"In all the bloody pages of history, no bloody chapter was more bloody than the bloody era of the buccaneers." "Over the seven seas, the Brethren of the Coast, as these bloodthirsty pirates called themselves, roamed at will." "killing, plundering and looting." "Writing their names in blood across the bloody record of time." "They were a murderous, bloodthirsty crew, who feared neither man nor the devil." "But the bloodiest of all these bloodthirsty buccaneers was the bloody pirate" "BIoodthirsty Dave." "Who?" "Me?" "In those days, when the sign of the skull and crossbones struck terror into the hearts of the boldest, no ship was safe from the Brethren of the Coast." "No vessel was fast enough nor stout enough to withstand the ferocity and cunning of their attack." "Like vultures, they swooped down upon their prey, sending some proud and noble ship to the bottom of the sea." "There were many harbors along the atlantic coast of the colonies that offered refuge to these bIack-hearted cutthroats." "Not least among them was the city of charleston in the carolinas." "It was the perfect haven." "england was 3,000 miles away and the laws were lax." "Here, at the hands of unscrupulous merchants, they found a ready market for their plunder." "Swaggering pirates, fresh from raids along the Spanish Main, wandered openly through the streets of the city, unchallenged and unafraid." "Woe to the poor unfortunate whose shadow fell across the path of these inhuman monsters." "Ah, yes, these were truly the days of wooden ships and iron men." "But some of the iron was getting a little rusty." "A thousand pardons, good sirs." "You clumsy lout!" "Perhaps a bit of cold steel in your insides will teach you to have more care." "It was an accident, I assure you, sir." "Please, let me get my broom." "You scurvy young whelp!" "I'll cut the gizzard out of you!" "Now, look, you don't know what you're doing, really." "Really, you don't know what you're doing, no." "Now, if you..." "Come on." "All right, you want to fight now?" "All right, come on." "Come on, you want to fight." "Come on, fight." "Why you..." "The King's men." "You'll say nothing to the King's men?" "No, sir." "If I whacked you in the jaw like this, would you tell the King's men?" "No, sir." "If I punched you in the belly like this, would you tell the King's men?" "No, sir." "It's fortunate for you, my lad, I'm not a man of violence." "Don't forget to tell the King's men." "Wait a minute." "If you carve that scrawny sparrow and the King's men take you, you'll be a full day making a report to the Governor, and it'll delay our sailing on the morrow." "Well, maybe so." "But if we ever meet again, I'll slit his gullet." "Well, Master Crandall, do you intend to sit there all day and let life pass you by?" "But, Mr..." "Have you nothing in life to hold on to?" "Well, right now I have." "I've always told you, "ldle hands are the devil's workshop.' '" "Yes, Mr. Nicholas." "Have you finished your sweeping?" "Yes, Mr. Nicholas." "Well, then, you can start washing the windows." "I did that at sunup, Mr. Nicholas." "Dusting the showcases?" "All finished, Mr. Nicholas." "Polishing the glassware?" "That, too, Mr. Nicholas." "Cleaning the silver?" "That's all done, Mr. Nicholas." "Well, I can't have you dawdling around. "He who wastes a minute...' '" ""Loses an hour.' ' Yes, Mr. Nicholas." "Go to the storeroom and help Tom Botts with the polishing." "Yes, Mr. Nicholas." "Take that packing case with you." "Yes, Mr. Nicholas." "Ah, good morning, Miss Prudence, I'm at your service." "I'd like to see the bolt of material I talked to you about, Mr. Nicholas." "Oh, yes, Miss Prudence, just this way, please." "Take that packing box to the storeroom." "This is the material, Miss Prudence." "What's that I see underneath?" "A gown of this velvet will be the envy of every woman in Charleston." "It's lovely." "Could I see something else, please?" "Yes." "Help me lower my cargo, Mr. Botts." "Aye, aye, Davey." "Right now I have to batten down my hatches." "I'm to give you a hand." "Welcome you are, Davey lad." "This sort of work isn't fit for an old seadog like Tom Botts." "Thank you." "You seem a mite nervous today, Davey." "What's ailing you?" "Well, you'd be nervous, too, if you'd almost had your gullet run through by a drunken sailor." "A ship in the harbor!" "A two-master." "A three-master!" "A three-master!" "She's coming around the point." "Yeah, she's a three-master, all right." "'Tis the liverpool Queen." "The liverpool Queen?" "We've work ahead of us, Davey, lad." "Mr. Nicholas has valuable cargo aboard." "He has?" "Mmm." "It's a good thing for him she didn't run afoul of pirates." "Governor Elden, Lady Sylvia, my humble shop is honored." "Friend Caleb, Lord and Lady Montrose have just arrived from England." "I've been telling them of your collection of rare treasures." "You will display your finest for them." "Most assuredly, Your Excellency." "Right this way, milords, miladies." "My, what a charming shop." "I'm glad you like it, milady." "My finest collection is in my private office." "Milords, miladies, this way please." "If you'll excuse me, Lady Montrose, I've seen the collection." "I'll browse around out here." "Very well, dear." "Good afternoon, Master Davey." "Oh, good afternoon, Lady Sylvia." "I trust you received the books I sent." "Yes, I did, and I'm very grateful." "You'll have need of much more book knowledge if you expect to become a great merchant." "Yes, I know it, and some day when I'm rich and have my own ship sailing the seven seas, I'll have you to thank." "You and Mr. Botts." "And when that time comes..." "Yes, Master Davey?" "Well, I mean..." "Well, right now, you the ward of the Governor and me a nobody..." "You're not a nobody, Davey." "Well, I won't always be a shopkeeper's apprentice." "And when that time comes, the first thing I'm gonna do is..." "is ask you to..." "To..." "Well, that's..." "That's a very pretty miniature." "Thank you, I painted it myself." "Oh, you did?" "You were going to ask me something?" "Yes, I'm... I'm gonna ask you to..." "To..." "There's a lot of fine detail, too." "David Crandall, when you're rich and successful, you're going to ask me something." "What is it?" "Well, I'm gonna ask you to..." "To..." "To