'Pirates of the Caribbean' belongs to Disney

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"Sparra!" growled Barbossa, glaring at the ragged-edged hole.

Of course that slippery blaggard would do it this way- stealing not the whole scroll, but just the vital center, giving Hector the illusion that the precious chart was still in his possession. Until the first time he tried to use it.

Clever.

How Barbossa despised cleverness!

Unfair leverage, allowing a slight specimen like Jack to effectively grapple with proper men such as himself- broad of chest and stout of limb. Men whose dominance ought to be a given. Yet it was Sparrow's wit, not his strength of arms, which had repeatedly won out.

Evading a miserable death by marooning- twice, no less.

Palming a cursed coin to deprive Barbossa of his well-earned sword fight victory.

Making his rival look like an outmaneuvered fool, right in front of the crew.

Cleverness was a cheat in every way. And as inescapable as that the huge gap in the chart's center.

Barbossa lowered the mutilated scroll. "Well, gents, I trust this puts your 'burden of guilt' to rest?" He smiled a deadly smile.

The crew members hastily scattered back to their stations.

Stalking to the port railing, Hector threw the useless remnant overboard, glowering as it vanished in their wake like a tiny swamped boat. But, he consoled himself, there would certainly be another meeting. It was just a matter of time before Jack Sparrow would once again attempt to reclaim his precious Black Pearl.

And when he did, Barbossa would have a few things to say to him.

He would indeed.

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FINIS