Disclaimer: see chapter 1
----
The pirates stared down at the box.
"That's not valuables," Gibbs said, glumly.
Jack bent, and pulled out one of the dark blue jackets that were folded neatly in the looted box. "It's not silver or gold," he said, "but it's valuable nonetheless." He held the jacket up against himself. "Oh yes, this is valuable."
"It's a navy uniform, cap'n," one of the crew pointed out.
"Aye, it is!" Jack grinned, cheerfully. "And as such, will bring us more wealth than if it had been a box o' coins."
Gibbs eyed his captain doubtfully. "Will it?"
"You wait, Mr Gibbs!" Jack said.
"Daft," muttered Gibbs, under his breath.
"Close the trunk and take it down to me cabin," Jack ordered. Two of the pirates hurried to obey.
The Nictaux was sailing northeast from Aruba, having put in at the settlement for a couple of days' shore leave. The crew were in a good mood - the voyage thus far had been profitable and exciting, with many ships raided and no loss of life. It was mostly because of this that Jack's strange excitement over their latest capture of a box full of Spanish naval uniforms went without comment. The pirates had generally agreed that though their captain was certainly mad, he knew how to sail, and so they had grown to accept him.
Jack followed the box down to his cabin and sent the crew away once they had put it down on the floor. He took off his hat and dropped to his knees to investigate.
There were ten pristine new officers' uniforms in the trunk, complete sets including breeches and hats. There was also a neatly-folded Spanish flag. Jack tried one of the hats on, squinting at himself in the back of a silver plate won from an English merchant three weeks before. It fitted well enough, and he grinned at his reflection. He had an idea.
Later that day, Jack set two of the pirates to repainting the Nictaux's stern. They hung on with their legs straddled over a board suspended from the rail, painting over the ship's name. Jack watched, peering down at them from the quarterdeck, with Gibbs at the helm giving him puzzled glances.
When the painters were finished, they were hauled back on deck and given an extra ration of rum. Leaning over the side, Jack inspected their handiwork and pronounced himself satisfied.
"What happens now?" the first mate, Deschamps, asked.
"We wait," Jack said, "for the opportune moment."
The moment he was looking for did not arise that day, nor indeed the next. They continued on their northeastern course, heading for the smaller islands on the edge of the Caribbean. The lookouts spied a couple of ships on the horizon, but after Jack had hurried aloft to have a look for himself, he came back down and gave the order to keep to their course.
He had a plan, and he was going to stick to it. He was rather enjoying the looks he kept getting from Gibbs. The old sailor had, by his tales, seen a lot of the world, but this was his first experience of piracy and it was clear he was not quite sure what to make of it.
On the third day, the lookout's call of "Ship ahoy!" was tinged with fear. Jack slipped off his boots and climbed the rigging to see what was what.
"English naval vessel, cap'n," the lookout said, passing Jack the telescope. Jack squinted down it.
"Excellent," he said.
"Cap'n?"
"Stay here an' tell me how she's doing," Jack said, reassuringly. He hurried back down to the deck, and briskly picked nine men from the crew. "You dogs, come with me. Rest o' ye, stay here until I'm back."
Down in his cabin, the nine pirates stared at him. "Eh?" one of them said, eventually.
"Just put the clothes on, Sim," Jack returned, pushing a navy blue jacket at his crewman. "You just need to look official, like."
"I am not sure I want to know what you 'ave planned, capitaine," Deschamps said, examining his armful of clothes.
"Then don't ask, just obey, savvy?" Jack flicked his hand at the men. "Go on, change! We haven't got long afore we catch them up."
They left, muttering to each other, and Jack took his coat off and turned his attention to what was left in the trunk.
Fifteen minutes later, the whole crew were back on deck. Half of the men were trying not to laugh openly, whilst Jack's chosen nine were shifting self-consciously. Jack fastened his sword around his waist and straightened his new hat.
