New to Baron Britpop Blastfurnace? You can read Books 1 & 2 starting here:
In the previous chapter, Elise and Britpop announced their engagement and received a letter from Marie Antoinette telling of Britpop and Andelbert’s pardon from Emperor Joseph.
Captain Peanut Butter will tell this portion of the tale.
Our crossing was long but, thankfully, fairly uneventful. Ana had a bout of seasickness early on, followed by fierce homesickness as the days at sea turned to weeks. But she is stout-hearted and endured it with little complaint.
We had just anchored off the shore of the new United States of America. At least, that was my belief. The day of reckoning had arrived. As we crossed the Atlantic, the crew had talked of little else than what they would do when we reached our destination. Now, those decisions must be made in earnest. I called a meeting.
“Lads, you are my family. A Captain could ask for no finer crew. And I would gladly spend my days sailing with you. But my remaining days will be short, indeed, if I continue as a pirate. That is the truth of it. You all have your gold, and The Jellyfish is yours if you want it. You can vote on a new Captain and continue on as pirates or take your gold and start a new life. I will honor your choice, whatever it is.”
Barrelhoop spoke first. “Captain, we have talked it out amongst ourselves, and we are all in agreement that we have had no finer Captain. And none could take your place. We are all changed men because of you. And we want to follow you on land or sea. We go where you go.”
“Those are heartwarming words. But you owe me no debt and are free men. I will not be your Captain here. Only your friend. If that is enough, then you are welcome to join Ana and me as we begin a new life.”
“What about The Jellyfish?” Jonas asked. “Will we abandon her?”
“If you are certain you no longer wish to sail her, we would be wise to sell her. She is a fine ship and will fetch a handsome price.”
Stout shouted, “Ship!”
We all looked to the sea and saw a ship sailing our way.
“What shall we do, Captain? Raid her?” Stout asked.
“I am no longer a pirate. Barrelhoop can lead you in a raid if you choose to. It is decision time. Are you pirates or not?”
“I am no pirate,” Barrelhoop shouted. The rest of the crew followed his lead.
“Then we better prepare in case they are.”
I grabbed my spyglass and looked at the ship. It bore a French flag.
“She’s French,” I shouted.
“What is she doing here?” Barrelhoop asked.
“Hard to say. She is a long way from home and alone.”
The Marquis de Lafayette will begin the telling of the encounter.
“A ship achored off the shore is likely to be a pirate ship, Captain,” Baron DeKalb told Lafayette. “We should give her a wide berth.”
“I agree.” I was just about to order the steersman to change course when young Leon Allard shouted out.
“Star above! It be Captain Peanut Butter.”
“The pirate who escaped with Baron Britpop Blastfurnace?”
“None other.”
I took the spyglass from Leon and looked for myself.
“How would you know what Captain Peanut Butter looks like?”
“I saw him when he was being held captive onboard The Broyuer.”
“You are sure?”
“I am, Captain. I talked to him. I will never forget his face.”
“What is he doing here?”
“Who can say? But I think he will remember me.”
“Raise the white,” I shouted.
My first mate, Piere, protested. “Captain? She is anchored. We can easily outrun her. Why surrender?”
“We are not surrendering. Just letting her know we have no intention of fighting. And I should like to meet the pirate who befriended Baron Britpop.”
Captain Peanut Butter will continue the tale of the encounter.
“Why is she raising the white? We are no threat,” I wondered aloud.
“I don’t like it,” Barrelhoop said.
“Nor, I. It feels like a trap.”
I shouted, “Prepare for battle, Lads, if needs be!”
I looked again through the spyglass and noticed a sailor jumping up and down and waving his arms. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Then it came to me.
“I don’t believe it. I know that boy. He brought me food when I was being held captive by the French and paid for it with a flogging. I believe they want to parlay.”
“Parlay?” Barrelhoop said. “They don’t seem like pirates.”
“I don’t believe they are. But that is no warship, either. And none of the crew is bearing arms. Let’s see what they have to say.”
“It is risky, Captain.”
“Indeed. Have Scar Arm row Ana ashore.”
“Aye, Captain.”
As the French ship approached, the sailors held up their empty arms. Once close enough, it dropped anchor, and three men rowed toward The Jellyfish. We helped them onboard.
A young Captain approached me and said, “Captain Peanut Butter?”
“Aye. And who might you be?”
“I am the Marquis de Lafayette.”
“And why did you risk your life to board my ship, Marquis?”
“I have heard of you,” Lafayette says. “You are the pirate who escaped jail with Baron Britpop Blastfurnace. The Baron is a friend of mine. We met at the Palace of Versailles and became fast friends.”
I was still suspicious.
“Who is his valet?”
Lafayette laughed. “Andelbert Swift. Although he pretended to be Britpop’s brother at the Palace. Until Emperor Joseph uncovered the ruse. It was the Emperor who gave Britpop his estate in Kapri.”
Only someone who knew Britpop would know that many details. I was convinced.
“Then we have a common friend. What brings you here? Surely you have not sailed across the ocean to capture me?”
“Not at all. In fact, I am here in direct conflict with the King’s orders. But my heart told me I must participate in this war for independence.”
“I see why you and Britpop got on.”
Lafayette laughed. “The Continental Army needs capable sailors and ships for their cause. They have no navy.”
“And you think one ship will make any difference? I saw the English Channel filled with British warships before I made the crossing.”
“It is true. One ship has little hope. But I plan to meet with the leaders of the Continental Army. Then I hope to convince the King to send more ships and troops.”
“After disobeying him?”
“I admit, it is not the best strategy. But if I prove myself in battle and show that the cause is just, the King can be swayed. I am certain of it. He has no love of the British either.”
“I see your mind is set.”
“It is. Join me. With my recommendation, I am convinced General Washington will welcome you and grant you citizenship and rank for your service. Our two ships working together can keep the British fleet distracted. And disrupt their supplies.”
“I will need to discuss it with my crew.”
“Of course. We will anchor here for the night. We are eager to be on dry land again.”
“As are we.”
Next Chapter:
I welcome your thoughts, questions, suggestions, corrections, typo catches, etc. Thank you.
Mark
Thankyou for all the wonderful stories Mark. Hope you had a great Christmas . I hope the upcoming Year is filled with many blessings.🙏🏻🥳🎉🎆
Common practice back then was granting letters of marque to private vessels so they would act as privateers — “legal pirates” who only raided enemy shipping. In practice it usually meant that allies let the privateers be, while enemy ships treated them no differently from pirates (not sure how neutrals behaved). If I were Washington, I would see a prime ship with a trained crew who could be persuaded to raid British commerce in exchange for full pardons and land grants in the (somewhat indefinite) future.
Didn’t know if that was where you’re going with the story, but thought I would throw it out there. 😁