Chapter Eighteen: It's What We Do



"Ship to the port bow", the lookout cried. It had been three days since they had seen the Interceptor II off, on its way back to Port Royal. Jack pulled out his spyglass.


"It's a merchant schooner," he said. He handed the glass to Rachel. "See how low she rides in the water, luv?," he asked her. "She's carrying a full load, then. Right to us."


"Shall I give the order, Captain," Gibbs asked.


"Aye, Mr. Gibbs," Jack replied. "We'll be taking this one."


Gibbs started to shout orders and the crew jumped to obey them. The cannons were rolled out and loaded. The grapnels were prepared. The makeshift gangplanks were propped by the railings where they would be quick to hand when needed. Rachel and Annamaria were helping to set the sails when Jarod strode toward them.


"Afternoon, ladies," he said as he pitched in to help them. He turned to Rachel. "I thought it best for your peace of mind and my future health if you know where I am, today," he told her. "And the way I see it, the best way to serve my captain is to make sure his lady stays safe. That way, he won't be distracted by worryin' bout you."


"And I won't be distracted by worrying about him, either," she replied. "Stay close."


"Any closer milady, and Jack would have me head."


They began to pick up speed as the wind caught the extra sails. It wasn't long before the merchant ship spotted them and started pouring on their own sails. The chase was on. But it was already too late. The Black Pearl was the fastest ship in the Caribbean. She would catch her prey.


The Pearl rapidly gained on the fleeing schooner. Jack waited until he judged they were in range of the cannons, then turned the ship to present her guns for attack. He gave the order to fire. Smoke began to fill the air as the cannons boomed.


They had scored a direct hit. The vessel began to take on water. They turned ponderously to aim their cannons at the Pearl but she was too fast for them. By the time the schooner had completed her turning maneuvers, the crew of the Pearl had their grapnels ready. They lashed the ships together and pirates swarmed over to the other ship.


Jarod stayed true to his word. He kept a close eye on Rachel, making sure he was never out of her sight. They were manning the cannons below. Jarod had taken her down there to keep her away from the main body of the fighting. He had promised Jack that he would keep her as safe as possible. The girl was eager and a fast learner, but had only had a sword in her hand for a little over a week. If she entered the fray directly, she wouldn't last long.



They loaded the cannons with chain shot. The twin cannon balls linked by a length of chain were designed to take down a mast when used properly. Rachel covered her ears as Jarod lit the powder. At this range, how could they miss? The mainmast splintered as it was hit and began to fall backwards. It took the ship with it. The ship foundered on her port side. The crew took to the water. They knew they had to be free of the ship before she sank or she would draw them down with her.


The Pearl's carpenter boarded the foundering ship with his workmen. They quickly stabilized the ship long enough to unload her. She would still sink in the end, but they'd have enough time to do what they came to do.


Jack gave orders to his men and they scurried to the smaller craft. Time was of the essence. If she was carrying the kind of load he expected, they would need every hand available to unload her while she was still afloat.


Rachel and Jarod joined the raiding party. The hold turned out to be full. She was laden with a variety of merchandise. Silks and other textiles, spices, tea, ingots of various metals, silver and china plate, and many other goodies for the taking.


The merchant crew was pulled aboard the Black Pearl one by one, and taken to the brig. They would be dropped off near the first port they came to, given the rowboats from their own ship, and left to make their way to land. Jack was many things, and yes, had even killed when that was what was called for, but he preferred not to take lives without need. This time there was no need.


After the raid was over, the Black Pearl pulled back and Jack gave the order to drop anchor. He stood on deck and watched the merchant schooner slip beneath the waves. There was something that bothered him about that ship but he just could not put his finger on it. As he watched, the 'Mary Sue' sank out of sight.