"Now, gents," he said, "listen up. We're doin' a little play-acting. Just for today, the Nictaux is becoming the good ship Cordoba, and we're all in the service of Spain. Try not to say anythin' unless you happen to speak Dago, all right?"
"What are we going to do, captain?" Gibbs asked.
"We," said Jack, "are going to have a little fun." He grinned.
The two ships - English brig and pseudo-Spanish two-master - hove to alongside each other, at a safe distance.
"Keep a sharp eye out," Jack said quietly to Gibbs, at the helm. Gibbs nodded.
"Aye, sir."
On the quarterdeck of the English ship, her officers were having a huddled discussion, and shortly one of their boats was lowered into the water and two of the officers climbed into it. Four crewmen unshipped the oars and, with a white handkerchief in clear evidence, the boat started its progress towards the Nictaux.
Jack pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket and bound it around his braided beard, effectively hiding the beads. He pulled himself up to his full height, and folded his arms, waiting.
Within a few moments, the English boat was at the side of the Nictaux.
"Ahoy there, Cordoba!" the younger of the two officers called. "Permission to come aboard?"
Shooting a grin at Gibbs, Jack called back: "S!" He gestured, and a ladder was thrown down to the smaller boat. The Englishmen climbed aboard, and stood looking around them. The pirates in Spanish uniform were standing around for authenticity's sake, pretending to be busy.
Jack hurried down the steps to the main deck, and threw them an extravagant bow.
"Welcome aboard His Majesty's ship Cordoba!" he said, lisping his words in a manner that at least reflected Spain. "How can I help you, señores?"
"This is Captain Jenkins," the younger officer said. "I am Lieutenant Baldry, from His Majesty's ship the Tenacious."
"Captain Cortés," Jack returned, not missing a beat.
"Captain, we are on the hunt for a pirate ship," Jenkins said smoothly. "There have been reports from this area for the past week."
"I, too, have heard reports," said Jack, shrugging. "But we have seen nothing - nada."
"He's said to be an odd sort, the pirate captain," Jenkins continued, looking up at the Nictaux's rigging. He glanced down again, at Jack. "Funny clothes, way of talking."
"This also we have heard," Jack agreed. "He is said to be a fearsome hombre, and his sailors too. We shall give him no quarter, if we catch him."
"He's raided English vessels," Jenkins said. "Governor Swann and Commodore Townsend will wish to try him in Port Royal, and hang him there."
Jack shrugged. "He has also taken Spanish ships. Are we to be denied a trial?"
Captain Jenkins smiled, narrowly. "If we catch him first, aye."
"Yet if we catch him?" asked Jack. "This man, this pirate with the odd name ..."
"Sparrow," said Baldry. "Or so we're told."
"Sparrow, s," said Jack. "If we catch him, we shall try him."
Jenkins nodded. "That is fair. Very well. Gracías, Captain Cortés." He held out his hand, and Jack shook it.
"Thank you, Captain Jenkins," he replied.
"Good hunting, then," Jenkins said. "Nice ship, by the way."
"Yours, also," Jack said.
They exchanged bows, and the Englishmen returned to their boat and then their ship. In a short while they were heading south, whilst the Nictaux set off again on her previous course. Jack was jubilant.
"We had 'em!" he said.
"Could have been risky, that," said Gibbs, shaking his head. "Could have been very risky."
"Ah, but it worked, didn't it?" Jack pointed out, freeing his beard from its constraint. "We've sent them off south on a wild Sparrow chase." His eyes lifted to the sails. "Except they're going to find him."
"Cap'n?" exclaimed Gibbs, horror in his eyes; but Jack had already given his orders and the ship was going about, to begin racing south after the Navy vessel. Gibbs shook his head. "Daft," he said, to himself. "Daft."
As night fell, the Nictaux was gaining fast on the Tenacious. Lights shone from the portholes of the English vessel, and she was cruising under very little sail. Jack, back on deck in his usual attire, was standing on the rail watching their progress, hand gripping a shroud lightly. He leaned backwards to talk to Deschamps, who was hovering beside him waiting for orders.
