The day was waning and I let out a great yawn. I stood
planted under the great billowing black mast. My father, as crazy as he
was, was standing at the helm and steering. Every few moments someone would
join him at his side and with either rum or charts. He never told anyone
but myself what our treasure was to be this time. All he would ever say is
that it was going to be big.
My mother named me Pearl after his great ship. This was the only pirate ship left in the Caribbean, the last threat to the red coats. I had lived with my mother for the first several years of my life. I never remember much of land though. Since I was able to walk I was on the Black Pearl, my father's ship. I became one of the best pirates and even the men stopped looking at me as a woman when I hit the age of five. I worked myself in ranks and soon became the first mate. Although this was practically unheard of my father always said it was due to the fact that my lineage was full of seamen. I was raised though to never call my father, father. I would only address him as such in private. Captain Sparrow was his name when there were others about.
Today was dull and already there was a heavy mist setting in and a chill in the air. As I neared the helm the Captain was already giving the orders to drop canvas and for all hands on deck. Through the mist I saw before any the tossing waters and a ship caught in them. Narrowing my sight even more I realized the make was that of a redcoat war ship.
"Captain, a ship looms to the northeast of us!"
Squinting very carefully the Captain scanned the waters and saw only a faint sign of the ship.
"I see! ALL HANDS ALL HANDS MAKE READY! REDCOATS! REDCOATS! TO YOUR POSTS YOU SCURVY DOGS!"
I snapped to attention and ran for the canvases. By the time I reached them already the rain had begun. No matter though the canvas was almost down only a few more pulls and all would be in order. I looked over my shoulder to see the other ship and found the captain steering toward the battered and thrown ship.
"Cap'n! This is no time for a raid!"
"Aye but it is P! They can't fight in the rain and in plus there will be no raid but you will be moseying over there to take the maps so that we may be putting them to better use than they would.
This was nothing new. The captain had had me do this several times in the past only never in the middle of a storm. From the gleam in his eye he knew the danger but more was in his head. I saw it there only once when we were just beginning our search. I knew then that to fight with him would do me no good. With a nod he pulled us to their starboard side. We were stationed just far enough away that most would not even notice us in the storm. Grabbing a far off rope I ran toward the edge of the ship. Soon I was sailing over the water and soon the line snapped backward and just at the right moment I swung myself away from the line and allowed the wind to half carry me half push me toward the other ship.
Spinning in mid air I pushed my feet toward the deck of the redcoats ship. I landed more heavily than normal but no one noticed me as I made my way to the lower stairwell. Dodging many sailors as they ran to the deck to help I made my way slowly down to the captain's quarters. I leaned over the desk holding the candle close to see, which maps would be of most value. I had just rolled several of the most valued maps when the door was flung open.
"Careful Laddie someone might get the impression you were stealing."
My mother named me Pearl after his great ship. This was the only pirate ship left in the Caribbean, the last threat to the red coats. I had lived with my mother for the first several years of my life. I never remember much of land though. Since I was able to walk I was on the Black Pearl, my father's ship. I became one of the best pirates and even the men stopped looking at me as a woman when I hit the age of five. I worked myself in ranks and soon became the first mate. Although this was practically unheard of my father always said it was due to the fact that my lineage was full of seamen. I was raised though to never call my father, father. I would only address him as such in private. Captain Sparrow was his name when there were others about.
Today was dull and already there was a heavy mist setting in and a chill in the air. As I neared the helm the Captain was already giving the orders to drop canvas and for all hands on deck. Through the mist I saw before any the tossing waters and a ship caught in them. Narrowing my sight even more I realized the make was that of a redcoat war ship.
"Captain, a ship looms to the northeast of us!"
Squinting very carefully the Captain scanned the waters and saw only a faint sign of the ship.
"I see! ALL HANDS ALL HANDS MAKE READY! REDCOATS! REDCOATS! TO YOUR POSTS YOU SCURVY DOGS!"
I snapped to attention and ran for the canvases. By the time I reached them already the rain had begun. No matter though the canvas was almost down only a few more pulls and all would be in order. I looked over my shoulder to see the other ship and found the captain steering toward the battered and thrown ship.
"Cap'n! This is no time for a raid!"
"Aye but it is P! They can't fight in the rain and in plus there will be no raid but you will be moseying over there to take the maps so that we may be putting them to better use than they would.
This was nothing new. The captain had had me do this several times in the past only never in the middle of a storm. From the gleam in his eye he knew the danger but more was in his head. I saw it there only once when we were just beginning our search. I knew then that to fight with him would do me no good. With a nod he pulled us to their starboard side. We were stationed just far enough away that most would not even notice us in the storm. Grabbing a far off rope I ran toward the edge of the ship. Soon I was sailing over the water and soon the line snapped backward and just at the right moment I swung myself away from the line and allowed the wind to half carry me half push me toward the other ship.
Spinning in mid air I pushed my feet toward the deck of the redcoats ship. I landed more heavily than normal but no one noticed me as I made my way to the lower stairwell. Dodging many sailors as they ran to the deck to help I made my way slowly down to the captain's quarters. I leaned over the desk holding the candle close to see, which maps would be of most value. I had just rolled several of the most valued maps when the door was flung open.
"Careful Laddie someone might get the impression you were stealing."