Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 49
The Pearl was listing badly by the time they approached the small spit of land Teague had directed them to. The crew beached her the best they could and prepared to fix the damage that had been done.
Jack stood on the beach a short distance away looking at his ship sitting there on the sand helpless and vulnerable. As he stepped over to her he placed a hand on the great ship and leaned his cheek against her as he patted her side and whispered to her as she lay there defenseless and exposed on the beach.
"Don't like seein ya like this Pearl to be sure, but no worries luv, won't be no time at all we'll have ya back where ya belong as good as new…er better than new even."
"You are quite mad Sparrow. You actually do think you are talking to your ship don't you." James said from a few feet away where he had been watching. "So tell me Captain Sparrow, does it ever answer you?"
Before Jack could reply the Pearl's timbers gave a loud groan, causing James to take two or three steps backwards in surprise.
"Aye she answers me and I'd be thinking she just answered you Commodore, and in case ya missed the gist of the reply she don't like being referred to as it. Too bad ya had ta say that as she kinda liked ya up till this point Commodore, thinkin ya was fine if a bit pretentious in yer actions and deportment….and dress for that matter of yer person and all. She don't mind bein called luv, nor missy, nor bonny lass. She is however a bit partial to Pearl. Just fer future reference ya understand, in case ye've a mind ta speak to or of her again ya might be wantin to do it in a different manner case she takes a notion ta give ya a flip over the rail when no ones around ta see. Savvy?" Jack said with a smile towards James as he continued to pat the side of the ship. "There now Pearl me luv, no need ta be upset with the likes of an unimaginative, stuffy, and resolutely insipid bit of personage as that. He didn't mean no harm I'm sure, just don't know no better."
"Indeed!" James said as he eyed the ship warily for a moment or two before turning and walking off, casting a glance or two back over his shoulder as he made his way to where Will and Elizabeth were preparing to build a fire.
"Everything all right Commodore?" Will asked as James approached with a strange look on his face.
"As well as can be expected when dealing with the likes of Sparrow." James said snippily as he began tossing wood on the pile the Turners had started.
Will and Elizabeth looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and continued with their task.
xxxxxxx
"It appears we might be here a day or two Jackie, might as well set about making things comfortable. Aye?" Teague said as he walked over to Jack giving the Pearl a pat as he stood there.
"Don't be tryin ta cozy up to me girl mate." Jack said as he gave Teague's hand on the Pearl a dirty look.
"The thought barely crossed me mind Jackie." Teague said with a smile but kept his hand on the side of the ship.
"She don't like you mate, yer the reason she's got a gappin hole in her side." Jack said poutily.
"Ya can't be blamin that on me Jackie, twernt my fault Hector felt the need ta be blowin holes in yer ship."
"Yer the one what struck the accord with 'em, shoulda been terms stated in there somewhere bout not blowin holes in me ship." Jack said still poutily.
"Are ya tryin ta tell me if it'd been you doin the negotiatin you'd a though o that very thing?" Teague said the tone indicating the level of disbelief he was feeling.
"Course I would have." Jack replied not very convincingly.
Teague smiled a wide smile, slapped Jack on the back, and said cheerfully, "Well then from now on you can be the accord maker in the family and throw in whatever terms yer heart desires, how'd that be?"
"Couldn't do no worse than you mate." Jack said sourly.
Teague heartily slapped Jack on the back again, started to laugh and headed off to where the fire was being readied. As he approached Will spoke to him, "How long do you think we will be here Captain Teague?"
"Peers we might be here a day or two young Turner, might as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible sleepin out on the beach. Seems the Pearl is listin too much for a comfortable berth aboard her at the moment. Could use a bit of fresh meat too. Commodore would ya care to accompany me and see what we can scare up along those lines? I'm thinking the Turners here are doin a fine job with the fire building on their onsies."
James looked questioningly at Teague as he answered, thinking it strange the man would ask him to accompany him, "I would suppose that would be agreeable, however I'm not sure what kind of wild game we are to find on such a small island."
"Might be surprised at what we find Commodore." Teague said with a smile. "I'll just see if Mr. Gibbs kin get some of the crew busy cutting some of them palm fronds fer beddin afore we go."
James watched Teague as he walked off to talk to Mr. Gibbs wondering what the man had up his sleeve. After barely a word spoke between them during the voyage so far it seemed a bit odd Teague would choose him to accompany him on a hunting trip.
"Mr. Turner, I would hope you would pay attention to the length of this little hunting venture and act appropriately in case I seem to be absent an immoderate amount of time." James said still watching Teague converse with Mr. Gibbs.
"You don't really think he would do you harm do you Commodore?" Will replied a bit concerned.
"He is a pirate Mr. Turner." James said in return.
"Oh James, don't be ridiculous, I'm sure Captain Teague means you no harm. You will be fine." Elizabeth said scoffingly.
"I don't know Elizabeth, the Commodore is the Great Pirate Hunter and Captain Teague is a pirate. Perhaps I should go along." Will stated.
"You two need to stop and think!" Elizabeth said in an irritated tone, "The fact is that if Captain Teague wanted you dead James you would be dead by now. Captain Teague surely had ample opportunity while aboard the Pearl to do just that if that was his intent. I think you both are letting your imaginations run away with you. And William, you are not going anywhere, you are going to stay here and continue to help me with the fire. And you James are going to go hunt us up some meat to put on the fire." She gave them each a look that said 'that is that' and grabbing Will by the arm said, "We are going this way, and you James are going that way." She gave James a push towards Teague who was still talking to Mr. Gibbs, and began dragging Will along behind her towards the forest that fringed the beach.
Teague caught the sudden movement of the Commodore out of the corner of his eye and turning fully to the man said in a jocular tone, "Ah Commodore, anxious to be gettin on wiv it then."
"So it would seem." James answered a bit sullenly.
To Be Continued
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