Episode 6 - St. Kitts
Late July, 1643...
It'd been one week since the raid on San Juan. The Grim Reaper and Baron Boat had made slow progress in reaching the small Caribbean Islands of the Lesser Antilles.
As the two ships approached the English port of St. Kitts, several Frigates and merchant ships passed by in the distance.
"I 'opes those Gits don't get too nosy. I's wantin' me some R & R - not another fight." said Coggy as the pirates nervously watched the merchant fleet sail by.
Aboard the Baron Boat, Moose, Morgan, and the ManiacMen where eagerly looking forward to a few days shore leave.
"Lads, make sure none 'o yew scurvy swabs get into any trouble. Coggy has a mate 'o two in this 'ere town, so don't be upsettin' tha natives too much" warned Moose.
Henry Morgan made his way down onto the deck. He had a rather large bag of pieces 'o eight with him.
"Hey, 'Enry, ye aint gonna blow all yer loot in this hovel, is ye?" called Moose with a smile.
"Why not? 'Appen thars plenty 'o swag ta be had on our way to Puerto Bello, so I's plannin' on havin' me a good time wit a barrel 'o grog 'n a couple 'o whores. Why don't ye join me?" replied Morgan, as the ship headed for the dock.
Moose remained on the Bridge and ordered his men to furl the sails as the ship drifted into it's berthing position. He called back to his mate, "Nah 'Enry, I's gotta stay clear 'o da whore's in these parts. Me longsword aint gonna be seein' any action till we reaches tha Spanish Main..." he said.
Morgan was intrigued. He headed back to the Bridge and stood beside his mate.
"Now why on earth would ye wanna stay clear 'o wimmin? Tha wenches around 'ere 'r just as lice-infested as those Spanish whores along tha Main" he said.
Moose was uncomfortable, "Tis a long story mate, but it just so 'appens I's got me a wife in these parts and I don't want any two-bit whore from St. Kitts blabbin' her mouth off bout me lil' visit." announced the pirate, with a touch of unease.
Morgan looked a little surprised. But being Morgan, he used Moose's predicament to have a little fun, "Haaarrrr, ye got hitched! Moose, ye surely is a secretive divil! Why tha bleedin' 'ell did ye marry a wench? They aint nottin' but trouble..." he called, with much amusement.
"Like I said - Tis a long story 'n I'd kindly like ta mention it neymore!" replied the irritated Moose, "And DON'T be tellin' tha others bout her, neither!" he added, with a menacing scowl.
Morgan smiled to himself.
Meanwhile...
Several hundred miles to the west, off the coast of Jamaica, Greenbeard's Brig, The Chunder 'n Lightning, swiftly came about and positioned itself just off the portside of Captain Green Eye's ship, the SplitTail.
The two pirates were cousins and had been sailing together for several years. They'd recently returned to the Caribbean after a long expedition to Madagascar.
Greenbeard was becoming increasingly more cautious due to a recent run-in with an old Dark Water Alliance member by the name of Iguana Jack.
Five years previous, Greenbeard, Green Eye, and a pirate by the name of Johnny Conrad had led an attack on the Spanish stronghold of Cartagena - a few years before Cognito's famous assault of the town. But during their ill-fated attempt, Iguana Jack's twin brother was captured and hung while one of Moose's long-lost pals, Captain LeRoy Hilliard was left to rot in the prison.
Iguana Jack was out for some revenge and had vowed to chase these two cousins to perdition's edge for their inept leadership on that occasion. However, despite finding life in the Caribbean difficult, the cousins were now finally re-gaining a name for themselves, and a fair bit of loot too, due to many months of hit and run raids on merchant shipping.
The latest recruits to their motley band included a couple of new pirates to these waters by the name of Lieutenant Excaliber and Captain Red Chaos.
The two ships furled their main sails and dropped anchor.
Within twenty minutes, Greenbeard's open launch had docked with the SplitTail and the two Captains met on deck.
"Me hears Iguana Jack has got 'imself some more allies!" explained Greenbeard as he followed his cousin into his cabin, "Word has it that the pox-ridden bastid is lookin' for us off Puerto Rico" he said.
Inside the cabin, Captain Green Eye had a large map of the central Caribbean pinned to the far wall. The two men stood scrutinizing the chart.
"Right, to my reckonin' we's just about 'ere" said Green Eye, as he pointed to a position on the map some eighty miles east of Jamaica, "so if'n we heads northeast, through tha Windward Passage, we could reach Tortuga in a week 'n a half."
