Episode 16 - Davey's Duel
In a Curacao tavern, an anxious looking NavyRum pushed his way through the packed room looking for his mate.
"COGGY! - ye better come quick! We's got trouble!" he shouted.
Coggy stood up and gulped down the last of his rum before quickly following his mate out of the tavern and along the dock.
Near the barracks, a large group of pirates and Dutch redcoats were having a heated discussion. The two men approached and noticed the commotion seemed to be centred on Davey Jones.
Morgan met Cog and NavyRum and began to explain, "Arrr, Cogs. It seems as though ol' Davey 'as gotten 'imself inta a lil' bother!"
Coggy pushed his way through the line of Dutch soldiers and into the centre of the group.
"Bleedin' 'ell, Davey! What ye been up to now?" he asked, as he watched a Dutch officer lock Jones' hands in irons.
"Arrrrggg, Cogz <hic> Deeez foreign vermin az accused me goodzelf 'o bein' drunk 'n dizordely! <hic>" gurgled Davey.
The Dutch officer turned to Coggy and asked, "Is this one of your crew, Captain?"
Coggy nodded as Morgan and NavyRum approached.
"Well Sir, your shipmate has got himself into a serious dilemma!" explained the officer.
"Just what tha 'ells goin' on?" barked Cog.
"Your friend has insulted one of our fine citizens - a gentry tavern keeper by the name of Mr. Myrehn" replied the Dutchman.
"Fer christzake, allz I zed wus tha poncey Dutch Git's ale 'ouse sold tha vilest grog i'z ever 'ad. Twaz cheap Mexican pizzwater, Cogz" mumbled Davey, in disgust.
The officer ordered a couple of his soldiers to take custody of their prisoner. Turning to Davey, he said, "You insulted the man's honour, Sir. And for that, he has issued a duel to the death!"
Coggy looked concerned, "Arrr, mate, I's mighty sorry 'bout me shipmates behaviour. If'n ye kindly removes them thar irons - I'll make sure tha blaggard don't go upsettin' anymore 'o yer fine townsfolk" he replied, trying to diffuse the situation. He then motioned for Morgan and NavyRum to escort Davey back to the ship.
"Not so fast!" called the officer, "I'm afraid Mr. Jones isn't going anywhere with you!"
The Dutch redcoats proceeded to disperse some of the crowd and escorted Davey towards the town square where groups of spectators were eagerly gathering.
Coggy, Morgan, and NavyRum looked on as their mate was unceremoniously led away.
Turning back to the Dutch officer, Cog tried to reason with him again, "Lad, I knows yew has yer duty to attend to, but how's bout me goodself donatin' a few pieces 'o eight to yer towns collection box? All I asks in return is ta hand ol' Davey, thar, back over ta me" he said.
"I'm sorry Captain - but we have a tradition in these parts, and the said duel must be seen to its conclusion" explained the officer.
"Ok ok, just point me in tha direction 'o dis Myrehn bastid - I'll sort it out wit 'im" replied the irritated Coggy.
"He's gone to fetch his pistol. If I were you, I'd go and prepare your man. Mr. Myrehn just happens to be a veteran at these sort of things and the duel is set for noon today!" replied the officer has he left the pirates and headed over to the gathered on-lookers.
"Bleedin' 'ell Cog! Poor ol' Davey's 'ad it! Tha darn fool 'as drunk 'imself inta an early grave this time!" replied the concerned Henry Morgan.
"We better get on over thar 'n sober him up" added NavyRum, as the pirates followed the others towards the town square.
Back in Tortuga Prison...
Captain Red Chaos sat talking with Blackhawk. The two pirates stayed clear of the others and tried to keep their conversation private.
"Blackhawk, I hears ye be set free soon" whispered Red.
"Aye, tis true. Me sentence be served by tha end 'o dis 'ere month." replied the pirate.
"Arrr, well Blacky, as yew know, I aint too popular wit me former shipmates at tha moment 'n thars a good chance I could meet wit a nasty accident in this 'ere prison" explained Red as he constantly glanced across to the sleeping Greenbeard and Green Eye. "And if'n those buggers don't get me, It jus' so 'appens the bleedin' landlubbers in this town 'r gonna be givin' me goodself tha cat 'o nine tails soon. Then tha Gits 'r gonna leave me ta rot in dis 'ell hole fer nigh on five friggin' yars" whispered the concerned Red.
"I don't understand, why has yer mates got it in fer ye?" asked Blackhawk as he listened to his fellow inmates woes.
Red continued to glance across to the others to make sure no one was listening, "Tis a long story mate, but 'appen they accuse me 'o selling 'em out to tha Dark Water Alliance… Anyhow, I've got a lil' proposition fer ye - if'n yer interested" he said.