paint a miniature like that for me." "Oh." "It's very pretty." "Well, I better get back to work if I'm gonna be all the things I said I was gonna be." "I have to make an inventory." "Oh?" "Mr. Nicholas just got in a lot of nice new things." "Oh, so I see." "Excuse me." "Ah, that's what I'd like to see on you." "Davey, a lady doesn't permit a gentleman to see such things." "I saw the ones the apothecary's wife wears." "Where was the apothecary when you were seeing this?" "He was putting them on her." "Davey." "When I get rich, I'll get you a pair that are bigger than anyone else's." "And I'll hang one on each of your ears." "On my ears?" "Why..." "And they'll be prettier than these." "Oh, you meant..." "Oh!" "Hmm?" "Cute, huh?" "Mmm-hmm." "And here's a sapphire, Your Ladyship, that well might have adorned a caliph." "Mark this ruby, the fire of a sunset on the China Sea." "Oh, isn't it beautiful?" "Uh-huh." "And here is a most unusual piece." "Let me see that." "Certainly, Your Lordship." "I know this pin." "It once belonged to Sir Rodney Davenport." "It was stolen by pirates off the Virginias less than six months ago." "lmpossible, Your Lordship." "Silence!" "Perhaps, Your Lordship, it is merely a similarity in the pieces." "I'd know this pin anywhere." "I saw it quite often at His Majesty's receptions." "Governor Elden, His Majesty sent me to the colonies for the express purpose of investigating pirate activities." "I assure Your Lordship I've made every effort to stop the underground traffic between unscrupulous merchants and pirates." "I felt this place was above reproach." "In His Majesty's opinion, those who deal with pirates are as guilty as the pirates themselves." "Quite right, Your Lordship." "An example shall be made of these..." "These culprits, as a warning to others." "I shall have everyone connected with this place put under immediate arrest." "Ah." "Have courage, lad, we're not hanged yet." "They'll not be hanging Caleb Nicholas." "It wasn't the gallows I was thinking of, Mr. Botts." "It was Lady Sylvia and the way she stood up for me." "She was actually crying." "Aye, her tears would have melted stone." "Unfortunately, stone is softer than Governor Elden's heart." "She was wonderful." "officer:" "Make way for the King's men!" "I have little stomach for the King and none for the King's men." "Prepare for action!" "Commence!" "Let's run for it, Davey!" "You'll not be getting away." "It's the jail for you, my bucko." "But what about the fellow that went down the cellar?" "There's no fellow down there." "There is now." "I'm proud of you, Davey." "But hurry, my lad." "Sylvia, your conduct in front of Lord and Lady Montrose was unpardonable." "Carrying on that way over this..." "This tradesman's apprentice." "But Davey's innocent." "He knew nothing of what was going on." "Let me be the judge of that." "Sylvia, my dear, when your parents were killed by pirates, I became your guardian." "You've always thought of me almost as a father, and that puts me at a disadvantage." "I fear I don't follow you, sir." "I'm in love with you, Sylvia." "Have been for months." "I want you to marry me." "But that's fantastic, that's impossible." "I do love you, Sylvia, you've got to believe me." "Governor Elden, you're being quite absurd." "Absurd?" "It's that boy." "You're in love with him." "You've been seeing him, haven't you?" "What is there between you two?" "I'll not be spoken to like that by anyone, not even His Excellency, the Governor." "You are in love with that shopkeeper's apprentice." "When he's taken, I'll have him flogged within an inch of his life." "Then hang what's left of him." "As for you, perhaps a change of climate for a few days may drive some of this nonsense from your mind." "Mr. Giles, the Southern Gypsy sails for the Virginias tomorrow morning." "Arrange for passage for Lady Sylvia and myself." "Yes, Your Excellency." "And Your Excellency, the prisoner Caleb Nicholas is here as you ordered." "Have the guard bring him in." "I shall speak to the prisoner alone." "I knew Your Excellency wouldn't leave one of your good friends to rot in a dungeon." "Your value is ended to me in more ways than one, friend Caleb." "Oh, not so, Your Excellency." "I could open another establishment to the north, possibly in the Virginias." "Not far enough." "I don't care how far Your Excellency sends me." "Splendid." "I intend to send you a very great distance." "What ails you, friend Caleb?" "You seem concerned." "I intend merely to fill out a report." "'Tis nothing, Your Excellency." "Just the excitement and the dampness of the dungeon." "The scoundrel came at me, Mr. Giles." "Dispose of the body." "I shall make out the necessary reports." "Ah, good evening, gentlemen." "We were told we might find Captain Ben Wickett of the Defiance here." "Bloodthirsty Ben?" "You'll find him at yonder table where the barmaid is." "Thank you." "Mmm." "Excuse me, sir." "What do you want?" "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" "I don't think so, sir, I've never been..." "Sink me, Captain, if it isn't the surly brat whose gullet you nearly slit this morning." "Well, so it is." "So you've come back to let me finish the job?" "No, no, sir, I just came to talk to you!" "There'll be no talk till I get me satisfaction." "Yeah, but..." "But, sir, I am unarmed." "But I'm willing to gamble my life that I can stand on one end of this napkin and you stand on the other end and you can't touch me with your cutlass." "You'll stand on one end of the napkin and I'll stand on the other and I can't touch you with my cutlass?" "Yes, sir." "Then after that, can I talk to you?" "After that, you won't be able to talk." "Your body will be floating in Charleston Bay." "Spread the napkin." "There we are." "Now you stand right on that end, right there, right over there." "Put your foot right there." "Right." "That's it." "Are you ready?" "Ready." "You're a smart lad." "Being as you're without a weapon and under the same conditions, you can punch me in the jaw." "Why, you..." "Now, Captain Ben, fair is fair." "All right." "Well, lad, what did you want to talk to me about?" "Beg pardon, sir, we hear tell the Defiance is sailing tomorrow." "What's it to you?" "With your kind permissión, sir, we would like to sign