Greenbeard moved up to the map and took a closer look, "Aye, and once thar, we can do a re-fit 'n get yer mast fixed. I's wantin' ta be ready fer Iggy within a month. That Alliance Git is gonna taste me blade as god is me witness" he replied, with a touch of anger.
Just then a knock sounded on the cabin door.
"Yeah, what is it?" asked Green Eye.
"Sir, Lieutenant Excaliber has arrived. His ship is in a right state!" replied the muffled voice of Green Eye's officer.
The two Captains headed back up to the Bridge and waited for the latest arrival to come aboard.
Back in St. Kitts...
The Grim Reaper had finished docking beside the Baron Boat and the crews from both ships wasted no time in disembarking and heading into town for some drinkin' 'n whorin'.
However, Moose remained on the dock and tried to stay unnoticed by the townsfolk who went about their daily business.
Cog approached his mate. The two men watched as the gleeful pirates disappeared into the numerous taverns, eagerly spending their ill-gotten gains taken from San Juan.
"I've told NavyRum to visit tha taverns 'n warehouses. E's gonna try'n recruit a few more men fer us." explained Cog.
"Aye, we's gonna need ta double our crews if'n Tew don't meet us in Curacao. We're gonna need a lot more ships too! Yer vessel 'n me Baron Boat won't make much of a dent in a bleedin' Spanish Treasure Fleet on thar own!" replied Moose.
Just then Davey Jones made his way down the gangway and onto the dock, "Ayes gannin' fers anuva drank <hic> - iz ye ganna joinz me? <hic>" he gurgled. He then proceeded to stumble towards the nearest tavern without waiting for a reply.
Coggy turned to Moose, "Mate, I don't how that bugger does it! I aint never met anyone who can shift tha grog as quick as 'im! Tha sod has drunk me ship dry already!" he moaned.
"Haaarrr, I reckon yer gonna have ta buy tha Git 'is own tavern one day!" laughed Moose.
The two pirates watched as Jones stumbled through the door of the closest tavern.
Turning back to his mate, Cog asked, "Moose, how's bout commin' wit me to Unlucky Joe's house? Tha blaggard has a farm just over yonder, and 'is missus cooks a fine stew"
Moose's eyes lit up, "Aye! I could do wit a decent meal. I's sick 'o ships bread 'n biscuits." he eagerly replied as the two pirates headed off into town.
Back on board Greenbeard's ship off Jamaica, Lieutenant Excaliber had finished briefing his two mates about his recent skirmish with a Dutch trade ship.
"Mate, me ship is in a bad way. That Dutch bastid took out me sails wit chain shot b' fore we could board him. Then tha scurvy good fer nothin' varmint comes about and blasts tha crap outta Cap'n Reds Pinnace. I aint seen ol' Red since yesterday!" explained the anxious Lieutenant.
Green Eye passed his mate a bottle of rum, "'Ere, calm down matey, have a drink 'o dis" he said, trying to comfort his bewildered mate.
Excaliber took a swig and wiped his lips, "I tink ol' Red ended up in tha locker. So I ran fer it and got ta this 'ere rendezvous as quick as I could... " he said.
"Don't ye worry 'bout Red. He can 'andle 'imself in a scrap. We'll wait a few more hours fer him before we heads north ta Tortuga." replied Greenbeard.
Excaliber had calmed a little, "Why's we goin' ta Tort? I thought we wus headin' fer Jamaica. I 'appen ta 'ave a couple 'o whores waitin' fer me." he said, with a look of disappointment.
"Slight change 'o plans. Greenbeard has heard Iguana Jack is off Puerto Rico. So we's gonna re-fit in Tortuga and head on over thar ta put an end to tha swab once 'n fer all" replied Captain Green Eye.
The three pirates headed back below deck to discuss their latest strategy at dealing with their foe.
Meanwhile, unknown to Greenbeard's motley band, Admiral Tew's Insurrection, and the Brigs of Iguana Jack and Captain Mako, had been in the pirate stronghold of Tortuga for several days.
The Admiral had finished his recruiting drive and almost thirty eager men stood at the roll call in the town square.
Captain Mako overlooked the briefing of the new recruits while Tew stood near the church, talking with the new town governor - Cap'n Jon.
"What 'append to yer mates, Moose 'n Cog? I thought ye wus off on some fool-hardy expedition to tha Main wit 'em..." asked the puzzled Governor.
"Arrr, we's had a slight change 'o plan. We's gonna rendezvous wit 'em later in tha year" replied Tew, trying not to reveal too much.
