Pirates of the Caribbean - Island of the Undead, Chapter 3

Well, this was a jolly old-fashioned brawl from the high seas. Men clashed with swords, fists were thrown, as was furniture and glasses. Men were wrestled across the Inn from one side to the other. While this was in the main, Militiamen v the locals, some ruffians used the distraction as an excuse for a general fight. The band looked at each other, sighed and just carried on playing. Mostly they where ignored, but one man stood on the stage. The percussionist felled the fellow with a sharp blow to the chin with drum-stick! Poor Mr. N did not take much of a part in this. He had just about stood up, when some Militiaman gave him a blow across the head with a sword hilt and he fell down again. "I don't care how good the grog is, I'm not sure that I'll be coming back to this place again!" Mr. N thought to himself. It might well have been worse for him, however. A few rather unpleasant-looking men had decided to approach the corner where himself, Pintel, Ragetti and Gibbs were sitting - Elizabeth had just stepped out before the brawl began - and looked like they wished to cause damage to anyone in sight.

Fortunately, however, before things became even uglier, some other members of the Black Pearl's crew, some of their West Indian members, actually, spotted this and came to their aid. One person that wasn't taking much part in the 'fun,' was Governor Swann. He just sighed at the action around him and continued to sip his Grog. Captain Jack, meanwhile, was engaged in a wrestling match with a large Militiaman. 'Don't mind me!' he said to Swann as he was flung onto the table with his hands just about holding the Militiaman off.

'Not at all!' replied Swann, with a polite wave. Then someone jogged his arm. 'Do watch it, old fellow!' he said to the militiaman. The militiaman replied with a swipe that spilled Swann's grog a little. Swann's pleasant old face changed his expression and he turned around and felled the militiaman with a good, solid blow. Then he turned around and with a knife, disarmed the one fighting Captain Jack. Swann stood his ground, 'Any more, or can I finish my drink in peace?' asked he. Well, no-one bothered him again for the rest of the evening. But eventually the fighting faded down. The militia, which didn't have any official authority as it happened, well, not many did on Tringport, they where just the neighbouring militia trying to create trouble and arrests, retreated out of the Inn with cuts, bruises and one or two broken limbs. 'And don't come back!' cried someone to a general cheer.

In fact, during this fight, Elizabeth was having a bit of a womanly chat with Tracy outside in the fresh air, both looking out at the gentle blue/black sea with its waves gently landing onto the harbour shore. 'Just gets darn smokey in that Inn!' Tracy explained. They where unaware of the fight inside and Tracy had commented, 'Seems a bit quiet in there, though!' and even when someone was thrown out of one of the windows shattering glass, neither thought anything of it!

But Tracy did eventually think, 'Maybe there seems to be something happening in the Inn. I suppose I'd better check!' and so the two entered just as the Militia were being evicted. 'That looks a bit nasty, but nothing unusual,' she commented at the scene and nodded at Mr. N. 'Anyone dead?' she asked noticing Mr. N's cut on his check.

But as it happened, this time the answer was in the negative. Mr. N however was painfully spitting red blood rather dramatically from his mouth which ran down his chin. 'Hold still,' said Pintel and he checked Mr. N's mouth. 'Oh, yes, you seem to have lost a tooth there!' said Pintel cheerfully. Against all appearances, Pintel did know a thing or do about medicine and had worked as a Surgeon's mate at times in his life.

Mr. N looked up a bit shocked, but Pintel shrugged his shoulders. 'Every seaman should lose a tooth or two in his career, that's what I say. Look at me, I have half my mouth missing,' he explained exposing a mouth full of missing or false teeth which looked an interesting sight! Anyway, Mr N cried out as one of his front teeth popped out! 'If our plans work out, you might be able to afford a gold replacement!' suggested Pintel eagerly.

Captain Jack met up with his crew again in the Inn. 'Well, as it happens I have found out some information whilst we have been here. It would appear that Beckett is ruling the Seas with a rod of iron. The prison cells are bursting with inmates. But not for long as most end up on the hangman's noose. Curfew's have been imposed, many land rents have increased causing hardship and those that protest end up dead.'

Swann replied to Jack a little skeptically, 'Yes, but why do you care? The British have often been ruthless with slavery and insisting on Territorial rights. Many on very dubious pretexts. You've always managed to do some kind of business. Don't tell me you're coming over all philosophical. You're the ultimate pragmatist!' Swann leaned onto the bar and finished his drink.

'Well, I have to be, don't I!' Jack defended himself unashamedly. 'But, you know, I have been thinking of a direction in my career and so have some of my crew. But I do need someone I can work with and Beckett I quite frankly don't trust. He has a history of double-crossing people. Oh, Tracy my dear, delighted to see you again looking so well!'

'Good to see you as well!' replied Tracy to Jack shaking her body a little as she spoke. 'As it happens, I've decided to accept your offer and to join you in the rest of your journey. Come on, you know you might well need me! Plus the rewards seem more tempting that spending much more time around here! No offence!' she explained.