"Get the cannon ready, and stand on me order to fire."
"Aye, captain." Deschamps nodded, and hurried off to carry out the command. Jack searched for another pirate.
"Sim!" Sim, who earlier on had been reluctant to put on the Spanish uniform, crossed the deck to Jack. "Prepare the grapples, lad," Jack said.
Sim returned his captain's grin, turning to find the grappling irons.
Now they were ready, and Jack watched the distance between the two ships narrow. His crew were silent, and the Nictaux slipped quietly through the slack evening water.
Jack, his eyes glittering in the gloom, tensed, ready. He could hear the creaks of the Tenacious now, lines slapping the mast. He gestured to Gibbs at the helm, and the Nictaux swung around.
"Grapples, now!" Jack called, his voice swinging his crew into action. It startled the Tenacious, too.
"Declare yourselves!" A voice rang across the gap between the two vessels. Grapples hissed through the air in reply, catching on the Tenacious's rail, and Jack seized a line from the nearest pirate, launching himself into the darkness. He landed securely with the ease of long practice on the deck of the English ship, standing and drawing his sword in one swift motion. Around him he could hear the chaos beginning as his crew followed him.
A sword whistled down behind his head, and Jack swung and blocked the blow. He threw the young midshipman who had attacked him one of his best piratical leers, and the boy's sword hand visibly shook.
"Take me to your captain, lad," Jack said.
The midshipman, quivering, nodded and led Jack hurriedly across the deck. They sidestepped sailors trying their best against seasoned pirates, and arrived on the quarterdeck. Captain Jenkins was being defended by two of his lieutenants, who looked like they had been roused from their beds in a hurry.
"Captain!" Jack swept the group of half-dressed naval officers one of his best bows. "I've some good news for you."
"Stand down, pirate!" Lieutenant Baldry waved his sword.
"Don't you want to hear the news, then?" Jack asked. "Pity. I'd have thought you'd have wanted to hear it afore I give the order to have this ship blown into smithereens."
"You've no chance," the other lieutenant said, scornfully. "We've far more fire power than you."
"Ah," said Jack, "but my cannon are ready to fire. Yours aren't. I suggest you listen to the news, mate."
Jenkins laid a hand on Baldry's shoulder, and moved him gently aside. "And what would that news be, pirate?"
Jack grinned, and twirled the end of his moustache with his free hand. "Una buena noticia, Captain Jenkins. You do not need to look further for Captain Sparrow." He dropped the Spanish accent. "I'm right here, savvy?"
Captain Jenkins stared. "You!"
"Me." Jack turned his head slightly. "Men - back t' the ship!"
The pirates cheered, and began to make their way back across to the Nictaux. Jack turned back to Jenkins.
"Know this," he said. "Today you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow - but you didn't. Moment to treasure, eh?" He flicked out his sword and caught Jenkins's hat on the end of it, before seizing a handy loose line and jumping. "Fire!" he called, even as he swung.
The Nictaux's cannon shuddered, and a cannonball thumped into the Tenacious's side, just above the waterline.
All the pirates were safely back on board now, some nursing minor wounds, and Jack gave the order to turn. Sails were unfurled, catching the wind as the ship came around. The naval vessel managed to get off one shot before the two-master was out of range, but it fell short with a splash into the water.
Jack sheathed his sword, and threw Gibbs Captain Jenkins's hat. "Present. Let me have the helm."
Gibbs caught the hat. "Right y'are, cap'n." They exchanged places. Gibbs tried the hat on, but took it off again straight away. He eyed Jack. "That could've turned nasty," he said.
"But it didn't," said Jack, adjusting the course a point to port. "Did it?"
There was nothing Gibbs could say to that, and he left Jack at the helm. The Nictaux sliced through the waves, and her captain hummed a tuneless song to himself. As far as he was concerned, all was right with the world.