on, sir." "An old man and a boy." "A likely pair to be sailing on the Defiance." "We've need only of able-bodied seamen with strong arms and strong backs." "Well, you'll find us willing, sir, and Mr. Botts here is an old hand." "A very old hand, if you ask me." "You seem quite anxious to get out of Charleston." "Now, if you were seeking to purchase passage..." "We've scarcely a guinea between us." "Then be off with you and take no more of me time." "I'll give you a touch of cold steel to your insides." "Yes, sir." "Mr. Botts." "Davey, do you think... lt is no use, Mr. Botts, we'll not get out of Charleston without money." "Yeah." "Don't worry, Mr. Botts, we'll get out of town." "Hey, I'm dancing!" "By whose permissión are you on my stage?" "You see, sir, I needed the money." "Well, you won't get any money here." "My patrons want none of your offering." "What say you, mates?" "But please, sirs, have a heart." "Who ever heard of a seaman with a heart?" "I haven't." "Have you, mates?" "No!" "You haven't?" "Well, let me tell you a tale of a bloodthirsty blighter." "A pirate who showed no mercy." "This is the tale of a whale of a fighter, a cutthroat, named Plundering Percy." "He'd tear a person apart, but..." "He had a wonderful heart" "Percy was a sanitary pirate" "Every time he made a raid" "He'd slash his knife about but he'd never kill a Iout" "Before he sterilized the blade" "But Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "Percy was of delicate stock" "Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "But it was made of genuine" "Super genuine" "True blue genuine rot" "Percy had the very finest manners" "Percy was a thoroughbred" "A napkin he would pin underneath his victim's chin" "Before he sliced his victim's head" "But Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "Percy was a delicate gent" "Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "But it was made of genuine" "Super genuine" "True blue solid cement" "He was born near Cape Horn" "At the very tender age of one" "And at three it was he who strung up his pappy just for fun" "When he slept in his crib this may sound like a fib" "But it's known from Spain to Hatteras" "That he always slept best when he'd lie on his chest" "'Cause the hair made a wonderful mattress" "At five, he would thrive" "On his favorite homemade recipe" "With a jug full of wine" "He would dine on vulture's fricassee" "Then he grew and he grew up to manhood" "But his looks were an ugly disgrace" "That's why he was shy" "He never wore a patch upon his eye" "He wore a patch all over his face" "But Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "Bigger than the isle of Japan" "Percy had a heart Percy had a heart" "But it was made of anthracite" "coal black anthracite" "Percy the plundering, thundering pirate" "Man!" "Will you have a drink on the house, lad?" "Oh, no, thank you, sir." "Liquor makes me break out in blotches." "Drink doesn't affect me, sir." "Can you dance and sing?" "Well, no." "No?" "Well, neither can you drink." "Look." "Here you are, sir." "Now we can purchase passage." "We'll sail with you as far as the money'll take us." "Be on board by sunup." "My mate, Mr. Wells, will see that you get suitable accommodations." "Aye, aye, sir." "Thank you, sir." "Thank you, thank you." "There, Mr. Wells, lies the first honest money I've ever earned." "Did you say "honest," Captain?" "I'll wager those two ducklings are a dainty morsel for the sharks afore we're many hours at sea." "They asked for passage as far as the money would take them." "It'll be far enough." "Fill them up!" "I trust we did wisely, Mr. Botts." "The Captain did not sit well with me." "Nor with me." "But we've little choice, 'tis either the scurvy captain or the gallows." "We've lost the coastline, Captain." "Very good, Mr. Wells." "Now, you can run up the flag." "Aye, aye, sir." "You fed our two passengers well, Mr. Kobb?" "Very well, Captain." "Good." "I'll not have it said that Bloodthirsty Ben is lacking in his duties as a host." "Now that you have dined the two fine gentlemen, wine them." "Aye, sir." "Then throw them over the side." "Aye, aye, sir." "I fear we misjudged the Captain, Mr. Botts." "Aye, Davey, it was a meal fit for His Majesty." "Good morning, gentlemen." "I trust you have dined well." "Aye, that we have." "Good." "Captain Ben's compliments." "A noggin of rum to settle the insides." "Oh, my thanks to the Captain, but I would soon have the pox as I would liquor." "Speak not of the pox, lad." "'Tis the most dreaded disease that can happen aboard ship." "Why, at the very first sign of a red blotch on a man's face, a ship is doomed." "A crew will desert like a pack of cowardly mongrels." "Come, drink up, drink up." "Well, I never touch spirits, but I'll take water." "The Captain ordered me to wine you." "And when Captain Ben gives an order, it's an order." "Come now, Davey, a wee drop just to please the Captain." "Mr. Botts, you know how liquor affects me." "Please ask the Captain to excuse me." "It would be better if you ask him yourself." "We'll go on deck." "Perhaps the Captain would be just as well pleased if I did the drinking for the two of us." "That's for the Captain to say." "Come on." "Haul away." "He says he'll have no rum, Captain, but he's willing to take water." "Well, if it's water he wants, water he shall have." "Look at all that water waiting for you." "Miles and miles of it." "Yes, sir, it's beautiful." "The water and the blue sky above." "Get on your feet." "Mr. Botts!" "Look, look!" "What's the meaning of this, Captain?" "You've had your money's worth of passage." "Now you can swim the rest of the way with the compliments of Bloodthirsty Ben." "Over the side with them!" "One!" "Can't we talk this over?" "Two!" "Think of your families." "Three!" "Wait!" "Wait, now." "If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die happy." "The warmth of the liquor will make us forget the chill of the water." "Aye, Mr. Blotch?" "Botts?" "Aye." "We'll not be feeling the miserable death which you're sending us to." "We'll die like men." "Brave men." "There'll be no shiver of fears in our spine." "Just a warm, unafraid, red feeling on our insides." "Aye, Mr. Botts?" "Davey, if you empty the jug, the only way I'll get a warm feeling