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Inaccuracies historical or otherwise will be made to translate Tia Dalma's last words before she turned into the crabs

Chapter 21

Rebecca thought for a moment and said, "I explained to you why I was looking for him. I do not wish to discuss it any more."

"That be yer answer then child?" Tony said.

Rebecca couldn't believe he was going to let it drop at that. "That is my answer."

"I've a tale to tell ye young laddie. Mayhaps after hearin what I have to say ye might change yer mind."

"See, I been First Mate on the Golden Spirit, Cap'n Teagues ship, nigh on these past 6 years. Afore that we shipped together on the Dancin Sprite fer a few years, he bein Second Mate, and me bein bosun's mate. We come to be good friends. When his parent's property were finally settled, Old Teague buys hisself his own ship and names me First Mate. We been doin a fair business transportin trade goods from one port to t'other, and haulin goods fer some o the business keepers in these parts. We weren't no where onto rich mind ye, but made a tolerable livin at such. So like I been sayin, I come to know the Cap'n purty well." "Probly still be on the Golden Spirit if word hadn't come bout me Mother bein near to death. That be 2 days ago when we made port over in yon cove. I left to see bout arrangin berth on a ship leavin fer Jamaica. I guess that be when all the excitement started. See, I come back aboard to get me stuff, and there be these 2 gents talkin to Mr. Rogers n Mr. Masterson bout some kidnappin n how the Cap'n be the perfect match fer the one doin the deed. Now after these gents leave, Mr. Rogers n Mr. Masterson have a tale to tell me bout the Cap'n bringin aboard a wee lass with long dark hair (as he says this he reaches over and takes off Rebecca's hat) and the purtiest dark eyes they has ever seen. Now don't this be a strange state of affairs? So Jim, or whatever yer real name be, now what have ye got to say?"

The barmaid delivered Tony's food and drink just then, which gave a stunned Rebecca a few extra moments to think. Something she had proven to herself, if not everyone else, she was not all that adept at.

She thought about jumping out of her chair and running out of the tavern. She thought about it quite seriously actually. But if she ran away she might never meet anyone who could tell her as much about Teague as this man. So she sat there. Curiosity got the better of her again.

Tony began to eat his food, looking at her the whole time. She knew she had to say something, but how much should she say?

Rebecca took a deep breath and began, " I saw Captain Teague going into the Boar's Head one night while I was sitting watching the ships in the Harbor. I guess I was kind of fascinated with him because I came back the next night to see if I could see him again. Before I knew it I was looking in the window of the tavern watching him. I was going to go home when he got up to leave, but some man came out of the bushes and scared me. I started running and ran into Captain Teague. He sent the man away, but the man came back with the Constable. Captain Teague grabbed me and took me back to his ship. I was petrified at first, because I thought he was a pirate, and was going to hold me for ransom or something. But the longer I was around him, the more I thought he was a good man. I just wanted to see if anyone knew him, and could tell me more about him. That's why I was on the docks. I just wanted to know what kind of man he really was." This last was delivered with what had become Rebecca's trademark nigh onto crying voice.

"Cap'n Teague be one of the finest men I've ever had the pleasure to know." Tony said.

"He told me he would come back to see me. Do you think he really will?" Rebecca asked in a slightly hopeful voice.

"If he bothered to say the words lass, he will surely follow through." Tony answered.

" An I be doubtin ye'll have to be waitin long."