Shipwreck or The chances a Commodore and a Pirate can survive a deserted spit of land and each other
Chapter 15
Jack came into awareness with the worst hangover he had ever suffered, and a mental vow he would never again partake of that particular variety of liquor, and as soon as he could think clearly he would know just what variety it had been he had partaken of and was definitely going to avoid association with again in the future. Then he tried to put his hand to his head and reality came flooding in, doing nothing to assuage his hangover.
"Bugger!" He swore as he tugged jerkily at the bonds that held his hands tied behind him to some sort of pole. "Bugger! Bugger! Bugger!" He gave up struggling against the unyielding rope, for the moment, and tried to focus through protesting eyes on his surroundings. By the position of the sun he judged it to be late afternoon. He glanced over to his right and saw James, still unconscious, and hanging limply forward from the pole he had been tied to several feet away. As he directed his attention to their captors he saw most of them were sleeping, no doubt resting up for the festivities involving him, the Commodore, and themselves that would be taking place later. There were only two or three of them sitting by the fire and casting glances towards James and himself every little bit. Jack leaned his head back against the pole, closed his eyes and admonished himself to think. He heard rustling beside him and turned his head to the side to see green eyes looking back.
"I think it would be a bit fatuous of me under our current circumstances to complement you on your plan would it not?" James said snippily.
"Not my fault these gents didn't have the civility nor courtesy to be of a superstitious nature……" Jack cocked his head to the side as he thought this over, "Course it could be I just picked the wrong manner of apparition ta be displayin to 'em." With a puzzled look he continued, "Still think it shoulda worked though."
"Indeed!" James shot back.
There was no further conversation between them for several minutes. Then James cleared his throat and asked, "So when do we become dinner?"
"Can't rightly say for sure Commodore. 'm workin on another plan as we speak." He heard James groan, ignored it, and went on, "Don't appear they plan on cookin us here, fires not big enough for one and I don't see any of 'em scurrying about collectin more wood for a bigger one. They may plan on taking us back to where ever it is they go back to and sharing us among their brethren as it were." After a short pause, and with a grimace he added, "Course there is the possibility they don't plan on eating us at all. Heard tell o some o the tribes round here think they gain strength from the torturin of captives, specially of the Caucasian persuasion such as we happen ta be Commodore. Seems some of 'em hold to the ideal that the more pain and sufferin and screamin and beggin and agony and grievousness and…."
"Yes Sparrow, I get the idea." James said sharply as he glared at Jack.
"Just thought you'd appreciate knowin so as ta be able ta prepare yer fine self for the worst Commodore." Jack said with a shrug.
"If you will forgive me I think I will have to refrain from thanking you for that bit of courtesy Captain." James retorted.
They both leaned their heads back and closed their eyes, silence falling between them once again, each deep in thought.
James was not afraid of death, he had faced it many times in his career with resoluteness. But those would have been judged honorable deaths brought about in the performance of his duty for King and Country. Death brought by duty was something his mind could understand and accept. Dying on some spit of land screaming in agony from torture inflicted on his body, was something he had never had the occasion to consider, and was something he was not prepared for or looking forward to. He thought this over for a few moments then he straightened his back and squared his shoulders as much as possible in the position he was bound, his expression manifesting the most Commodore-lyness he could muster. If he were indeed meant to meet his death at the hands of these natives he would do so as he did everything in his life, in as honorable and stalwart a manner as he was capable of.
"Come ta terms wif it then Commodore." Jack's statement was not a question.
"As much as I am able yes." James replied as he looked over at Jack.
"Not scared then?"
"Scared no, terrified yes." James said with honesty.
"That's good, thought for a minute there ya went and lost all that fine Commodore-ly good sense yer so fond of luggin around with ya."
"And what about you Captain Sparrow, does this not terrify you?"
"Oh aye," Jack said with a half smile, "no doubt would if I allowed meself ta be listin towards the negative of it, but I am after all Captain Jack Sparrow, and it ain't over till we're planted in the ground," and with a grimace at their captors, "'er in somebody's innards as it were. It don't happen ta be the last minute yet Commodore, still time for somethin fortuitous ta be happenin."
"I think your last minute may be coming sooner than later Captain." James said as he tipped his head towards the fire and their captors.
The natives had all been rousted from their sleep and some were sharpening knives and spears while others were dragging more wood up for the fire.
"Bugger!" Jack said as he once again started jerking at his bonds.
"It has been a pleas…….an experience knowing you Captain Jack Sparrow." James said quietly as he looked towards Jack, who was leaned back against the pole, almost as if in a trance.
"Sparrow? Sparrow?" James called in a low tone. Surely the man hadn't gone into shock. "Sparrow?" James called again a little louder, and then very loudly, "Jack?"
Jack didn't open his eyes but a wide smile graced his lips as he said, "She's comin Commodore."
James looked towards the water, "Pearl? She's here?"
"Not yet Commodore, but she will be soon."
