Barrelhoop will update the events onboard the Jellyfish.
We sailed fast, hoping to beat Jennings to Jamaica. We needed time to recruit help before Jennings arrived with Captain Peanut Butter. I was troubled thinking about the task awaiting us, but we had to do whatever it took to rescue the Cap’n. Or die trying.
“Ship! Portside,” came the call from the crow’s nest. I pulled out my spyglass and took a look. It was the Dark Raider. Lock’s ship.
Another trap, I thought. Then a curious thing happened. They raised the white. I was leery, but I was desperate for information about Captain Peanut Butter, so we cautiously steered toward the ship. As we approached, I saw only five pirates onboard. We sailed close, and a pirate called out, “Parley.” I returned the call, and we both dropped anchor. Jonas and I boarded the Dark Raider, muskets loaded.
“Have mercy on us,” a pirate said before I had a chance to speak. The crew looked half-dead.
“Where is Captain Peanut Butter?”
“I cannot say.”
“You will say, or you will walk the plank.”
“I cannot say because I do not know.”
“Tell me everything you do know.”
“Jennings had Peanut Butter on his ship. We were sailing for Jamaica when three French frigates appeared. They took to chasing us. We couldn’t outrun them, so Jennings blew up Bersheba in their path. We escaped on the Dark Raider and The Falcon. While we were escaping, Peanut Butter jumped overboard. The French were too close, so we couldn’t stop to get him. I suspect the French have him, or he drown. He was in irons when he jumped.”
“How did you end up here with only five crew?”
“After escaping the French, Jennings and Garra secretly decided Lock would take Peanut Butter’s place as prisoner. They grabbed Lock and put him in irons. Those of us loyal to Lock tried to stop it. A mighty battle raged. The blood of dead pirates coated the decks of both ships, including Lock’s. He managed to break free and make it back to the Dark Raider but fell to Garra’s musket. With great difficulty, we managed to sail away, but as you see, we are few. And we have no fight left in us. Nor a Captain. We ask for mercy and a place in your crew.”
“Mercy? After your Captain captured the Jellyfish and then our Captain? Mercy would be a swift death. But I am not in a merciful mood. You spoke truthfully and saved us a wasted crossing, so I will allow you to live. But you will not be joining the Jellyfish crew.”
“You would condemn us because we were loyal to our Captain?”
“No. But I will not help you, either. Find a new crew or find a new life. I care not. The parley is done.”
We returned to the Jellyfish, leaving Lock’s crew to their fate.
The crew gathered around, and I shared the news. “The Captain may yet be alive. We need to find out. We sail for France.”