Show Me the Horizon
Chapter 9
"What are we going to do when we find the Banshee?" asked Elizabeth as she stood on the deck of the Black Pearl with Will, Annamaria and Mr. Gibbs.
"The Pearl is faster than the Banshee," said Gibbs. "We'll catch them easily enough. The question is, what do we do when we catch them."
"The Banshee has more guns that we do," said Annamaria. "While we might win a battle, it's not a sure thing."
"How is the crew at hand to hand fighting?" asked Will.
"Not as good as they should be," said Annamaria. "We've a few more members than we did last year, but we've been relying heavily on our guns, our speed and Jack's wits to carry us through. That's one of the reasons why we must get him back."
"If we could get aboard the Banshee somehow, we could probably find him and free him. The trouble is, I can't think of how to get aboard while we're at sea. And following her around the Caribbean until she makes port would look a bit suspicious." mused Will.
"No, the Pearl is too recognizable," said Gibbs. "And what reason could the Black Pearl possibly have for waylaying the Banshee?"
"How about ransom?" asked Elizabeth. "You could run up a truce flag, then offer to ransom Jack from Captain LeSerre."
"No!" said Annamaria with finality. "Jack would rather die than be ransomed."
"I didn't mean REALLY ransom him," said Elizabeth. "While you are negotiating terms with LeSerre, we can be searching the ship for Jack."
"I have a better idea," said Will. "Offer to trade me for Jack."
"What!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Offer to trade me for Jack," repeated Will. "LeSerre is an English privateer, right? He'd be able to ask a large reward from the Governor for the return of his son-in-law."
"Is the Governor that fond of you, lad?" asked Gibbs.
Will looked a little rueful. "Well, actually no."
"Trade both of us," said Elizabeth. "No, Will, it's the only way! We were both 'captured' from the Wave Dancer, right? If LeSerre arrives in Port Royal with Will but without me, the Royal Navy will be out gunning for the Pearl. Besides, Father is FAR more likely to want to ransom me than you, Will. And if LeSerre has half the brain he appears to have, he'll know that."
"I don't trust him," hissed Will through his teeth. "I don't want you on his ship."
Annamaria interjected at this point. "Will, she's right. How about this? I'll go aboard with the two of you, Pete and Cotton. During negotiations, Pete and Cotton will search the ship for Jack. When they've found and freed him, they'll give a signal. At the signal, I'll break off negotiations and hustle the two of you back to the Pearl. Gibbs will be waiting here to weigh anchor and sail the moment we all get back aboard."
"Only if Elizabeth stays on the Pearl," said Will flatly. "That can be the reason for the breakdown in negotiations. He may insist on seeing her to be sure you really have her. Or, you can say you need to return to the Pearl to fetch her. I can jump overboard and swim."
"What if he puts you under guard?" asked Annamaria.
"Why would he do that?" asked Will. "After all, he'll be rescuing me from the pirates. Why would he think I'd want to escape from the Banshee?"
--
Carefully Jack slipped through the shadows of the small village, making his way toward the docks. Scanning the docks, he saw exactly what he was looking for - a small, single masted boat. Looking up and down the deserted street, Jack moved swiftly onto the dock, untied the ropes and stepped aboard. At his signal, Gwen hurried out from behind a wall and crossed the dock to the boat. Taking her hand, Jack helped her aboard. Using one of the oars, Jack pushed the boat away from the dock and quickly ran up the sail. "Is there something I can do to help? whispered Gwen.
"Just stay out of my way, luv," answered Jack absently. The wind filled the sail and the boat began to move with gathering speed. "Let me know if anyone on shore seems to notice us."
Chapter 9
"What are we going to do when we find the Banshee?" asked Elizabeth as she stood on the deck of the Black Pearl with Will, Annamaria and Mr. Gibbs.
"The Pearl is faster than the Banshee," said Gibbs. "We'll catch them easily enough. The question is, what do we do when we catch them."
"The Banshee has more guns that we do," said Annamaria. "While we might win a battle, it's not a sure thing."
"How is the crew at hand to hand fighting?" asked Will.
"Not as good as they should be," said Annamaria. "We've a few more members than we did last year, but we've been relying heavily on our guns, our speed and Jack's wits to carry us through. That's one of the reasons why we must get him back."
"If we could get aboard the Banshee somehow, we could probably find him and free him. The trouble is, I can't think of how to get aboard while we're at sea. And following her around the Caribbean until she makes port would look a bit suspicious." mused Will.
"No, the Pearl is too recognizable," said Gibbs. "And what reason could the Black Pearl possibly have for waylaying the Banshee?"
"How about ransom?" asked Elizabeth. "You could run up a truce flag, then offer to ransom Jack from Captain LeSerre."
"No!" said Annamaria with finality. "Jack would rather die than be ransomed."
"I didn't mean REALLY ransom him," said Elizabeth. "While you are negotiating terms with LeSerre, we can be searching the ship for Jack."
"I have a better idea," said Will. "Offer to trade me for Jack."
"What!" exclaimed Elizabeth.
"Offer to trade me for Jack," repeated Will. "LeSerre is an English privateer, right? He'd be able to ask a large reward from the Governor for the return of his son-in-law."
"Is the Governor that fond of you, lad?" asked Gibbs.
Will looked a little rueful. "Well, actually no."
"Trade both of us," said Elizabeth. "No, Will, it's the only way! We were both 'captured' from the Wave Dancer, right? If LeSerre arrives in Port Royal with Will but without me, the Royal Navy will be out gunning for the Pearl. Besides, Father is FAR more likely to want to ransom me than you, Will. And if LeSerre has half the brain he appears to have, he'll know that."
"I don't trust him," hissed Will through his teeth. "I don't want you on his ship."
Annamaria interjected at this point. "Will, she's right. How about this? I'll go aboard with the two of you, Pete and Cotton. During negotiations, Pete and Cotton will search the ship for Jack. When they've found and freed him, they'll give a signal. At the signal, I'll break off negotiations and hustle the two of you back to the Pearl. Gibbs will be waiting here to weigh anchor and sail the moment we all get back aboard."
"Only if Elizabeth stays on the Pearl," said Will flatly. "That can be the reason for the breakdown in negotiations. He may insist on seeing her to be sure you really have her. Or, you can say you need to return to the Pearl to fetch her. I can jump overboard and swim."
"What if he puts you under guard?" asked Annamaria.
"Why would he do that?" asked Will. "After all, he'll be rescuing me from the pirates. Why would he think I'd want to escape from the Banshee?"
--
Carefully Jack slipped through the shadows of the small village, making his way toward the docks. Scanning the docks, he saw exactly what he was looking for - a small, single masted boat. Looking up and down the deserted street, Jack moved swiftly onto the dock, untied the ropes and stepped aboard. At his signal, Gwen hurried out from behind a wall and crossed the dock to the boat. Taking her hand, Jack helped her aboard. Using one of the oars, Jack pushed the boat away from the dock and quickly ran up the sail. "Is there something I can do to help? whispered Gwen.
"Just stay out of my way, luv," answered Jack absently. The wind filled the sail and the boat began to move with gathering speed. "Let me know if anyone on shore seems to notice us."