Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 55 – The Gauntlet

Year 4 - August

The Black Pearl hunted the sea lanes, searching for her prey. Jack knew well the descriptions of the three ships that had sunk the Resolute and hoped that they were no longer together. It was unlikely as it was months ago that they had worked together, but you never knew and he was cautious. He had heard rumours that one of the ships he was after was working down near Montserrat.

"Sail ho!" Oran Booth cried.

He grabbed his spyglass, smiling when he saw the other ship. "Hoist our colours!" he ordered. "And ready the guns. I want th' ship taken intact as possible!" He turned to Catherine. "I want yer in th' cabin with th' doors locked… and don't yer dare think about arguing, Kitty!"

Catherine quietly agreed, kissing him on the lips and turned to the cabin. She knew there were times she could get away with arguing and times not – and that this was definitely one of the times not.

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The crew of the Gauntlet never knew what hit them – apart from a number of cannonballs before they were boarded by the crew of the Black Pearl. The battle was brief, but fierce and very bloody, especially after the Gauntlet's crew realised no quarter was being given. The battle ended when every last man was dead. The Black Pearl had lost fifteen men – lucky, for surprise had been on their side, but for Jack that was still fifteen men too many. It had been a heavy price to pay to gain the ship, but he knew it could have been higher.

Joshamee Gibbs held a brief service for the men of the Black Pearl, before all the dead were consigned to the sea.

"Scrub 'er clean and then set sail for Port Royal," Jack told Joshamee, glancing across to Catherine who had emerged from the cabin as soon as he had declared it safe. "I want us clear of her before th' sharks turn up…"

Joshamee nodded, understanding Jack's desire to protect his wife from the realities of death at sea, and hurried the remaining crew across to the Gauntlet. Catherine moved to join them.

"No Kitty, an' this time I mean it." His grip was firm, unyielding. "I need yer t' stay here." For a moment he thought she would argue, but then she quietly nodded, the look in his eyes telling her that his reason had more to do with him than with her. He kissed her on the top of the head before shooing her towards the galley. "Make the men something hearty, they'll need it!"

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Commodore Norrington stared at the ship anchored in the harbour of Port Royal. "And there has been no sign of activity?" He recognised the ship as that which had attacked the port in March that year. He scanned the ship with his spyglass, eyes resting on it's name – the Gauntlet. A crudely painted sign hung off the stern. "HMS?" he muttered, puzzled.

"None, Sir," Lieutenant Gillette informed him. "It arrived in the night."

"Send some men across to check it out, with caution in case it is a trap," he ordered.

They waited whilst a troop of men rowed out, following only when the all-clear was given. "It appears to be abandoned, Sir," Lieutenant Gillette informed him. "Although there is some damage below the waterline…"

"Repairable?" James Norrington asked hopefully.

"Yes Sir," Lieutenant Gillette confirmed. "It's been roughly patched but would only take a week or so to repair and have her seaworthy again."

"See to it immediately!" the Commodore ordered. "I want a full troop of men guarding this ship, night and day, gunners too. I want this ship seaworthy as soon as possible!"

He returned to shore, surprised to see Damian Roseridge staring at the ship. Remembering the conversation with Jack Sparrow, he studied the man carefully, watching for the slightest clue.

"What?" he asked. "Isn't that the pirate ship that attacked here, the pirates that killed my father?" He dismounted, tying his dapple grey gelding to some nearby railings. "Commodore! What is going on?"

"It appears somebody has made us a gift of a ship, Mister Roseridge," he smiled, "and as soon as we can repair it Port Royal will have protection again!

"Who…. how…" Damian stuttered.

James Norrington watched him carefully. "We do not know Mister Roseridge, it simply appeared in the night, unmanned yet with a full complement of cannon."

"I see." For a moment James Norrington thought he could see a glimmer of nervousness in his eyes. "Well, we should be grateful then to our mystery benefactor."

"Indeed, Mister Roseridge, very grateful. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a ship to repair…" James Norrington walked away, humming to himself. He knew who the mystery benefactor was, but he had no intention of telling Damian Roseridge.

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