The journey to Nassau takes them a whole month to complete. Storms and other obstacles of nature slowed them down considerably, even though the Pearl is the fastest ship around these waters. Although Jack wasn't able to really walk around, he still tries to be the best possible captain and father. Every day he spends a whole hour out on deck to be able to still keep up with the ship's business. The times that Jack spends in his ramshackle deckchair out on deck, courtesy of his crew, Jacob scrabbles happily all over the ship. And eventhough life on board a ship is not the most ideal for little children like Jacob, he is progressing greatly and he is very happy.
He is especially thrilled when he is allowed to play with his rattle or with Jack's hair. Jack is very proud of his son, indescribably so. Sometimes he cannot believe that he, a scallywag of a pirate, has created such a beautiful child.
Suddenly a cry is heard from the crow's nest „Land ho!" They have finally reached Nassau, New Providence.
All of the Pearl's crew start preparations for the docking process, like reefing in the sails, readying the mooring lines and the anchor chain. Gibbs is standing at the helm, steering Jack's dark lady safely through the smooth Bahamian waters. A bit to the side of him, the captain is lounging comfortably in his deck chair, letting the wind play with his hair and breathing in the salty, fresh breeze, a content smile on his dark handsome face. He is only dressed in boots, breeches and his wide open shirt, which reveals the bandages underneath. But to still give away the look of a feared pirate, he wears his baldric too, which holds his trusty cutlass. Gibbs smirks at this sight.
A half hour later the Pearl is docked at Nassau port, between another pirate ship and a merchant vessel. After sending Scrum, Murtogg and Mullroy out to go and talk to Governor Spottiswood, Jack is about to fall asleep again, but is stopped from doing so by loud voices coming from the docks. Looking down he sees four men walking up to his moored ship. One of them is dressed like a British gentleman, frilly overcoat, stockings and all that. The other three look like ordinary pirates and those are the ones who make all the ruccus. Angry about such a disturbance of his quiet and peaceful day, the captain orders Gibbs to greet them and ask them what they want.
Minutes later the first mate returns with the good dressed man in tow. Walking up the stairs to the aft deck, he is about to intodruce the man, but said man has already stepped around Gibbs and stretching a hand out to the captain, greets him friendly. „Captain Jack Sparrow as he lives and breathes! I never thought I'd see you around our humble abode. What you brings you here?" Giving a sign for Gibbs to leave, Jack answers „Well Benjamin Hornigold. It's always nice to be welcomed so open and friendly. – And the reason I'm visiting your humble abode, as you called it, is about my health, savvy?"
Realizing only now that his fellow pirate captain is still lying on a deck chair, instead of getting up, Hornigold puts a hand to his chin, looking thoughtful. „Be that the reason you're not standing up to greet a fellow captain properly? Is something wrong with your legs, Jack?" With his eyes closed, Jack only nods, not willing to answer verbally. Kneeling down to be at his level, Benjamin then asks soflty, while putting one of his hands on Jack's „What happened to you, son? I can see it's bothering you, not to say, eating you up inside."
Replying equally softly, the pirate captain mumbles „Grape-shot, mate. A piece is still lodged in my spine. Needs to be taken out, or it will be the death of me, literally." As if to give prove to his words, a sudden wave of pain, hits him full force and Jack has to cry out, unable to hold it in. Several members of the crew come running to aid their injured captain, but seeing someone new sitting at his side, they hesitate, not knowing what to do. Gibbs sends them off to their duties, while he himself joins the two men on the aft deck. Getting out his trusted flask, he hands it to Hornigold, who in turn puts it gently to Jack's lips, encouraing him to open up and take a few swallows of the golden-brown liquid, while he supports his head with his other one.
Soon after he has swallowed down some rum, Jack is out like a light, his head falling bonelessly to the side. Shocked about this, Hornigold turns to Gibbs „When did this happen?"
„Over a month ago now. Captain was just lying either in his bunk or out here in his deck chair. No moving around for him. Too painful."
Wishing to help his fellow captain, Benjamin tells Gibbs that he knows a former Navy surgeon, who is very good at what he is doing and who has his practice in town. All they need to do is to get Jack there safely. Just as they are about to get ready for this venture, Scrum, Murtogg and Mullroy return to the Pearl. Scrum reports „We talked to him as the captain wanted us to. Governor wants to send his private doctor to help us. And best thing – he said there is no payment needed. He is glad to be of service."
Reliefed to hear this, Gibbs sends the three men to their hammocks. Hornigold gives his three men a sign to come aboard and to assist. Once they have reached the aft deck, two other members of Jack's crew come up from below deck, carrying a sturdy looking board between them, made of black wood. Pintel and Ragetti go up to their comrades and Ragetti explains their newest gift for their beloved captain. „Captain told us that every move is painful for him. So we made a board, which won't give way under his weight, to lay him down on, secure him to it with some rope to prevent movement and put him with the board on the stretcher. – Then we can carry him safely to a doctor without risking further injury to the captain."
Hornigold is the first to say something. Clapping Ragetti on his back, he means „You are a genius young man. That is really a brilliant idea! Couldn't have done better myself." Waving his hand to his men, Benjamin helps Pintel and Ragetti to position the board right beside their captain's deck chair. Nodding to each other all seven men lift the injured captain very carefully out of his chair and lay him gently down on the board. Having accomplished that, they look around for some rope. Finding some lying beside the mizzen mast, the five crewmen, two from Jack's and three from Hornigold's crew, start tying the rope tightly, but not too tight, around the captain's legs, his waist and his chest, making him immobile. During all of this Jack is completly and utterly still.
Finally the crewmen lift the board onto the stretcher and together they start carrying it down to the deck and from there on to the docks and into town. Hornigold is in the lead with Gibbs, while Pintel, Ragetti and Marty are walking in the rear. As they reach the first few buildings, a cry is heard from behind them. They stop and turn all around, except those who carry Jack, and see a woman dressed in pirate gear, running up to them, carrying a small bundle in her arms. „Wait! I'm coming with you. I won't leave my fiancé's side. Especially not now. – And don't dare to try and make me go back to the ship, Gibbs. Or you'll have Jack to answer to as soon as he able to do so."
Not having the heart nor the courage to send this spitfire of a woman back to the Pearl, Gibbs nods and together they walk on to the house of the surgeon. Inside they are greeted by the surgeon, as well as the Governor Spottiswood and his private doctor.