It wasn't that he didn't like Darwin. Okay…maybe that was part of it. But mostly he simply didn't trust him. He had lied to them, tricked them, stolen Polly and most importantly put the entire crew in danger of a very unpleasant death. It's true he had helped the Captain get their faithful dodo back. But the Pirate with the Scarf had to ask himself 'why'. Was he truly sorry for what he had done and wanted to right the wrong? Or was the scientist in him simply unable to let a priceless specimen come to harm? He simply didn't know where the man's loyalties lay. And that made the first mate uneasy.
Number Two was perfectly happy with the Pirate Captain's suggestion to ferry the young scientist to an island where he could study the local wildlife to his hearts content. The little fellow would be happy and the pirates could get on their way. Of course the island idea had quickly gone sour when they realized the natives were cannibals and the pirates had had to make a daring rescue to save Mr. Darwin from being the next soup du jour.
Then the Captain did the unthinkable. He had invited Charles Darwin to join the crew. Number Two had voiced his concerns quietly to the Captain but was instantly vetoed. The Captain trusted Charles wholeheartedly and was certain he would make a terrific addition to their pirate band. The rest of the crew agreed and gave him a hearty welcome.
The Captain had asked for his suggestion on what their next adventure might be. What had been Darwin's reply? Search for the legendary colossal squid! It was a terrible idea. Not only was there no booty involved in the venture but it was also dangerous. And for bait he had used ham. Ham! What a ridiculous waste of a good dinner and the crew's safety.
Now Number Two stood on the deck of the ship, cutlass in hand battling one of the largest creatures in the sea as it tried to swallow their vessel whole. He hated being right. The entire crew was on deck, each fighting a huge tentacle as it threatened their lives and their home. The Pirate who Likes Sunsets and Kittens had actually been snatched off the deck and was battling the arm aloft, the Pirate with Gout was beating at one with his crutch, The Surprisingly Curvacious Pirate was apparently trying to tie the thing in knots, weaving and dodging as a tentacle chased him across the deck and the Captain seemed perfectly happy slashing at the thing with his cutlass and shouting colorful insults at the beast.
And where was Mr. Darwin? He had started out taking notes in his journal as the creature appeared. Now, he was cowering under the staircase that lead from the main deck to the poop deck. To the pirate with the Scarf this sort of behavior only confirmed what he had thought all along. The man had the loyalty of a sea sponge.
Then something unexpected happened. It all occurred in scarcely a few seconds but seemed to drag on for much much longer.
"Look out! Behind you!" It was Darwin's voice and Number Two turned just an instant to see what was going on. Charles had leaped out of his hiding place and was shouting in the direction of Albino Pirate who was currently occupied with some very important bits of rope. A gigantic tentacle, like a whip as thick as the main mast, had appeared behind the young man and was beginning a huge sweeping arc and Albino was right in its path. Not really hearing the warning over the sounds of the battle going on all around he simply smiled and waved.
Seeing what was about to happen Number Two ran toward the lower deck, abandoning his opponent and leaving that part of the squid slashing uselessly at the air. As fast as he was he knew he would never make it in time. Darwin, very much to the first mate's surprise, also leaped toward the danger. He was much closer and reached Albino within a few steps. With a hard shove he sent the startled boy sprawling onto the deck just as the monster's powerful arm swung down. It missed the Albino Pirate but caught Darwin full in the side of the head knocking him both senseless and overboard.
Amid the chaos no one else had seen what had happened. Without a second thought Number Two dropped his cutlass, threw off his hat and dove off the ship after a man he no longer disliked.