----
The pirates stared down at the box.
"That's not valuables," Gibbs said, glumly.
Jack bent, and pulled out one of the dark blue jackets that were folded neatly in the looted box. "It's not silver or gold," he said, "but it's valuable nonetheless." He held the jacket up against himself. "Oh yes, this is valuable."
"It's a navy uniform, cap'n," one of the crew pointed out.
"Aye, it is!" Jack grinned, cheerfully. "And as such, will bring us more wealth than if it had been a box o' coins."
Gibbs eyed his captain doubtfully. "Will it?"
"You wait, Mr Gibbs!" Jack said.
"Daft," muttered Gibbs, under his breath.
"Close the trunk and take it down to me cabin," Jack ordered. Two of the pirates hurried to obey.
The Nictaux was sailing northeast from Aruba, having put in at the settlement for a couple of days' shore leave. The crew were in a good mood - the voyage thus far had been profitable and exciting, with many ships raided and no loss of life. It was mostly because of this that Jack's strange excitement over their latest capture of a box full of Spanish naval uniforms went without comment. The pirates had generally agreed that though their captain was certainly mad, he knew how to sail, and so they had grown to accept him.
Jack followed the box down to his cabin and sent the crew away once they had put it down on the floor. He took off his hat and dropped to his knees to investigate.
There were ten pristine new officers' uniforms in the trunk, complete sets including breeches and hats. There was also a neatly-folded Spanish flag. Jack tried one of the hats on, squinting at himself in the back of a silver plate won from an English merchant three weeks before. It fitted well enough, and he grinned at his reflection. He had an idea.
Later that day, Jack set two of the pirates to repainting the Nictaux's stern. They hung on with their legs straddled over a board suspended from the rail, painting over the ship's name. Jack watched, peering down at them from the quarterdeck, with Gibbs at the helm giving him puzzled glances.
When the painters were finished, they were hauled back on deck and given an extra ration of rum. Leaning over the side, Jack inspected their handiwork and pronounced himself satisfied.
"What happens now?" the first mate, Deschamps, asked.
"We wait," Jack said, "for the opportune moment."
The moment he was looking for did not arise that day, nor indeed the next. They continued on their northeastern course, heading for the smaller islands on the edge of the Caribbean. The lookouts spied a couple of ships on the horizon, but after Jack had hurried aloft to have a look for himself, he came back down and gave the order to keep to their course.
He had a plan, and he was going to stick to it. He was rather enjoying the looks he kept getting from Gibbs. The old sailor had, by his tales, seen a lot of the world, but this was his first experience of piracy and it was clear he was not quite sure what to make of it.
On the third day, the lookout's call of "Ship ahoy!" was tinged with fear. Jack slipped off his boots and climbed the rigging to see what was what.
"English naval vessel, cap'n," the lookout said, passing Jack the telescope. Jack squinted down it.
"Excellent," he said.
"Cap'n?"
"Stay here an' tell me how she's doing," Jack said, reassuringly. He hurried back down to the deck, and briskly picked nine men from the crew. "You dogs, come with me. Rest o' ye, stay here until I'm back."
Down in his cabin, the nine pirates stared at him. "Eh?" one of them said, eventually.
"Just put the clothes on, Sim," Jack returned, pushing a navy blue jacket at his crewman. "You just need to look official, like."
"I am not sure I want to know what you 'ave planned, capitaine," Deschamps said, examining his armful of clothes.
"Then don't ask, just obey, savvy?" Jack flicked his hand at the men. "Go on, change! We haven't got long afore we catch them up."
They left, muttering to each other, and Jack took his coat off and turned his attention to what was left in the trunk.
Fifteen minutes later, the whole crew were back on deck. Half of the men were trying not to laugh openly, whilst Jack's chosen nine were shifting self-consciously. Jack fastened his sword around his waist and straightened his new hat.