"Let us just hope it is soon enough." James replied as he watched the first few natives head their way brandishing their knives and spears as they approached.
James steeled himself as the natives surrounded him chanting and poking and prodding him with the spears, not hard enough to do any real damage, just draw little trickles of blood here and there. James flinched, then glared and cursed angrily at the native that had just kicked his injured leg. "I would like you to try that with me unbound you foul and detestable excuse for a human being!"
"Aye, that's the spirit Commodore." Jack said encouragingly.
The native stepped back from James' glaring green eyes, said something unintelligible but sounding angry and buried the head of his spear in the ground between James' legs. James flinched only slightly this time but did not waver in his hostile glaring at the man.
"That's it James, don't let these buggers intimidate ya the least bit, no matter what part of yer anatomy they'd be threatening."
"More offerings of wisdom Captain." James managed to say sarcastically right before one of the natives poked him a little harder in the shoulder with his spear. He sucked in breath to abort the yelp wanting to come out.
More of the savages were gathering around now and James was sure they were about to intensify their torture of him. He closed his eyes trying to draw on his inner reserve and prepare for the worst.
James had hardly registered Jack's call of Commodore, before he heard the report of a cannon being fired and the resulting explosion. He opened his eyes to see the savages running toward the disintegrated canoes on the shore, then looked past them to the most welcoming sight he had seen in a long time. The Pearl was sitting just off shore broadside to the beach. He saw the smoke from the cannon that had just been fired, then the fire belch from the one that was fired as he sat there watching.
"See luv, told ya no worries. Knew me girl would find me." Jack said happily, a wide glittery grin on his face.
"So it would seem." James said with a small smile of his own as he watched the headhunters paddling madly in the remaining canoes doing their best to get away from the island and the assault from the Pearl.
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"Good ta have ya back Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs said as Jack stepped on deck, then added with a surprised look as James climbed on board, "You too Commodore." Then with an aside to Jack, "Tis bad luck ta have a Commodore aboard Jack."
"Well then it's a good thing the Captain knows how to counteract that Mr. Gibbs, now where's my rum?" Jack said as he headed off for his cabin, looking back over his shoulder and motioning for James to follow. As he turned back around he came to a dead stop and rocked back on his heels, "Ah Anna Maria, good to see you?" he finished in a questioning tone.
Anna Maria poked him in the chest as she leaned forward and glared into his face, "You owe me a ship Jack Sparrow and don't be forgettin it, but this is not it. She's yours no doubt about it. Fought me every league we traveled." She stomped off shouting curses and orders at the crew who rapidly scattered to do her bidding.
As she stamped off Jack gave her back a flutter of hands and said, "Must have been tryin ta go the wrong way luv." He stood there looking around as if in thought, and a moment later let out a happy "Oh!" and swayed off once again towards his cabin.
James rolled his eyes, mumbled an "Oh please", and followed along with Mr. Gibbs.
Jack had already poured rum into glasses when they entered, and gestured wildly for James to take a seat. He picked up the glass of rum and started to drink.
"Now Mr. Gibbs, when the fine Commodore here finishes his glass I'd like ya ta show him to his accommodations aboard if ya would."
"Aye Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs replied, then, "Just which accommodations would those be then?'
James started coughing and choking on the rum when Jack replied brightly, "Why the brig of course Mr. Gibbs." With a glittering smile and a wave of his hands at James said, "After all turn about is fair play is it not Commodore?"
James gave him a withering glare in return as he set the glass on the table and was escorted out by Mr. Gibbs. Right before the door closed he heard Jack call out, "No worries Commodore, I promise on pain of death if we happen ta run into any storms and are on the verge of sinkin I'll let ya out."
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Jack had his feet kicked up on his desk, ankles crossed, and was slouched comfortably in his chair, a bottle of rum cradled in his lap when Mr. Gibbs returned.
"Don't believe I had any ider a Commodore had so large a turn of phrase when it come ta swearin Cap'n." Mr. Gibbs said shaking his head as he entered. "He was spoutin off stuff even the likes of an old salt like meself never heard of."
"Aye the Commodore does have a fine grasp of the language when he cares ta use it, have heard it meself on occasion." Jack said with a smile and a drink from the bottle. "You can send someone down ta the brig a little later ta treat his wounds, don't think none of 'em be life threatening."
"So what are yer plans fer 'em Jack? Ransom? More 'n likely the Navy'd pay dearly ta get their Pirate Hunter back." Mr. Gibbs asked, almost rubbing his hands together in anticipation, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Jack.
"Thinkin we'd keep him locked up a day or two. Shouldn't take much longer than than that ta get ta Port Royal, set his fine self off in a skiff and head 'em off home." Jack said taking another drink from his bottle.
Mr. Gibbs peered at Jack, "Ya really think that be the wise thing ta be doin Jack?"
"Not in the least Mr. Gibbs, but none the less that's what we will be doin." Jack replied with a smile.
The End
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