Episode 20 - Davey Gives Up the Grog!
Aboard the Armistad, Coggy and Annabelle stood on the Bridge as they watched the last glimmer of sunlight set below the distant horizon.
Cog had managed to gather some information from his prisoner, but the woman had refused to divulge the strengths and weaknesses of the Sisterhood fleet.
"I don't know why yer being so unreasonable. From what ye says, yew aint part 'o the Sisterhood Alliance no more so why are ye protecting 'em?… and why are ye in these 'ere waters?" asked Cog, with growing impatience.
Annabelle replied with a calmness that unsettled the pirate, "Captain Cognito… I may not sail with my fellow sisters no more, but I'm no traitor. You'll have to find the information you seek, for yourself. As for my reasons for being in these waters, well Sir, that be my business - and not yours!"
Cog grew more inpatient at the woman's stubbornness, "Do you even care bout yer sorry crew? Me men would take great pleasure in 'persuading' 'em ta talk - before we hangs each 'n every one 'o 'em from tha yard arm of this very ship" he said, menacingly.
But the woman remained silent - showing no undue concern.
Coggy thought for a few minutes as he watched the sun disappear over the horizon.
"What would ye say if'n I surrendered this here ship of yers back to yer crew 'n allowed 'em ta leave unharmed?" he said, trying a new approach.
Annabelle looked intrigued before reading Cogs intent, "I take it that you're giving me the option of betraying the Sisterhood of Pirates in exchange for sparring my ship and crew?"
"That's about it" replied Cog, with a sly grin.
Annabelle remained silent for several moments - before finally showing the first glimmer of emotion.
"Yer a bastid!" she finally said, with resignation in her voice.
Early the next morning...
NavyRum had volunteered to lead a small band of Cutthroats across the island to spy on the Sisterhood stronghold from atop a hill overlooking the harbor. Within two hours, a couple of the men had returned to the beach where the main band of pirates had been busily getting the cannons and ammunition ashore.
"Cap'n, Cap'n" called one of the men as he ran along the shore towards Cog. "Lieutenant NavyRum ordered me ta report back 'ere… he seys the wench Annabelle has lied to ye about the hags' fleet strength." added the pirate as he gasped for breath.
Coggy looked a tad angry, "What says he, lad? How many 'r in port 'n how's tha town look?" he asked.
"Sir, we counted only nine ships riding anchor in dock, 'n two more be sailing inta port as we speak. Brigs mostly, but thar's a couple 'o Pinnaces 'n a Sloop too," replied the man, before adding, "as fer tha town itself, well thar's hardly a soul in sight… we reckons tha locals 'r still yet to awake"
"Arrr, so the hag tried ta fool me, eh?" said Cog to himself, "No more dan a dozen ships, ye say? Tha blimmy wench said thar was nigh on thirty!"
The Captain scratched his head and remained in deep thought for a moment before turning back to the scout, "Right, get back to tha good Lieutenant 'n tell him ta hold his position. We'll be ready ta move within tha hour" replied Cog.
The pirate gave his Captain a salute and made his way back along the beach while Coggy jumped into the Reapers open launch and ordered a couple of oarsman to take him over to the Baron Boat.
Thirty minutes later...
A bleary-eyed Henry Morgan stumbled out of his cabin and made his way into the Baron Boats galley.
Coggy and Moose were already seated at a large wooden table in the centre of the galley and were finishing off the breakfast the ships cook had prepared earlier.
"Arrr, Henry ye lazy bugger ye!" laughed Moose at the sight of the half-asleep pirate.
Morgan rubbed his eyes and slumped down next to his mates, "Lads, I just 'ad me tha weirdest 'o dreams!" he said, before grabbing a few slices of bread from Coggy's plate.
"I dreamt the impending battle didn't go how we would 'o liked… and we all got captured by the Sisterhood." he added - before biting into the grub and gulping down Moose's wine.
"Ye shouldn't mention such things, mate. Tis bad luck I tells ye!" replied Cog.
But Morgan continued recounting his dream, "Nay mate, bad luck it weren't!.. fer the hags treat us like kings, they did! Made us more 'n welcome, they did!"
Morgan proceeded to loot his shipmates' breakfast plates and continued recounting his dream, "Each of us had nay less than six blimmy hags ta pander to our every whim 'n desire"
He then gulped down the remainder of Moose's wine in one go, wiped his lips, and gave a long deep belch, before getting up and heading back into his cabin to freshen up.
Cog and Moose watched in silence as their mate exited the galley.
Turning back to their empty breakfast bowls and tankards, Cog remarked, "Do ye tink that Git spun us a yarn just ta steal our grub?"
Moose scratched his head and nodded as the two pirates finished off what little scraps Morgan had left.
"Anyhow, Moose, I got word from one 'o dem scouts we sent out earlier dat tha hag, Annabelle, has tried ta fool us!" explained Cog. "'Appen the port aint swarming wit ships after all. Only a dozen 'e reckons"
"Well mate, in hindsight I tink tis a wise decision attack'n 'em by land anyhow. Even Twelve ships against da Baron Boat 'n Reaper would be cutting it fine." replied Moose, with a touch of concern.
