Episode 28 - Creed's Bounty
Off the coast of Santa Marta...
A few days after the demise of Admiral Tew's flagship the last three remaining rowboats, containing the remnants of the Dark Water Alliance, battled against the elements. The seas became ever more treacherous as the winds blew the rowboats towards the mainland. A severe storm had gradually caught up to the hapless survivors.
"WE'S GONNA BE SWAMPED!" called a terrified sailor as he watched another giant wave approach the small boat.
Captain Mako continuously shouted out orders to the poor swabs as they fought against the raging storm, "TURN US INTA THA WAVE..." he quickly called.
Over to the port side, another rowboat full of terrified sailors battled against the storm. The wave hit the boat first, tossing several men overboard and to a watery grave.
The waves grew in size and frequency as the wind and torrential rains battered the boats relentlessly.
Another giant wave approached - again hitting the port side boat first - this time totally swamping the sailors. Mako's boat was hit a few seconds later, but the sailors had managed to swing their vessel into the wave and ride it out.
"WHAR ARE THEY?" called Mako, as he anxiously peered through the sea-spray looking for the two companion vessels.
The cowering men glanced around, looking for the others.
"THARS ONE!" shouted a relived oarsman on spotting the silohuette of the portside boat atop another wave crest.
Turning to starboard, the sailors then looked for the other boat, only to be greeted by the sight of several condemned sailors clinging to the capsized rowboat.
The drenched sailors in Mako's boat remained silent as they watched their shipmates slip to a watery grave.
Flashes of lightning illuminated the distant horizon for a few milliseconds - enough for the terrified survivors to glimpse the outline of the mainland.
"IF'N WE CAN RIDE OUT DA STORM - WE COULD MAKE IT TA SANTA MARTA...." shouted Mako, before another wave hit the boat and knocked him to the deck.
The next day...
Mako's rowboat with seventeen surviving men limped along coastline close to Santa Marta. The sailors were exhausted and starving after battling against the elements for five days.
With their last ounce of strength, the oarsman brought the battered lifeboat ashore on a secluded beach, several miles east of the Spanish town.
The bedraggled sailors staggered up the beach and slumped down next to the edge of the jungle.
"What now sir?" asked a crewman.
Mako didn't answer; he was too tired to think. All he wanted was some food and water.
After a few minutes, the Captain clambered to his feet and gingerly made his way into the jungle. The other men remained on the beach, too exhausted to move.
After a few minutes, Mako emerged from the undergrowth with his tunic wrapped around a bundle of coconuts. Dropping them into the lap of a sailor he said, "Share dese out".
After a few hours, the bedraggled survivors had recovered enough to make their way along the sandy beach before entering a dense wooded area on the outskirts of Santa Marta.
The Governor of the town had previously given Admiral Tew a Letter of Marque in return for a share of his plunder, and Captain Mako knew they'd have to be wary about revealing Tew's fate. The Governor wouldn't think twice about hanging the Insurrections survivors now that his lucrative deal with Tew had come to an abrupt end, indeed, he'd sooner see the men silenced to prevent his peers from discovering his illegal activities.
The Captain led his men through the woods and down a small incline leading into the town. Santa Marta was bustling with activity, but the townsfolk paid little attention to the sorry-looking sailors as they approached the market place in the town-square.
Meanwhile, in the Dutch colony of Coro...
Captain Creed's Fluyte had recently arrived and anchored in the small harbour.
The Frenchman was ashore, meeting with a few town officials and the governor. A large group of on-lookers gathered close to the Governors residence as the men stood outside the building talking about the Captain's recent capture of Admiral Tew.
"We want to thank you for putting an end to that despicable pirate, Thomas Tew. Our ships have been terrorized by that vile criminal for months." explained the Governor as he handed Creed a large bag of doubloons.
"In addition, this is for you, Sir," added the Governor, as he handed his guest a parchment and enthusiastically shook his hand.
"So, Captain, what are your plans now? We heard Tew is wanted not only by Dutch and Spanish authorities, but also by your own government too." asked one of the Governors advisors.
Creed opened the parchment. Taking a quick glance, he smiled to himself before answering the mans question, "Aye, that he is Sir. King Louis XIII has wanted the scoundrel dealt with for some time now. My associates in Martinique are under orders to take Tew in irons to Paris, where he'll stand trial for the heinous deeds he committed against French colonies during the Alliance wars." replied Creed, before lifting the parchment up and adding, "I thanks ye for the townhouse, Sir.- I'll put it to good use when my sea-faring days are over."
The Governor smiled and patted Creed on the back.
"For the time being, I'll be heading north, to Tortuga. I has a letter to deliver to an acquaintance of mine." added Creed.
