Chapter 49
Tintin sat outside the small enclosed room where the small pilot ship was being steered from. The boat sped across the water bouncing just a bit from wave to wave. He stared back toward the bay expecting Captain Haddock to come racing after him. Tintin didn't want to risk his Captain's life in this last log of his journey he thought. Tintin realized though that no matter what happened there would be people involved he cared for who would be in danger.
Then his mind began to wander back to poor young Enzo. Tintin wondered if he would survive the night as he thought back to Chester sitting by his side as the Captain did himself before they traveled to the moon. He remembered how many times he had cheated death himself; however, Enzo didn't seem so lucky, but Tintin was not about to give in to despair so soon. If he could survive miraculously then perhaps a miracle would be exactly what Enzo would get. He deserved another chance.
He made the most noble gesture that anyone could make, the ultimate sacrifice. Tintin thought about all the risks he and the Captain took for each other. Tintin easily knew he too would make the ultimate sacrifice for someone he loved. Tintin didn't know the extent of Enzo and Captain Chester's relationship nor did he feel it was any of his business; but regardless, there is no substitute for loyatly, true friendship, and or love.
Chang's words about this being the most dangerous foe they have ever faced before kept resonating in his head bringing him back to the present.
"What is so dangerous about this foe that sets him or her apart from all the other adversaries I've faced?" Tintin wondered.
The sun began shedding it's multicolored light across the horizon illuminating the sea ahead of them. The sky's pastel colors of blue, orange, pink, and lavender reminded him of the cotton candy he used to like when Mrs. Finch took him to the faire. Tintin could see the Detectives speaking with the guardsmen while Chang seemed to be guiding them through an array of ideas. It was nice to have Chang by his side. Tintin felt that perhaps he and Chang together would have a fighting chance to finally put an end to all of this nightmare. Chang was someone else dear to Tintin that he could not bear to lose. He didn't want to spare Chang's life just so he could use it to save him later.
The Detectives were another story. It wasn't that Tintin didn't care for them because he did, but they usually seem to have a fool's good luck. It was true they had their uses and on occasion would surprise Tintin with some amazing feats; although sometimes their sheer clumsiness would work in their favor. Tintin too didn't want anything bad to happen to this odd pair of men whom he also had come to call his friends. These two men were like the wacky uncles he never had.
Tintin began thinking and formulating plans trying to anticipate what they may encounter. Tintin had no idea what role the HM Customs guards would play, but he didn't count on them giving a lot of support other than keeping their ship guarded and sending for back up. Tintin was finally distracted from his thoughts when the door opened from the steering room.
"What are you thinking about Tintin?" Chang said joining him on the side boat.
"I don't know what to expect Chang" Tintin admitted shaking his head.
"Just remember this Tintin, not everything is what it seems…at least that's what my father always says" Chang said sagely.
"I understand looks can be deceiving, is that what you mean?" Tintin asked.
"Yes, in our up coming battle we must understand that what we see with our mortal eyes may not be what really stands before us" Chang nodded.
"Are you afraid Chang?" Tintin asked curiously.
"We always fear the unknown Tintin, but we cannot let it rule our hearts" Chang replied.
"Snowy, I'm sorry boy" Tintin felt his bag moving and quickly opened it.
"He's another friend who has been loyal to you for so many years" Chang said as Snowy began licking Tintin on the cheek.
"Heh heh heh! Ok Snowy! Yes he has been and still is" Tintin said petting him.
"How did Enzo look when you saw him?" Chang finally asked knowing for Tintin Enzo's situation reminded him of a previous situation which made it epsecially painful for him.
"I'm hoping with all of my heart that he pulls through this Chang. I fear Captain Chester may never forgive us or himself if he dies." Tintin said in a more serious tone.
"He has to pull through it Chang, his family is counting on him back in Italy. I know this kid, I see me in him...only I never had a family to take care of" Tintin sighed.
"His fate is no longer in our hands Tintin. I understand how you feel, we can only keep him in our thoughts and hope for a miracle" Chang explained putting a comforting hand on Tintin's shoulder.
