Episode 34 - Spanish Allies
7th day of March, 1640.
Ol'Man stood and watched as the Spanish Galleon he'd spotted came about and head for his flagship. "Right, hoist tha flag 'o truce" he barked.
The Galleon, fresh out of the Spanish town of Puerto Bello, was on the prowl. Her orders where to track down and attack any ships matching the description of those that had destroyed Cartagena, several weeks previous.
Her Captain, Arturo Venganza, was one of Spain's finest. A veteran of naval warfare, he had recently been awarded the governorship of Sisal and the current mission he had undertaken would be the last of his long and distinguished career before taking up his new post.
Ol'Man's Grey Ghost gradually came to a halt and dropped anchor. The Galleon, with truce flag raised, was soon alongside his flagship and Venganza, along with some officers, quickly came aboard.
Back aboard the Grim Reaper, the pirates continued scanning the horizon - looking for a distant sail.
"We should 'ave caught up to 'em by now, Sir" said a concerned La Foot.
"Maybe tha swines 'ave drifted off course? They's only got a handful 'o crew. Sailing a ship dat size 'is 'ard enough with a full compliment" explained Moose.
The pirates continued their lookout with increasing unease at the thought of loosing the treasure.
On the Grey Ghost, Ol'Man had finished briefing the Spaniards about the last few weeks events.
"So, Cap'n, can yew spare me a few 'o yer men?" he asked.
"I can give you fifty sailors to help get your ship back into port, Captain," replied Venganza.
Ol'Man smiled.
"'Appen I's got a lil' proposition fer ye," he said, trying to provoke the interests of the Spaniards.
"What kind of proposition do you have in mind, Sir" asked the inquisitive Venganza.
Ol'Man put his arm around the shoulder of the Spaniard and walked to the bow of his ship explaining his plans.
"'Appen I knows tha whereabouts of a fortune in Dutch treasure, I's headed there now... but tha blaggards I told yew 'bout 'r not far behind me" explained the Ol'Git.
Venganza grew more and more interested.
"So, matey, how's 'bout yer goodself followin' me to the island where we'll split tha swag amongst ourselves 'n set a lil' trap for those scurvy bastids that took Cartagena? Yee'll get a fortune in gold and also complete yer mission all in one go" said Ol'Man with an evil glint in his eyes.
The two men talked for a while longer before shaking hands.
Meanwhile, Coggy and the pirates grew more restless. They'd expected to be on top of the Ol'Man by now, and murmurings amongst the crew began to grow...
"I don't understand it," said Tew as he scratched his head, "We should 'ave spotted 'em by now"
The Sloop continued on her course and a moderate breeze opened out the sails further, blowing the hardy ship even faster through the water.
"At least at this rate, we'll be off Belize within three days - we'll know then if'n tha Ol'Bugger made it or not" replied Moose, trying to keep the pirates' hopes alive.
Back aboard the Grey Ghost, Ol'Man took Cyclone to one side, "Tha buggers 'r gonna 'elp us in exchange fer a share 'o tha treasure" he said, with a grin.
"Can we trust 'em?" asked Cyclone in a hushed tone as groups of Spanish sailors joined Ol'Man's crew.
"Aye, lass, I tinks we can. It turns out that Cap'n Venganza was a distant cousin 'o me gov'nor mate from Cartagena. He wants to avenge his kin-folks death so Cognito's motley band are in fer a surprise!" replied Ol'Man gleefully.
A few minutes later the two ships where ready for departure.
Grey Ghost, with her full compliment of sailors, wasted no time in weighing anchor and resuming her course to the island, quickly followed by the Galleon.
Two days later...
Coggy and the pirates had now given up hope on catching the Grey Ghost. They concentrated their efforts on reaching the island as quickly as possible.
Grim Reaper was making good progress and it wasn't long before the hardy vessel reached the Gulf of Honduras.
"Right lads, tha island be no more than a few hours sailing to tha north," explained the excited Coggy, "…so we'll continue sailing down wind fer a while longer before swinging northwards towards Belize"
Tew and Moose looked on in anticipation.
"Me tinks it's time ta bring out tha rum," said Davey Jones as he placed a case of tha grog on the deck and eagerly prised it open.
"And I tinks it's time ta hoist me flag aloft again," added the smiling Quinn.
Back aboard the Grey Ghost, Ol'Man and Cyclone stood at the bow of their ship and watched in eager anticipation as the island they'd sought appeared on the horizon.
"Thar she be, me darlin'" laughed Ol'Man as he gleefully hugged his wench.
"We's gonna be rich!... and I's lookin' forward ta seeing Cognito's face when 'e realizes his precious hoard is safely in our hold" replied the gleeful Cyclone.
"Not only dat, me love, they's got a bleedin Spanish warship ready ta give 'em a nice warm welcome when they arrives" added Ol'Man, rubbing his hands with excitement.