Chapter 8: Tending to the Wounded

Furiously, Dave Senoj tromped up to Jake. "I should have known that you would be comin' here and causing more grief for me! Did you not find my Cabinet to have suitable living conditions for your dear mummy?"

Jake drew his cutlass, and the two began to fight. Since Senoj had left his men alone to deal with Jake's crew, they no longer had a leader to instruct them how to fight. Jake's men were then able to defeat them and head for where Senoj and Jake were dueling.

The ground on which the two were battling upon was on the side of a hill. Unfortunately for Jake, Dave Senoj was on the higher side of the hill while Jake was on the lower. He forced Jake to have to jump back suddenly, causing him to lose his footing and fall on his back. Senoj, smiling evilly, drew his pistol and prepared to shoot Jake. In response, Jake pulled out his own gun and fired. Instead of just one gunshot, four shots rang through the air. Becky, Nora, and Scully had all shot Senoj the very same moment that Jake had pulled the trigger. Captain Cardinal breathed a sigh of relief and got to his feet. He jogged into the forest in order to check on his mother. She was still safe sitting under the tree. With much care, he hoisted her into his arms.

"Are you okay, Jake?" Becky asked as Jake began to walk out of the forest.

"I'm fine. Let's hurry and get to the ship before Senoj's men find out that he's dead."

Captain Cardinal and his remaining group stole a rowboat and rowed to the Scarlett Ruby.

"Get the doctah quick!" Nora yelled as soon as they were on deck. "Scully's injured badly!"

"Pull anchor and sail for Ireland!" Jake ordered as he carried Charlotte into his cabin.

Allison came out of the hull of the ship carrying Christopher, who was crying miserably.

"Ooh," Becky ran over and took him out of Allison's arms, "did my poor baby miss me? How was he for you, Allison?"

"He was fairly good. Although he has been crying for a good fifteen minutes. I tried to sing him lullabies, but nothing would work to get him to sleep. Did you find her? How is everybody?"

"We did find her, but she's really weak. Don't worry, Mimosa is fine. Scully is in pretty bad shape though. I think we might have lost at least four men."

"Oh, dear! I should go see if anyone needs help. I am so glad you were able to find Captain Cardinal's mother." Allison hastily walked over to Matthew and began talking with him.

After things had settled down more aboard the Ruby, Jake exited his cabin and approached Nora, who was just leaving the room where Dr. Blackwell had taken Scully. "Has Scully pulled through okay?"

"Aye, he has. He lost a lot o' blood from bein' shot in the gut, stabbed in the shoulder, and burned by gunpowder on 'is 'and. Dr. Blackwell gave 'im sumthin so he would sleep for a while. How's your mum doin'?"

"She's asleep on my bed. I was able to get her to eat and drink a little. Who knows the last time she was fed real food. How many casualties?"

"It seems like there'll be only five. We lost one of 'em from too many wounds."

Jake shook his head and sighed. "Alright. All of you get some rest. I'll be in my cabin."

"Good night, Cap'n." Nora turned and went into her quarters to take a short nap.

A few hours later, Nora woke up and decided to check up on Scully. As she entered his room, he immediately attempted to get up.

"Oh no! You aren't goin' anywhere, Scully!" She assertively pushed him back down on the makeshift bed.

"Ooh!" he groaned and lay back down.

"Sorry. Are ya okay?"

"I feel like I've been shot," he cringed as he tried to sit up slightly.

Nora stopped him and put another pillow under his head. "You were shot: in the gut."

"That explains it. How long was I out?"

"A few hours. You know, you were pretty bad for a while there. I was almost afraid you weren't gonna pull through."

"Ah, I would 'a made it. I'm not ready to leave this world yet. There're too many things still to take care of."

"Yeah, there are too many bot'les of root beer left undrunk on this ship and too many people who need yelled at," she chuckled.

Scully laughed but winced in pain.

"Sorry, didn't mean to make you hurt more. Jest tryin' to lighten the mood. Do ya want anythin' to eat or drink?"

"I suppose the doctor wouldn't approve of me havin' a root beer?"

"Maybe I can sneak one in for ya," Nora went off and soon returned with two root beers. "Blackwell will nevah know." Nora helped him sit up then gave him his bottle.

"Mmm, thank you," Scully gratefully took a gulp and relaxed a little more. "So, when will I be allowed to move around and get back to my duties?"

"Certainly not tonight. I was able to talk the doctah down to lettin' you up by lunchtime tomorrow. So that means I'll hav'ta take ovah your duties and actually work."

"Ooh, I hope you can handle that," Scully joked.

"You are feelin' bettah, aren't you? Well, I should get out there and make sure things are runnin' how they should. I'll come in later to make sure you're still in that bed." She sauntered out of the room and ran into Muggins on the quarterdeck. "Oh, hey there, Sam! How's that leg of yours?"

"It doesn't hurt too bad. The doctor said the bullet just grazed my leg. I should be able to put my full weight on it in a day or two. How are you holding up?"

"Well, I've been more scratched up before, so I'm fine."

"You were really brave out there. You almost had me nervous until I remembered that you're no ordinary pirate," Sam blushed.

"Aww, thank you, Sam," Nora's eyes softened, "That means a lot to 'ear someone say, especially since I've been feelin' pretty down on myself lately with all of my fam'ly stuff comin' out into the open."

"Oh, I see," he responded quietly. "If there's anything I can do for you, I'd be more than happy to help."

"Thanks. If there's anything I think of, I'll definitely find you."

"Good. I have a question: Who do you think really killed Dave Senoj?"

"Hmm, it's 'ard to say, really. I know that the cap'n 'ad 'is gun out before all of us, but all of the shots sounded like they were fired around the same time. So I like to think that the four of us all 'ad a 'and in bringin' 'im down. Any one of our shots could 'a done 'im in."

"Yeah, that sounds like it makes sense," Muggins nodded.

"Well, I really 'ave got ta get back ta work, 'specially since I need to do Scully's work as well. I'll be seein' you around," Nora tipped her tricorne hat and walked off.