"I suppose the question is, does she want to be rescued?" Gillette asked, standing beside the Commodore at the prow of The Dauntless.

Norrington frowned. "That is not a question we are meant to ask, Gillette. It is our duty to find her and bring her home." He took a deep breath. "Tell the men to come ashore fully armed. This is one pool of the lowest scum that I shall delight in draining. "He said as he gazed into the dark streets of Tortuga that echoed of the nightly brawl.

With another sigh, he barked an order and a full detachment of Marines disembarked from the ship.

The Commodore's expectations of the usual hushed silence that befell citizens at the sight of armed me, were highly disappointed. The denizens of Tortuga only responded by several jeers and yells to stay out of the way when they came between a drunk and a keg, or some brawlers.

"Why don't they stop?" Gillette asked, confused at the blatant lawlessness.

"Because they have us outnumbered at least four to one. We have no power here."

They continued to march through the streets, stepping around comatose drunks and avoid propositions from prostitutes.

Norrington had planned, in his head, a dramatic entrance to the tavern on the main street, involving of breaking down the door. But his fantasy didn't meet reality. Before any force could be exerted upon the door, it slowly slung open, two men stumbling out.

Rolling his eyes and giving up on holding any kind of dignity, Norrington motioned for his men to follow.

With silent force he pushed his way across the room, a veritable heaving wave of humanity. He stopped at the bar, two of his soldiers standing behind him. "You," He addressed the tavern keeper. "Have you seen Jack Sparrow?"

The dirty man shrugged. "Dunno. Suppose it depends on who's asking and why they want to know."

"I am Commodore Norrington of the King's Fleet!" He barked angrily, to which the bartender continued to remain placid.

"I don't know where he is."

"Perhaps you should offer him some gold." Gillette suggested quietly into his ear.

"Maybe I know where he is." A greedy glint formed in the barman's eye.

"I refuse to resort to bribery!" Norrington's shock faced gaped at his lieutenant.

"I don't know where he is." The man quickly back peddled.

Finally, the last of Norrrington's dignity died I his desperation to find Miss Smith and Elizabeth and to finally deal with Sparrow. With a resigned sigh, he reached into his pocket and pulled out three gold coins and dropped them onto the table. "Now, was Sparrow here?"

"Aye, about 3 hours ago. Had some lass with him."

Panic filled the Commodore. "Was she tall and slender with long auburn hair?"

The bartender's face twisted. "Nah. She wasn't very tall, maybe to here." He held his hand to shoulder height. "And buxom. Very pretty. And curly red hair."

"Was she well."

The apathetic man shrugged again. "Seemed well enough. Was fighting Sparrow though, and she was cuffed to him."

"Where are they berthed?"

"They're gone." The man said with a snort and a wave of his hand. "Left port not an hour after arriving."

All hope left Norrington then and there. The pirates had at least a 2 hour start on them, and it would be near to impossible to get out of port at this late hour. He and his men were trapped in dock until dawn, till which time, Sparrow would be miles away. In all honesty, he did not have much fear for Elizabeth. Turner was a good man, despite the piracy, and he would see that no harm would come to her, but he feared the worst for Miss Smith, for she was entirely alone in the world. There was no way she would be able to fend for herself in this situation.