Chapter 4 – Departure

They crept through the darkness towards the docks. Jem and Bessie carried the trunk between them, Pearl carried Emily and Jack struggled with the crate holding Daffodil. The smaller children clustered about their mother – frightened by the darkness and the sounds of fighting. Bessie looked around worriedly – it seemed the whole of Tortuga was either fighting or in flames. Jem had assured her that they would find a boat and that he could handle the crossing – they were not disappointed. Grateful that the boats were unguarded in the chaos, they loaded the trunk and Daffodil into the largest boat they could find, helping the children onboard. "In you get Bessie," Jem urged quietly as he untied it from the quayside, holding it as steady as he could before climbing in himself.

Tabitha cried out in alarm as the boat rocked. "Quiet Tabby!" Bessie hissed. "We must not be seen!" Gulping, the child nodded. "Now, why don't you all settle down and try to get some sleep. I'll wake you when we reach Hispaniola." She watched as gradually, one by one, her children fell asleep until only Jack remained, struggling to keep his eyes open. "Go on," she smiled weakly at him. "Sleep."

"But I need to look after you Mother," he worried. "Papa would want that..." His lip trembled as he mentioned his father.

"Even my brave protector needs his sleep," Bessie assured him. "Jem will stand guard…" She smiled as he gradually gave in to his tiredness, his eyes drooping. Only when she was assured that all the children were asleep did she turn to Jem. "How are we going to get there?" she worried. "It must be forty miles or so to Môle Saint Nicholas…"

"If need be we will walk," Jem admitted. "Although we might be able to buy a small hand cart." He looked at her, realising she was as tired as the children. "Get some sleep yourself Bessie… there's nothing you can do until we reach Port au Paix."

Sadly she nodded, leaning against him as he held the tiller, guiding them southwards through the night. Her eyes closed and soon she was fast asleep. Jem wrapped his free arm around her, keeping her upright. Hopefully the crossing would not take long.

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"What do you mean she's gone?" Bryn Corbin raged, pacing the study of his new home. The thought of having Jack's widow had been the driving force behind his attack on the Morgan household, and now that victory was marred. He should have snatched her earlier, when he had called upon her, but his men had not been in position to attack the Morgan household and he had not wanted to show his hand too early. He had been forced to wait until there were no ships in the harbour, waiting for the sole ship to sail for he wanted to be in control of the town with as little risk to the crew of his two ships as possible. The town would now dance to his tune and any ship wishing to stop there would pay him a tithe for the privilege.

"Just that, Captain!" his man, Jacob Summersby stuttered. "It looks like they left in a hurry though…"

"They can't have gotten far!" Bryn snarled. "A woman, a cripple and seven small children! Somebody must be hiding them! Tear the town apart if need be, but bring that woman to me!" Jacob fled, grateful to be free of his captain – and even more grateful that he still served on The Crow and not the Black Pearl. Bryn Corbin picked up the dainty crystal glass that he had been drinking from, watching with satisfaction as it shattered against the wall. A knock sounded.

"Captain?" His old quartermaster, now Captain Jervis of The Crow, cautiously poked his head around the door, ready to retreat rapidly if the need arose. He had known Jacob's news would not have been well received, knowing of Bryn's fixation with Bessie Sparrow from their time spent drinking together. "Captain? The men are wanting to know what you want done with Morgan's wife and the maids…"

He chuckled darkly. "Find me Sparrow's widow and then let them do whatever they wish… throw them on the streets for all I care!"

"Aye Captain!" Simon Jervis acknowledged, shutting the door quickly. They would find Bessie Sparrow quickly and then they could have some fun.

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For those of you that were waiting for the second edit of the first tale of the Kitty saga, all 65 chapters are now re-uploaded and I hope you like them. Please re-read and review if you wish... at present there are only two reviews, although the old reviews were downloaded and are kept safely on my computer.