Chapter Seven – First Steps
The next morning, the Black Pearl left the island where Sarah had been found. It had been decided that it would be useless to look for the mirror which had caused the charm, since it was miles undersea and no human being could hold their breath for so long. Jack and the crew had then agreed to ask Tia Dalma for help. The problem was that the Black Pearl had only three weeks to arrive in Port Royal in time for the wedding. The only solution found was to take Sarah with them to the wedding, and only then take her to Tia Dalma.
That morning also brought Sarah's first class of what Jack called 'humanities'. Jack had been commanding the wheel of his adored ship when Mr. Gibbs arrived bringing Sarah in his arms. She wore Ragetti's clothes, which were quite baggy, once Anamaria had solemnly refused to lend her some clothes.
"Mornin', love!" greeted Jack cheerfully. "Are yeh ready to learn how ter walk?"
Sarah nodded excitedly.
"Right then. Pintel! Get the wheel!" Jack shouted.
Jack directed his attentions to the former mermaid. Truth to be said, he was thinking all that was really exciting. And it would be a great acquisition to his already envied curriculum. No other pirate he knew had had a mermaid turned into a human being aboard his ship before. Mr. Gibbs placed Sarah on the floor, helping her to stand. Jack took hold of one of the girl's arms and threw it around his neck. She could not help noticing how strong and warm the manly body felt.
"Attention now, lass, yeh're goin' ter move one foot like this, savvy?"
By noon, Sarah had already learned how to stand supporting herself with a cane someone had arranged. She had fallen down four times, but her legs felt firmer and she could even walk holding someone's arm. She had also developed some of her English. At least she had started to include the verb 'to be' in her sentences.
"Yeh're a great pupil!" said Jack in a praising voice.
Sarah could not quite understand what the word 'pupil' meant, but she could tell by the Captain's tone that it had been a compliment.
"Thank, sir." She replied smiling, her self-confidence starting to show up again.