"Aye, even ships sailed by wenches could give us trouble we can ill-afford." replied the equally concerned Cog. "Anyhow, I'm heading over to the Armistad in a moment ta have me a word 'o two wit dat lying wench, Annabelle. I don't like being misinformed especially by some blimmy woman!"
Moose stood up from the table, "I'll go ashore 'n finish preparing the men… we'll be up 'n ready within da hour."
"Tell the men we aint up against such a formidable force as we were led ta believe!" said Cog, before adding, "But dat don't mean we can take it easy on 'em!"
Back on the beach...
Davey Jones donned his best navy-blue tunic and tricone hat as he overlooked the pirates hoarding the last of the munitions ashore. The buccaneer jumped atop a couple of barrels and cleared his throat
"Lads, ye may be wondering while ol' Davey aint been seen wit a bottle in me hand fer these two days past." called Jones to a group of gathered marines.
"Tis like this mateys," he continued, "I once paid a visit to this 'ere island wit me mates… Aye lads, we was off adventuring, we was - looking fer a treacherous Ol'Bastid 'n a hoard 'o gold tha likes 'o which ye can only dream of…"
The onlookers continued to listen to Davey's yarn with great interest. Indeed, the small gathering of men soon grew as more and more Cutthroats stopped what they were doing and gathered around the wily old sailor.
They'd heard of the Pirates' former journeys with his mates, and to listen to the story first hand from one that was actually there, filled them with glee. Most had only heard the story told in taverns by drunken old fools who sang shanties of the time when a bunch of pirates plundered Cartagena and chased the tax-collecting Ol'Man to perdition's edge.
Davey Jones continued recounting his yarn, "Well, me hearties, I won't go inta great detail o' what 'appened when we sailed from this very place across da briny blue to the island 'o Treasure. But I'll tell ye this… if'n ol' Davey Jones had stayed sober on that fateful morning, me shipmates 'n I may may have returned ta Tortuga in one piece… and richer dan the King 'o Spain!"
He then removed his hat, as if to show a sign of respect to his fallen comrades, before continuing, "Anyhow, thar's a grand saying dat 'Old Cutthroats Never Die' and never a truer word has been spoken, lads! Fer the good officers aboard that thar boat 'r living proof 'o dat!" said Jones as he pointed to the approaching rowboat containing Moose and Morgan.
The pirate replaced his hat, and continued with an increasingly forceful tone, "So yer all wonderin', 'Why has ol' Davey given up the grog?' Well lads, tis like this" he said, "Only a fool don't learn from his mistakes, and as Neptune is me witness on this very beach, I'll tell all gathered 'ere on this bright October morning, dat I, Cap'n Dave E. Jones, shall not touch 'nother drop 'o devils ale as long as thar's breath within me!"
The pirate finished his speech, stepped down from the barrels, and wandered along the sands to greet Moose and Morgan who were disembarking the open launch.
"That buggers as drunk as a skunk!" remarked one of the gathered men as they all looked on in bewilderment.
One hour later...
Moose was briefing his fellow officers and the Cutthroats on shore about the strength of the Sisterhood fleet in port. "Lads, we reckon thar's only bout twelve 'r thirteen ships in port. We're not sure how many belong to the wenches, but we's surmising that they all fly da Sisterhood flag." explained the Captain, before adding, "Anyhow, with the amount 'o Brigs dat'r present, we tink we're up against no more than six score 'o hags in tha town itself… unless'n 'o course they likes ta sleep aboard thar lil' boats whilst in port."
Morgan stepped forth and continued with the briefing, "Cap'n Cognito is gonna sail aboard the Armistad around to the narrow harbor entrance 'n scuttle the boat - thus preventing any surviving ships from pursuing us when we make good our escape."
"Arrrr Arrrr" came the chorus of approval from the gathered Cutthroats.
Morgan continued, "Davey Jones will take thirty bastids 'n link up wit NavyRum to the north… I'll take a dozen wit me 'n position meself to da southeast, while tha good Cap'n Moose 'ere, will take tha remainder 'n march directly across to the town."
Davey came forward, "What 'bout dem buggers?" he asked as he motioned towards the twenty or so prisoners from the Armistad still tied up on the beach.
"Cog said he wants 'em ta remain here till we gets back He's got something planned fer 'em!" replied Morgan, before adding "We'll leave four men ta guard 'em"
Moose proceeded to break open a wooden casket housing the muskets and began handing them to his men. "Ok lads, once ye see da Armistad ablaze at the harbour entrance - that'll be yer signal ta go in wit all guns blazing!" he explained, before adding, "And remember - we's here ta put the Sisterhood out 'o action! NOT ta take da town… cuz we has bigger fish ta catch!"
"Aye, Aye Sir!" came the gleeful response from the men.
"And what did I say bout me good wife?" added Moose.
"We're ta leave her be!" replied an eager pirate.
"And as NavyRum said - keep yer filthy paws of his dear ol' mom! Kathryn be her name 'n she may still reside in tha Gov'nors mansion." laughed Morgan.
The gathered men soon divided into their various groups. Within minutes, the eager swabs had begun their short march along the beach and up into the jungle towards the sleeping town of Santa Catalina.