The Atropos was an enormous galleon, swift despite her size. She was weathered grey, as though she'd been assembled on the water. We were almost as far north as Nassau (so I later learned) when she caught up to us.

The Belle Soleil was nowhere near as fine a ship as the Atropos, but we made a run for it. And when she was alongside us, the captain ordered us to fight.

The quartermaster had been calling orders out since we'd sighted the other ship. Finally, he shouted for us to load the guns. He spotted me on deck just then, "Go ahead, Master Jack, you're a gunner from way back when, ain't ya." He didn't laugh, but I knew if he'd had the time, he would have. I set about following orders, even though I'd never fired a cannon before.

Luckily, I never had to. Or perhaps it was unluckily. I don't really know. Once I was on the gun deck, I heard the pings of hooks cast onto our decks and then the thuds of many boots. We were too late and the other crew had boarded us.

"All crew to the deck, and hurry if you please," came a clear, crisp voice from above me. Another sailor grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and pushed me ahead of him, grumbling "You might as well say yer prayers now, lad, for this is going to be our lives."

As I ascended the steps, I took my first look at a pirate. The man stood easily a head taller than me, and I was almost six feet tall by then. He had cascades of black curls, neatly ironed and shining, flowing over his shoulders. He wore a red coat with gold buttons, a red waistcoat, black breeches, and black boots. He also had the toothiest smile I'd ever seen. His smile shone with gold and silver. If not for that, I might have mistaken him for an English officer.

"Come along, then, mates," he called out, jovially, "I haven't got all day."

"Now see here, this be my ship and I don't think you ought to be ordering around my crew!" my captain shouted, breaking from the ranks we'd formed along the deck opposite the pirate crew. He was a short, red-faced man who was usually out of breath. He did not disappoint at this moment.

"And you'll be the captain of this vessel, I'll wager," the pirate said with another bright grin. "Fantastic! If you'd be so kind as to show me the hold, I'll leave you and your crew to you business."

The taller man obviously disarmed my captain because he sputtered for a few moments before responding, "But, the contents of the hold are my business!"

The pirate captain's grin disappeared and he shook his head as though he was genuinely sorry, "Well, mate, that is a problem for you. But, you see, I am a pirate. As such, I can't always going around being nice to every captain with a sad story that I meet," he tossed out his hands in a gesture of apology, "It comes down to the fact that you've got what I want, and I'm going to take it with or without your consent. You may do whatever you feel necessary, but I'd rather keep this civil, savvy?"

The smaller captain nodded his consent. He actually nodded! "Very well, then, come along, Captain," he paused, "Your name is?"

"Captain Thomas Kensington, at your service," said the pirate, executing a formal bow.

"Kensington, eh?"

"Oh yes, do tell your friends! They'll find it a lovely story. Now, come along, I'm afraid I'm rather in a hurry," Kensington said, making for the stairs to go below decks. He walked right towards me. I leapt of his way, "Watch yourself, young man, you might find yourself in the sea," he remarked to me with a grin. Before going below decks, he ordered his crew to return to the ship and make ready to haul the plunder.

Once Kensington was below decks, Cary crept up beside me. I'd completely forgotten about him. My face colored, but he didn't notice. "Do you think we'll get away with our lives? Or do you think he'll press gang us?" Cary whispered.

I nodded yes.

"Well?" Cary hissed, "Which is it?"

I shrugged. I didn't want to die, but suddenly, the thought of sailing with Kensington seemed appealing. Cary did not appear to share the sentiment, so I held mum.

Kensington's head reappeared shortly after he'd descended. He looked disturbed. He called over to his crew, "It's bloody cattle, mates! Not a speck of shine anywhere! Bloody French! Cows!" He tossed his mane of curls in much the same manner I'd seen my mother do when she was annoyed. He turned back to face the captain, who looked pleased.

Kensington spoke with an exasperated air, "Well, mate, you can keep the damned cows, but I am making this trip worth my while." He eyes the crew. We'd never moved, save for Cary.

He began at the end farthest from me. I felt my stomach drop. He'd have made his choices long before he'd come to me. And what would he need with some green young sailor anyway?