"Now, gents," he said, "listen up. We're doin' a little play-acting. Just for today, the Nictaux is becoming the good ship Cordoba, and we're all in the service of Spain. Try not to say anythin' unless you happen to speak Dago, all right?"
"What are we going to do, captain?" Gibbs asked.
"We," said Jack, "are going to have a little fun." He grinned.
The two ships - English brig and pseudo-Spanish two-master - hove to alongside each other, at a safe distance.
"Keep a sharp eye out," Jack said quietly to Gibbs, at the helm. Gibbs nodded.
"Aye, sir."
On the quarterdeck of the English ship, her officers were having a huddled discussion, and shortly one of their boats was lowered into the water and two of the officers climbed into it. Four crewmen unshipped the oars and, with a white handkerchief in clear evidence, the boat started its progress towards the Nictaux.
Jack pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket and bound it around his braided beard, effectively hiding the beads. He pulled himself up to his full height, and folded his arms, waiting.
Within a few moments, the English boat was at the side of the Nictaux.
"Ahoy there, Cordoba!" the younger of the two officers called. "Permission to come aboard?"
Shooting a grin at Gibbs, Jack called back: "S!" He gestured, and a ladder was thrown down to the smaller boat. The Englishmen climbed aboard, and stood looking around them. The pirates in Spanish uniform were standing around for authenticity's sake, pretending to be busy.
Jack hurried down the steps to the main deck, and threw them an extravagant bow.
"Welcome aboard His Majesty's ship Cordoba!" he said, lisping his words in a manner that at least reflected Spain. "How can I help you, señores?"
"This is Captain Jenkins," the younger officer said. "I am Lieutenant Baldry, from His Majesty's ship the Tenacious."
"Captain Cortés," Jack returned, not missing a beat.
"Captain, we are on the hunt for a pirate ship," Jenkins said smoothly. "There have been reports from this area for the past week."
"I, too, have heard reports," said Jack, shrugging. "But we have seen nothing - nada."
"He's said to be an odd sort, the pirate captain," Jenkins continued, looking up at the Nictaux's rigging. He glanced down again, at Jack. "Funny clothes, way of talking."
"This also we have heard," Jack agreed. "He is said to be a fearsome hombre, and his sailors too. We shall give him no quarter, if we catch him."
"He's raided English vessels," Jenkins said. "Governor Swann and Commodore Townsend will wish to try him in Port Royal, and hang him there."
Jack shrugged. "He has also taken Spanish ships. Are we to be denied a trial?"
Captain Jenkins smiled, narrowly. "If we catch him first, aye."
"Yet if we catch him?" asked Jack. "This man, this pirate with the odd name ..."
"Sparrow," said Baldry. "Or so we're told."
"Sparrow, s," said Jack. "If we catch him, we shall try him."
Jenkins nodded. "That is fair. Very well. Gracías, Captain Cortés." He held out his hand, and Jack shook it.
"Thank you, Captain Jenkins," he replied.
"Good hunting, then," Jenkins said. "Nice ship, by the way."
"Yours, also," Jack said.
They exchanged bows, and the Englishmen returned to their boat and then their ship. In a short while they were heading south, whilst the Nictaux set off again on her previous course. Jack was jubilant.
"We had 'em!" he said.
"Could have been risky, that," said Gibbs, shaking his head. "Could have been very risky."
"Ah, but it worked, didn't it?" Jack pointed out, freeing his beard from its constraint. "We've sent them off south on a wild Sparrow chase." His eyes lifted to the sails. "Except they're going to find him."
"Cap'n?" exclaimed Gibbs, horror in his eyes; but Jack had already given his orders and the ship was going about, to begin racing south after the Navy vessel. Gibbs shook his head. "Daft," he said, to himself. "Daft."
As night fell, the Nictaux was gaining fast on the Tenacious. Lights shone from the portholes of the English vessel, and she was cruising under very little sail. Jack, back on deck in his usual attire, was standing on the rail watching their progress, hand gripping a shroud lightly. He leaned backwards to talk to Deschamps, who was hovering beside him waiting for orders.