"Thank you Chang..." Tintin sniffled.
"I will keep him in my thoughts as I meditate and spiritually prepare myself so that when the time come I can do what I must" Chang replied gazing towards the fading sunset.
"I'll leave you then and check on the Detectives and guardsmen to make sure we are all on the same page" Tintin said putting a calming hand on Chang's shoulder.
"Come on Snowy!" Tintin called as he went inside. Snowy looked back at Chang who sat on the floor of the boat already with his eyes closed, then ran inside the steering room.
"How are you feeling Tintin?" Thompson asked as Tintin entered.
"As well as can be expected" Tintin answered truthfully.
"I guess that's as good as any answer can be eh Thompson?" Thomson nodded.
"Exactly, we think we may know the direction they are heading" Thompson smiled.
"We're not one hundred percent sure Detective, but the cargo ship gave us an approximation" one of the guardsmen explained.
"We should reach the coast of Northern Ireland in an hour or two…near Belfast I believe" the guard steering the boat spoke up.
"Wasn't Captain Chester supposed to be going to Ireland tomorrow?" Thompson asked curiously.
"Yes, but now with the situation as it is…I don't know if Captain Chester will raise anchor" Tintin shrugged his shoulders.
"Oh with that poor young man in the hospital…what was his name?" Thomson began to think out loud.
"Enzo" Tintin said plainly.
"Ah yes! Such a tragedy…" Thomson shook his head.
"Indeed it is" Thompson agreed.
"We'll need to refuel in Belfast" the guardsman at the wheel mentioned.
"That's fine, perhaps we will learn more of where Allan and Gaspar went" Tintin mentioned.
"Hey, is your friend ok out there? What's he doing?" the other guardsman asked pointing to Chang.
Tintin turned around and saw Chang was sitting on the boat floor with a peaceful look on his face. His eyes were closed and it almost looked as if he was sleeping, even with the bounce of the sea and the breeze of the wind.
"He's just in deep contemplation right now, don't mind him…he's fine" Tintin smiled.
The sun disappeared behind the ocean as the twilight sky began to fade to night. Chang finished his long meditation and could sparsely see the lights ahead on the Irish coast as they were approaching. Chang saw a couple of ships ahead as he tried to look for signs if either of them were the Sea Serpent. Chang walked into the steering room as the sea air began to become a bit chilly.
"Chang, we're about to arrive in Belfast for refueling" Tintin informed him immediately.
"Any news of Allan, Gaspar, or the Sea Serpent?" Chang asked curiously.
"Only that they were heading for the Irish coast which could mean any town on this side of the coast I'm afraid" Tintin frowned.
"Don't worry, with the network we have around here we should find out which town they have cruised nearby when we speak with our chapter over here" the guard sitting by the radio informed.
"Good, it seems like the Sergeant gave us some good help" Thompson commented.
"Precisely Thompson" Thomson added.
"About how long will we be in port?" Tintin asked.
"About as long as it takes to refuel and meet with our colleagues…maybe an hour or two at most" the guardsman at the wheel replied.
"I wished we were here on more pleasant business" Thomson sighed.
"As do I Thomson, I've never been in Ireland myself unless you count landing in the airport to switch planes" Tintin laughed.
"They call this the Emerald Isle?" Chang asked.
"Yes, some do because of the lush greenery that the country side has" Tintin answered.
"Well then a short stroll on the dock may be in order" Thompson mentioned.
"Indeed Thompson, that sounds like a splendid idea" Thomson agreed.
"Now don't forget our reason for coming this way gentlemen" Tintin reminded.
"Of course not Tintin" Thompson was quick to reassure him.
"Indeed, but a nice evening stroll off this small boat would be nice to clear our minds" Thomson explained.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Tintin asked the guardsmen.
"No, not really, we are just going to do a quick exchange of information. They should be expecting us, unless you have anything to add" the guardsmen at the wheel nodded.
"Well Officer…" Tintin started to say but had forgotten his name.
"Officer Jenkins" he said paying attention to the lights up ahead as they approached the port of Belfast.
