Episode 11 - The Capture of Iguana Jack: Part Two
Two days later - early September, 1643...
Admiral Tew's Frigate approached the pirate stronghold of Tortuga. The town itself was only a few hours sailing to the east now and the Admiral was looking forward to meeting up with his mates Iguana Jack and Captain Mako again.
The disappointment of being let down by Captain Red's claims was now beginning to fade. All that Tew wanted now was to get back on schedule for his date with the Treasure Fleet.
Besides, one consolation to come out of the last few days wasted journey was the fact that Captain Red Chaos was still alive, and still tied to the Insurrections main mast.
"Aint yew dead yet?" laughed the Admiral as he slowly taunted his weak and battered prisoner.
"Waaater" mumbled Red, as he tried to open his eyes. "Waaater....... I needs water..." he groaned.
The blazing sun had been unkind to the poor swab and blisters covered his beaten face.
"Awww, aint me crew been tending' to ye?" laughed Tew again as he walked around the mast and ordered one of his men over.
"Give this poor swab a drink - he be a bit worse fer wear" he said, with a wry grin.
In Tortuga, Greenbeard had his own prisoner - Iguana Jack.
"Tas been a l-o-n-g time but I knew I'd finally meet up wit yer vile carcass one day, Jack" he called as he walked down the wooden steps and into the hold of his ship.
Iguana Jack and Mako were showing the effects of being tied to a bench and gagged for the last day and a half.
"Remove that" ordered Greenbeard to one of the guards, who quickly loosened the gags.
Iggy slowly lifted his head and looked Greenbeard straight in the eye.
"Better kill us now, you treacherous bastid. 'Cos if'n we ever gets outta 'ere, yee'll wish yee'd never been born..." he said angrily, as he mustered all his remaining strength.
Greenbeard stood leering over the two men, "Don't worry mate, yee'll meet yer maker all in good time… But first we's gonna have a lil' fun wit thee!" he said as he motioned the guards to lead the prisoners back up to the deck.
Meanwhile, in the Spanish town of Margarita...
Coggy's Sloop and Moose's Brig had switched to flying Spanish colours as they docked close to the harbour entrance.
"Remember - I's wantin' ta be in 'n out of here within tha hour. We don't want any trouble so lets get what provisions we need 'n be on our way." explained Cog to NavyRum as the Lieutenant prepared to head into town with a couple of men.
"Aye, Cap'n. Don't ye worry, I'll keep a low profile 'n speak with me bestest Spanish accent!" replied NavyRum as disembarked.
Inside the surgeons cabin, the French Captain was slowly recovering from his recent injuries. He was still lapsing in and out of consciousness, but Davey Jones had stayed with him, keeping a vigil throughout the night.
Coggy entered and asked, "Davey, what 'r ye still 'ere fer?"
"I's waitin' for tha swab ta finally wake up - I wants a word wit tha garlic eatin' thief" replied Jones.
"What's he ta yew?" asked Cog, before adding, "I wus plannin' on dumping tha blaggard overboard once I finds out what happened to him"
"Don't worry Coggy, 'E aint no friend 'o mine. 'Appen tha bastid stole something close to me heart once - and I wants it back!" replied Davey, with a touch of anger.
Cog looked puzzled before realising what Davey was talking about "Hey! - aint this tha bugger dat ran off wit yer missus in St. Augustine?" he asked.
"'E's tha one 'awrite. But it aint me wench I'm talkin' about" replied Davey, as Captain Creed opened his eyes and slowly sat up.
Davey Jones leaned menacingly over the bed, looked into Creed's face, and asked, "Oi! Yew friggin' theiv'n French Git! Whar's me bleedin' Parrot?"
In Tortuga...
Captain Green Eye and Lieutenant Excaliber made their way aboard Greenbeard's ship. Both men were angry.
"What's wrong wit yew two?" asked Greenbeard.
"That friggin' shipwright refuses ta repair me sail" replied Excaliber.
"Aye, tha bastids in town say we aint welcome no more 'n should leave this very day" added a disgruntled Green Eye.
Iguana Jack and Captain Mako stood to one side.
"Haaarrrr, looks like yew bunch 'o traitors have got yersleves inta a fine mess!" laughed Iggy.
Greenbeard gave his prisoner a menacing scowl. Turning back to his cousin, he said, "Mate, we've got what we wanted so we'll sail to Eleuthera 'n get tha repairs we need thar."
Excaliber walked over to the Iguana Jack and Mako, "So now that we has 'em, what we gonna do with 'em?" he asked.
Greenbeard and Green Eye gave an evil grin to one another.
Meanwhile...
Back in Margarita, Captain Creed was making a good recovery. Cog handed his guest a tankard of rum.
"Merci" said Creed as he took a swig.
"Oi, English only, pal. I'll have none 'o yer poncey vile language on my ship" growled Coggy.
Creed took another swig, and nodded.
"Now matey, just what did happen to yer sorry boat out thar?" asked Cog, inquisitively.
Creed began to explain but a loud knock on the cabin door interrupted.
"Who da 'ells that?" barked the irritated Cog.
One of Coggy's officers entered, "Sir, one 'o the men ye sent wit NavyRum has returned - he's got some interesting news fer ye!" he announced.
Coggy stood up and made for the door, "Creed, yew stay 'ere fer a moment. I's wantin' ta finish our lil' chat" he said, before leaving.
