Book Four - Chapter Nine: In Confidence
The crew wondered why Jack returned alone. Not that anyone would miss Bimbly, but they were curious as to what had happened to him. The captain boarded the ship and did not look the least bit happy. Upon stepping foot on deck, Jack barked an order to have Barbossa brought to his cabin. Without saying another word Jack stomped off to his quarters and waited.
Barbossa came in, concerned about the state his captain was in.
"Captain?"
Jack gestured his first mate to take a seat. Barbossa did so.
There was no use stalling. Jack disclosed every detail of what had come to pass. Everything from what Tia Dalma said to how Jack came to be alone in the boat. Barbossa said not a word until the captain was finished.
"So he was a snake," Barbossa said.
"It appears so."
"Do you suppose he was tellin' the truth 'bout misleadin' this Feersen fellow?"
"I don't know. Best be cautious either way."
"Aye, Captain."
"Listen, Hector," Jack said calmly, "about Amelia…"
"He was right," Barbossa said, taking Jack by surprise. "We can't do no good for her as we are. We don't know where the ship is carryin' her. We have this chance to go, get the treasure, secure it."
"You mean to go ahead with it?" Jack had to ask, not understanding Barbossa's reasoning.
"Jack, if Feersen be waitin' he be of no concern to us right now. If he is followin' us, at least we can prepare for the attack."
"With your daughter in the crossfire."
"She's a tough girl, Jack. I trust her," Barbossa said confidently.
"I know, but…what if something goes wrong? What if something already has gone wrong? What if this was another deception and Feersen doesn't even have her?"
"Captain, we can't be certain of anythin' when it comes from the mouth of man. We're best to work with what we's certain of. Did ya get coordinates?" Barbossa asked.
Jack nodded his head.
"So that we have. You already said that we don't know where this Feersen will be. We don't know where Amelia is. We don't know nothing that was apart of Bimbly's plan."
"There must be a way…"
"Jack. There be a way. One step at a time. If the gold be like they say it is, we can hire for the rest. Blazes, Jack, it would be enough to hire service from the Brethern."
Jack nodded his head. It was not what he had in mind but Barbossa seemed confident in it.
"Alright, then," Jack said, "let's away from this place. Keep a weather eye on any vessel what comes poking about. We need to be on guard."
"Aye, Captain."
Barbossa left the captain and called the men into action. As everyone scurried into place, the first mate cornered Bootstrap Bill below deck. Bootstrap saw him coming but hoped that Barbossa was on a different mission this time.
"I need an answer," Barbossa demanded from his crewmate.
"I owe Jack my life," Bootstrap said.
"So you're against us."
A lump grew in Bootstrap's throat.
"He's rid himself of the drunk. Shot him in the swamp, Jack said. Amelia be not goin' home. She's been sold as bait. Me only daughter. All that's left of me flesh and blood. Ye know as well as I do Jack acts fer his own accord. Too young to bother with consequences fer his actions. Ye say you own him yer life, but without him ye never would've been flounderin' in the first place. Ya've witnessed him lose two ships. Aren't ya tired of scavengin'? Tired of watchin' him drink himself silly while we slave away fer our efforts?"
"Jack's a good man," Bootstrap defended meekly.
"Good men don't always make fer good captains."
"Hector," Bootstrap said. "I, too, love Amelia as a daughter. I can't believe that Jack –"
"Believe what ya will, but know that ye're out numbered."