Blackhawk scratched his scurvy head. "How much is it worth to me?" he asked, as he listened on with growing interest.
Meanwhile, in the town square of Curacao...
Coggy and Morgan stood holding Davey Jones up as a soldier removed his hand irons.
The drunken pirate found it difficult to stand and the pistol NavyRum had loaned him kept slipping out of his hand.
"Fer Neptune's sake, Davey! If'n ye don't snap out of it - yer gonna be eatin' a pistol ball in a minute!" whispered Cog, as he desperately tried to sober his mate up.
"Don't ye worry tharz Cog.... <hic> 'Appen me old mate Quinny taught me a ting 'o two <hic> wit a piztol... <hic> <burp>" gurgled Jones as tried to reassure his mates.
Morgan just looked as Cog and shook his head.
At the far end of the town square, a well-dressed gentry man approached, flanked by a couple of distinguished companions.
"Looks like yer duellin' partner has arrived" said NavyRum as the cheering crowd greeted the three gentlemen.
"Come on Davey - sober up mate, times runnin' out, tis almost noon!" said Coggy as he tried to shake some life into his mate.
"Arrggh, <hic> <hic> I'll be juzt fine, Cogz. Go get me a bottle 'o grog - I needz ta settle me nervez... <hic>" replied the drunken slob.
One of Myrehn's companions approached, "Well Sirs. I am acting as Mr. Myrehn's second. Who shall second for this man?" he asked, as he pointed to Davey.
"Hold on a minute, Mister. Can't ye see our mate 'ere aint in no fit state ta go pistol shootin'" explained Cog.
"Sir, the man insulted my friend. He is nothing but a filthy pirate. For his vile manners, Mr. Myrehn is going to teach him a lesson. Tis not our fault the scumbag is a drunkard." replied the man.
Coggy was itching to draw his own pistol and shove it down the ponces throat, but he knew the pirates had to stay civil. They could ill-afford any trouble in Curacao - especially with so many Dutch redcoats milling about the place.
"What kind of a coward is yer mate? Don't 'e know ol' Davey 'ere can't even stand, let alone hold a pistol in 'is pox-ridden 'ands?" barked Morgan.
"The drunken fool has no one to blame but himself..." replied the man, before adding, "If he forfeits the duel, he shall hang for cowardice... The choice is his - either he dies like a man on his feet, or like a coward from the gallows"
Davey stumbled forward a little, "Who yew callin' a coward? <hic> Yew friggin' landlubberin' Git - I'll cutz ye in arf wit Mooze'z ruztiest cutlazz.... <hic>" he defiantly mumbled.
The man looked at Davey with disdain, "Sir, the duel is set for noon. You have five minutes left." he said, before turning about and heading back over to the others.
Meanwhile, in the prison of Tortuga, Red Chaos and Blackhawk continued with their conversation. Cautiously looking over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening, Red began to whisper the details of what he had learned whilst being held captive on Tew's ship; "It jus' so 'appens I know thars gonna be a something big 'appening over in Puerto Bello. I heard from a reliable source 'o mine dat Admiral Tew 'n his cronies have joined forces wit dat Cognito Git and tha swabs 'r headin' down to tha Spanish Main fer a major loot-fest in November!"
Blackhawk continued to grow more interested, "Hmmm, so what's this gotta do wit me?" he asked, as he continued to scratch his lice infested head.
"Well mate, since ye be a free Blackbird soon, I wus wonderin' if'n yee'd come back 'n break me outta dis joint! I dinnae wanna miss that thar party." replied Red.
Blackhawk thought for a moment before asking a few more questions, "So what tha 'ells this Puerto Bello thing all about?"
Red looked around again to make sure the conversation remained secret, "Does tha words; Treasure 'n Fleet mean anything to ye?" he said, with a wry smile.
Blackhawk's eyes lit up as he too broke out into a broad grin.
Back in the town square of Curacao, Davey Jones stood back to back with Myrehn. Myrehn's second stood close by and announced the commencement of the duel, "Hear ye all gathered here... These two men shall each walk ten paces in the opposite direction. On reaching the tenth pace, each man shall turn - and proceed to discharge their weapon towards their opponent. The gentleman left standing shall be declared the winner." he called.
The pirates all stood and watched with deep concern. Their mates' demise was imminent but there was little they could do about it but hope for the best.
Within a few moments, Myrehn's second had retreated to the safety of the gathered crowd and the duel commenced.
Both men slowly walked apart as the witnesses watched in excited silence
After the third pace, Davey stumbled a little - much to the crowds' amusement. Gathering his composure again, the drunken pirate continued on.