is to rub the cork on me stomach." "Well, now you can throw me overboard." "But don't have the men do it." "Captain Ben and Mr. Kobb, you do it, if you're not afraid to face me." "I'm not afraid to face..." "The pox!" "'Tis a pest ship, we'll all die like rats." "You mean it's catching?" "The pox!" "We're doomed!" "Gotta get out of here!" "Can I give you a hand?" "Stop!" "Stand back from the longboats!" "Stop, I say!" "Stop!" "Why, you addlepated fools, you forgot we have a treasure aboard?" "Don't you want your shares?" "It'll do no good to dead men." "Treasure or no treasure, you'll never get another crew aboard the Defiance." "This ship is doomed with the pox!" "I fear you're right, Mr. Kobb." "Yes, what..." "Did you ever have the pox?" "They're going, Davey." "They're going." "So am I." "Hey, Davey." "They're all gone." "Who, the pirates?" "Aye, and the blotches, too." "Oh." "I certainly hope they don't come back." "The blotches?" "No, the pirates and the blotches." "Mr. Botts, I don't..." "Davey, I'll fight the man that says," ""No good ever come of drinking.' '" "But there you stood, lad, downing drink after drink." "Please, Mr. Botts." "What ye need, lad, is a bit of hair off from the dog that bit you." "I do?" "Mmm-hmm." "Davey, Davey, lad, lash off." "Huh?" "What's the matter?" "Ship ahoy!" "Sail ho." "Hey!" "Ship ahoy!" "Ahoy!" "Ahoy!" "She's flying a black flag." "I was assured there's no pirate craft within a hundred miles of Charleston." "We're badly undermanned, Your Excellency." "We'll have to make a run for it." "Starboard, full braces!" "sailor 1:" "Aye, aye, sir." "Turn aweather." "sailor 2:" "Aye, aye, sir." "Steady." "sailor 3:" "Aye, aye, sir." "Take her as she comes." "Why, they're turning off." "They didn't see us." "Ship ahoy!" "Ahoy!" "If we could just signal them." "This might do it." "Aye." "It's not loaded." "Amazing!" "I never saw such gunnery." "Why, with marksmanship like that, one broadside will send us to the bottom." "We've no choice except to surrender." "I daresay that they'll not harm us once they learn the Governor of the Carolinas is aboard." "Strike the colors!" "sailor 1:" "Aye, aye, sir." "Lee fore braces." "sailor 2:" "Aye, aye, sir." "Helm the lead." "They see us!" "They're coming about!" "Take a good look, Davey." "On the quarterdeck." "Why, do you know who that is?" "Governor Elden!" "Aye, and if he catches us, we'll hang from the yardarm." "Well, we've gotta get out of here!" "How?" "Why, we could..." "Betwixt the devil and the deep blue sea." "We can't sail this ship by ourselves, and we can't ask help from yonder ship." "Well, what'll we do?" "There's only one chance, Davey." "We've got to hurry." "I only hope it works." "All hands!" "Stand by to receive orders!" "No resistance!" "Get ready, men!" "Aye, aye." "Move forward, men!" "Hold it!" "Stand by." "Aye." "Wait for my commands, all of you. I'm gonna board her!" "Go on!" "You!" "You, too!" "Stand back you scurvy knaves, or I'll carve the marrow from your bones." "Where's the captain of this ship?" "I'm Governor Elden, and I demand that you leave this ship at once." "Quiet or I'll slit your noisy tongue." "You!" "Why, this is no pirate, but a shopkeeper's apprentice." "Aye, just to cover up his real activities." "Why, this lad is as bloodthirsty a devil as ever slit a throat." "That's me." "And as black a pirate as ever scuttled a ship." "That's me again." "Why, like as not, he'll cut off your arms, your legs, your head and scatter them around the deck." "That's you." "All over." "Stop this nonsense." "Arrest these two and hang them." "One false move, Captain, and you're all dead men." "We've a stout crew aboard and they're thirsting for blood." "They're armed to the teeth and they'll come aboard at one word from Bloodthirsty Dave." "That is me." "Me, Bloodthirsty Dave." "Bloodthirsty I am and Bloodthirsty they call me." "I gives no quarter and I takes none." "Shiver me timbers, I've a good mind to send this scurvy crew and this scurvy ship down to the bottom of the scurvy sea." "Now, Bloodthirsty, you promised to show mercy to the next ship we raided." "Mercy?" "Why, Bloodthirsty Dave doesn't know the meaning of the word mercy." "Shiver me timbers." "And another thing, if I have any trouble from the crew, I'll hang every one of you from the yardarm." "Davey." "Lady Sylvia." "Davey, what are you doing here?" "Well, you see..." "Well..." "Yes?" "Well, can't you see?" "I'm a pirate." "Well, that's the silliest thing I've ever seen." "Oh, stop all this nonsense and explain." "Well, I..." "You'd best not anger Bloodthirsty Dave, milady." "Bloodthirsty Dave?" "He's a very devil when he's angered." "Aye, the very devil." "Then all this time you weren't Davey Crandall?" "You were actually a pirate?" "Well, no. I mean, yes." "That is... I must have been blind." "Well, Lady Sylvia..." "Bloodthirsty, we best get back to business." "Business." "Aye, aye, business." "But, Davey." "Quiet, wench." "Wench?" "captain:" "We've little of value aboard." "We carry no treasure." "Just a few prisoners from the debtor's prison on their way to the tobacco plantations in the Virginias." "Prisoners, eh?" "What say ye, Bloodthirsty?" "Could we not use a few extra hands in our crew?" "Crew?" "Oh, aye, aye." "A few extra hands in the crew." "Few extra feet, too." "Release the prisoners at once." "Well, Captain, do you need a touch of cold steel to your insides to make you do as you are told?" "Well, do as you're told." "As governor of the Carolinas I promise you, I'll not rest until you're both hanging from the gallows." "Quiet, wench." "Governor." "Bloodthirsty." "If ever we get out of this alive, I'll try to make up for having so misjudged you." "Have courage, my dear." "They'll not dare harm you while I'm here." "Well, I've decided to be merciful." "We'll take only the prisoners." "The rest of you are free to return to Charleston." "Lady Sylvia, may I have a word with you alone, please?" "Alone?" "I know how you pirates treat women, Mr. Bloodthirsty Dave." "But I'll have my say if you kill me for it." "I didn't know that anything as low as you crawled on the face of the earth." "Your Excellency, you may instruct Mr. Giles to order the gown for our wedding." "Come, Bloodthirsty." "They're bringing the