Episode 14 - Green Eye's Luck Runs Out
The Grim Reaper and Baron Boat were making good progress in their journey to Curacao. Moose and Morgan had joined Coggy on the Bridge of the Sloop and the pirates whiled away the hours recounting their previous adventures and partaking in the odd card game.
NavyRum stood cleaning his pistol and watched as Davey Jones prised open a case of Jamaica's finest.
"Arrr, thar aint nottin' like tha smell 'o sea air 'n rum. How's bout we two sharin' a bottle 'o grog?" asked Jones - much to the Lieutenants agreement.
On the Bridge, Coggy reluctantly removed a small bag of coins from his jacket and hesitantly placed it into Morgan's outstretched hand.
"Thankyee kindly, Cap'n" said Morgan, with a broad grin.
"Yew know, Coggy. Yew should never play 'Enry at cards. Tha swindling Git is tha biggest cheat thar is" laughed Moose.
Henry quickly placed the coins in his pocket and continued to deal another hand of cards.
"Aye mate, that I am. But tha trick is ta catch me doin' it - else ye aint getting' a penny 'o it back!" he said, with another sly smile.
Just then, Captain Creed appeared from below deck and slowly made his way towards Davey Jones and NavyRum.
Morgan watched from the Bridge as the Frenchman began talking with the two men. Turning back to Cog he asked, "Hey Coggy, what did ye invite that thar French Git along wit us fer?"
Coggy turned and glanced over to their direction, "Well mate, tis like this… Cap'n Creed thar just so happens ta be chasin' a bounty placed on Tew's head by tha French Government. Creed told me he's been after tha Admiral fer nigh on two years." he explained.
Moose looked a little confused, "So what happens when we rendezvous wit tha Admiral in Curacao? We can do without those two sods startin' a war with each other." he said.
"Don't worry mate," replied Cog, "I told Creed ta leave Tew be until after our date with tha Treasure Fleet."
There were a few moments of silence as Moose thought for a while.
Morgan started to laugh, "Haaarrr, Coggy yew treacherous bugger! I see's what yer twisted mind is thinking!" he announced.
Coggy gave the two men a greedy grin, "Aye mate. When our lil' expedition is over, Creed is welcome to tha Admiral. All 'e wants is to deliver Tew's head to the French crown, and in return - we get ta keep the Admiral's share 'o tha Treasure Fleet loot!" he said, with a smile.
Near Tortuga...
Captain Green Eye's Brig had made good its escape from its run-in with the Insurrection but now faced another problem - namely the reception it would receive from the citizens of Tortuga.
"We don't have time ta repair tha hull - so we's gonna sail straight in 'n dock. We'll commandeer tha first ship we finds 'n get tha 'ell out before tha landlubbering bastids know what's hit 'em!" explained Green Eye to his crew.
The Brig headed for the east dock where several ships were being re-fitted after being damaged in the recent siege of the port.
In town, the Governor had been alerted to the Brigs approach and he'd hurriedly mustered a band of militia and irate townsfolk outside his mansion.
"Ok people. Looks like our old friends have taken it upon 'emselves ta re-visit our fair town. Let's give 'em a reception they never be fergetting!" called Governor Jon to an eager cheer from the gathering.
Along the coast, several miles to the west, the Insurrection had resumed its course back along the southern coast of Tortuga Island and was making good progress towards the pirate stronghold.
The ship's surgeon had managed to keep Greenbeard alive despite his injuries, and the crew had also rescued Lieutenant Excaliber from the sharks. However, Excaliber's lone surviving crewman had perished in his ill-fated attempt to reach the rowboat.
Admiral Tew stood talking to Mako, "How much are tha swabs worth?" he asked.
"Fifty thousand each." replied Mako.
"Arrr, tis a pity we can only claim on these two buggers. Maybe one day we'll cash in on Green Eye too if'n our paths should ever cross again" said Tew as he watched his men tie Excaliber and Greenbeard to the mast.
"What ye gonna do wit Cap'n Red?" asked Mako.
Tew scratched his chin, "Hmmm, tha swabs got balls - I'll give 'im dat. But Iggy won't be too pleased if'n I invites one 'o Greenbeard's mates along wit us to Puerto Bello" he said.
"Just throw tha bastid overboard, Tew. He don't have no bounty on 'is worthless head so what use is 'e ta us?" replied Mako.
"Nah, he can join his mates as guest 'o honour in Tortuga prison. Maybe Gov'nor Jon will pay us a token bounty fer 'is scrawny hide" replied Tew.
Meanwhile...
Back on Coggy's Grim Reaper, Captain Creed stood talking with Davey Jones and NavyRum.
"So Creed, tell us about these Sisterhood hags that sunk yer lil' ship" said Jones, with a sly grin.
Creed still felt uneasy at the ridicule he'd endured from the crew. The embarrassment of loosing his vessel to a bunch of female pirates had dented his French pride.
"I wish not to discuss the matter further. Your Captain knows all the details." he replied.
NavyRum passed the Frenchman a bottle of rum, "'Ere mate, have yerself a sip 'o this. Many a fella has drowned 'is sorrows in a bottle 'o grog - maybe it'll make yew feel better" he said, before adding laughingly, "I still can't believe ye got licked by a bunch 'o whores though!"
Creed took the bottle and gave NavyRum a menacing glance, "Now now Sir, that's no way to talk about your mother!" he said, sarcastically.
NavyRum returned Creeds menacing stare before Davey Jones intervened and suggested joining the others in a game of cards.
Back in Tortuga, the SplitTail had finished docking and Green Eye's crew wasted no time in disembarking their battered ship, before quickly securing the dock and preventing sailors and townsfolk from going about their daily business.
"What in Neptune's sake do you think you are doing?" asked an irate gentry man.
"Shut yer trap, landlubber" replied Green Eye's first mate.
More townsfolk approached the dock but were held back by lines of armed pirates.
"Stay back or we'll open fire!" called the officer.
Just then, Governor Jon and hoards of armed militia approached.
"Well, well, well! If'n it aint our long lost mate, Cap'n Green Eye 'n his motley bunch 'o treacherous bastids" shouted Jon. "What brings ya back 'ere so soon?" he added, sarcastically.
Green Eye made his way though his men towards the line of townsfolk that were surrounding the dock.
"We don't want anymore trouble, Jon. We're just trading me fine ship fer one that's more sea-worthy 'n we'll be on our merry way" called Green Eye, trying to calm the situation.
"'Fraid not, matey. Yew aint goin' nowhere..." replied the Governor as he motioned towards the surrounding buildings.
Green Eye and his crew watched on in stunned silence as thirty musket-laden citizens appeared at the windows and began pointing their weapons at the pirates.
"Drop yer swords 'n surrender yer scurvy hides. Else we'll be forced ta paint dis dock red wit yer filthy blood" barked Jon - much to the amusement of the townsfolk.
Just then, Green Eye's lookout, who was making his way out of the Brigs crows nest, called down to his Captain, "Sir! the warship is 'ere!"
Green Eye looked over to the harbour entrance and watched as the Insurrection came about and headed into the bay.
"Well, dats dat. We's finished, Cap'n" remarked Green Eye's first mate with resignation in his voice. He then proceeded to remove his pistols and sword, and dropped them onto the deck.
One by one, Green Eye's crew followed suit and began dropping their weapons. A hearty cheer spread throughout the dock as Governor Jon's armed militia made their way through the crowds and began arresting the pirates.