Book Four - Chapter Nine: A Last Request
Captain Jack Sparrow was surprised by how quickly and clearly this new compass of his worked. His only issue was catching the compass change directions. Amelia would be just as easy to find as the gold. The compass pointed directly as the captain's mind fluctuated. Barbossa was right however, there was no saying if Amelia was with Feersen at sea, at his estate, or even with him at all. The compass could point him there, but who knows where that there would be. At least the treasure would be stationary and isolated. If no one knew where it was, no one could be waiting for them. Jack was the one with the compass and therefore the only one able to find either location. He pulled out a table map and began to chart two courses, one course for the girl, the other for the gold. Tia Dalma's words played over and over in the captain's head. "No matter what path you take, you cannot save the girl." It couldn't be true. Save her from what? Was she in danger? Maybe it was another riddle. Maybe she couldn't be saved because there was nothing to save her from. It was an idea that even Jack couldn't convince himself of. All he could do was hope that she was alright. Her and the unborn child.
On the third day since the decision was made to go for the Aztec gold, Barbossa approached his captain one last time in confidence.
"Jack, I must warn ya. The men are gettin' wary."
"Wary?" Jack repeated.
"With all that's happened. Yer trust of the man and his disposal. Amelia. The men want some reassurance."
"They don't trust me?"
"You left your plan as private with Bimbly, now he's gone. It's just you, Jack."
"And you," Jack added.
"Aye, Captain. But in the end, it be only you who knows where we's goin'. If ye mean to make it an equal share, why not make the map equal as well? What would it hurt?"
"Make the map communal you mean?"
"Jack, if ye've got nothin' to hide, the men have nothin' to question. Morale is low. As captain, it be yer job to boost it as ya can."
Jack thought it over. He had nothing to lose. He unfurled the map. Barbossa gazed at it.
"What be this line?" Barbossa asked pointing to the second line of coordinates.
Jack was hesitant to respond. He pointed to the main line and said, "This one should take us to Isla de Muerta. And this one," he said pointed to the secondary line, "should take you to your daughter."
Barbossa looked up at the captain.
"I am sorry, Hector. I figured it was the least I could do."
"Thank you, Jack," Barbossa said, rolling up the map.
"You'll square me with the crew, then?" Jack asked.
"Of course, Captain. I promise you the crew will be unified before the day is done. Rest assured, Jack."
Just what Jack needed, men with low morale and he being the captain to blame. Other of Tia Dalma's words came to him. But it couldn't be. He found the snake. The fear of betrayal was over. Things would be well. Well, enough, anyways. He trusted Barbossa to see to that.