Orion was screeching and clawing at the men on board as they tried to raise the mast before the mortar dried and they lost their chance to repair it. Gibbs was about to blast the bloody bird, he even had the pistol cocked and aimed.
"Birdie come here before you wipe out the rest of me crew." Jack said, holding out an arm for the bird to land. Orion did so, digging his nine inch razor sharp talons into Jacks arm. Jack didn't even flinch at the pain. The bird saw this and relaxed its grip. Then began trying to lap up the blood from where his talons had pierced the skin.
The rest of the crew quickly set to work about the fallen mast.
"All right men, on my count." Cried Gibbs from the starboard side of the mast. "One, two…heave!"
With enormous effort and loud grunts they managed to lift the mast back onto the stump. They all paused, panting hard with effort. There was an enormous hole in the ship where the mast had shattered it. Orion tried to fly towards it, but Jack held his feet.
"Not yet birdie, wait a little while. We don't need you seeing you're mistress's corpse n that filth. It'd probably kill you." Jack said.
Jack the monkey scurried to the edge of it and peered in. then it let out a volley of screeches and chatters. Suddenly with a bang its head was blasted off, the body quickly restored it however. But nobody was paying attention to that, the crew was gathered around the hole looking in.
"What the blazes are you all gawking at? It's not exactly the palace garden down here you know." Mari snapped up at them.
"Mother's love," whispered Gibbs. "Somebody fetch a rope." Mr. Cotton's parrot handed its master a rope and they used it to haul Mari up out of the bilge. Orion shrieked and flew to his lady.
"There you are you old puff of feathers. I was wondering where you went if you weren't down here." Mari said, stroking Orion's back feathers.
"How the blazes are you alive Mari?" Tim asked.
"Honestly, I have no idea. I just fell back against the mast thinking I'd had it then the next thing I know I'm down here with that damned monkey annoying the heck out of me. So I blasted him. Then you all are looking at me like I'm a ghost, although that was a little easier explained." Mari said.
"Well, go see if Mr. Turner can patch up you leg again Mari." Jack said as Gibbs and Cotton helped her to her feet. She hobbled off to the cabin and opened the door.
"Hello Will. Did you miss me?" Mari asked.
Sorry this last one was short but I had to make it that way it could be ten chaps. Anyway I would like at least ten more reviews for these last 4 chapters please, before I continue. I think that's possible. Please. For Will's sake, and Jack's. And the first person to review gets a free shot at the monkey! Please R&R.