.
"MAKE IT A GOOD 'UN, LADS" he called, "'COS IT'S OUR LAST"
The Admiral was irate at seeing the Grey Ghost head away from the battle - he wanted a piece of the Ol'Man - badly, "We's goin' after tha Ol'Bastid... SO MOVE!" he hollered.
Meanwhile, back aboard the Ol'Gits flagship, La Foot was tied to the mast.
"Pssst, hey Lieutenant!" whispered one of the remaining wounded pirates.
La Foot opened his eyes a little and squinted as the man's hazy face came into focus.
"The Ol'Man is gonna cut yer gizzards out 'n feed 'em to tha gulls, Sir!... so I took it upon meself ta give yew a fighting chance…" said the wounded guard as he lay on the deck.
Glancing around him, he quickly untied the Lieutenant.
La Foot slumped to the deck as the guard passed out from his injuries.
"That swines loose!" called Cyclone.
"GIT HIM!" bellowed Ol'Man as they rushed towards La Foot.
La Foot staggered to his feet and made for the side of the ship - he looked into the evil eyes of the two approaching swabs and decided to take his chances with the sharks by toppling overboard!
Ol'Man 'n Cyclone leaned over the wooden rail and watched as the young Lieutenant was left to tread water in the wake of the ship.
By now, the Grim Reaper had collided with her stricken enemy and Coggy's men wasted no time in swarming aboard the Frigate. Outnumbered 2 to 1, the Cutthroats were making slow progress with their skirmish.
Coggy and his mates remained on the Bridge and began shooting at the Pirate Hunter's officers as they battled with the invaders.
Meanwhile, the Baron Boat was burning in the water and listing to her portside. The men below decks where losing the battle to plug the holes in her hull as water flooded the hold.
"We's had it Sir," called Moose's first mate with resignation in his voice, "We's gotta abandon her..."
Moose stood in silence and watched as his beloved ship slowly began to die around him.