"I think I'll stay around the dock areas just in case I am needed" Tintin said dutifully.
"So will I" Chang agreed.
They quickly got into the port and docked. The port was fairly quiet as it was a Sunday night. The dockside didn't seem to have a whole lot of activity going on.
"We're going for a stroll" Thompson spoke up.
"We shouldn't be gone too long" Thomson finished his partner's thought.
"Well don't get lost Detectives, we need to be able to leave as soon as we're ready" Tintin reminded again.
"Officer Riley, are those gentlemen over there your associates?" Chang asked curiously as he saw a couple of uniformed officers busy speaking with a man on a small fishing boat.
"I believe so" Riley nodded.
A rustic looking middle aged man approached from near a fuel pump.
"We need to refuel please" Officer Riley said.
The rustic looking man nodded and quickly began the refueling process.
Tintin, Chang, and Snowy followed the two guardsmen off the pier.
"I'm telling you! This ship! Something just wasn't right with it!" the man near the small boat said by the dock.
"I wonder what he's talking about?" Tintin commented as Chang shrugged.
"So you're saying you were hearing voices?!" one of the patrolmen on the dock asked a bit unconvinced.
"Well, voices that seem to be coming from all around me! They were calling my name…and I swear I felt a chill as if me bones were frozen in ice! It didn't even sound human!" the man went on.
"Was it a monster then?" the other patrolman patronized.
"No! I saw a black ship with gargoyle statues and…" he continued until he saw the two men from the HM Customs arrive with Tintin, Chang, and Snowy.
"…and then what?" the patrolman urged.
"I saw a small boat with a small group of men and they joined the bigger vessel. I don't know exactly how many their were" he paused.
"So where and when did you see this vessel?" Officer Riley joined the patrolmen questioning him.
"I'm not sure…maybe about thirty kilometers south of here several hours ago?" he guessed.
The patrolmen looked to the HM Customs Officers and the Officers shook their head satisfied that they got all the information they were going to get.
"Thank you and good night to you sir" one of the patrolmen said a bit more relaxed.
The old fisherman took his sack and a bucket full of fish and began walking back towards town.
"Good evening Officers" the patrolmen saluted after the fishermen left.
"So the Sea Serpent didn't actually lower anchor here" Tintin assumed by hearing the tail end of the conversation.
"Apparently not" Officer Jenkins nodded.
"The old man is not all there if you know what I mean…" one of the patrolmen commented.
"Well we're not exactly dealing with your typical criminals here" Tintin countered.
"It's true we did hear reports of a dark ship, but it seemed quite normal as it picked up some tobacco in it's cargo from another ship which was inspected" the other patrolman informed.
"It sounds like they got a good head start on us" Officer Jenkins sighed.
A couple moments later a shout was heard not too far off. Everyone ran down a block to near an old abandoned building to find Thompson and Thomson helping the old fisherman up who had suddenly fell unconscious.
"What happened to him?" Officer Riley asked a bit confused.
"Why we don't know…" Thompson said trying with Thomson's help to prop the man on his feet.
"He was just walking and we were coming back down this way and she shouted and crumpled to the ground" Thomson finished.
"We were just questioning him" one of the patrolmen told the Detectives.
"Ugh…" the fisherman rolled his head from one side to the other.
Snowy flattened his ear's and began showing his teeth growling at the old man as if he could see something else no one else could. Everyone began to look at Snowy strangely.
"Snowy? What's wrong boy?" Tintin asked trusting his dog's sense of danger.
"Something is not right here Tintin and Snowy senses it" Chang too could feel something odd in the air.
"Sir? Are you ok?" Thompson asked with concern.
"Sir?" Thomson asked again when he didn't immediately answer.
"…I …have a name you maggot!" the man replied with his eyes closed.
"Stop playing games you crazy old man!" one of the patrolmen scolded.
"It is you insects who are playing the games but are ultimately going to lose!" the fisherman's voice suddenly sounded different as he shoved the Detectives away from him standing tall and erect.
"His voice!" Chang whispered to Tintin.