"Get the cannon ready, and stand on me order to fire."
"Aye, captain." Deschamps nodded, and hurried off to carry out the command. Jack searched for another pirate.
"Sim!" Sim, who earlier on had been reluctant to put on the Spanish uniform, crossed the deck to Jack. "Prepare the grapples, lad," Jack said.
Sim returned his captain's grin, turning to find the grappling irons.
Now they were ready, and Jack watched the distance between the two ships narrow. His crew were silent, and the Nictaux slipped quietly through the slack evening water.
Jack, his eyes glittering in the gloom, tensed, ready. He could hear the creaks of the Tenacious now, lines slapping the mast. He gestured to Gibbs at the helm, and the Nictaux swung around.
"Grapples, now!" Jack called, his voice swinging his crew into action. It startled the Tenacious, too.
"Declare yourselves!" A voice rang across the gap between the two vessels. Grapples hissed through the air in reply, catching on the Tenacious's rail, and Jack seized a line from the nearest pirate, launching himself into the darkness. He landed securely with the ease of long practice on the deck of the English ship, standing and drawing his sword in one swift motion. Around him he could hear the chaos beginning as his crew followed him.
A sword whistled down behind his head, and Jack swung and blocked the blow. He threw the young midshipman who had attacked him one of his best piratical leers, and the boy's sword hand visibly shook.
"Take me to your captain, lad," Jack said.
The midshipman, quivering, nodded and led Jack hurriedly across the deck. They sidestepped sailors trying their best against seasoned pirates, and arrived on the quarterdeck. Captain Jenkins was being defended by two of his lieutenants, who looked like they had been roused from their beds in a hurry.
"Captain!" Jack swept the group of half-dressed naval officers one of his best bows. "I've some good news for you."
"Stand down, pirate!" Lieutenant Baldry waved his sword.
"Don't you want to hear the news, then?" Jack asked. "Pity. I'd have thought you'd have wanted to hear it afore I give the order to have this ship blown into smithereens."
"You've no chance," the other lieutenant said, scornfully. "We've far more fire power than you."
"Ah," said Jack, "but my cannon are ready to fire. Yours aren't. I suggest you listen to the news, mate."
Jenkins laid a hand on Baldry's shoulder, and moved him gently aside. "And what would that news be, pirate?"
Jack grinned, and twirled the end of his moustache with his free hand. "Una buena noticia, Captain Jenkins. You do not need to look further for Captain Sparrow." He dropped the Spanish accent. "I'm right here, savvy?"
Captain Jenkins stared. "You!"
"Me." Jack turned his head slightly. "Men - back t' the ship!"
The pirates cheered, and began to make their way back across to the Nictaux. Jack turned back to Jenkins.
"Know this," he said. "Today you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow - but you didn't. Moment to treasure, eh?" He flicked out his sword and caught Jenkins's hat on the end of it, before seizing a handy loose line and jumping. "Fire!" he called, even as he swung.
The Nictaux's cannon shuddered, and a cannonball thumped into the Tenacious's side, just above the waterline.
All the pirates were safely back on board now, some nursing minor wounds, and Jack gave the order to turn. Sails were unfurled, catching the wind as the ship came around. The naval vessel managed to get off one shot before the two-master was out of range, but it fell short with a splash into the water.
Jack sheathed his sword, and threw Gibbs Captain Jenkins's hat. "Present. Let me have the helm."
Gibbs caught the hat. "Right y'are, cap'n." They exchanged places. Gibbs tried the hat on, but took it off again straight away. He eyed Jack. "That could've turned nasty," he said.
"But it didn't," said Jack, adjusting the course a point to port. "Did it?"
There was nothing Gibbs could say to that, and he left Jack at the helm. The Nictaux sliced through the waves, and her captain hummed a tuneless song to himself. As far as he was concerned, all was right with the world.