Chapter 9: The Plot Thickens

Captain Jackman and his crew were a slipshod bunch of misfits who, from what Will and Spriggs could see, wouldn’t last too long in a life of piracy. They had stolen their ship by tossing the original captain overboard and threatening any of the crew who were loyal to him with the same plight. For several months now they had preyed upon New England shipping and coastal homes, but didn’t have the skill to seek the riskier rewards of plundering Spanish & Portuguese shipping to the south.

Now and again, Will and Spriggs were able to exchange a few words and try to plot an escape, but a clear plan had eluded them. Then one day, chance brought them an opportunity. Some of Captain Jackman’s original crew were growing tired of raiding fishing sloops and dreamed of seizing the richer vessels carrying gold and silver from South America. They began to complain out loud, challenging Captain Jackman to bring them to more fruitful waters.

Jackman was tense, and as he gruffly began his answer, Will cut him off. “I’ve sailed the coast of Brazil, I can pilot us in those waters.”

“Oh really, Mr. Salt?” said Jackman, growing more irritated “You may pilot us to Brazil, but can you outgun a Spanish frigate?”

Will sensed that this was the time to act. He could see that the crew already doubted Captain Jackman. It was time to sew more seeds of discontent.

“Well, I don’t know about that, Captain Jackman, but you can see from the chest we loaded at Isle Haute that there are a few things I can do. New England doesn’t produce gold like that.”

Spriggs spoke up from the crowd, “I’ll second him, Will Salt knows how to put money in the hold.”

Cries went up from a few others bent on better plunder. Jackman saw that he had to do something to pacify the crew.

“Alright, then tonight we’ll take a vote. If the majority wants to head south then we’ll engage Mister Salt as our pilot. But God help him if he leads us into peril.”

The vote that night was fueled by strong drink and greedy hearts. The crew decided to have Will Salt pilot the ships to Brazil. Captain Jackman pretended to have a change of heart, and to be pleased with the decision. But Will and Spriggs knew better than to trust him.

The next day, a big sailor named John Cutter spent some time talking with the Captain in the morning. That afternoon, Cutter had a run in with Spriggs' nephew, George. It was clear George wanted nothing to do with a fight, but Cutter wouldn’t back down. Cutter was unaware that the boy was Spriggs’ nephew, and he was also unaware that Spriggs was the wrong man to cross. When Cutter woke up, he was sprawled out on the Quarter Deck with a broken nose, a swollen face and very little else he could remember of the incident.

That night, Will and Spriggs were able to talk quietly when the midnight watch changed.

“The Captain’s afraid you’ll steal his authority, Will”

“I know,” smiled Will “and his henchman, Cutter, doesn’t like your right-cross either.”

“Well, laugh if you want but we need to get the boys and ourselves to freedom. What’s your plan, Will?”

“See if there are any men who want to cut loose. Once we have an idea who is with us, we’ll either look for good fortune or manufacture some. I have one idea brewing, but I need some more time to put the pieces together. At least we’re heading south, Jim.”

“Yes, Will, but we’ll clear New England waters in a few days. If we’re going to escape before this gets too dangerous, we better do it soon.”

With that, the two could talk no more. The watch was set and the men could not risk the appearance of conspiring against the Captain. They set to their work and began to watch the rest of the crew for signs of dissent. They did not have long to wait.