prisoners topside." "What now, Mr. Botts?" "Have any of ye men ever sailed afore the mast?" "Aye!" "Well, good." "If you can sail us to some quiet cove, you're all free to go." "Free to go?" "What manner of pirate trick is this?" "No, we're not pirates and we have no tricks." "That's our crew on the deck." "We took you from the Southern Gypsy to set you free." "But I don't understand." "I've had a taste of the debtor's prison myself, and I assure you, I had little liking for it." "I heard them call you Bloodthirsty Dave, but whatever your name, heaven will surely bless you for this." "We're no criminals, none of us." "He speaks the truth." "I was unable to pay my taxes, so the Governor took my farm and threw me in the prison." "We've each a similar tale." "Well, you're free men now." "Free?" "Where would you have us go, back to the Carolinas to be hanged?" "Well, we could go to the Virginias." "We'd be no better there." "News travels fast from the Virginias." "It seems we're all in the same position." "Criminals who committed no crimes and now pirates through no fault of our own." "I say if we be treated like pirates, we'd best act like pirates." "There's only one place for the likes of us." "That's the Isle of Tortuga." "prisoners:" "Tortuga?" "You mean where Henry Morgan and Blackbeard make their headquarters?" "'Tis the pirates' capital of the world." "Buccaneers there have formed a brotherhood for mutual protection." "I've heard tell of it." "The Brethren of the Coast." "If they accept us, 'tis the only place we'll be safe." "No one would dare come after us, not even the Governor of the Carolinas." "I don't know, Mr. Botts." "We've no choice, lad." "We'd best put it to a vote." "What say ye, gentlemen?" "Tortuga?" "Tortuga!" "Tortuga it is." "Give the orders, Captain." "Captain?" "Aye." "Stand by to come about." "Aye, sir!" "Mr. Botts, take the wheel and larboard your helm." "Aye, aye, sir." "Steady as she goes!" "Put her to the wind!" "Come here, Mr. Christian." "Let us lift each cup with the bottoms up" "As we chant our anthem with glee" "Come on, let's have a drink." "You'll have to do your drinking later, mateys." "Why?" "The Brotherhood's in meeting." "Henry Morgan, Captain Kidd, Ann Bonney, Ben Avery, Blackbeard." "They're all in there." "On your way." "For each son of a gun of a man" "So drink to soldiers of fortune" "And drink to men who are free" "And drink, drink, drink to adventure" "A life of adventure" "At sea" "The Brotherhood will come to order." "A toast to the Brotherhood." "To the Brotherhood." "All right, Bloodthirsty Dave." "Now, you tell us how you did it." "Mr. Botts, I'm scared." "Don't be, lad." "Remember what it means to our crew aboard ship." "Make it good." "Well, sir, the Governor's men outnumbered us four to one, but I fought like a demon." "A thrust, a feint, a slash and a cut." "Four men lay mortally stricken on the deck." "Then four more came at me." "A thrust, a feint, a slash and a cut." "Now eight men were lying around me." "Why, I was up to my knees in bodies." "Then, as I was coming down the companionway, the ship's captain, powerful swordsman, bears down on me." "Slash!" "I cut off his right arm." "Slash!" "I cut off his left arm." "Slash!" "Slash!" "I cut off his head." "Quickly, the captain picked his head up from the deck and ran for his cabin." "Wait a minute." "Wait a minute." "If you cut off both of his arms, how could he pick up his head?" "He picked it up with his teeth." "Oh." "Well, I fought my way closer and closer to Governor Elden." "My eyes watering, my nostrils burning with the smell of smoke." "If you were fighting a sword battle, where did the smoke come from?" "Why, it was a hot battle." "Then suddenly..." "Suddenly I was surrounded by six men, no five." "The Governor's personal guard." "My blade flashed in the sunlight." "A thrust, a parry and a feint." "Then a feint and a hack!" "Then a hack and a head!" "Then two hacks and two heads." "A double-header." "Then I move..." "Let go of me." "Now, nobody stood between me and the Governor expect a small sailor." "I pointed my blade at his heart and I cried, "Coward, yield.' '" "And the cowardly dog yielded." "Well, sir, that's the end of my tale." "Captain Morgan." "Captain Bonney?" "I say it's a bold man who'd dare attack the Governor of the Carolinas with one vessel." "I move we vote Bloodthirsty Dave into the Brotherhood." "Well, strip me if Mistress Bonney hasn't taken a fancy to this bag of bones." "You got me wrong, Captain Avery." "It's just that, well, if I'd married instead of taking to the sea when I did, I might have had a son of me own, ready to take his place in the Brotherhood as a first-class pirate." "A real credit to his poor old mother." "His poor old mother, indeed." "Are you sure you're not giving up the robbing of ships for the robbing of cradles?" "Why, you weak-livered, soft-shelled turtle!" "I'll carve the skin from your flesh and the flesh from your bones!" "Stop it, Ben Avery!" "You both know the Brotherhood rules, there'll be no fighting amongst the captains." "Captain Morgan." "Captain Kidd." "I've a question, Henry." "Aye." "This lad talks big, but how do we know that he has any courage?" "I propose that Blackbeard puts Bloodthirsty Dave to the test." "Aye." "We have our own way of testing a man's mettle." "Take one end." "You place your end of the handkerchief between your teeth." "Blackbeard will do likewise." "Oh, a game." "Aye, a game." "The man who first releases his hold is the loser." "I see." "Oh, thank you." "You mean we try to cut each other?" "Aye." "Well, couldn't we use a tablecloth or a bed sheet?" "A handkerchief makes it more interesting." "Oh, it does." "Well, look, sir." "Where I come from, we have our own way of testing a man's mettle." "I'll stand up to you unarmed, you stand on one end of this handkerchief and I'll stand on the other, and you won't be able to touch me with your cutlass." "You're to stand on one end of the handkerchief?" "Yes." "And I'm to stand on the other?" "That's right." "And then you slam the door in my face." "Yeah." "We'll test you our way. I forgot, I have to go dry out my sails." "Put that handkerchief in your mouth." "Go!" "He tricked me!" "I'll..." "Easy, Captain." "He bested you fair and square." "'Tis