'Fine, you can join us!' sighed Jack with a little lack of enthusiasm.

'Before I do, however, I do have something for you, Jack!' said Tracy sweetly than slapped him hard!

'Owwwwww!' exclaimed Pintel and Ragetti! They almost felt that!

'That's all right, that was deserved, I think!' said Captain Sparrow.

The information given to Sparrow by those that he met in the Inn was correct. Close by, too close for the Pirates comfort, was Beckett with several fighting ships at his command. It was morning and in the warming sunlight in his cabin at Breakfast he was having a meeting with Norrington and Banger. 'Well, it seems that our policy is progressing nicely! Shame about you missing out on the notorious Jack Sparrow, but with our other policies, he must get the message that he is on borrowed time soon!' Beckett informed to his subordinates.

'By our policies, I suppose you mean our get touch approach to any dissidents. You to realize that we have now executed 15000 men in a month. That's nearly enough for a port. At this rate we'll have killed the population of a town back home by the end of the year!' said Norrington quietly hoping to install a bit of humanity into his harsh commander. 'They aren't all guilty. In fact, on reflection some where guilty of nothing more than simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. We could find other punishments than the drastic one of execution!

Beckett simply laughed. 'You really are such a liberal at times, Norrington! You can't make an Omelette without breaking a few eggs, you know! We should think of the goals of our policy rather than complaining if a few innocents die through it. We need to crush opposition, especially any of those that mention notions such as the rights of man, never had much truck with that idea, and to install the free movement of cheap if involuntary labour for our purposes.'

Banger thought a little about Beckett's last statement. 'Oh, you mean slavery!' he concluded.

'Of course. Slavery is very beneficial to the East India Company!'

Banger made no further reply to Beckett. He then remembered to button up his Lieutenant's uniform since the battle he hadn't had time to dress himself according to Admiralty regulations. In fact he hadn't had time to shave that morning, so a little bit of stubble was growing on his chin. Certain members of the female sex that might think upon looking at Banger that the young man who was reasonably handsome made quite a dashing figure in his uniform!

Banger looked a little unconvinced so Beckett explained a little long-windendly, 'We have authority. We have it from the King himself. Well, all right so it is mostly from his council. But he is the King. Of England, Scotland, Ireland and her empires. Appointed by God, head of the Church, Lord of Parliament and incumbent of the throne of Israel!' The last statement probably wasn't necessary seen as this was a rather archaic title of the King as he was descended vaguely from the Lord of Jerusalem dating back from the Crusades. It was long since this had much real value! Beckett continued with his plans. 'Now I note that there is, according to reports, a gathering of Pirates and opposition ships here at Deadman's Cove on Deadman's Island in Deadman's sea.' Beckett was fond of his 'Deadman,' today! We must take steps. One good strike here and we could mop up. Now then, Norrington, the directions are.........' he broke of a moment as Norrington looked away in the direction of the Island, strangely transfixed.

'You all right, Norrington?' asked Beckett.

'Sorry, Sir, I just find something about Deadman's Island.......... curiously drawing to me!'

That same day which was bright, but local cloud cover gathered around the Island the Black Pearl was making a cautious way around it. On deck, Gibbs had noted Mr. N's distinct lack of prowess with the blade. He boldly tried to teach Mr. N a few tips. So he pointed a sword at Mr. N who was rather nervously grasping his. 'Now this,' said Gibbs, 'is what we call a Pirates thrust.' He danced and moved his sword a particular way, swiping Mr. N's from his grasp and causing it to drop to the ship's black deck. Gibbs tapped Mr. N's check with the blade. 'Now you try!' he advised.

Well, Mr. N did try but he found that he lost the grip of his sword even with Gibbs not responding and it went flying backwards this time.

Gibbs sighed. He said with gritted teeth, 'Fine, lets just try some basic parrying shall we?'

Mr. N didn't enjoy basic parrying very much either. He was hit with the back of Gibbs blade several times, unable to have the skill to stop the sword.

As the crew continued laughing he was pressed back and Gibbs pointed his sword at Mr. N's neck. Gibbs sighed, 'Mr. N I seriously advise you to brush up with your swordplay. Otherwise you might be known as one of the worst swordsmen that took to the Seas in living memory. Even old Stumpy was better than you, I'd swear and he didn't have any hands!'

Jack looked down at them and called them all to attention. 'Careful, now!' he ordered. 'We all need to pay attention. To the East, there are several British ships on the horizon. We should be out of cannon range fire. But I'm sure they know who we are. We must take care to avoid them and to sail around Deadman's rocks. To the sails, now!'

Everyone, including Mr. N worked on the sailing of the Black vessel. Mr. N could see, with foreboding even in the bright sunlight, many ships which seemed to be making some kind of effort to intercept them. He hoped the Black Pearl's navigation would clear the crew away.

