Black Sam - Prince of Pirates

Thirty - RETRIBUTION

 Thirty-RETRIBUTION

 December 1716

 Tiny rays of light broke through a canopy of green warming Sam's face. He opened his eyes and stared up into the trees, intent on staying right where he lay. He watched as birds moved from limb to limb, whistling and chirping as they went, unaware of the giant watching them from below. He marveled at their freedom. To exist without the constraints of money or the ill will of evil men. The sounds of tree branches moving in the breeze, birds chirping, and leaves rustling made Sam grateful his hearing was back to normal.

 Sam’s smile faded when he looked down into his own world. The grim reality of the last week hit him hard, and his smile vanished. He sat up and looked around. The beach was close by, and he could hear the light sounds of bells ringing in the near distance. A dock, he thought looking around his makeshift camp. Paulgrave was already up. “Where are we?”

 Paulgrave shrugged. “Not really sure.”

 Sam looked around further. They were on top of a hill so it was easy to see the beach down below. “Where are John and Abda?”

 “Securing breakfast," Paulgrave said.

 Sam gave an approving nod. The two of them sat against a tree, and looked out into the sea. Its vastness was mesmerizing and they were content to stare off for a while.

 Paulgrave broke the silence. “What are you thinking?”

 Sam’s face did not budge. “You don’t want to know what I’m thinking.”

 “Yes, Sam, I do. I can only imagine what I’d be thinking right now, if it was me who took the lashings.”

 “The look on John’s face while it was happening.” Sam stopped, still staring out, his eyes now red and glossy.

 Paulgrave put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

 “I want to kill him, Paul,” Sam said with a sharp tongue.

 Paulgrave just listened.

 Sam picked a stick out of the sand. “I hate him, and all men like him.”

 Paulgrave took a deep breath. “Any man would be angry after taking such an un-warranted whipping.”

 “I’m not even angry about that Paul.” Sam snapped the stick and threw it back onto the sand. Well, I admit that is part of it, but it’s much bigger than that.”

 Sam looked at Paulgrave, who was waiting patiently. “How many men and women are put to the lash without provocation or just cause? How many need be subjugated under the yoke of tyrannical minded men. Men who think their worth far greater than others based on skin color or the size of their billfold.” Sam looked back out to sea. “It’s about freedom Paul. Men and woman should be free to decide how to live their lives, and with whom.”

 They sat in silence for a moment. Sam’s thoughts were clearly on Maria. Cyprian would stop at nothing to have her, and Sam felt closer to losing her than ever.

 “What will you do?” Paulgrave finally spoke up.

 Sam sat frozen in thought. Eyes locked on the horizon. “Out there a man is free regardless of color or birthright. He is equal to any man standing next to him.”

 Paulgrave sat back against a tree. “A sovereign nation where all men are equal. Can you imagine that?”

 “Our own nation,” Sam said, pondering the thought. “That’s exactly what we are when were out there.”