Two Sparrows And A Blood Debt – (10)
Moments later, Jack's crew, minus Norrington, was back on the main deck of the Black Pearl. Will slowly opened his eyes. "What happened to the chest?" He asked groggily.
"Norrington took it – to draw them off," Elizabeth answered.
Gibbs appeared on deck and welcomed them all back. He was ready to make sail. "Jack!" He said. "We spied the Dutchman an hour past, rounding the point!"
"Is that so?" Jack replied with a confident look in his eye.
Gibbs gave his captain a funny look. He didn't have time to try to work out what was going on. There was a dangerous ship – the most dangerous ship to ever sail the seas – fat too close. "All hands! Set sail! Run her full!" Gibbs shouted.
Ashley – who had been dropped onto the deck – opened her eyes and almost immediately stood up. Swaying slightly, she walked over to Jack and Gibbs, as the rest of the crew scrambled to get underway.
Jack, felt no need to rush. He sat down on a barrel, his legs dangling, and cradled his precious jar.
"Gibbs, is your throat tight?" He asked.
"Aye," Gibbs answered.
Jack nodded. "Your heart beats fast, your breath is short, you have an acute awareness of vulnerability of your own skin?"
"Aye! Aye!" Gibbs replied.
Ashley curiously listened in on the conversation. Standing next to the barrel Jack was sat on.
"I fear you suffer from the malady of intense and overwhelming fear," Jack observed casually.
"What's into you? We've got only half a chance at best – and that's if the wind holds!" Ashley pointed out, not understanding Jacks attitude. Only a few hours ago he had been a bundle of nerves himself.
Elizabeth walked to the rail. For once, she had to agree with Jack. "We are in no danger," she said to Ashley. "I see empty horizon in all directions."
She had spoken too soon. As they watched in horror, the ocean began to bubble and foam. Suddenly, with a mighty splash, the Flying Dutchman shot up from below the sea. It settled down right next to the Pearl, sending a wave over her decks.
"Hard to port! Steal his wind! Full canvas!" Gibbs shouted.
As the crew worked furiously at their stations, Jack turned toward the Dutchman. Lifting the jar over his head, he pointed to it, nodded, smiled and gave a friendly wave.