But it seemed to a new peril. The rocks around Deadman's Island, otherwise cheerfully known as the Island of the Dead where treacherous, the black cliffs were high, foreboding and easy to crash upon, especially with the current moving in their direction and the waves it would appear another and the wind in another direction still! Anxious instructions were issued to the crew as they slowly sailed around the cliffs. Mr. N felt his heart sink to his stomach as at every moment he wondered if he would hear the dreadful lurch of the Ship hitting the rocks and he would be sunk to a wet grave. The water suddenly seemed very cold around the vessel.

With some relief and with skillful sailing, the Black Pearl sailed around the cliffs to a more navigable cove. 'That at least should worry the British!' declared Captain Jack, 'Not sure they'd like to sail their clumsy old Warships around that Isle coast!'

The Black Pearl sailed around an inlet and across some rocks and between the Island and one of its smaller neighbours carefully camouflaged from any potential onlookers, a classic Pirate or smuggler trick. Captain Jack was reasonably confident that from there they could avoid the British and continue on their way. Although the British where not far behind the crew.

Just as the ship was about to anchor and evening was falling, Mr. N heard a sudden roar. He looked around, it came from one of the small islets. But one which was nearly a mile from one side to another. Mr. N heard it again, it sounded like a bellowing beast.

'Look!' cried Gibbs in suspicious terror as Mr. N saw a sight that chilled his blood. A large Minotaur type figure, many times taller than a man , man-shaped with a Bull's head and a large dangerous horn in top bellowed at the ship. It threw huge rocks at them, nearly causing the Black Pearl to capsize. Several seagulls flew away as the crew prepared their weapons.

'Open fire!' cried the Captain at the crew. There was a brief but dangerous exhange of fire and rocks throwing. Just as Mr. N, helping to fire one of the Cannons, thought the Black Pearl was about to be sunk, the creature gave a painful sigh and fell down, nursing the wounds it had received from the exchange. 'Now, lets move in and finish it off! cried Jack, who did not appreciate the ship having dangerous rocks thrown at it. Many of the crew gathered together their guns and prepared to go in for the kill. Only Mr. N looked took a different opinion at this action of the men.

'Should we really kill it?' he asked.

'Yes, we should, it damaged the ship!' snapped Swann.

'But it might have been confused,'

'Don't start contradicting my orders!' said Jack.

Elizabeth suggested, 'Well, N might well be right. It isn't dead. It could prove dangerous!'

'Especially if we go up there and kill it' agreed Pintel reluctantly.

Jack wasn't convinced, but after a pause did think about it and finally agreed. 'Fine, now's probably a good time to sail away anyway!' and so they did!

They were still not clear of the Island of the Dead, which seemed particularly creepy to Mr. N. Behind the dark, rocky, cliffs eerie smoke drifted slowly upwards. He could see skulls tied to trees, and further inland, small dots of green light moved along the valleys. No sign of living people could be seen there but bats wheeled overhead as they emerged from caves in the cliff face. A pearl of horrible laughter filled the night-air.

Mr. N stuttered, 'Is the place haunted?'

Gibbs replied laughing, 'It's known as the Isle of the Cursed Undead in certain parts, what do you think?'

Captain Jack continued, 'There is an old legend regarding the place, in fact! 'Twas said that over a hundred years ago, many sailors gathered here. From many different countries and cultures, how they managed this, I have not heard. Anyway they became powerful and dominated the seas. Then their King declared that they where so mighty they could challenge the Sea God Neptune himself for control of the Seas! They all laughed in drunken humour. But that very night, it was said, Neptune himself came down upon them. He commanded the Seas and the waves rushed and the sailors were worsted. The King begged for mercy and apologized for his pride. But Neptune was angry.

'He cursed the sailors, saying, "No rest shall ye find for ye are insulting cowards. Here shall ye stay for long years until one may release ye!" Well, who that person would be none should know. Someone of power. But since that day it is suggested that their souls never found rest and since death still haunt the island, bringing terror to all of the living that may venture thereupon!'

Mr. N was scared and indeed quite impressed by this tale. It seemed to him that the bottles on the wall shook and there was an unatural wind and sighing as Captain Jack told this tale. But this was slightly brought down to earth by Tracy saying, 'What a bunch of crap!'

'Oh, do you think so?' Mr. N asked her.

'Well, it's just a typical pirate yarn. There's no such thing as ghosts. I don't believe it!'

Mr. N thought, 'Well, at least we aren't going to land on the Island!' But just as he thought he was getting used to the idea of the dark, foreboding isle dominating the landscape, just as he thought he might just get a bit of sleep after a long time of restless moving about in his hammock in the Black Pearl's bunk he heard a raised voice,

'Cap'n!'

'Yes!'

'We've struck a rock, sir, we're leaking, we need to hit dry land!'

The only dry land nearby was the island.

Mr. N sighed!