Commandeering Commodore
Chapter 62
As Jack came around the bow of his Pearl to make sure everything was ready for the tide he spotted Teague coming down the ladder.
"Ah Jackie, final inspectin afore we set to sea?" Teague said as he stepped down on the sand.
"What're ya doin aboard mate?" Jack said a bit suspiciously.
"Naught but stowin a bit of gear in preparation of our impendin departin of this island Jackie." Teague answered smoothly.
"'M not sure I believe ya." Jack said still suspicious.
"What else would I be doin Jackie?" Teague said with a smile.
Jack looked at him for a few moments and then, "That's what I'd like to know mate. 'M sure it didn't have nothing to do with stowin gear though."
Teague patted him on the back as he walked by and said, "That's a right suspicious attitude ya be in possession of Jackie, must come from yer Mum's side o the family."
Jack watched until the man had disappeared around the ship and then scurried up the ladder.
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Elizabeth and Josette were busy gathering the things that needed to be taken aboard in preparation of their leaving. Will was helping but under duress. He would much rather have been with Jack, Commodore Norrington, Mr. Bergeron, and the crew helping ready the Pearl to sail with the tide that was now starting to come in.
"Take this and stow it aboard." Elizabeth said with exasperation as she shoved a sack towards Will who was standing and gawking at the men busy with the ship. "And then you might as well stay over there out of the way as you are certainly no help here."
William took the sack with a smile despite the look Elizabeth was giving him and sprinted off towards the Pearl.
"I think that's the last of it Josette. We might as well just sit and wait till they get her afloat. We can ride out in the jollyboat when it's time to go aboard."
"Alright Madame." Josette said as she sat down. She was perfectly happy to watch Will move about and help the men as they worked.
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"Look alive there William," Gibbs called out, "Keep that line straight and from around yer legs lad 'r ye'll be seein the Pearls belly afore ya see her topside."
William looked down at the rope that was indeed starting to tangle around his leg and stepped out of the coil before it could tighten and drag him off. "Thank you Mr. Gibbs." He called back to the man.
The great ship was starting to float now and as the men let go the lines that had been holding her captive she eased out on the water. Jack was at the wheel shouting orders to the crew aboard making sure all went as it should. Then she was free and once again had the sea around her as she sat there rolling with the waves, proud as any monarch. Jack gave orders to launch the jollyboats and pick up those remaining on shore, and soon all were aboard and the Pearl was headed out to sea.
Jack stood at the wheel with a smile on his face, happy to once again feel his Pearl under him slicing across the waves, the wind in his face and the horizon in his sight.
"So Captain, how long do you judge it to be until we make Port Royal?" James said as he stepped up next to Jack.
"Anxious to get home Commodore?" Jack asked as he glanced at James.
"I, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Turner would like to see Port Royal and the end of this adventure Captain." James replied. "No doubt Mr. Bergeron and Josette would like to begin making a new life for themselves as well."
"And would you and the Turners be planning on helping them do that Commodore? I'd thought about offerin them a place here on the Pearl, although I have to admit the lass can be a bit of a telltale at times."
"I very much doubt the girl would fancy being a pirate Sparrow." James said with a snort.
"Don't know bout that Commodore, she seemed right taken with me." Jack said with a flutter of his fingers towards James.
"Seems you may have been replaced Captain." James replied with a wisp of a smile, as Jack looked in the direction James was pointing James continued, "By a blacksmith no less." For there, against the rail was Will and Josette, she hanging on every word Will was speaking to Mr. Gibbs.
Jack put a pouty expression on his face and said, "Why would she pick a dull, boring, and might I add, totally and arduously plodding blacksmith's tales over me own?"
"Taste Captain, the girl definitely has taste." James said as his smile widened a bit and he turned and left.
"Tastes got nothin to do with it Commodore," Jack called out with a flutter of hands at James' back, "'M not sure what it's got to do with Commodore, but taste is not it!" He continued to mumble to himself for quite some time, every once and a while casting a glance over to where Will and Josette were engaged in a lively conversation, and then mumbling some more.
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"So you fought the Undead Pirates too?" Josette said with awe as she looked up at William.
"Yes Josette, Commodore Norrington and his crew, Captain Sparrow, Elizabeth and I all fought them." Will replied.
"Oh I bet you weren't scared a bit facing them were you?" Josette said sounding very idolizing towards Will.
"I think we were all scared Josette, although most wouldn't admit it." Will replied.
"But you are brave enough to admit you were scared." Josette said still sounding a bit starry-eyed.
Will looked at her questioningly and seeing the expression on her face said, "I think Elizabeth is calling me."
To Be Continued
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