On the deck, an anxious looking pirate met the Captain. "Sir, Lieutenant NavyRum sent me back 'ere. 'Appen we spotted one 'o them Sisterhood hags in town. Looked like she wus recruiting' a bunch 'o wimmin' and thar be nigh on twenty 'o tha wenches all mustered fer some sort 'o roll call" explained the sailor.
Coggy looked concerned, "Arrgghh - dats all we need!" he replied, before removing his spyglass and examining the distant ships berthed along the dock.
"What's NavyRum doin' bout it?" he asked.
"E's keepin' an eye on 'em fer now, Sir. Told me ta report back 'ere 'n wait fer further orders" replied the pirate.
Coggy replaced his spyglass. "Ok, get back on over thar 'n inform tha Lieutenant ta stick wit 'em fer now. Tell him ta keep 'is distance though! I don't want them thar hags ta be aware of our presence."
Back in Tortuga, Governor Jon had demanded to see Greenbeard and he was sat in a rowboat tied to the vessels port side awaiting the Captain's permission to come aboard.
"Sir, that fat bastid Gov'nor wants ta see ye again" explained an officer.
"Aww fer Neptune's sake, what tha 'ell does 'e want now?" asked Greenbeard.
A few moments later Governor Jon stood on the deck.
"Ok Gov, yee've go two minutes, then I wants ye off me ship" explained the irritated Captain.
"Tis ok, I aint plannin' on stayin' that long anyhow," replied Jon, "I came 'ere ta inform ye that tha townsfolk want yew outta this place by sunset. If'n ye don't comply, we'll be doubling the handsome bounties already placed on yer scurvy heads"
"Don't worry Gov'nor. We're shippin' out within the hour. I got what I came fer..." replied Greenbeard as he motioned towards his prisoners.
Jon walked over to the two men, who were tied together, back to back.
"Are yew sure these two buggers were worth all the trouble? What are they ta yew, anyhow?" he asked, as he scratched his head and wondered what would drive a pirate to attack Tortuga.
Before Greenbeard could answer, Iggy turned to the Governor and replied.
"Gov'nor, it just so happens that Greeny 'ere thought he wus a fine Cap'n. And tha silly Git led an ill-fated attack on a Spanish town a while back."
"Shut yer trap, yew swabbey!" snapped Greenbeard as he quickly made his way over and drew his cutlass.
But Iggy hadn't finished, "Needless ta say, tha yeller bastid bailed on a bunch of his mates and they ended up in tha locker. Me brother wus one 'o 'em"
Greenbeard rushed at Iggy and put his blade against his throat, "I'm warnin' yew. One more word and I'll run ya through!" he growled.
Mako broke his silence, "It be true, Gov'nor. This filthy Git is tha sorriest sailor thar is..."
In his rage, Greenbeard turned and sliced Mako across the cheek! The prisoner flinched for a moment, before gathering his composure and spitting in Greenbeard's face!
"STOP THIS!" ordered Governor Jon, "As long as I'm Governor of this town, thar'll be no more killing. Lest ye ferget, ye are ALL pirates 'ere and it aint right doin' these heinous deeds in this of all places."
Greenbeard calmed a little and slowly wiped the blood from his sword before replacing it in its sheath.
Turning back to the Governor he said, "What Iggy aint mentioned yet, wus tha fact that this inept sod has been huntin' me fer nigh on five years, not realising that tha swab 'e should be after is a certain Cap'n Conrad. It seems Iguana Jack don't care who pays fer 'is kin folks demise - 'e jus' wants revenge..."
Iggy butted in, "Ya coward! - blamin' someone else aint gonna save ye from me sword if'n I ever gets outta 'ere..."
The Governor shook his head, and said, "I don't care what yer lil' squabble be about - but listen 'ere, Greenbeard, you can be sure that if I hadn't took that post as Governor and had still been a brethren pirate - YOU - my fool hardy friend would be tasting my blade fer what yew did yesterday! - NOW GET OUTTA MY TOWN BEFORE YE FEELS ME WRATH!"
In Margarita harbour...
Coggy had gathered a dozen men together. The pirates headed for the main dock via the Grim Reapers open launch and within ten minutes they'd secured the boat and quickly disembarked onto the dockside.
NavyRum approached and met the Captain, "Coggy, the wenches be over at the shipwrights. From what I heard, thar be one 'o them Sisterhood hags 'ere." explained the Lieutenant.
"I wonder if'n it be Moose's wench?" replied Cog as he scratched his head and scanned the many faces of the townsfolk.
"Ney Sir, tis not Moose Lady. I overheard one 'o tha women mention tha name 'Cap'n Maggie'. From what I's gathered, she be one mean sea-hag and thar's a rumour she seen action on tha high-seas jus' recently. This 'ere town be buzzing with tha news" explained NavyRum.
Coggy continued to examine the passing townsfolk, "Ok Lieutenant, finish off getting them thar provisions we needs. I's gonna go 'n have me a chat wit this Cap'n Maggie!" he said.
Meanwhile, later that afternoon, Greenbeard's ship, followed by Captain Green Eye and Excaliber's Pinnace, slowly sailed out of Tortuga harbour and headed west along the coast.
Several miles ahead, the Frigate Insurrection made it's way ever forward - towards the pirate stronghold and the departing ships!