Finally, after what had seemed an age the tenth pace arrived! Myrehn swiftly span around and lifted his pistol into the air - aiming it straight towards Davey's back - who for some reason was continuing to walk!
"Oi Davey, what ye doin'?" shouted Cog, as the drunken fool staggered on.
The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves and a confused looking Myrehn called across to his drunken foe, "I say, where on earth do you think you're going?"
"DAVEY!" shouted Morgan.
Jones stumbled again but managed to stay on his feet. Realising everyone was looking at him; he turned to face his mates. "Arrr, <hic> zorry ladz, 'appen I lost count fer a moment! <hic> 'Ave we started yet?" he called.
No sooner had he said it, than Myrehn fired his pistol... Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Coggy, Morgan, and NavyRum looked on in horror as the pistol ball struck its target - right in the heart! The crowd gasped, and the lingering gunpowder smoke slowly drifted overhead.
Davey flinched for a moment, and looked down at the smouldering hole in his jacket were the shot had hit him. But the drunken pirate remained standing - much to everyone's surprise - not least, Myrehn's.
The Dutchman stood and watched in stunned silence as his drunken opponent slowly lifted his pistol and pointed towards him.
Within a split-second, Davey had returned fire. Everyone watched in complete astonishment as Jones' shot whizzed through the air and with a dull crack - the pistol ball embedded itself into Myrehn's forehead - right between the eyes!
A wry smile spread across Coggy's face as he watched Myrehn's limp body slowly topple backwards.
After a few moments of deafly silence, the pirates quickly made their way over to their victorious mate and wasted no time in leading him away and back to the docks leaving the stunned townsfolk standing in complete silence as Myhren's companions rushed over to the corpse...
Meanwhile...
In their prison cell, Red Chaos and Blackhawk had come to a little arrangement. "Ok tis a deal... If'n I liberates yer sorry hide from this 'ere 'ell hole - I wants in on yer journey south" whispered Blackhawk.
Red smiled and offered the pirate his hand, "Deal matey. Jus' get me outta 'ere 'n I'll show yew more loot than ye can ever imagine!" he said.
Just then Lieutenant Excaliber and Undead Jack approached. "Oi, what yew two yakkin' 'bout?" asked Jack.
Blackhawk couldn't contain his excitement, "Matey, Cap'n Red 'ere knows tha whereabouts 'o da 'Mythical' Treasure Fleet!" he announced.
"SSSHHH!" called Red as he gave Blackhawk a menacing scowl, "Fer Neptune's sake, Blackhawk - Twas supposed ta be a secret!" he added, as the frustration within him grew.
"Calm down matey, calm down. Mebbe these two buggers wants in too!" replied Blackhawk as he motioned for Excaliber and Undead Jack to sit and join them.
"Bleedin' 'ell. Tha Treasure Fleet!" whispered Excaliber with excitement.
"Aye, but don't go blabbin' yer mouth off to those two buggers" explained Red as he motioned to the dozing Greenbeard and Captain Green Eye.
The prisoners continued talking for a while and began to make plans for their escape.
On the Curacao dockside...
Coggy and Morgan had hold of Davey Jones and were helping him up the gangway leading to the Grim Reaper.
"Told ye I wuz a good shot! <hic> I'z ok maties... don't ye worry bout ol' Davey Jonez <hic>" mumbled Davey, still oblivious to what had just occurred.
"Mate, tha blaggard shot ye - yer delirious!" called Morgan, anxiously.
"Lets get tha swine to tha surgeon, 'n be quick bout it!" barked Cog...
Davey struggled against his two mates and finally shrugged then off, "I'z ok I tellz ye! <hic>" he repeated.
The pirates looked on as Jones proceeded to open his jacket and remove a small tin hip flask from his inside pocket. "Dat friggin' Dutch Git az gone 'n dented me emergency suppliez! <hic>" he moaned, as he removed the flask of whiskey and examined it.
"HAAAARRRR! Davey lad! - yew friggin' lucky bastid!!!" laughed Cog as he noticed the pistol ball sized dent in Davey's flask!
Later that day...
The two pirate ships sailed out of Curacao harbour and turned west towards the Gulf of Venezuela.
Captain Creed remained in the town and spent his time in port recruiting a few hardy souls. He was able to persuade the Dutch authorities to loan him a small ship as he eagerly awaited the arrival of his long-time enemy, Admiral Tew. The Frenchman had high hopes of securing Tew's head and claiming a handsome bounty in doing so, but he was unaware of the Admiral's change of plan.
Meanwhile, Coggy and the others began their long haul to the Sisterhood Island of Santa Catalina, three weeks sailing to the west. It was now mid-September and the Grim Reaper and Baron Boat still had a date with the Treasure Fleet to keep in November...