The gathered townsfolk burst into cheers and gave the Frenchman a round of applause as he bid farewell to the grateful officials and made his way back to the dock.
In Santa Catalina...
With great reluctance, the captured Sisterhood officers had finally revealed some of the information the pirates had wanted. They'd informed Coggy that the only Sisterhood ships to escape the pirate raid, were the Bonny Maiden, commanded by the notorious Captain Kat, and the Sisterhood flagship, Fearless, commanded by Coggy's old acquaintance, Captain CupperBut.
What they hadn't revealed however, was the fact that these two ships were due back into Santa Catalina this very day, following their mission into Spanish waters to gain more information on the gathering Treasure Fleet.
By now, most of the Cutthroats had gathered in the prison courtyard and were preparing to march the short distance across the island back to Smugglers Cove where the Grim Reaper and Baron Boat were anchored. Coggy and his mates made sure the four female Captains were securely locked up in the prison with their companions, before heading back over to the Governors mansion where they were met by Davey Jones and NavyRum.
"Ahoy mateys!" called Davey, as the small band of officers approached. "Did the hags tell ya what ye wanted ta know?" he asked.
"Aye mate! 'Appen they did" replied Morgan, as the pirates entered the building.
Inside the mansion, Sir Loin o' Beef was busily ordering the manservant to remove all the oil-paintings and sculptures of his boars. "I'm taking these with me, I is." he remarked, as the pirates entered the room.
"Hold up mate!" called Moose on seeing the large haul of stuff Sir Loin had amassed, "Me ship aint that big, ye know! Just choose a few 'o yer favorites 'n I'll get some 'o me men take it back to the Baron Boat fer ye."
Sir Loin tipped his hat to Moose, looked at his impressive collection, and scratched his beard before pulling out a few select paintings and a couple of marble sculptures.
Turning to NavyRum, Coggy shook his mates hand and said, "We've come ta say goodbye, lad. Tas been a pleasure sailing with thee."
NavyRum patted the Captain on the shoulder and thanked him.
Moose was the next to say farewell, "We aint always seen eye-ta-eye on a couple of occasions, mate, but like Cogs says, tas been grand having ye along fer the journey. And yer still entitled to yer share 'o loot once we've gotten our hands on it!"
NavyRum tipped his hat and shook Moose's hand, "I still wish I was sailing with ye ta Puerto Bello. But a Governorship of an entire town is a hard thing ta turn down, mate." he said.
"Aye, that it be, lad" replied Moose, before adding, "But I aint never been one fer politics I prefers guttin' bastids instead 'o governing 'em!"
Next it was Henry Morgan. The pirate gave his shipmate a hefty pat on the back and said, "Haarr, Just remember yer a man 'o good stature now! No more drinkin' 'n whorin', and no more pillagin' 'n plunderin' at least not openly!" he said, with a wink.
"Aye Henry! I've gotta be a bit more discreet from now on! hehe" replied NavyRum.
Coggy handed his former shipmate a wooden box with the initials N.R. engraved upon the lid. "This is fer yew, mate. Tis a lil' gift from the lads."
The new Governor took the box, and slowly opened it. Inside sat two silver pistols with golden handles. The bright sunlight reflected off the elegant weapons and lit up NavyRum's face as he looked at his gift with a glee. "I... I... don't know what to say" he said, not taking his eyes of them.
"Arrr, just remember lad, we be expecting this here town ta always welcome the Brotherhood 'o Pirates with open arms so long as yer in charge 'o da blimmy place!" said Cog.
"Me thinks yer first task should be ta get that thar shipwreck shifted from yer harbour entrance!" he added.
NavyRum thanked his gathered mates and wished them good luck with their journey to Puerto Bello.
"Beefy! Yew done yet?" barked Cog.
"Aye, I'm done. Got me grand picture 'o Billy! - gawd rest his soul" he replied.
"Right then, tis time we set sail. We've got a date with destiny at the end of this 'ere month… so lets get on with it!" added Cog, as he rallied his companions who gave out a hearty cheer.
Turning back to NavyRum, Coggy asked, "If'n its 'arwite with you, we'll be leaving the Sisterhood officers locked up in the prison with their sorry crews just 'til we're back on da ocean wave."
"Aye Cap'n, I'll make sure they're released once yer on yer way. I'm sure they'll be glad ta see tha back of yew lot, anyhow!" he replied.
"Arrr, and don't worry 'bout how they'll be treating ya," added Cog, "Cos we got 'em ta swear an oath ta let ye govern how ye see fit. And besides, me hears yer dear ol' mother, Kathryn as I recall, is a well-respected part of thar pitiful band." he said, before giving his mate a final salute and heading for the door.
"Fairwinds, Captain Cognito. May Neptune guide yew in yer travels" called back NavyRum, as the pirates left.