is my ruling you both shake hands." "That's what I like." "A man of courage." "Come on, come on back here now, will you, Bloodthirsty?" "Now, pull up a stool and come on and sit down beside me." "You and me'll get along, Bloodthirsty." "Oh, thank you, miss..." "Missus..." "Madam..." "Captain." "You're my type of man." "Course, you could stand a little more meat on you." "It's just that I haven't been eating well, lately." "We can have some gay times, if you know what I mean." "And I'm sure you know what I mean, if you know what I mean." "Yes, I..." "I know what you mean." "A messenger from the colonies." "Show him in." "Greetings to the Brotherhood from your friend in the colonies." "Ah, a welcome visitor." "Come, bring your message." "Who is he?" "His name is Giles." "Giles." "Giles." "My master sends you the usual list of all sailings to and from England." "Hey, it seems I've heard his name before." "We know nothing about him." "All we know is his master keeps us well posted, well protected, and his money is good." "A likely list." "Thank our friend in the colonies." "We shall plan how and when to sail and also to divide the loot equally." "He begs me to remind you that he still stands ready to take all plunder off your hands at generous prices." "Generous prices?" "Why, the prices he pays us, he's a..." "He's a worse pirate than..." "Than the lot of us." "At present, your friend is particularly interested in a gown." "A wedding gown, one without equal, one that would befit a princess." "I've just such a gown as you mention." "You may have heard how I took prisoner the daughter of the Grand Mughal on the Indian Ocean?" "Everyone has heard of that, Captain Avery." "Well, she had one gown as white as milk, weighted with pearls almost beyond count, and on it is a crescent and star." "And the crescent is fashioned of emeralds and the star of rubies." "It will cost you a king's ransom." "In this instance, cost is of no importance." "Then come." "Let me show it to you." "You know who's gonna wear that wedding gown?" "Well, it will be for a woman, naturally. it wouldn't do for a man." "But on that Ann Bonney..." "Mr. Botts, I've just recalled where l heard that man's name." "It was on the Southern Gypsy." "That means the bride-to-be is Lady Sylvia." "Well, Governor or no Governor, she can't marry a criminal." "I've got to get back to Charleston and warn her." "Careful, lad." "Yeah." "Captain Morgan, will you permit me to address the Brotherhood?" "Aye." "I understand none of you know the identity of your friend in the colonies." "Well, I can tell you who he is." "He's none other than Governor Elden of the Carolinas." "What?" "Are you sure?" "Positive." "Only a few days ago, I heard the bride-to-be tell Governor Elden to have Mr. Giles order her wedding gown." "Perhaps the members the Brotherhood aren't aware of it, but Governor Elden is one of the wealthiest men in the colonies." "And why?" "Because he sells your goods at fabulous prices." "He pays us no such fabulous prices." "Aye, that's because you're a pack of weaklings and fools." "Mind your manner of speech, Bloodthirsty Dave." "Bloodthirsty speaks the truth." "We take all the risk of life and limb and our friend gets the lion's share of the plunder." "What're you driving at, Bloodthirsty Dave?" "Since Governor Elden possesses enough wealth to make it worth the effort, I propose we combine our fleets and attack Charleston." "You must be out of your mind, man." "We'd not stand a chance." "The guns of the fort would blast us before we entered the harbor." "If we were crazy enough to listen to you, who would lead such a bold venture?" "Well, I would." "And what portion of the loot would you demand as leader?" "Oh, I want none of the loot." "I just don't want Lady Sylvia to marry Governor Elden." "Well, sink me. I suspected the lad was addled, but now I see the cause of it." "He's in love with the Governor's wench!" "Whatever his purpose, the boldness of the plan pleases my fancy." "I say we put it to a vote." "All those in favor of attacking Charleston with our combined fleets, signify in the usual way." "I'm sorry, Bloodthirsty. I seem to be the only one that's with you." "Well, thanks for trying, Miss Bonney." "Aw, forget the lass and stick with me. I can promise you smooth waters with pieces of eight to larboard and dollars and doubloons to starboard." "Well, thanks, Captain Bonney, but if none will join me, I'm sailing back to Charleston alone." "Come, Mr. Botts." "By Judas, you weak-livered cowards." "Here stands a man." "Come, Mr. Botts." "Aye." "Sir Reginald and Lady Parker." "Delighted you could come, Sir Reginald." "Only his Majesty's business could have kept us in the Virginias," "Your Excellency." "Lord and Lady Montrose, may I present Sir Reginald and Lady Parker." "And this is Lady Sylvia." "Lady Sylvia, my dear, I'm sure that tomorrow you'll be the loveliest bride ever seen in the Carolinas." "You're very kind, Lady Parker." "Sir Geoffrey Merriweather." "Mr. and Mrs. Silas Higgins." "I beg your pardon." "Uh, Miss... I beg your pardon." "Lord and Lady Fallbrook." "Ah, your Excellency, so good to see you again." "So glad you could come, Mr..." "Sir..." "Oh, come, come, you old rascal." "Don't tell me you've forgotten your old friend Sir Geoffrey Merriweather." "Of course, Sir Geoffrey." "Yes." "May I present..." "Oh, yes, the lovely little bride." "Charming, yes." "Utterly, utterly charming." "You're to be congratulated, sir." "You make a well-matched couple." "Sir Geoffrey, that is Lady Montrose." "Hm?" "Yes." "This is Lady Sylvia." "Oh, yes, of course." "How stupid of me." "What?" "Well, well, well!" "You are to be congratulated, old man." "Old man, it's just a figure of speech, of course." "No reference to age, old chap." "A minuet." "May I have the honor, Lady Sylvia?" "Oh, I'm sorry, Sir Geoffrey." "I promised the first minuet to Governor Elden." "Oh, piffle, posh and piffle." "You can dance with him after you're married." "Now, come child." "Oh, but I..." "Oh, yes, thank you very much." "Who is that weird creature?" "Sir Geoffrey Merriweather." "I imagine he's newly arrived from England." "Merriweather?" "Never heard of him." "Come to think of it, neither have I." "Excuse me." "Mr. Giles, that man with Lady