In a few months it would be Jack's 13th birthday. Jack was doing an amazing job. Bill decided it was time Jack learned how to use a gun. He went to find the young pirate. He found him showing Robby how to sew. In the last raid the mass had a cannonball go through it.

"…pull it through, see?"

"Yeah, thanks Jack."

"No problem…Oh hi Captain."

"Robby, Jack. Jack, can I talk to you?"

"Of course. Do you understand how to finish?"

"Yup, thanks for your help."

With that Bill and Jack walked to Bill's cabin.

"Remember some time ago you asked to use a gun?"

"Aye."

"Usually when you want something you put up more of a fight. Why didn't you put one up then?"

"I figured you had your reasons, and I already got a present, so I didn't bother you over it. Why?"

"Just wonderin. How would you like to use one now?"

"Really? I would love to. That would be great."

"I'll show you how to use one, but you won't get one for awhile. Everything comes in time, understand? I won't have you bothering me for a gun everyday."

"Aye Captain Bootstrap, I'll do whatever you say."

"Right then, first lesson; when do you use your pistol?"

"Whenever you need it."

"When is that?"

"When you're in trouble."

"You only use it as a last resort. A life is a life Jack, always remember that." Bill paused. "Also because it's a cheap shot, anybody can shoot someone and immobilize them, but it takes a real fighter and pirate to use a sword."

"So when is the time I should use one?"

"You will know when. The time comes when all else fails. You may never have to use one. You have a way of getting out of a situation with words."

"It's my special talent." Jack said matter-of-factly.

"That it is lad. Now come here."

Jack cam over and pulled out his pistol.

"This is where the bullet comes out, never point this at your head, it may have a bad outcome. This is where you put the bullet." Bill showed where the bullet goes and how to put it in. Then he pointed to the trigger. "This is the most important part. When your finger is on this, there will be little time to think. Make sure you know what your doin before your finger gets here."

Jack took all this in. He pretty much knew all about it. He had seen enough people use one. The only thing he never did was hold one.

"Can I hold it?"

Bill handed it to him. It was heavier than he expected.

"Come on lad, lets see how you use it."

Few Months Later

Bill called Jack to his cabin. There was a box sitting on the table.

"Go ahead lad, open it."

Jack opened it and pulled out his first pistol.

"Wow thanks William. This is amazing. I wasn't expecting this for a long time, a year at least."

"Well you deserved it. It's what you really wanted and you have been doing so well with your lessons. If only we could get you to learn your math like that."

"Well math is boring. All you do is look at numbers. Where's the fun in that?"

"Be careful with this Jack. It's not a toy."

"Oh don't worry Bill; I'll take good care of it. I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to being the greatest pirate ever." With that Jack ran out of the cabin.

Bill turned to sit down when the door opened again with Jack stepping in.

"Thank you William. This means a lot to me. If you weren't here I would probably be dead by now. By giving me this pistol it shows you really trust me and that means a lot to me. If there's anything you ever need, anything, I'll be there for you."

"Thanks Jack. Now be on your way."

"Aye Captain" That time Jack left for good.

A Year Later

Jack was becoming the greatest pirate ever, just like he wanted. Only now Bill was worried that was going to end.

In the past year, Jack had mastered how to use a sword and pistol, even though he never fired a shot. He would talk people in circles and win free meals for him and drinks for the crew. He started to tell stories that would keep people interested for hours. His ideas were so out of the box that he started to be called daft. But what really got people was that in the end Jack's ideas worked.

Now Bill was worried because Jack hadn't returned to the ship when he was supposed to. That wasn't that unusual, Jack would do this sometimes and come back an hour or two late. If not Bill would go look for him.

Only this time Bill had looked for Jack after two hours and couldn't find him, which was 2 days ago. All he could think of was that they were docked where all pirates most feared.

The territory of the East India Company.