The old fisherman opened his eyes and in the dim light they looked as if they were glazed over with white.
"You! Hehehehe!" the fisherman laughed.
Suddenly everyone in the group was taken aback by the sudden power and change of the old man's voice.
"What's your name? What do you want?" Chang demanded.
"Joachim! You're soul will be mine! Hehehehe!" the old man laughed.
"Sir if you don't calm down we will arrest you!" the other patrolman suddenly said louder.
The old man laughed manically at the patrolmen as they both grabbed each of the old man's arms, but was suddenly knocked back to the ground by an inhuman strength the old man suddenly possessed. The HM Officers were going to assist but Chang kept them back with a nod. Snowy continued circling the old man growling and showing his teeth keeping a short distance away.
"Answer my question demon!" Chang demanded.
The old man closed his eyes again wobbling on his feet.
"Continue on warrior of light… and you will find out… mustn't keep the servants of the lord waiting…" the old man crumpled into a pile on the ground.
"What just happened?!" Officer Riley looked astounded and terrified at the same time.
"This is bad…" Chang looked at the old man realizing his fears were confirmed.
"What Chang?" Tintin pressed him.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing…" Officer Jenkins said backing away from the old man taking his gun out.
Both the patrolmen got up in complete disbelief how an old man could display such strength for someone of his stature. The old man began to stir again slowly starting to sit up as everyone backed away to watch him from a safe distance. The old man opened his eyes and they were their original color.
"How did I end up on the ground?" he suddenly asked slowly with confusion.
Everyone regarded him strangely.
"Well?" he said getting back up on his feet picking up his belongings.
"You must have tripped over something" Tintin answered suddenly.
"Oh…well thanks for your help. If you don't mind, I need to be getting home now" he said slowly walking away.
"Are both of you going to report this" Officer Jenkins asked.
"There's no use…" one patrolman nodded.
"No one would ever believe us" the other finished.
"Precisely! That old man had some stamina to him!" Thompson commented.
"Too right you are Thompson!" his partner agreed.
"What's this mean?" Officer Riley asked confused.
"They know we are coming" Chang said ominously.
"Then we better not disappoint them" Tintin said boldly.
"Will he do that again?" one of the patrolmen asked Chang.
"It's doubtful…there must have been some evil influence nearby when he passed the Sea Serpent…I don't fully understand it myself but it takes a lot of power for such a possession to take place" Chang explained.
"Nearby you say?!" Thompson looked a bit alarmed.
"Dear!" Thomson covered his mouth.
"So someone or something is watching us?" Tintin asked flabbergasted.
"It seems like it may be so" Chang shook his head.
"We will get the boat ready" Officer Riley said as he and Officer Jenkins returned back on the pier.
"Will you two be fine?" Tintin asked the patrolmen.
"As long as the old man doesn't do that again" one said a bit shaken.
"This will knock him back to himself" the other patrolmen said taking out his club.
Tintin and his friends returned back to the pier to board their boat all four of them a bit unnerved.
"That was some trick that old man pulled" Thompson shook his head.
"Indeed, that was an amazing ventriloquist act and feat of strength!" Thomson agreed.
"That was no human feat Detectives that was…" Chang started to say but was cut off by Tintin nodding.
"It's best you don't go into too much details with them. We don't want them to lose heart if all you say is true…and it unfortunately seems to be the case" Tintin declared.
"You've had your encounters with the strange and unusual before" Chang nodded remembering another one of Tintin's stories.
"Yes, the incident with the explorers, the mummy, and the crystal balls. If I didn't believe then I believe now" Tintin nodded.
"It seems like your dog is a good judge of character" Officer Riley commented.
"It's not so much that, he's always been able to sense ill intentions and I don't always listen" Tintin said honestly.
Chang nodded as the officers finished untying the boat. Snowy lied uneasily at Tintin's feet as they were in the steering room. They started the motor and back off into the bay they went
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Captain Haddock and Lucille dashed back to the car. Haddock took a look back towards the hospital tipping his hat. Haddock kept thinking back to all the times things could have went horribly wrong for Tintin and himself. Haddock knew Chester had every right to be angry, because he knew if it were Chester in his place and Tintin in Enzo's situation, Haddock knew his rage would know no bounds.
