Chapter 8: Pirates

Jim Spriggs had known headaches before, but never quite like the one he had now. He woke up feeling like his head would split in two. In fact, he was lucky it didn’t split in two an hour ago when he was struck from behind. Now he tried to adjust his eyes to the dark, and to figure out exactly where he was.

His arms were tied behind him. On the floor next to him was someone whom he guessed was Captain Salt. They were no longer on the Resolution, so he assumed correctly that they were in the hold of the Adventure. He wondered where his nephews were, but he found out soon enough.

A small door opened behind him and several men dragged Spriggs out of the hold and up on deck. They brought Will Salt, as well, waking him with a bucket of water. Both men had huge bruises on the backs of their heads. In the light of the ship’s lanterns they saw a rough looking crew gathered round them. In the center, seated on a large cannon, sat the Captain of the Adventure. Smiling, he spoke directly to them.

“Well, good evening, gentlemen. I trust you’ve had a good rest?”

“Where’s our crew?” demanded Will.

“Oh, come now, Captain, we have taken your crew. But, that’s no worse than the English navy would do. Please don’t be rude, as it will not work in your favor with my crew.”

“Begging your pardon, sir” said Will, wise to the scowls all around him. “We need those boys to run the sloop, and they…”

Will was cut off. ”I am sorry for your loss.” Even in this dim light Will could tell that the captain was not smiling. “Make no mistake: your ship, your crew and your interesting cargo all belong to us. What is in question here is whether we let you keep your lives.”

Both Will and Spriggs remained silent.

“We are considering accepting you into our crew, but there must be a vote. And before we vote, some questions. And before questions, we must have some punch!”

With that, a sweet drink which tasted of rum and molasses was passed before them. They both drank enough to oblige the crew. Then they began to get questions from all sides.

“Where do you sail from? Are you married? Do you have any children? What coasts have you sailed? Have you killed a man?” The questions went on for some time. Many made sense, some seemed odd. When the crew was satisfied the Captain signaled a vote. A bag was passed around and each member placed either a black or white piece of paper inside. When it was done, the slips were counted.

The Captain tallied the votes and approached both men. “Well,” he said, “My name is Thomas Jackman, and I now have the pleasure of extending you terms for employment. You are hereby invited to join the crew of the Adventure. I suggest you accept.”

There was laughter. In the lamplight, Spriggs briefly saw his nephews’ faces in the crowd. They were pale with fear, and looking to him for help. Spriggs did not know how Captain Salt would answer, but he couldn’t take any chances. Before Will could speak he said loudly “Aye, I’ll join ye’”. Will understood, but hesitated a minute as he thought of his dead brother. There was no choice.

“Aye, we’ll both join,” said Will, no longer Captain of the Resolution.

A shout went up and more punch was passed around, as well as wine. Will looked out at the Resolution and saw a skeleton crew row over to take it as a prize. He shut his eyes and saw his brother’s ghostly face. He remembered the three men hanging on the gallows across the bay.
“Congratulations, Will,” said Spriggs grimly, “like it or not, we’re pirates”.