Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 27

Elizabeth and Josette had made their first stop on the tour in a small café. As they sat and sipped tea they discussed just how Josette could sneak out of the Governor's mansion undetected and aboard the Pearl when it arrived. Having that matter taken care of they proceeded with the tour of the island.

"This is a lovely island Josette, and everyone is very friendly." Elizabeth said as she and Josette walked back towards their carriage after browsing one of the outdoor stands in the marketplace.

"Even though the island is currently under French control the population is a mixture of French, Spanish, a few Dutch, and the natives that have been here for hundreds of years. They have learned to get along with each other, too bad our governments can't say the same." Josette replied.

"Yes, I agree Josette the bureaucrats do seem to make things worse that they would need to be."

"Madame Turner there is a stand just over there I think you would be interested in. I think you may find a nice present for your Monsieur Turner there if you are of a mind." Josette said as she pointed across the square towards a small straw thatched booth.

"Well let's go look then. I love buying things for Will almost as much as he loves getting them." Elizabeth answered.

They approached the booth and Elizabeth began perusing the various items that were laid out.

"Oh I like this a lot." Elizabeth said as she picked up a wide leather belt. As she looked it over she could see the intricate hand carving of swords, cutlasses, daggers, and the like along with a large silver buckle and a silver attachment to hold a sword. "I think he will like it too." Elizabeth caught the attention of the booth's owner and began bargaining with him. A few minutes later she was the owner of said belt.

"That will make a fine addition to Will's wardrobe." Elizabeth said with a smile as she and Josette left the booth.

"I think Monsieur Turner is a very lucky man to have a wife that loves him so much." Josette said as she admired the belt and smiled at Elizabeth.

"And I am lucky to have him Josette." Elizabeth replied returning her smile. "I think it is probably time to return to the Governor's mansion, the Pearl could be returning any time and I would really like to be there when she arrives."

As they headed back towards the carriage Elizabeth was hailed by Monsieur Bergeron.

"What is he doing here I wonder? He never comes to the marketplace." Josette said with a questioning look on her face.

"Josette would you mind going on ahead to the carriage? I will join you in a few minutes." Elizabeth said as she watched the man approach.

"No Madame that would be fine. If you have business with Monsieur Bergeron I will not interfere." Josette said, and then turned and headed for the carriage.

"Monsieur Bergeron, I was not expecting to see you here." Elizabeth said as the man reached her.

"I beg your pardon Madame Turner, I though this would be a good place to talk over our plans for my defection, you never know who is listening in at the mansion." Alon said in a low voice.

"Yes, I guess you may be right, although I'm not sure it is a good idea to be seen together in such a public place. Someone may put two and two together and realize you left on the Pearl." Elizabeth said matching his low tone.

"I have arranged to take a few days vacation on a near by island, my absence will not be noticed for several days. By then even if someone were to put two and two together as you say it will be too late for anyone to catch up with the Pearl." Alon replied.

"Well I hope that is the way it works Monsieur Bergeron, Jack will not be happy if the French do catch us and put holes in his ship. He tends to be a bit fussy about things like that." Elizabeth said with a wry smile.

"Not to mention if they do catch us I will no doubt face a noose Madame Turner. We shall have to hope for the best." Alon replied.

"Not to mention if they do catch us and attack Jack's ship and don't hang you he is likely to." Elizabeth replied.

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"I'm havin a thought here, I'm thinkin it'd be a good idea for Captain Teague here to be proceedin us, as in walkin ahead as opposed to behind the two of us William. I would rather not have him at me back if ya get me meanin. A little matter of trust bein in a bit of doubt here." Jack said looking untrustingly at Teague who just smiled in return.

"Now Jackie what kind of thing is that to say about yer dear old Da? Surely you've not got it in yer head I'd be contemplatin doin ya bodily harm or such?" Teague said in a wounded tone.

"That'd be exactly what I'm thinkin, Da or no." Jack replied uneasily.

"You'd not trust me even with your fine young sword wielding friend Mr. Turner here to stand by ya?" Teague said with a sarcastic smile.

"No." Jack said, "I'd not be trustin ya ta walk behind me with a whole army of William Turners around me, although I've seen ya both handle a sword and it'd be my judgment he might be able to best ya if it came right down to it."

"Would he now. Well that's interesting Jackie, may have to test that theory out sometime." Teague said smiling at Will.

"I would hope it would not come to that Captain Teague." Will said sincerely, thinking to himself he would not relish the thought of fighting Jack's Dad, and then seeing the sly smile cross the man's face continued, "I would however not hesitate to raise my sword towards anyone if the circumstances were to demand such."

"Ah well spoke Mr. Turner." Teague said with a wide grin and a hearty slap on Will's back. "Now let's be off. The sooner we get to the Pearl and get our business done the sooner I can be off about mine." He headed back through the tavern not waiting to see if the two men were following.

"Jack what is that all about? What is going on between you and Captain Teague?"

"Nothin for you to be worrying about William, at least not yet." Jack replied.

"If I am going to be dragged into a sword fight Jack I would appreciate it if I knew why." Will said staring at Jack.

"Now William just trust me." Jack said with a smile.

"It's funny how hard that is to do sometimes Jack." Will said as he headed off in the direction Teague left in.

Jack stood there for a moment and then took off after Will in a fast saunter with arms flopping about.

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"Now Commodore, I'd be appreciating a bit of information from ya. Can't believe you'd be enjoyin the position you're in nor wanting to be in said positon any longer than need be." The man said as he increased the pressure of the knife at Commodore's throat and pressing him harder against the wall. "Be drawin a bit of blood here or worse afore long Commodore. I'd be thinkin it's a shame for such a fine man as yourself to be sufferin such a lowly death, dyin in a filth filled alley in the likes of Tortuga and all."

"I hardly think you are going to kill me if it is indeed information you are wanting from me." James spat out as best he could with his face and his mouth smashed even harder up against the wall.

"Well I guess that's the question now isn't it. Be a grievous error I'm thinkin for this knife to slip Commodore. But the longer we stand here like this the more likely a misfortune such as that may befall ya." The man said into James' ear.

"I would think if you want information from me you would take extra precautions to avoid such a thing as that from happening. I can hardly tell you anything with my throat cut." James said.

To Be Continued

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