⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵
[Last time...]
“In the dark of night sir?!” Another crewman asked in confusion.
“Aye! In the dark of night! We’ve got to run the inlet of the bay and get out onto open waters before Slane’s men make it back to the Silverton! If he learns that Commander Galligan and the boy are safe, we’ll be cut in half by his sixteen pounders before we can round the top of Comoros!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[On the Silverton…]
The sound of distant musket fire drew the quick attention of the Captain as he whirled around in his chair and nodded to Cockpit Mate- Midshipman’s Mate Fisky.
“It has begun! Time tae gang up top an' keep a sharp eye an' ear matie!" He said as he rose from his chair quickly and headed for the galley steps with Fisky right behind him.
Up on the bridge, the Captain eyed the western coast of Comoros carefully with his thirty inch scope. Though he could not make out the longboat in the light of the moon, he could confirm that there was no boat in the water west of the coast yet.
“One muskit shot...a long pause, an' 'en a second...what da ye make of it Keptin?" Fisky asked as he took hold of the poop deck rail and gazed east.
“Th’ first muskit shot...one of oors deid ur woonded. Th' second shot...one of theirs.." He said grimly, “Th' battle is weel oan mucker!"
“Gawd be with ‘em!” Fisky said as he clutched the rear rail with both hands.
“Gawd be with ‘em…” The Captain conferred.
Suddenly it was Seaman- Able Seaman Tuna’s voice that broke the evening calm…
“Yo! Vessel comin' west oot of th' bay!"
“Wussatt? A vessel?!” The Captain barked.
“Och aye Sairrr, runnin' hard oot of th' ootlit of th' bay!"
Fisky turned to face the Captain as he spoke, “Who woods be crazy enaw ta run th' inlit of th' bay at night?! There's coral reef oan baith sides!"
“Pirate Keptin Callum MacGibbon att's who! There's only one vessel in th' Bay of Badjanani… th' Grand Bank!" The Captain said as he swung his scope north towards the outlet of the bay, “Hae th' anchur stowed but keep th' sail clootie wrapped!"
“But Sairrr, ta whit end? Do we chase th' Grand Bank, or fire oan 'er?"
"Neither yit. We've got ta know if th' mission was a success!" The Captain said in an anxious tone, “Bring up Groober an' make it quick!"
“Aye Sairrr, but th' schooner's runnin' fast...?” Fisky asked in concern.
The Captain didn’t reply. He was under the pressure of ten men and it was taking its toll...
“Th' spyug dammit!"
“Aye Sairrr!”
[Back in the jungle of Comoros…]
Junior Petty Officer- Cooper Ickied quickly made his way west through the narrow jungle that separated the bay from the ocean. Everyone was breathing hard and exhausted from the swim as he finally came to a stop in a small clearing.
The rest of the crew collapsed in the brush next to him, including several of the men who had been heavily laddened by the body of Commander Galligan and the lifeless body of Seaman- Carpenter's Crew Ilver Medicine. Leading up the rear, Seaman- Able Seaman Evsup broke into the clearing with the struggling Boy Tipper.
It was a sight to see and Ilipino, Ouncel and Ickied all burst out laughing as they panted, followed by the rest of the group.
"Whit kin' of a devil did ye brin' us! Haw! Haw!" Ickied jested.
Tipper was released and he straightened his clothing as he looked hard into the clearing. In a moment the clouds opened a bit and a bright shimmer of moonlight lit up the many familiar faces...
“Weel jobby mah keks! Yer aw mah crew!" The boy said as a broad smile spread across his face.
“Yes we ur, an' ye nearly wrenched mah arm keepin' ye gagged an' subdued!" Evsup said with a grin.
“Loon, Ahh’m glad ta see ye! But lit it ne'er be said 'att ye ur an easy one ta catch!" Ickied said as he sat upright breathing hard still.
It was then that a low groan came out of the half conscious body of the fallen Commander…
Ickied got to his feet quickly, sword drawn along with Junior Petty Officer- Boatswain’s Mate Azzuar! To the amazement of all, Galligan blinked his eyes twice and sat up straight! He snapped his head quickly to his right and then to his left and then rolled up onto one knee as he faced them!
⛵ ⛵ ⛵ ⛵
"Ever want ta jist leave aw yer problems an' troobles behin' an' sail th' high seas in search ay hodden silver an' adventure? Weel ye can dae jist 'att by joinin' th' crew ay th' mighty 'Silverton', a 36 gin frigate ay th' Royal Scottish Navy, reit haur oan steems-it an' so forth!"- Keptin
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"If you’re enjoying mah adventure,
consider ‘Up-Voting’ mah blog!" –Cap’n
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Confused? Ascared? Seasick? Need a private chat with the Captain?" - [email protected]
Reference: Pictures frae www.freeimages.com, www.pexels.com, pixabay.com, steemit.com an’ www.google.com/maps