Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 39

Alon had joined Josette and Elizabeth at the rail and the three of them watched as the ship approached.

Elizabeth cursed under her breath as the ship drew close enough to make out some of the crew standing around on the deck.

"Did you say something Madame?" Josette asked.

"This will not be good I'm afraid. Josette and Monsieur Bergeron I think I know who's ship that is and we are probably in trouble. Both of you let me do the talking, although I'm not sure that will make a difference at all." Elizabeth said as she gazed at the ship with apprehension written across her face.

Alon and Josette looked at each other with concern but both gave a nod of their heads in reply.

Elizabeth tried to adopt as much of a stalwart and resolute posture and pose as she was able as the ship pulled up along side of them.

She instantly recognized the figure striding towards her from the quarter-deck and knew she had been right about this being trouble, at least for her. She hoped she could somehow keep Josette and Alon out of it but knowing who she would soon be dealing with she had grave doubts.

As the figure reached the railing a brief look of surprise crossed his face and then was replaced with a wide ominous smile.

"Well gents look what we've had the good fortune of happenin upon." Barbossa said in a grand booming voice. "Mrs. Turner! We missed yer amiable and acquiescent proximity on our recent visit to the Pearl. Had yer Husband mentioned ye were out here floatin about in this tiny boat I assure ye we'd have joined the hunt...er search a bit sooner."

"You've seen Will?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.

"Aye, naught but a day or two past. You seem surprised Mrs. Turner, perhaps the reason Master Turner didn't happen ta mention you're bein out here floatin around was less a matter of omission than a matter of knowin." Barbossa said with a thoughtful look on his face, and then after a moment continued, "By the gods I've forgotten me manners Mrs. Turner. I offer ya my most humble apologies for that and invite ye and yer companions to what comforts I have, meager though they be, please do come aboard." Barbossa said with a bow as he motioned for the crew to run out a boarding plank.

"We are fine right where we are Captain Barbossa. The only thing we need from you is to leave us where we are. Will and the Pearl are sure to find us soon." Elizabeth replied curtly.

"Well that might be the truth of it if not for the fact when we took our leave from them their heading was in a direction that would preclude their happenin upon ya. I'm afraid your choices have dwindled down to naught but boardin me ship or sittin out here till ya starve or die of thirst."

"Then leave us extra stores and we will take our chances." Elizabeth answered, wanting anything but to go aboard his ship.

"Ah but Mrs. Turner, me merciful nature will not allow me to leave ya out here in the middle of nowhere. Me conscience would not permit me ta sail off and leave ya out here unattended and unprotected. Why who knows what perils might befall ya." Barbossa answered with mock sincerity in his tone, and then called out to his crew, "Gents, escort Mrs. Turner and her friends aboard."

As Elizabeth, Josette, and Alon were 'escorted' aboard the ship they heard Barbossa give the order to fire cannons at the sloop. He then turned to Elizabeth and said, "So tell me Mrs. Turner just what are ya doin out here?"

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Will stood in front of the Commodore's cabin for several minutes before finally knocking. He received an uncharacteristically slurred reply from the man on the other side of the door that sounded like, "Come in if you must."

"Commodore?" Will said as he opened the door and peeked around it as he started to step inside. He was greeted by the sight of the Commodore slumped in a chair, his ankles crossed atop the table, and a half empty bottle of rum cradled in his lap.

"What is it Turner?" James slurred as he cast a bleary look at William.

"I thought I should come and check on you Commodore." Will said as he stepped further into the room.

"Ah, doing your duty Mr. Turner? Best be careful, that particular mistress can be a heavy load to bear, and only becomes more weighty the more it's born." James said with a flip of his hand and a distasteful expression on his face. "So now you've fulfilled that mission and found me here and not out throttling pirates you can retire to your cabin with an easy mind."

"Perhaps I should stay awhile Commodore." Will said uncertainly.

"I assure you Mr. Turner by the time I finish this bottle I will have neither the will nor the ability to run about the ship hanging scalawags." James said drunkenly as he raised the bottle in his hand, looked at it briefly, and then took a long drink.

"Just the same…." Will started and was interrupted.

"Very well Turner, if you must stay at least pull up a chair and have a seat rather than standing there all stiff and starchy." James slurred out as he motioned to a chair on the other side of the table. "You'll have to find your own rum as I have no intention of sharing mine."

Will sat down at the table and stared at James wondering how long it would be before the man passed out. He had made up his mind that regardless of the Commodore's claims that he would not make good his threats against Jack it would be a good idea for him to stay and make sure the only place the Commodore did go was to his bunk.

"Why are you staring at me?" James asked, "Have I suddenly grown another head?" and accompanied this with an unsteady hand raised to his head just to make sure that wasn't the reason he was being stared at.

"Sorry Commodore." Will said trying to keep the smile out of his tone and off his face.

"Indeed!" James slurred as he lowered his hand to his lap, not having found any abnormal protrusions, and continued in as Commodore-ly a manner as he could muster, "Mr. Turner, have the decency to either start drinking or turn your chair the other way, but by all means please desist from staring at me."

"Right." Will replied, still trying to conceal his amusement as he walked over to the cupboard, and returned to the table with his own bottle of rum.

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"Governor, we've sighted some wreckage." Captain Laurent said as he entered the Governor's cabin.

"Finally!" the Governor said as he headed out the door towards the deck.

As they approached the rail Captain Laurent pointed and said, "Just over there Governor."

"Yes, yes I see it." the Governor said as they came along side the wreckage. "Well I guess that is that. I think we can return home without the fear that those stolen papers will fall into the wrong hands."

Captain Laurent looked at the wreckage. He had the feeling something was not right but was unable to figure out just why he felt that way. The Governor making the statement that they should head home interrupted his thoughts. He decided if anything was amiss it would come to him sooner or later and gave the orders to the crew to head back for the island.

To Be Continued

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