Sylvia, keep your eye on him." "Yes, Your Excellency." "His Excellency must be a jealous old bird." "He hasn't taken his eyes off you once." "Can't say that I blame the old boy." "I have a favor to ask of you, Lady Sylvia." "A favor of me?" "I must ask you to control yourself and not to cry out." "It's me, David." "Why do you come here?" "I've got to talk to you, it's important." "It's impossible." "I'm gambling my life for one minute of your time." "You've got to give it to me." "Very well, in the library, after the next dance." "I got away for only a moment." "Thanks for trusting me." "Lady Sylvia, you mustn't marry Governor Elden." "is that what you came to tell me?" "I fear you're overstepping yourself, Mr. Pirate." "Listen to me, I've been in Tortuga with the pirate captains." "'Tis Governor Elden himself who arranges the raids on English ships and then disposes of the loot." "You're lying." "'Tis the truth, I swear it." "I don't believe you." "You've got to believe me." "Only a pirate could dream up such a fantastic story." "Now, please, will you let me go or must I call the guard?" "If I could only convince you." "Wait." "Wait." "Have you received your bridal gown yet?" "Why, yes." "Has anyone seen it?" "Only my seamstress." "It arrived from England three days ago." "Ah." "From England?" "Shall I describe it to you?" "White as milk, weighted with pearls almost beyond count, and on it is a crescent and star." "The crescent fashioned of emeralds and the star of rubies." "At least that's the way Longben Avery described it." "Longben Avery?" "The pirate?" "Aye, the pirate." "He took your wedding gown from the daughter of the Grand Mughal when he held her for ransom." "Then everything you said is true." "On my life." "I don't know what to say." "Oh, Davey, I'm frightened." "Don't worry." "Once we get out of here, you'll be perfectly safe." "But where could we go?" "Well, my ship the Defiance is anchored at Pinetree Cove." "By sunup, we could be miles at sea." "Oh, Davey." "They're in there, Your Excellency." "Have the guards stand by." "I want the entire house searched." "Oh, yes, indeed, Lady Sylvia." "A fascinating old place, fascinating." "Oh, there you are old chap." "Lady Sylvia was just showing me the library." "You're quite lucky, you know." "I'm just beginning to realize how lucky l am." "Sir Geoffrey..." "Merriweather." "Yes, of course." "Oh, yes." "Well, Lady Sylvia and I..." "Uh, Lady..." "Now, come, come, old boy." "Let's not have a fuss over a few split hairs." "Arrest him." "Now, now, control yourself." "Let's be gentlemen about this thing." "Now, really, I..." "Guards, guards!" "Parry." "Thrust." "Parry." "Thrust." "Feint." "Parry." "Thrust." "Feint!" "Lady Sylvia!" "The lady's fainted." "Get some water, quick!" "Don't worry, darling." "I'll return." "Take him away." "Giles, see that he's put in the dungeon." "What are you going to do to him?" "Nothing much, my dear." "Merely hang him." "It's very thoughtful of you both to bring me such a delightful wedding present." "Tomorrow, my dear, at the very moment you and I become one, your friend Bloodthirsty Dave will dance for us on the gallows." "And now, Lady Sylvia, I believe our guests are waiting." "Well, gentlemen, what do you say?" "I say we go ashore and storm the prison." "Aye." "We'll take him by force." "I like your loyalty, men." "But there's little sense in trying the impossible." "We'd only be going to our deaths without accomplishing anything." "We were as good as dead anyway if it hadn't been for the help of Captain Dave." "That's the truth." "Have you forgotten the plans he had for all of you to pick up your families and go to some island where you could start afresh?" "He'd not be wanting you to forget all that now." "But you can't let him die." "There's nothing to be done, Lady Sylvia." "We've only the one ship, and it'll take a whole fleet to get past the guns of that harbor." "Aye, if only the Brotherhood in Tortuga had voted to come along." "It could've been easy." "Then there's nothing left but to see him once more and bid him farewell." "I'm sure it would cheer his last hours to know that you really love him, Lady Sylvia." "How do you propose getting in to see him?" "The gems on this miniature are very valuable." "They should open the gates to any prison." "One of our men will row you ashore." "Bullock." "Oh, wait." "Lady Sylvia, if I remember rightly, you painted this miniature yourself." "Why, yes." "I have a plan, a wild plan, but it may work." "By Judas, we will have a fleet." "We'll have the biggest fleet that ever sailed into Charleston harbor, with your help." "I don't think it'll work." "But Mr. Botts thinks it will." "Well, even if it doesn't, I'll keep remembering how you risked everything to come here." "And when I climb those 13 steps and they slip the mask over my eyes, and when I feel the noose start to tighten..." "Davey, don't talk like that." "It's got to work." "But if it doesn't, I'll not come back to Charleston." "There'll be no wedding to Governor Elden or anyone else." "Ever." "You'd best go now." "But don't worry. I'll put it over." "Even if I hang for it." "Hang?" "It's your time for hanging, Bloodthirsty Dave." "They're coming for you." "Unlock the door." "Where is she?" "She?" "Lady Sylvia, she's disappeared." "Has she, now?" "On your feet when you speak to His Excellency." "You were not quite so bold, Mr. Giles, when I last saw you in Tortuga." "She stole out of the house last night at a late hour and didn't return." "Well, you're welcome to search my cell, Your Excellency." "You know where she is." "Do I?" "I have a proposition, tell me where she is and I promise you safe conduct out of the Carolinas." "Even we pirates have a sense of honor, Your Excellency." "You should know about pirates, if not about honor." "Not yet." "Our Spanish friends have taught me a few ways of loosening a man's tongue." "Aye." "The thumbscrew and the rack may get him to sing a different tune." "Wait, I'll make the proposition." "I'll give you the information you seek on one condition." "First, you sign this document." "Document?" "Yes. lt was brought to me last night by a very charming visitor." "Lady Sylvia." "Aye." "Read it carefully, Governor Elden." "'Tis your resignation from office