skull, Black Hearted had eyes that revealed nothing but his cold and empty heart. His sun beaten and weathered face was scarred by battle. He carried a machete fixed firmly to his side, giving the impression that he was the vilest man that ever sailed these waters.
Most people knew of Black-Hearted. As he began walking through town, looks of trepidation from many of the men and women standing about gave him all the more confidence in his plight. Other people expressed admiration, mostly teenaged broods and other would-be pirates. Still, others stood imprudently fearless, but quickly backed down as he seemed to come too near.
While in town, Captain Drake took Black-Hearted to visit his typical stopovers, as he often had the past few years, dealing with Mr. Darcy as occasion would allow.
Saint Drake was often out at sea or docked beyond the reef at Port of Errors, which was the safest place for pirates in the Eastern Atlantic, considering no country owned Port of Errors.
Pirates ruled this island and here, Black-Hearted was prince among peasants and thieves – though, looking to be King.
Chapter V
The memories of years past were all but forgotten, as Black-Hearted slowly stood from his slumber. A sudden stir about the ship had awakened him. Several crewmembers were in a panic, congregating around the captain’s chamber.
“Drake’s dead!” shouted Darby O’Dell, a long time Irish member of Captain Drake’s crew.
Black-Hearted stormed over to the gathering crowd. “What’s this?”
“He’s dead!” repeated Darby.
“He’s bound to die sooner or later.”
“But his teeth were broke up and he drowned in his own vomit. Someone killed him in the night,” countered Darby. “He didn’t just off and die.”
“He was sick,” affirmed Black-Hearted. “We’re better off without him at the helm.”
“You have something to do with this, Hearted?” asked Darby.
Deeply insulted, Black-Hearted snapped, “Do you think I killed him?”
“No, Hearted,” replied Darby, backing away.
“If I did, would you challenge me?”
“No, Hearted, of course not.”
“Captain’s dead,” shouted Black-Hearted. “As his second former in command, I claim captainship o’ this here vessel and any man aboard it. If there be one among you who dare challenge me captainship, choose yur weapon and step up.” No one said a word. “It’s time to really make us a name. There be plenty of booty out there just waitin’ for the takin’. We’re going to be rich men.”
Stephen and Eric led the men in a respectable and proper cheer. Though, his crew did not trust him so much as they feared him. Black-Hearted insisted, “Gunner stands as quartermaster. All in favor says ‘Aye’!”
Sporadically sequenced, the crew shouted, “Aye.” And although it appeared unanimous, most of the men were too afraid to insult or counter anything he had to say.
The men had always feared Black-Hearted as Quartermaster. Although he was truly vicious, Black-Hearted was known for keeping his word among his crew. As Captain he preferred his men trust him above all else. There was an uncontested fairness in relation to the shares of booty, which kept his crew in check and Black-Hearted devoid of any unease regarding mutiny. Renaming Saint Drake, Roger’s Jolly , Black-Hearted drew up new articles, which were harsh and unforgiving for those who disobeyed, but very rewarding for those deserving. The crew agreed unanimously in favor of the newly formed articles, after which they were signed and placed where all could see.
In the few subsequent days following Black-Hearted’s official induction as Captain, Roger’s Jolly arrived back on Port of Errors. Making his way to Mr. Darcy’s estate, Black-Hearted approached the entrance, where Mr. Darcy was ordering his servants to place a new wooden door in its frame. It was a gorgeous door ornamented with gold trim and carved with fanciful designs all about. It had been about three weeks
Most people knew of Black-Hearted. As he began walking through town, looks of trepidation from many of the men and women standing about gave him all the more confidence in his plight. Other people expressed admiration, mostly teenaged broods and other would-be pirates. Still, others stood imprudently fearless, but quickly backed down as he seemed to come too near.
While in town, Captain Drake took Black-Hearted to visit his typical stopovers, as he often had the past few years, dealing with Mr. Darcy as occasion would allow.
Saint Drake was often out at sea or docked beyond the reef at Port of Errors, which was the safest place for pirates in the Eastern Atlantic, considering no country owned Port of Errors.
Pirates ruled this island and here, Black-Hearted was prince among peasants and thieves – though, looking to be King.
Chapter V
The memories of years past were all but forgotten, as Black-Hearted slowly stood from his slumber. A sudden stir about the ship had awakened him. Several crewmembers were in a panic, congregating around the captain’s chamber.
“Drake’s dead!” shouted Darby O’Dell, a long time Irish member of Captain Drake’s crew.
Black-Hearted stormed over to the gathering crowd. “What’s this?”
“He’s dead!” repeated Darby.
“He’s bound to die sooner or later.”
“But his teeth were broke up and he drowned in his own vomit. Someone killed him in the night,” countered Darby. “He didn’t just off and die.”
“He was sick,” affirmed Black-Hearted. “We’re better off without him at the helm.”
“You have something to do with this, Hearted?” asked Darby.
Deeply insulted, Black-Hearted snapped, “Do you think I killed him?”
“No, Hearted,” replied Darby, backing away.
“If I did, would you challenge me?”
“No, Hearted, of course not.”
“Captain’s dead,” shouted Black-Hearted. “As his second former in command, I claim captainship o’ this here vessel and any man aboard it. If there be one among you who dare challenge me captainship, choose yur weapon and step up.” No one said a word. “It’s time to really make us a name. There be plenty of booty out there just waitin’ for the takin’. We’re going to be rich men.”
Stephen and Eric led the men in a respectable and proper cheer. Though, his crew did not trust him so much as they feared him. Black-Hearted insisted, “Gunner stands as quartermaster. All in favor says ‘Aye’!”
Sporadically sequenced, the crew shouted, “Aye.” And although it appeared unanimous, most of the men were too afraid to insult or counter anything he had to say.
The men had always feared Black-Hearted as Quartermaster. Although he was truly vicious, Black-Hearted was known for keeping his word among his crew. As Captain he preferred his men trust him above all else. There was an uncontested fairness in relation to the shares of booty, which kept his crew in check and Black-Hearted devoid of any unease regarding mutiny. Renaming Saint Drake, Roger’s Jolly , Black-Hearted drew up new articles, which were harsh and unforgiving for those who disobeyed, but very rewarding for those deserving. The crew agreed unanimously in favor of the newly formed articles, after which they were signed and placed where all could see.
In the few subsequent days following Black-Hearted’s official induction as Captain, Roger’s Jolly arrived back on Port of Errors. Making his way to Mr. Darcy’s estate, Black-Hearted approached the entrance, where Mr. Darcy was ordering his servants to place a new wooden door in its frame. It was a gorgeous door ornamented with gold trim and carved with fanciful designs all about. It had been about three weeks
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