Black Sam - Prince of Pirates

Thirty Eight - A DEMACRATIC ELECTION

Thirty Eight - A DEMOCRATIC ELECTION

January 1717

The clear blue water refracted light against the white sand and rough coral of the ocean floor. A brownish green turtle seemed to float more than swim, Flippers moved intermittently only to continue its journey. Sam was in awe of the life below the water. These creatures acted out of instinct; survival and the need to multiply seemed to be their only concerns. They seemed to live free; each one’s purpose the same as the next. No greed, no hatred. Lost in the underworld, Sam had forgotten about the world above for too long and now he desperately needed air.

His head popped out of the water as he sucked in air. The Mary Anne sat in the motionless water and the Caribbean sun now beat down upon his face. He tilted his head back to soak up more of the warm rays. After a moment, he swam to the ship and climbed up. A few men stood playing cards around a barrel. Others were scattered about the ship doing various things. Paulgrave stood shaving into a broken piece of mirror.

The Galleon sat on the other side of the Mary Anne. Blackbeard stood at the bow resting against the railing and looking out into the open sea. Sam could not decide if his friend longed to get out to sea for sailings sake or for the sake of attacking more ships. Either way he could tell Edward was as a lone wolf, trying to break free of the pack.

Sam would set him free if he could, but it was not his call. Eventually his friend would get what he wanted and Sam would let him go. He enjoyed sailing with Blackbeard for the most part, he found him to be a character among characters. However, their goals could not be more different. Blackbeard loved being a pirate. It seemed like he was born to do it. To Sam, however, his methods were brutal and unnecessary. Sam had a different way in mind, aggressive, swift, and accurate. His enemy was not the sailors aboard the ships, but the filthy rich owners making fortunes off the backs of hard working men. Sam’s goal was Maria, not the money or the sport of piracy.

A bell startled him from his thoughts. He looked over to see Blackbeard release the bell, and yell through his hands. “A ship! Heading southwest.”

Sam stood up and looked in that direction. He called for Paulgrave as he moved toward the bow.

“You know Sam, you should probably just keep this with you,” Paulgrave said handing him the scope.

They stopped at the bow and Sam gave Paulgrave’s shoulder a pat. “Then how would I know where to find it?” Sam gave a slight smile, then extended the scope and found the ship almost at once. “It’s British,” Sam said handing the scope to Paulgrave.

Paulgrave looked through it. “What are you going to do?”

Sam shook his head. “It’s Captain Hornigold’s call, not mine.” He pointed to a nearby sailor. “Get the Captain.”

 The man nodded, and then stood up.

“Wait,” Paulgrave said, holding out his hand to the man. Paulgrave turned to Sam. “He told us specifically not to wake him.” He stepped closer leaning in to whisper to Sam. “If ever there was an opportunity, this is it.”

Sam glanced around. The men had all stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

Sam smiled to Paulgrave and nodded. He looked about the men who seemed to be waiting for orders. Sam cleared his throat. “Raise anchor and trim the sails. Set course for south-southwest.”

The ship came alive as the crew cheered and then got to work. Sam looked over to the Galleon where Blackbeard stood watching. Even without smoke and dark around his eyes, Edward was an intimidating man. He tipped his hat to Sam as his ship moved out ahead of the Mary Anne.