But, he surprised me. He didn't choose any of the larger, more formidable looking men at the beginning of the line. He chose an older sailor who stood two men to the right known simply as Cotton And, then he came to Cary and I at the end of the line.

"Ah, the boy who jumped out of my way," Kensington said. He backed up and gave me a thorough once over, "And I thought I made myself seem so friendly." He tapped his finger against his lips thoughtfully. "Well, mate, d'you think you'd like a pirate's life?"

"Aye, Captain," I began. I saw Cary's jaw drop out the corner of my eye, "But, only if my mate can join us."

"Oh, conditions have you? Well, you're both young and probably unspoiled by the easy labor aboard merchant ships," Kensington paused and seemed to mull it over, "I guess I can take two. Come aboard, my good gents. And, a thanks to you, Captain," he finished doffing his tri-corn in the direction of my former captain.

We leapt the short distance between the two ships and I found myself transported, as if to another world entirely. Where aboard the Belle, Cary and I had spent hours mopping and scrubbing and painting the decks when we weren't amongst the cows, the Atropos looked as though she'd never been polished. The sails looked torn and tattered, but I knew they must have held wind for the ease with which the ship had caught us. Not only that, but she seemed twice as wide as the Belle, as far across as I remember the stage at the Opera House to have been. It didn't seem possible that a ship could be that wide.

Despite all of these thoughts, my heart swelled. I felt at home aboard this ship. It was the same kinship I'd felt for the Tempest. It was hard to believe that my first journey aboard ship had only been a year ago. My thoughts were soon disturbed by Cary. He elbowed me in the ribs. Hard.

"Jack! I can't believe you! I don't want to be a pirate!" he railed, though his voice was low. "Do you ever consider anyone except yourself?"

I never got the chance to answer, for Kensington's crisp voice called out from the doorway to his cabin, "Mister Bailley, set our heading for, oh," he paused and tapped his finger against his lips as he'd done earlier. "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps I feel like Tortuga? I think we need to freshen up and find a new direction, eh mate?"

A tall, bald man stuck his head over the railing of the quarterdeck. He was missing his left eye and a long vertical scar sealed up the orifice. He winked with his good eye at me. "Aye, aye, Cap'n Kensington. You 'eard the Cap'n, lads, bow to starboard and let's run her at full mast, eh? I hope to be in the arms of some pretty young thing before morning!"

"Aye," came the crew's response. We were headed south. Before we could join them, the captain called out again. This time the summons was for Cary, myself, and Cotton.

Once we were in the room, I again marveled at it's size. The ceilings seemed to vault up eight feet and the transom seemed to be ten feet away. I knew it was impossible, but it felt real. I shook my head to clear whatever was causing these illusions, but the room stayed the same size. I tried to ignore it and focus on the captain.

Kensington grasped Cotton by the hand and shook it warmly, "Welcome back, Nathaniel! I knew you'd find your way back to the fold, old chap!"

"Right, cap'n. I just hopped the first rig bound for the Caribbean and I knew you'd find me!" Cotton answered, "I'll be out to deck and help the hands now, if you'll pardon." Cotton nodded gleefully at us on the way past. My eyes bulged. Cotton had actually been looking for Kensington?

Kensington turned his attention to us. I could tell Cary was scowling at the pirate, so I elbowed him. I didn't want the captain to think us rude.

"Ah, young sir, it's all right. I see he doesn't want to sail under Old Roger. Many men don't," Kensington began,leaning back to sit against the large, oaken desk. "But, it's a choice. Perhaps you'll learn to love the Atropos as I do." Cary sorted in derision, but Kensington retained his bemused expression, "What are your names, then, lads?"

I spoke first, "Jaques Sperrit, sir!"

Kensington looked the slightest bit put out, "A Frenchman, then? Blast it." He grinned at me, though before turning his gaze on Cary.

"Cary Annesly," he replied, sharply.

Kensington roared laughter, "A Scot, too! Well, I'll be dipped in tar if I haven't picked up the hottest blood in all the Atlantic. This should be amusing." He moved to sit at the desk and picked up a sextant and began to peruse a large map.

