A Sister's Journey

Chapter 5

The next morning the company met Mr Gibbs down at the harbour where there was a line of men and one woman but nobody but Violet seemed to have realised that. "Feast your eyes Captain, all of them faithful hands before the mast, every man worth his salt, and crazy to boot." Mr Gibbs said as they walked along the line inspecting the crew. "So this is your able-bodied crew?" asked Will doubtfully. Jack didn't say anything but carried on down the line until he reached one man with a parrot. "You sailor." Jack said to the man.

"Mr Cotton sir." Mr Gibbs said.

"Mr Cotton, do you have the courage and fortitude to follow orders and stay true in the face of danger and almost certain death? Mr Cotton answer man" Jack said to the man.

"He's a mute sir, the poor devil had his tongue cut out," Mr Gibbs said prompting Mr Cotton to open his mouth to show his lack of tongue "so he trained the parrot to talk for him, no one's yet figured how.". Jack then turned to the parrot.

"Mr Cotton's parrot, same question." Jack said.

"Arh, ready to sail, ready to sail." the parrot replied.

"Mostly we figured that means yes." Mr Gibbs said.

"Course it does," Jack said turning to face Will "satisfied?". Will looked at bit dumbfounded for a moment and then spoke. "Well you've proved them mad." he replied.

"And what's the benefit for us?" asked the women dressed up like a man on the end. Jack squinted an walked over to her. He made a slightly pained face and lifted the women's hat. "Anamaria." he said earning him a slap.

"I suppose, you didn't deserve that one either." Will said as Violet let out a small laugh.

"No that one I deserve." he said and Anamaria nodded.

"You stole my boat." she said.

"Actually," Jack said but receiving another slap before he could get any further and Violet had to try very hard to stop herself from laughing "borrowed, borrowed without permission but with every intention of bringing it back to you."

"But you didn't!" she shouted.

"You'll get another one." Jack said looking scared.

"I will." Anamaria replied pointing at Jack causing him to back away slightly and hold up the green banana he had been holding. "A better one." Will interjected. Jacked looking relived turned to Will then back to Anamaria and smiled. "A better one." he said happily trying to mask the fear.

"That one." Will said pointing at the Interceptor causing Anamaria to look at it, Jack to look at Will and Violet almost hit him. "What one?" asked Jack and Will nodded to the Interceptor. "That one?" Jack and Violet asked angrily but Will simply nodded. "Aye, that one, what say you?" Jack asked.

"Aye!" shouted Anamaria causing the whole crew to shout it as well and the crew all began to head to the ship.

"No, no, no, it's frightfully bad luck to bring a woman aboard sir." Mr Gibbs said nervously. "It'd be far worse not to have her." Jack replied and walked over to the ship. Well, in that case, Violet thought to herself and removed her hat. "No, no, no, not two." Mr Gibbs said.

"We don't get a choice." Will said walking over to the ship closely followed by Violet and Mr Gibbs.