The battle was on! As the Surprise drew closer to the blundering Caniche, cannons were abandoned for boarding pikes, grapples, swords, and guns. Blakeney, eager for another fight, brandished a large, expensive looking sword which just happened to be outside the captain's cabin.

Killick grumbled as he went by, knowing full well that Blakeney was using the captain's sword and had "borrowed" it from his cabin. Killick decided to let it go and picked up a grappling hook.

Bullets ripped through sails, wood, and flesh. Stephen was below, a clean bandage on his shoulder, already receiving patients. Mr. Parker, who had tried to leap dramatically over to the other ship's deck, had received a concussion when the hilt of a sword crashed down on his head. He was unconscious, but had a strange, triumphant grin on his face nonetheless.

It was pandemonium on the decks of the two ships. Blakeney was already below in the French ship and was battling the gun crew with half of the Surprise's crew. He felt boxed in from all sides as battles raged around him, weapons flashing.

Blakeney parried a blow dealt at him by a young-looking officer wearing a pitying sneer. The Frenchman kicked Blakeney viciously in the gut, flooring him, but several Surprises leapt on him, punching and kicking where their weapons wouldn't reach.

"Stand aside!" Blakeney yelled, and they reluctantly rejoined the rest of the battle. The officer stood up, much worse for the wear, now wearing an ugly expression. He lashed out with his sword, but Blakeney parried it, stepped closer, and ran the man through.

He turned, still trying to get used to the idea that he had just killed someone, and helped Mr. Lamb fight off two French midshipmen.

Suddenly, someone (Blakeney couldn't see who in the smoke from the cannons) shouted from the top of the hatch, "Stop! Their captain surrendered! Mr. Blakeney, could y'please come up here?"

Blakeney, flushed with victory, bounded up the steps to face the French captain. He was standing, sword at his feet, with an expression to rival the other French officer's.

"I hereby surrender to you. That officer you killed below was my son," he muttered. "I have nothing left to fight for." He handed his sword hilt-first to Blakeney. Blakeney accepted it, feeling guilty, and nodded coolly. "Thank you, captain. I am sorry for your loss."

He strode off, back to the Surprise, and went below to where Stephen was caring for his patients.

"Doctor, you will be in charge of escorting the French ship back to London. You will be accompanied by half the crew. No arguments," he added.

Stephen looked as though he was about to say something, then nodded. "Yes, sir. Congratulations, by the way."

Blakeney gave a small smile. "Thank you. Please excuse me for a moment," he said.

He stepped back on deck and told his crew that Stephen would be going with the French ship back to London. There were many raised eyebrows at that, but nothing else was said. Everyone was too exhilarated by the victory.

"Well, I suppose that's all-"Blakeney began uncertainly.

"That bloody well isn't all!" said Killick indignantly. "What about the captain and Mr. Pullings?"

Blakeney wanted to hit himself on the head. Of course, you idiot! he raged to himself. When he was under control, he said, "Weren't they aboard the ship?"

Blank looks greeted this question. Feeling anxious now, Blakeney commanded, "Bring me their captain again."

The hassled looking captain, who was listening from the other deck, called, "They jumped overboard when they saw your ship. I do not know where they are now."

Blakeney scanned the water, searching for signs of a swimmer. Nothing. "All hands in the rigging!" he called. There was a rush for the rigging, and soon the entire crew was straining their eyes over the ocean. There was silence for a few agonizing minutes, then someone cried, "There! Off the port bow! There they are!"

Everyone turned to look that way. Pullings and Mowett were floating on pieces of driftwood a good ways away, and seemed to be looking, horrorstruck, at something in the water.

Suddenly, Jack appeared, pursued by a shark, its mouth wide open....