Episode 22 - Pirate Raid: Part Two
Just as the last of Henry Morgan's stragglers had made it through to the clearing, a loud hideous shriek sounded that sent more birds skyward! To the north of the clearing a band of shadowy figures quickly approached the resting pirates and almost immediately more figures appeared from the south, east and west!
Morgan and his small band of men were completely surrounded by a group of local militia - or so it seemed. The pirates where outnumbered, two to one.
The Cutthroats had been caught cold. Barely any of them had bothered to load their pistols and muskets - preferring to await the order to attack the town before doing so.
"What tha 'ells this?" called out Morgan.
"Shut yer trap, yew miserable swab!" came the instant reply from one of the militia. "Drop yer weapons - before we drops yew!"
A few tense moments passed as the pirates, who by now had slowly backed away into the very centre of the Jungle clearing, finally realised their dilemma.
The militia slowly moved in on their foes - approaching from all sides and each with muskets raised and aimed at their soon to be prisoners.
"Thar Wimmin!!!" announced a startled marine as the sunlight finally broke through and began to light up the faces of the newcomers.
Just then, Trisha stepped forth. She had two loaded pistols already drawn and gingerly made her way towards Morgan. "I advise ye ta do as I say… else we'll paint the jungle red wit yer vile blood!" she said, menacingly.
Morgan's hand twitched against his sword. He pondered whether or not he could draw it and silence the hag before she could pull the triggers.
"Don't even think it - Mister!" came her instant reply as she watched the pirate intently.
After a few tense seconds, Morgan realised the game was up. "Arrr, missy. Thars no need ta be like dat!" he remarked.
"I told yew ta shut yer trap… AND drop yer weapons" barked the agitated wench once more.
Morgan had by now realized who the women were, "Damn bleedin' useless swabs! I knew I should 'o left more than four drunken buggers ta guard yew lot!" he moaned.
The Armistad's first mate moved closer to the pirate and raised her pistols higher before drawing back the hammers - leaving him no choice other than to gently undo the strap securing his sword and, very slowly, lifting it out of its sheath before lowering it to the floor. Morgan reluctantly motioned for his shipmates to do the same, "Better do as they seys, mates. 'Appen they's got us pinned"
The sound of metal against metal echoed around the clearing as piles of cutlasses and longswords fell upon the floor. Finally, the men withdrew their pistols and added them to the growing stockpile of weapons at their feet.
Meanwhile...
Back on the hill over-looking the town, NavyRum had joined Davey Jones and the group of pirates settled into the undergrowth awaiting the arrival of the Armistad.
The harbour was clearly visible from the pirates' viewpoint, but on both sides of the entrance, steep hills prevented them from witnessing the doomed Brigs approach.
Aboard the ship, Coggy and his handful of sailors had furled the sails and the vessel slowly drifted forward - towards its final anchorage.
The harbour entrance was a few hundred yards in width, however, on either side, shallow reefs and treacherous rocks gave it a false impression. The only safe passage into port was between the hidden reefs, and it was here that the Armistad was slowly drifting toward.
"Prepare ta drop anchor" called the Captain.
The men waited as the Brig finally reached a point where it could be scuttled - thus preventing any docked ships within the harbour from reaching the open sea.
"Right lads… ANCHOR AWEIGH!" he shouted.
The heavy iron anchor plunged beneath the surface towards its resting place on the bottom, and the ship drifted a few yards further, before the anchor chain became tort bringing the vessel to an abrupt halt.
Within moments, the sailors had lowered a rowboat.
Coggy, Annabelle, and six oarsmen clambered down the rope ladders and cast away - leaving two men aboard the Brig to light the magazine and swim ashore.
Cog glanced across to a small sandy cove, not far from the outskirts of the town, "Head fer that thar beach, 'n be quick about it!" he said, as the oarsmen furiously put some distance between themselves and the doomed ship.
By now, Captain Moose's main band of Cutthroats had reached the town. The men spread out and quietly made their way through the empty streets towards the dock.
Moose drew his cutlass and turned to his men, "Get those cannons in position along the dockside, 'n secure those houses over-looking tha town square" he called.
A group of men quickly scattered and headed towards their positions as several gunners hauled the heavy cannons through the narrow streets and headed down to the dock.
The townsfolk were just awaking from their morning slumber when the exploding Armistad shattered the early morning quietness. The Brig exploded into a violent fireball of burning timber and rigging - leaving a smoldering mass to sink in the shallow water.
A hundred screeching seagulls swarmed around the bay.
Within moments the locals were pouring out onto the streets to see what the commotion was about.
"Git back in yer homes, ya friggin' landlubbers!" barked the invading pirates as they drew their swords. Each one began threatening the onlookers as they rushed down towards the dock.
Almost immediately, doors and wooden shutters began closing all along the streets as the terrified citizens began barricading themselves into their homes.
"Oh my! We're being plundered!" screamed a shocked gentry lady as she hurried back into her townhouse - slamming the door behind her.
A group of musket-laden pirates reached the dock and took up firing positions overlooking the berthed ships as they awaited the arrival of the cannons.
Meanwhile, atop the hill overlooking the town, Davey Jones and Lieutenant NavyRum ordered the rest of the Cutthroats to make haste on seeing the Armistad's arrival.
"Head fer tha northern outskirts 'n secure that thar Gov'nors mansion" ordered Jones, as the men rushed over the hill and cut through the sparse undergrowth on the other side.
Coggy's rowboat soon left the Brig behind and came to ground upon a small beach. The Captain waded ashore with his six shipmates, "Ok five of yew swabs come with me. Tha other one can stay 'ere 'n guard tha wench 'til me two powder-monkeys swim ashore then bring her to the main dock" he ordered, before proceeding to make his way towards the outskirts of the town.
Back in the jungle Henry Morgan and his band of miserable shipmates were being escorted along a narrow path leading towards the town.
Annabelle's crew had heard the explosion and was eager to get their prisoners over to the Governors mansion before helping to defend the town.
"Yew bastids 'r gonna pay fer this!" called the irate Trisha. "Just yew wait til the Gov'nor gets his hands on yew lot! Yee'll be swinging from a gibbet cage before noon this very day!"
Morgan gave the hag a menacing glance, "Me mates will have this place raised to the ground before noon, lass. Best be lettin' us go 'afore yer precious Sisterhood strike thar colours" he replied.
The prisoners and their escorts soon reached the edge of the jungle and made their way along a cobbled road lined with palm trees. Between each tree there was an elegant marble sculpture of different shaped boars and pigs.
Morgan looked at the sculptures in puzzlement as he walked along the road with the others, before defiantly stopping in his tracks and opening a pouch to retrieve his flask of water. "Hold up.. I needs a drink" he said, as he continued looking at the sculptures.
But before he could raise the flask to his lips, a single shot whizzed through the air and knocked it out of his hand!
The Armistad's first mate stood close-by with a smoking pistol in her hand. Her face flushed with anger. "Git a move on!" she barked, menacingly.
Morgan grew more irate by the minute, but reluctantly continued walking towards the mansion with the rest of his miserable mates.