Sparrow's Revenge

5

"Dead men tell no tails." Mr Cotton's parrot sang looking out across the waters.

"Chills the bones, how many honest sailors have been claimed by this passage." Gibbs said to Will. We moved, Will and Gibbs taking a seat, myself leaning against the mast.

"How is it that Jack came by that compass?" Will asked as he took in Jack who held the compass in his hand, his other hand resting on the helm.

"Not a lot's known about Jack Sparrow before he showed up in Tortuga with a mind to find the treasure of the Isle de Muerta. That was before I'd met him, when he was captain of The Black Pearl." Gibbs stated.

"What? He failed to mention that." Will look stern and turned to face me but I kept my eyes on Jack.

"He plays things close to the vest now and a hard-learned lesson it was. See, three days into the trip the first mate says, 'Everything's an equal share. The location of the treasure too.' So Jack gives up the bearings. That night, there was a mutiny. They marooned Jack on an Island and left him to die but not before he'd gone mad with the heat."

"Ahh, so that's the reason for all the.." Will did an impersonation of Jack's constant hand gestures and facial expression. He stopped when he heard my small giggle come from close by.

"Reasons got nothing to do with it. Now Will, when a pirate's marooned, he's given a pistol with a single shot, one shot. Now, that won't do much good hunting, nor to be rescued. But after three weeks of a starving belly and thirst, that pistol was starting to look real friendly. " Gibbs made a hand gesture symbolising a gun and pointed it to his head. "But Jack escaped the island and still has that single shot. Oh he won't use it though, save one shot one man, his mutinous first mate."

"Barbossa." Will said his name as if it was poison to anyone who hears it.

"Aye." He nodded.

"How did Jack get of the island?" He looked confused again.

"Well, I'll tell ye. He waded out into the shallows and waited three days and three nights till all manner of sea creatures became acclimated to his presence. On the fourth morning, he roped a couple of sea turtles, lashed 'em together and made a raft."

"He roped a couple of sea turtles?" Will asked not believing the story.

"Aye."

"What did he use for rope?" Gibbs paused and then turned to Jack who was standing beside them.

"Human hair, from my back."

"That's disgusting." I said and left my position to lower the row boat into the sea. 

"Let go the anchor, young Mr Turner and I are to go asshore." Jack spoke to the crew.

"Captain, what if the worst should happen?" Gibbs asked and Jack paused for a moment.

"Keep to the code. Charlie." He yelled.

"What now?" I yelled from my place at the side.

"I'm leaving you in charge of my ship."

"Bad idea but great." When I said that they got in the boat and made there way to shore and the crew were looking at me expectantly. "What are you waiting for you scurvy dogs, get to work!" I called and they all bustled about making sure everything was in order and ready to make a quick get away. "Anna-Maria, I want you at the helm with me." She nodded and followed.

*

It wasn't to much later when we were lowering the ladder and up came Elizabeth and Will.