Commandeering Commodore

Chapter 47

Barbossa sat and stared at the medallion Teague was holding. He heard the whispered words Teague spoke. He wanted to believe the treasure was real and for the mere price of letting the tumultuous lass and her companions go he could possess it. But then his suspicious nature crept into his thoughts. He really had no guarantee that if the treasure did exist and was where the map said it was, and he really didn't doubt this as the stories he had heard pretty much matched what Teague had told and shown him so far, that Teague would not beat him to it. If he did agree to go along with this he would have to think of something to give himself an edge. Then it came to him, what he could do to give himself an edge. It was risky to be sure and might backfire on him, but if it succeeded……... With a wide grin Barbossa looked at Teague and holding his hand out said, "Captain Teague I believe we have an accord."

"A bonny decision on your part to be sure Hector." Teague said returning the smile as he shook Barbossa's hand. "Now if you'd be so kind as to provide a longboat and one of yer crew as rower we'll get this business concluded."

"And what did ya have in mind as far as the exchangin of the map then Captain Teague?" Barbossa inquired.

"When yer man has rowed us over to the Pearl I'll let young Mrs. Turner and her friends preceed me up the ladder. Once they are safely aboard I'll pass the map to yer man and he can return and place it in your very hand, if that's agreeable Hector." Teague replied.

"My man will be armed of course." Barbossa stated trying to make it sound threatening yet not a threat, "Just to make sure everything goes as planned, and not bein meant to impugn yer honor or such."

"Of course." Teague answered, "Would expect that very thing if it were me on the other end of the deal Barbossa, would expect no less from you."

As Barbossa and Teague came out of the cabin Barbossa stepped over to speak to his first mate, and Teague stepped over to Elizabeth, Alon, and Josette.

He said in a low voice, "Mrs. Turner, I've negotiated the release of you and your companions." This was met by smiles and a relaxing of countenances from the three. "We will be rowed over to the Pearl and the minute we are close enough I would expect you all to scurry up the ladder as quickly as possible. Do you understand?"

They all nodded in affirmation. Elizabeth wanted desperately to ask how he'd managed to obtain their release and had to bite her tongue as she knew until they were safely on the Pearl the questions would be best held.

Barbossa walked over and said in a grand tone, "Yer chariot awaits ye." He swept his hand toward the longboat that was being lowered over the side.

They wasted no time in getting into said longboat and were soon approaching the Pearl. Elizabeth could see William looked as if he were ready to jump in and swim to her, being held back from the impulse by James' grip on his arm. As she climbed aboard, followed quickly by Alon and Josette, Will ran to her and picking her up in his arms began kissing her and thanking the powers that be she had been returned to him unharmed. She returned the sentiment.

Jack was standing at the rail with James and witnessed Teague hand something to the man that had rowed them over. Teague barely got one foot on the ladder before the man was rowing for all he was worth back towards Barbossa's ship.

As Teague stepped on the deck Jack was there leaning towards him, waving his hands about and saying, "What was that ya gave him mate?"

"Ah, ya saw that did ya Jackie?" Teague answered with a smile.

"Aye I saw it and am having the thought that me question is a bit superfluous as I already have a feeling, and a feeling that I'm not happy about in the least just so ya know, that I know just what that little scrap o paper was you was so generous as to be dispersin ta others without the courtesy nor regard of any other parties involved afore ya did the previously mentioned dispersin. Ya can feel free ta jump in any time and tell me if I'm wrong about any of this if ya can in fact do that mate." Jack said with a scowl and an increasing of the wiggle-flopping of his hands in Teague's face.

"Can't be denyin I did give over to certain parties a scrap of paper Jackie, wouldn't even think of doin such denyin, especially since ya saw the whole transaction from yer fine vantage point." Teague answered still smiling.

Jack was almost shouting as he said, "Ya gave him the map?" Teague stood there smiling, "Ya gave him the map! I can't believe ya gave him the map! Ya really gave him the map?"

"Aye Jackie, can't pull nothin over on you now can I?" Teague said with a chuckle, "I did indeed give him a map."

Mr. Gibbs hesitantly stepped up behind Jack and said, "They're leavin Cap'n."

Jack turned his head and looked at Gibbs with irritation and said with irritation, "Aye Mr. Gibbs they are leavin, and can't say I blame them a bit, after all they have it now and we do not!"

"It Cap'n?" Gibbs said with confusion.

"Aye Mr. Gibbs, a map. A map that Captain Teague here decided to just give away without thought nor consideration to any but himself." Jack said with the same irritation in his voice as he stared at Teague and flopped his hands about even more wildly pointing from Teague to the retreating ship.

Gibbs took his flask out and took a healthy drink, as he lowered the flask he happened to look at the retreating ship. "Cap'n, they're gonna fire on us."

"Nonsense Mr. Gibbs, they have no reason to be firing on us, they have the map!" Jack said sarcastically as he shot daggers at Teague.

Gibbs no more got out, "No I think they are gonna……….." when a shot hit the Pearl right at the waterline.

"Mr. Gibbs, return fire." Jack shouted.

"They're out of range Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs answered. "Won't do no good."

Jack turned to face Gibbs with a look and said, "It will do me good Mr. Gibbs, now fire!"

Gibbs shrugged and said, "As ya wish Cap'n." an then hollered, "Fire the guns boys!" and just as he had said the shots fell far short of their mark.

One of the crew that had been below ran up then and said, "Cap'n we're takin on water. Doin what we can ta put a stop ta it but they couldn't a hit us in a worse spot. We're gonna have ta find a port soon or we'll be goin ta seein Davey Jones."

Jack looked at the man like he had just grown another head, "Mr. Perry is it?" Jack said as he put his arm around the young man's shoulders and leaned over fluttering his fingers at the man as he spoke, "I would stress to you the importance of seeing that me Pearl stays as far away as is humanly, or ship-ily possible from anything that comes anywhere close to resembling, evoking, imitating, or bringing to mind the insolent and contumelious personage of Davey Jones. Savvy?"

"Aye Cap'n, but we're still gonna have ta dock her soon or sink." Mr. Perry replied.

"Mr. Gibbs." Jack shouted.

"Aye Cap'n?" Gibbs replied from close behind Jack.

"Eh?" Jack said spinning around as if he was wondering why Mr. Gibbs was speaking to him, and then as if it had dawned on him all of a sudden, "Ah yes Mr. Gibbs, land….quickly if you please."

Mr. Gibbs looked at Jack, pulled the flask out, took a long drink, and said, "Aye Cap'n, land." and walked off shaking his head and muttering to himself.

To Be Continued

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