Cover courtesy of @BarryVosloo
An action adventure pirate tale with all the expected elements. The ship carrying the governor's daughter is attacked at sea and she is kidnapped by Tortuga's most notorious pirate, Terrance Hollick. Spirited away to t...
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Governor Francorte was up early, ordering the household around as they scurried to get his things ready for the trip to Jamaica. He sent one servant to inform Captain Woodcuffe he would be arriving at the ship within the hour and wanted assistance moving his things into his quarters. When the servant returned he handed Francorte a note with trembling hands.
"What's this then? He snatched the piece of paper and read quickly. His features darkened and he glared at the servant malevolently.
"Get these things loaded in the carriage immediately." All the servants present hastily grabbed bags and trunks and rushed them out to the drive, loading the carriage as fast as they could.
Francorte read the note again and cursed aloud. The sea trial had uncovered a few small flaws but Woodcuffe would not take it to sea until they were corrected and that would be, at the earliest, that evening.
The carriage arrived at the dock and a red-faced Francorte disembarked and strode toward the group of workmen standing with the Captain.
"What is this nonsense about not sailing until this evening? I expressly said we would leave this morning."
"We discovered a few small problems that could become larger problems at sea. As Captain of this ship, holding the responsibility of all aboard, I will not leave until they have been corrected."
"Well I'm here and I intend going aboard and securing my quarters. Have someone show me the way." He turned and signaled the carriage driver to begin unloading his baggage.
"Belay that!" Woodcuffe ordered, pointing a finger at the driver. "Governor Francorte, until I grant the final approval for release of the ship, no passengers will board."
"I'm not just any passenger, Captain, I am the Governor of this island and you are taking me to meet the Governor of Jamaica where I will receive his daughter's hand in marriage, sealing an important pact between our two colonies." He turned and waved a,' carry on' hand at his driver.
"Sergeant, post a man at the gangway and let no one on board until I give the order." Woodcuffe stared hard at the Governor and then in a more conciliatory tone, "Private Benson, conduct the Governor to my office and see that he is made comfortable. You will remain to perform any service he may require. And now, sir, I have a ship to ready - if you will excuse me."
Francorte gaped after the man as he turned away then swung his eyes around, riveting Private Benson with a molten glare, astonished that the man was not in jail as he had demanded.
******
Henry van Dught leaned on the rail amidships and watched the fish swimming next to the hull of his ship. His spy in the Dark Sea work party gave him the news about the new sailing time and he was most pleased.
"Our plan will have a much easier time under cover of dusk or even darkness. I told my man to do what he could to delay it until sunset. He was worried they might catch on but a small bag of gold coins seemed to turn him into a fearless conspirator."