Cary and I stood, staring frankly at the captain. He felt our gaze and looked up. "Yes?"

"Orders, Captain Kensington," Cary made the question I had been wondering into a demand. The captain laughed, again.

"Right!" he exclaimed, as though excited by the idea, "Right you are! Well, uh, Mister Annesly, would you be so inclined to find my mate, Bailley. He's the big fellow with the missing eye. I'm sure he'll give you something to do."

Cary nodded curtly and exited. He threw me a withering glance before he departed. I was unaffected as I waited with baited breath for the captain's orders.

He turned his gaze on on me. "Well, now, young Sperrit. You look like a man of intellect. A man of talent, I daresay. Perhaps you can assist me with the navigation?"

I nodded and answered enthusiastically, "Of course, Captain!" But, then, the realization that I had no navigational experience dawned on me and I told the captain as much.

"Well, it's about time you learned then. I see great things in your future. Yes, great indeed!" Kensington gestured for me to come closer and he spent the rest of the day and the evening, explaining the charts, maps, and tools as well as the sun's affect on navigation, the moon's on the tides, and the stars uses at night.

I was spellbound. I felt as though I was writing every word he said into my very being. He was so full of youthful vitality and good humor, the lines of captain and crew blurred and soon I was laughing alongside him as though an old friend. Finally, he said to me, "We are near Tortuga. I am going to stay aboard as I have work that must be done." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a mix of silver and copper coins and placed them in front of me,

I drew back, stunned. "I can't take this, Captain. I've not earned it," I said. I was slightly afraid that I would upset him, but he smiled kindly at me and patted my arm.

"Take it, Jaques. You and your mate have fun on Tortuga tonight. And, though you didn't earn it from me, it is certainly what your former captain owed you."

I sat quiet a moment and pondered the money in front of me. The silver and gold all bore French emblems. "You mean-?" I began without finishing my thought. I knew my suspicion was right when the captain smiled.

Kensington replied with a wink, "No pirate ever leaves another ship empty handed." He looked back to the charts and I knew I had been dismissed.

I went out onto the deck and found Cary busily tying off a line to the foremast. Behind him, I saw a brightly lit port come into view. Kensington had been right. I helped him, wordlessly, not even minding when he shoved me roughly out his way so that he could secure the sail. When we were finally in port, he made a move to pass me and go to the gangway alone. I held his arm fast.

"Cary, please," I began. He looked away from me and wrenched his arm from my grasp. But, he stayed. I continued, "Please, let's not fight. He would have taken you, anyway, for you're strong of arm and back. Young merchants don't stand a chance against a pirate's will, besides."

Cary finally looked back at me, the rigidity in him slipping away. He looked rather sad, just then. Like a young boy. He spoke before I could apologize again.

"Jaques, you don't understand. I only followed you so that I could persuade you to stay. You wouldn't hear reason in Morcambe so I followed you onto the Feronia. And, from there, I've been unable to slow you down for even a minute."

I grew suddenly angry and snapped at him, "And when you said you'd never be able to live on land again, was that some ploy to get me back to England? It was a rather ridiculous tactic, you know, as I am prone to believing what you say as the truth."

Cary looked at his boots, "I was caught up in the moment, there. But, after we found -"

I cut him off. "Don't say it," My voice was dangerous, then. I startled even myself. But, Cary seemed undisturbed. He did stop speaking and just stared at me. I continued, my voice quiet, "And when we boarded the merchant ship? Was that an accident?"

"I couldn't stop you, Jaques! No one could have! You were a man possessed!" Cary answered. I knew he was right. "And, so, when we were sailing, I figured we'd just return to France after we sold the cattle. I thought by then you'd have settled down and could resume your place at my father's right hand."

"Well, I'm sure Kensington will allow you to stay ashore. Perhaps you can earn passage back to England with this," I pressed the coins into his hands and turned toward the stairs to take me below decks.

"Wait, Jaques!" I stopped, but didn't turn around, "I can't go without you."

I shrugged, "Well, then I suppose a pirate's life is yours."