"Anyhow, how's tha new job goin'?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
Jon looked a little disheartened, "Well mate, tis 'arder than I thought," replied Jon.
"This place be swarmin' wit Cutthroats, Privateers, Buccaneers, 'n vile scum from all over tha Caribbean. I's got a 'ell 'o a task keepin' 'em in order" he moaned, before adding, "And if'n I lives ta be ninety-nine, I'll ne 'er get used to 'em callin' me Gov'nor Jon"
Tew smiled and gave his mate a friendly pat on the back, "Jon, tha only way ta govern dis lot is ta be as treacherous 'n corrupt as they are. Tis how Tortuga wus meant ta be run." He said.
Governor Jon thought for a while.
Meanwhile, Iguana Jack had returned from his trip to the shipwrights, "Hey Admiral, I needs ta have a quiet word wit thee..." he called, as he motioned Tew to follow him.
The Admiral shook the Governors hand and bid him farewell.
Over in St. Kitts, inside Unlucky Joe's farmhouse, Coggy and Moose sat at the dining table with a bowl of thick brown broth and a crust of stale bread in front of them. The two pirates tried not to sniff the fowl smelling meal. Coggy didn't want to upset his mate, Joe, and Moose didn't want to upset Coggy. So there was an uneasy silence for a moment as the two pirates looked at the meal with apathy.
"Arrghhh, errmmm, tis a shame yer fine missus ran off 'n left ye" said Cog, trying to console his unhappy mate.
Unlucky Joe looked as miserable as the stuffed pigs' head he had mounted on the wall. He still hadn't come to terms with the loss of his wife and kids - not to mention the demise of his favourite pig, Squealer.
"Aye, she wus a good hag, that'n." moaned Joe before settling next to his two guests and tucking into the broth he'd prepared.
Cog and Moose looked uncomfortable. They looked at each other and gingerly started to eat the meal.
Moose took the first taste and quickly grabbed his tankard of rum. Gulping down the lot without coming up for air.
Coggy put down his spoon and turned to Joe, "So let me get this straight yer wife buggered off wit that Johnny Conrad swab, ye say?" he asked, trying to put off eating the meal as long as possible.
"Aye, 'appen the bastid wasn't content on raiding me farm," explained Joe.
"So he came back, just after yer last visit, 'n took me wench wit him and put ol' Squealer thar to the sword" grumbled Joe as he pointed to the poor pigs head mounted on the far wall.
"Arrr, they don't call ya Unlucky Joe fer nottin'" laughed the tactless Moose, before noticing the two menacing glances from Coggy and Joe.
Cog turned back to his mate, "Joe lad, tis a shame dat ol' Neptune aint been smilin' on yew lately, but matey, times 'ill change fer tha better - trust me" he said, trying to lighten the mood and cheer his miserable mate up.
"Aye, Cogs right," agreed Moose, before adding, "Besides, any fella dat can whip up such a fine piece 'o grub like dis, 'ill surely find 'imself a new bride before too long"
Coggy gave an awkward smile.
"Come on Coggy, eat up - yer broths getting' cold!" called Moose to his mate, with the wryest of smiles.
Coggy gave Moose another menacing glance before reluctantly dipping his spoon into the thick broth.
"Tha words roach and soup spring ta mind" he grumbled under his breath, much to the amusement of Moose.
Back in Tortuga...
Admiral Tew and Iguana Jack sat in a secluded corner of the Silver Sloop tavern.
Iggy cautiously looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. Turning back to Tew he began to inform him of the rumour he'd heard over at the shipwrights.
"Mate, I thinks our lil' story about commin' back 'ere ta find Greenbeard aint too far from tha truth after all!" he said, with a gleeful smile.
Tew began to listen intently at his mates' news, "Just what 'ave ye heard?" he eagerly asked.
"Well, thar jus' so 'appens ta be a Dutch trader in from Roatan, and tha Cap'n informs me he had a recent run-in wit a scurvy bastid by tha name 'o Lieutenant Excaliber!" whispered Iggy.
Tew thought for a moment, "Aint that swab sailin' wit Greenbeard 'n his cousin?" he asked.
"Aye" replied Iggy, as his smile grew larger.
"Just where did this 'run-in' occur?" asked Tew, as he scratched his chin.
"Somewhere's between here 'n Jamaica. A few day's sailin' out" replied the excited Iggy.
Tew took a swig of rum and abruptly stood up. "Go get Mako - tell him ta get tha crew ready, we's headin' out!" he said.
A broad grin spread across Iggys face.