and a full confessión of your dealings with the pirates." "He's gone daft." "And I promise you that Lady Sylvia will be delighted to make a second visit here for your hanging." "Oh, enough of this nonsense." "Take him to the rack." "Wait, you heard that cannon shot." "Do you know what it means?" "What it's always meant." "A ship is coming into the harbor." "Not a ship, Governor Elden, but a fleet." "An entire fleet." "There, take a look for yourself." "Mr. Giles, it can't be." "There's no fleet in these waters." "Who are they?" "Where do they come from?" "From Tortuga." "Out there are the combined fleets of Henry Morgan," "Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, Ann Bonney and the rest of your friends in the Brotherhood, but your friends no longer!" "They've come to blast Charleston off the face of the Earth." "They wouldn't dare." "Well, you know, those cutthroats would dare anything." "I heard what Morgan did at Panama." "They'll murder every one of us." "Of course." "You stop them." "Certainly, after you sign this paper." "Well, can't we make a deal?" "I'm a wealthy man." "Your freedom and a fortune." "Sign!" "Half of everything I possess." "Lady Sylvia, anything." "Hey, they're almost around the point." "Once they can train their guns on us, they'll level the town." "The streets will run with blood." "They'll kill and they'll torture." "And after the way you've dealt with them, you know what little mercy to expect." "Why, in a moment it may be too late." "Sign!" "Now, I must get outside to signal the fleet." "Guard, guard." "Escort this man through the front gates." "And for heaven sakes, hurry." "Yes, I will." "You can be sure I will." "Right to Lord Montrose." "Lord Montrose?" "Why, that confessión will hang me." "On the other hand, the pirates will murder me." "Your Excellency, if we hurry, we can pack your valuables and escape on horseback overland." "Good thought." "See where the fleet is now." "Why, Your Excellency, there's no fleet out there." "Of course there isn't." "We've been tricked." "It's painted on." "We must stop him before he gets to Lord Montrose aboard the liverpool Queen." "Guard!" "Guard!" "Guard!" "Guard!" "After him." "A thousand pounds to the man who brings back Bloodthirsty Dave." "No sign of him in there." "Anything to report?" "No, Captain." "Nary a sign of the pirate or his men, sir." "Keep a sharp lookout." "We've turned Charleston inside out for Bloodthirsty Dave." "If you ask me, he's a hundred miles out to sea by now." "I guess we better keep looking." "The coast is clear, Davey." "Under the cover of darkness, you can take the confessión to Lord Montrose on the liverpool Queen." "Once he sees this, we'll have nothing to worry about." "Lord Montrose?" "Come in." "Lord Montrose, forgive this intrusión, but I... I've been expecting you, Mr. Crandall." "Governor Elden." "I don't know this is all about, Governor Elden, but you won't get away with it." "I believe I will." "Oh, if you're thinking of shouting for help, it'll do no good." "I've sent the King's men to the hills to search for Bloodthirsty Dave." "The local guards are my own men and very loyal." "Your crew went overboard." "I don't wish to keep His Lordship in the dark any longer." "I believe you have a communication for him." "Give it to him." "I think it should prove interesting reading." "When His Majesty hears of this, you'll hang." "On the contrary, I shall expect to be commended." "Poor Lord Montrose murdered by the black pirate, Bloodthirsty Dave, who in turn was killed by Governor Elden while courageously defending Your Lordship." "You're mad." "Oh, no, no, let's just say desperate." "I've too much at stake." "Besides, it's all very simple." "A bullet through your heart, a blade through his." "This I shall also destroy." "Run him through." "Hold fast, Davey." "We're here to help you." "Board her, lads!" "Board her!" "Board the liverpool Queen!" "Board her, lads!" "Give me that confessión!" "Give me that confessión!" "Come on, you sea rats!" "Glory be!" "The Brotherhood!" "Why you..." "Give me that confessión!" "You'll not get it from me." "Ann!" "I'll be right back." "Let me have him." "Be right back." "Give it to me!" "Come on, get up." "We got work to do." "Cease fighting!" "Where's Davey?" "There he is!" "Hold on, Davey!" "Davey!" "All right, Governor Elden." "Give yourself up." "Now, please Governor Elden." "Give yourself up." "No!" "Oh, thank you, Miss Bonney." "Take a look, all of you." "Here stands a man." "Excuse me." "You'll have to go to another tavern." "The Brotherhood's meeting." "Open up for Captain Bloodthirsty Dave." "Bloodthirsty Dave?" "A thousand pardons!" "Go right in, sir." "But who are you?" "Have you ever heard of Captain Ann Bonney?" "Of course." "You are looking at the man who is going to be Mister Captain Ann Bonney." "...and with only three ships!" "Well, strike me if it ain't Mr. and Mrs. Bloodthirsty Dave." "Your servant, lovely lady." "You're a sight for my old eye, Bloodthirsty." "Bloodthirsty, what brings you to Tortuga?" "Well, I bring greetings from your friend in the colonies, Lord Montrose." "He sends each of you a gift from His Majesty." "A complete and full pardon for one and all." "A pardon?" "Well, now we can be respectable." "An honest life could be interesting." "I could be an honest man." "We could even go to church." "We could be loyal to the King." "And I could open up an honest business." "Well, what will I do?" "You..." "You could buy a little house for me and take care of it." "But I can't cook." "I can." "Oh, Davey, you're so wonderful." "From now on, there won't be a pirate ship on the open seas." "Well, now I have a very important message..." "Captain Morgan!" "Yes." "Captain Morgan, we've just sighted a Spanish ship three miles offshore loaded with goods and gold." "You're coming with me!" "Davey, Davey, are you all right?" "Yeah, I'm all right." "How do you like that?" "They didn't even say goodbye." "And after all those pardons I got for them." "Davey, did Lord Montrose ever write a pardon for you?" "Well, come to think of it, he never did." "Why, I'm still a pirate!" "Hey, fellas, wait for me." "Davey, what about me?" "Well, you get your own knife." "Davey, no, no, you're coming home with me." "I'm sorry, honey."