Thanks for the lovely reviews :)

Here's the next part.

Jack watched, from behind the cover of the palm trees, as the men from the ship arrived on the island.

Well, they weren't Royal Navy. By the look of them they might even have been pirates.

He wanted to run to them, to ask them to take him off this glorified sandbar. But Captain Jack Sparrow knew to wait for the opportune moment.

They were on the beach now. One of them was tapping a hollow tree. Now he was counting paces and bending down to brush away sand. He grabbed hold of something and pulled. A trap door appeared as if from no where and the men descended into it. A few moments latter they re-emerged carrying bottles of rum.

Jack was torn between pleasure at realising they were rum runners and annoyance at not having discovered their cache of alcohol. Altering his gait to what he hoped was a confident swagger he stepped out of his hiding place. "Ahoy there!"

Shocked, the rum runners spun around. "Who are you?"

"I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Who be you?"

A tall man who appeared to be the leader stepped forwards. Ignoring the young pirate's question he stated, "you don't look like much of a capt'n ta me."

Jack clenched his hands into tight fists when he felt them starting to shake. He'd hoped the extent of his injuries was not apparent.

"And where exactly is your ship?"

He forced a smile as he answered. "Well, I don't exactly know."

At the expectant look of the man before him he added, "There was a bit of a misunderstanding between meself and the crew. I don't suppose you could see your way towards providin' me with passage off of this lovely island?"

"Now why would I want ta do that?"

"I know how to sail a ship. I'd work on yours till we reached a port."

He laughed, a slightly malicious sound. "So your wanting rescue and a job?"

"I wasn't asking for pay."

Another laugh. "Of course not. Still, I don't think that's why we'll be takin' you on board."

Somewhat uncertainly Jack followed the rum runners back to their ship. For several long moments he had been sure they were going to leave him behind, or perhaps just shoot him and be done. He wasn't entirely sure why he was being allowed on board and that made him cautious.

The tall man was heading below deck. "Sparrow, follow me."

This ship was smaller than the Pearl but as he descended the rickety steps Jack thought its inside seemed darker. He was led left and down a short corridor. He noted two more of the rum runners behind him.

"Well, in you go."

For a moment he failed to understand, his eyes still adjusted to the bright Caribbean sunlight. Then the rusted metal bars of the brig came into view.

"You know, maybe I should stay a while longer on that island. Have a little holiday…" Turning he found the way blocked by the two men who'd been following. Grabbing him by the shoulders they pushed him roughly into the cell. With a loud clanking sound the door was locked.