A Homecoming For The Captain
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Chapter 32
We sailed for Jamaica. Captain Peanut Butter was eager to see Port Royale again.
I continued to be awestruck by the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. If only I were a poet, I might have a chance of describing its beauty with words. But, alas, I am a blacksmith turned Baron and ill-equipped for the task.
We dropped anchor several miles from Port Royale and came ashore. Local villagers greeted us with welcoming smiles and strong embraces. We were treated to a feast and much celebrating.
Afterward, we unloaded the cargo from the ship and placed it on carts. The following morning, several men from the village rode off with the carts. The Captain said the villagers would take the supplies into port and sell them for us. They knew who to do business with to avoid any attention from the local authorities.
We enjoyed a relaxing day in the village, where many stories were shared. We told of our adventures, and the villagers shared the local news and gossip. Later that evening, the men returned with the carts. They were now loaded with flour, rice, blankets, and other useful staples. The next day, we loaded the supplies onto The Jellyfish, leaving some for the villagers, and then said our goodbyes.
We began a journey of several days, visiting villages on the main island and many small surrounding islands, bringing supplies to the villagers. The islanders all seemed to know and love the Captain. We were greeted as heroes, which was quite surprising. In fact, the Captain noticed the surprise in my eyes and said, “Is something bothering you, Britpop?”
“Not bothering me. I’m surprised, I guess. I didn’t expect to see a pirate bringing food and supplies to the poor.”
“My father would call this my Christian duty. But for me, it is more compassion than duty. I find it difficult to look away. Truthfully, it helps my soul more than it helps their bellies.”
Questioning still filled my eyes. The Captain continued.
“I told you my father was a missionary. Although I confess I was never much good at sitting a pew, my father’s teachings were not all lost on me. And while I believe God will forgive my sins, I am sure the Spanish, French, and English will not.
Regardless of God’s grace, there are consequences for every action we take. If I am caught, I will hang. Make no mistake, I am a pirate. I steal back some of that which was stolen by gold-hungry empires and greedy businessmen. But it is theft nonetheless.”
We sailed in silence for a few minutes while I pondered what the Captain had said.
“When I was on the Sea Merchant II, Captain Desmet said you had an agreement. How did that come about?” I asked.
“The first time I raided a merchant ship, I picked one I knew had minimal crew and armaments. We snuck up on them in the dead of night and then swarmed them like locusts. Every one of my crew took a man and held a knife to his throat.
I grabbed the Captain. I told him my name and the name of my ship. Then I showed him my flag. I told him I would spare his life and the lives of his crew and leave 90% of his cargo. In exchange, he would spread the word of my deed and tell the other Captains that I would be peacefully boarding them and accepting their 10% tribute in exchange for not harming them. It has worked well.
I expect one day some young fool Captain will try something rash, but that day hasn’t come yet.”
“You continue to amaze me, Captain,” I said.
“There is an English proverb that says, ‘There are two sides to every coin.’ Well, my coin has many sides.”
