Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 50
"Mr. Gibbs." Jack called as he approached the man.
"Aye Cap'n?" Joshamee answered.
"Where has everyone scurried off to?" Jack said as he waved his hands about indicating the emptiness of their surroundings.
"Well Cap'n, seems a good portion of the crew is makin themselves busy with cutting palms for ta make right comfortable pallets fer sleepin on, the youngins have toddled off ta see if they can get a bit more wood for the fire, and the Commodore and Cap'n Teague have gone about hunting."
Jack got a strange look on his face as he said sounding a bit upset, "The Commodore and the Captain have gone off hunting? The Commodore went into the forest alone with the likes of him? And you stood by and let that particular thing happen Mr. Gibbs? Stood there and watched them walk off merrily by themselves?"
"Didn't actually watch them as it were, and didn't see no harm in it Jack." Gibbs replied trying to figure out what about that had seemed to upset Jack a mite.
"No you wouldn't would you. Well I see the harm in it!" Jack said, his voice starting to rise into an irritatedly soprano tone as he flopped his arms about and looked towards the jungle.
"Ya don't think Cap'n Teague had intentions of doing harm to the Commodore do you?" Gibbs said a bit concerned.
"I believe Mr. Gibbs, the opportune moment for that considerable consideration and concern was past a while ago." Jack said gesticulating wildly with his hands, his tone now almost fully irritated and extremely soprano-ish. "How long have they been gone?"
"Not more 'n a bit by my reckonin Cap'n." Joshamee answered.
Jack set off in his distinctive run towards the jungle, arms waving wildly before the words had even fully cleared Mr. Gibbs lips.
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"Here William, here's another." Elizabeth said as she picked up another branch and piled it on top of his already overburdened arms.
"Surely we have enough for tonight Elizabeth. Some of the crew can come and get more if we need it tomorrow." Will said as he tried to balance the load without dropping it and see where he was walking as he did his best to follow Elizabeth without getting tangled in the underbrush and tripping.
"Oh William, quit whining. It's just some branches; you sound like I'm asking you to haul a whole tree back to camp. Besides, this makes us useful." Elizabeth replied impatiently.
"I'm not whining, and it feels like I'm carrying a whole tree." He said peevishly hoping he had not said it loud enough for Elizabeth to actually hear.
"What did you say?" Elizabeth turned and looked at him questioningly.
"Nothing worth repeating." Will replied, glad she could not see the face he was making through the branches piled in front of said face.
"All right, I guess that is enough for tonight. We can head back now." Elizabeth said eyeing the load Will was carrying.
"Thank you!" Will said his eyes rolling skyward.
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"Ah Elizabeth luv, gatherin firewood are we? And where is dear William?" Jack said as he came across them in the jungle. Will let out a hrumph and said, "I'm right here Jack."
"Ah so you are." Jack said as he bobbed his head about trying to see William behind the load of branches in his arms. "So have either one of you……..Well I guess I'll address me question to you luv since it's quite clear William is not seeing much of anything due to that huge-ish bundle he's carrying about…. I would think that considerable burden would be quite heavy William to be standin about holdin like that, if it were me I'd be headed back ta the beach with it, but far be it from me ta be telling ya what you should be doin and if ya choose ta stand there holdin it I'm behind ya all the way lad." Jack paused for a moment as if trying to remember what he had started to say and then with a finger raised in front of him and a happy "Oh" he continued, "Have ya seen the likes o the Commodore around in the woods anywhere on your quest?"
"No we haven't Jack. Why? He's surely not lost is he?" Elizabeth answered with concern.
"Not to me knowledge, at least not yet." Jack said as he turned and walked off.
"Is it my imagination or does he just keep getting stranger and stranger the longer we know him?" Elizabeth said shaking her head as she watched Jack sashay off.
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"Commodore, I'd appreciate it if you would stop right there." Teague said in a low tone from behind James.
James stopped and moved his hand cautiously to his sword, every sense on alert as he stood there.
He heard the man behind him take a few steps towards him. He decided he would not make this easy for him and stepped to the side, drew his sword and turned to find a pistol pointing at him.
"Planning on shooting Captain?" James said in the most Commodore-ly tone he could muster as he straightened his posture to match the tone he was doing his best to affect still holding the sword at the ready in front of him.
"Aye I was at that." Teague answered him with a grin.
"I will not make it easy you know." James said still trying for Commodore-lyness in his tone.
"Aye Commodore you've done a right fine job of provin that already." Teague said still grinning.
"I am handy with this sword as you no doubt already know Captain; I will not hesitate to use it and may inflict damage to you before you can fire." James said feeling his heart thumping in his throat.
"Aye Commodore, however ya may want ta be directin yer swordsmanship on a better target than meself if yer wantin supper tonight."
"What?" James said, totally confused by Teague's words.
"Either that or step out from in front of me shot." Teague said cheerfully.
James stood there looking at Teague, confusion still evident on his face.
"The boar Commodore, off to yer left, was about to shoot it fer dinner afore ya stepped in front of me pistol ya see. Now if you'd rather run it down and skewer it with that fine sword of yours that's up ta you. Be much easier ta just be taking a step off ta the side there and let me shoot it. Up ta you Commodore." Teague said with a shrug.
"Oh." James said as he stepped off to the side.
To Be Continued
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