"I hope your little friend makes it buddy" he thought.
"Do you mind driving since you know the area better than I do?" Lucille asked handing Haddock the keys.
"No not at all" Haddock nodded as they got in the car. Haddock floored the pedal as they quickly returned to the bed and breakfast. When they arrived it appeared new guests were arriving.
"I'm going to get a couple items and I will return. Just wait here" Haddock said jumping out of the car dashing back into the bed and breakfast.
Lucille sat patiently as she took out an old book with a leather cover on it. It had her name printed on the top and a picture of a butterfly with a unicorn. She opened it up and began reading through the pages of text. Cocoa was running back and forth barking at everything and one moving around as new guests seem to be filling up all the rooms at the Sea Breeze.
"Calm down girl, it's only guests arriving at the bed and breakfast" Lucille said calmly just looking around her quickly making sure no black robed men were watching her.
Ten minutes later something made her look out the window as she noticed an eccentric looking man with a long green coat, hat, and glasses getting out of a cab with a suit case. Cocoa began barking and wagging her tail panting. Lucille regarded him curiously at first and returned back to reading the leather book she took out of her bag.
"Cocoa, calm down!" Lucille looked at her strangely noticing the speed of Cocoa's little fuzzy brown tail swinging back and forth behind her.
"Thank you so much sir!" Lucille heard the man say as the cab door shut. She looked up one more time to see the man wobbling into the entrance of the bed and breakfast with suitcase and umbrella in hand. Another thirty minutes passed and finally Haddock came out of the Sea Breeze. Haddock threw in a duffle bag similar to the one Tintin had in the back of the car.
"Is something wrong Captain?" Lucille asked without looking up from her book utilizing the last bit of twilight until she could no longer see the text and notes. Haddock got in and shut the door behind him and nodded.
"As a matter of fact, I could hear strange voices as I was in my room… I don't know what kind of devilry this is but I don't like it one bit" Haddock said strangely.
"Devilry you say?" Lucille closed her book.
"Yes, what kind of book are you reading? You've been reading it since I left?" Haddock wondered.
"It's just my diary… I like to keep track of certain events" Lucille nodded putting her book back in her little satchel.
"Uh huh…" Haddock said starting the car pulling out of the parking space starting down the road.
"Where are we going?" Lucille asked curiously.
"To some acquaintances…" Haddock said vaguely driving as if he knew exactly where they were going.
"What kind of acquaintances?" Lucille asked specifically.
"Do you want to help find your husband?" Haddock returned with a question.
"Of course I do, but…" Lucille began to say.
"Listen lass, these men are not exactly the kind of men I would take my daughter or son to meet; alas I fear our options are limited and we have no choice" Haddock explained.
"Explain?" Lucille prompted.
"Thundering Typhoons lass, just do as I ask and say nothing. We need a ship to Dublin" Haddock explained vaguely.
"Why Dublin? Why not Belfast?" Lucille suggested.
"Because I'm sure they probably went to Belfast to begin with" Haddock said turning a sharp curve knocking Cocoa into Lucille.
"Hey careful! This is the only car Benton and I have" Lucille reminded him.
After twenty minutes of going up and down hills around the bay, Haddock parked the car at an old looking stone home. The sun was now setting and Haddock walked quickly through the yard which reeked of rotting fish. Lucille crinkled her nose in disgust.
"Remember say nothing" Haddock whispered to Lucille as he knocked on the door.
For a moment nobody answered, then they knocked another time suddenly getting a loud barking from the other side of the door. Another couple moments a light lit the dimly lit yard from the last of the setting sun.
"Yea! Who are ye and wat do ya want?!" an older middle aged man with salt and pepper hair replied in a testy tone.
"Tim Ballard!" Haddock shouted.
Lucille looked at both of the men as they stared each other down suspiciously until the other man raised an eyebrow in recognition.
"Oh yea old sea lion! Captain Haddock!" the man laughed.
"I thought you'd remember me you sea dog!" Haddock replied.
"What are ya doin' in these parts of the world?! Come in!" he motioned Haddock as he walked in being suddenly inspected by a Great Dane.
"Down Scurvy!" Mr. Ballard shouted.
"Oh Haddock! Who is this…pretty little lass?! You dog, you went and got yerself a wife!?" he continued to laugh patting Lucille on the back then a little lower as she quickly moved away from him.
"No! She's my daughter! And keep your hands off her now you hear?!" Haddock warned.
Mr. Ballard shut the door as Lucille carried Cocoa in her arms as Scurvy jumped up trying to smell Cocoa getting a deep growl from her as a warning.
The house was a wreck. Lucille noticed there were dirty dishes in the sink and half eaten food sitting in pots in the kitchen. The furniture was covered in clothes and other random materials while a little fuzzy black and white television gave just above a poor reception with large antennas.
Lucille almost laughed at the idea of having Haddock as a father but was realizing quickly that he and her father weren't too terribly different.
"So Haddock, what brings ya here? Certainly it wasn't for old times sake!" Mr. Ballard shook his stringy salt and pepper hair our of his face rubbing his mustache. He was a stocky man with a barrel chest. His clothes looked like they hadn't been washed in some time. The smell inside the house wasn't much more pleasant than that of the yard.
"Well Ballard, it seems you got me figured out!" Haddock quickly said getting down to business.
"Then what is it? I can't do ya no favors without getting something in return Captain!" Ballard said immediately.
"Lucille walked next to Haddock with Cocoa as Scurvy kept trying to get to Cocoa until she snapped at the big Great Dane.
"Cocoa!" Lucille scolded.
"Come here Scurvy! Hehehe! Poor boy hasn't had companionship in quite a while hehehe!" Ballard laughed with a sense of ribaldry.
"I need to get to Dublin" Haddock came out with it.
"Take a ferry…certainly ye can wait 'til the morning'? You can stay here if ya like…does yer daughter have her a man yet?" Ballard went on.
"I'm happily married thank you!" Lucille was quick to answer.
"Drats!" Mr. Ballard pouted.
"We need to go tonight!" Haddock said urgently.
"Tonight!? It's gonna cost ya! I have to get my ole mate to help me with the schooner; plus we have to work tomorrow, and this cuts into our 'drinking time'" Mr. Ballard mentioned.
"Which mate would that be?" Haddock asked curiously.
"Jake Yates" Mr. Ballard said.
"He's still alive?!" Haddock asked in amazement.
"Of course, that dog is more like a cat who has nine lives he does!" Mr. Ballard went on.
"I thought he lost one eye and part of his left leg the pirate!" Haddock exclaimed.
"Ain't nothing' gonna keep 'im down! He can still catch a fish better than any other man I take out with me!" Mr. Ballard vouched.
"Where is he?" Haddock asked.
"Oh Yates is staying in a camper behind me house" Mr. Ballard told him.
"How convenient, I'll pay you half a sterling if you take me tonight" Haddock negotiated.
Tim Ballard spun around and narrowed his eyes, "You'll have to do better than that Captain! Especially after I've heard about some of your recent exploits!" Mr. Ballard pointed out.
"A sterling, and not a penny more!" Haddock exclaimed.
"Ok ok…that's better! Meet me down by my private dock below my house. Yates and I will be down there shortly once I get the dog up!" Mr. Ballard laughed. "Come on Scurvy!" Mr. Ballard shouted.
Captain Haddock, Lucille, and Cocoa retrieved their belongings from the car, but not before Haddock moved it down a block.
"I thought we were getting on their fishing boat at the dock?" Lucille replied.
"Do you want your car to still be intact when we return?" Haddock asked her a bit precariously.
"Yes…" Lucille nodded.
"Then by depths of the sea! Keep your head about you and do as I say lass!" Haddock advised.
"Calm down Captain, I am a grown woman" Lucille reminded him.
"Aye! But if you think Mr. Ballard is bad, Mr. Yates is much worse!" Haddock warned her.
"Oh!" Lucille said as they locked the car and began walking down the hill to Mr. Ballard's dock.
"Yes, best to not even say anything to them to even make them think they have a chance in Hell…understand now?" Haddock patted her on the back.
"Very well" Lucille said putting Cocoa on the ground so she could follow them on her own.
"I never knew you had such charming friends…" Lucille said sarcastically.
"These aren't my friends lass, when you work on the high seas you learn to befriend those with skill before anything else if you want to live" Haddock pointed out.
When they arrived at the dock, the fishing boat looked like four people was the maximum amount that it would seat comfortably. The boat was steered inside a small housed room that with all four of them in would be a bit tight.
The fishing spool had nets wrapped up. Buckets, fishing rods, and harpoons with all kinds of other various fishing equipment littered the boat. Thirty minutes later Mr. Ballard came down the hill with a lantern in his hand followed by another man wearing a long grey coat and hat. He used a crutch to slowly make his way down. When they got a closer look at him, he had reddish hair with a hint of white in it. He wore a patch over one eye and had his other pant leg where his foot and lower part of his leg should have been folded and sewn shut.
"Captain Haddock! You ole ugly sea lion!" Mr. Yates shouted.
"Aye Yates, but not as ugly as you!" Haddock acknowledged him.
"I hear yer givin' Ballard here a whole sterlin!" Yates said almost accusingly.
"Yes" Haddock nodded.
"I want one too!" Yates folded his arms leaning on his crutch before they got on the boat.
"Are you trying to rob me blind? I don't have two sterling on me!" Haddock complained digging in his pocket counting the coins he had.
"Well, we could take it out in trade… I'm out of whiskey!" Yates hinted.
"Are you crazy?! I'm not giving up my whiskey you bootlegging highwayman!" Haddock shouted.
"Well…" Yates looked at Haddock then looked at Lucille.
"Oh, well then it'll cost ya a night with this fine lass ya got with ya!" Yates laughed.
"That's my daughter you perverted swine!" Haddock yelled.
"Well Haddock it seems we've come at an impasse" Mr. Ballard folded his arms.
"You could sail this thing by yourself!" Haddock accused him remembering his skills.
"Aye, but I got to sail this tub back from Dublin alone?! Not happenin' Captain!" Mr. Ballard said adamantly.
"So what will it be Haddock?" Yates said eying him comically winking his only eye at Lucille who held Cocoa as she continuously growled.
"Come on Captain surrender the Scotch, I know you have some stashed in your flask" Lucille said to him quietly.
"Oh not my Scotch!" Haddock complained.
"What's more important? My husband and Fenton, or your Scotch?" Lucille asked putting it to him another way.
"Errr…fine!" Haddock said taking out not only his flask but half a bottle of Loch Lomond Scotch to Lucille's amazement who only remembered the flask.
"Wow, Fenton said you liked Scotch, but I didn't realize how much!" Lucille said with surprise.
"Good Captain!" Yates said taking the bottle, then reaching over for the flask trying to pry it out of the Captain's hand.
"Let go you dog!" Yates said pulling harder until Haddock let go causing Yates to fall back on top of Mr. Ballard.
"Don't let the Scotch hit the ground!" Yates shouted. Mr. Ballard caught the Scotch bottle in his hands but had Yates land on top of him.
"Get off me you Long John has been!" Mr. Ballard cursed.
"Be thankful it isn't raining lass" Haddock whispered.
Lucille looked at both men with disgust but held her tongue as they were their ticket to following Tintin and the others. They got on the boat as Lucille sat down near the wheel inside as she opened a window to air out the little room.
"Ok Haddock! Ya may be a Captain and may have paid us a sterling and some Scotch, but yer still goin' to help us sail our boat to Dublin!" Yates pointed out.
Haddock rolled his eyes, "Fine, then hopefully we'll get there more quickly then!" Haddock complained taking off his coat handing it to Lucille. Cocoa sat at Lucille's feet guarding her.
