Read Online The Buccaneers' Code by Caroline Carlson - Free Book Online

white mittens. To Hilary’s surprise, they didn’t make him look any less fearsome. “Perhaps you can remind me,” he said. “Which of us is the Terror of the Southlands? Which of us was bold enough to issue a challenge to Captain Blacktooth?”
    Hilary could feel her cheeks growing warmer. “I suppose that’s me.”
    â€œIndeed it is,” said Jasper. “On top of all that, if you’re hoping to attract several hundred pirates to your cause, you’ll have to be impressive—and what’s more impressive than commanding a ship? Especially a ship owned by the former Terror of the Southlands?” He put a mitten-clad hand on his hat and bowed.
    â€œYou’re giving me the Pigeon ?”
    â€œI’m lending you the Pigeon ,” Jasper said, “and my services on your crew, of course, for the next three months. All I ask is that you take good care of the ship. She’s not as young as she once was, and she doesn’t enjoy running aground or drawing cannon fire.”
    Hilary patted the Pigeon ’s planks, which creakedagreeably under her hands. “You’re very kind,” she said to Jasper. “Is there anything I can do in return?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, there is.” Jasper’s face grew solemn. “You can be careful—and not just with the Pigeon. The Mutineers are used to getting whatever they want, however they can get it, and right now they want you gone. Even if you prove that you are the better pirate, Blacktooth won’t go quietly into exile.”
    Across the ship, the gargoyle was attempting to teach Charlie and Alice a sea chantey. Although the three of them sounded more like a cacophony than a chorus, Hilary couldn’t imagine having to leave them behind. “Perhaps Blacktooth won’t go quietly,” she said, “but neither will I. If the Mutineers try anything sneaky, I shall howl and dig in my heels until they surrender.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear it.” Jasper picked up his lantern. “Now, let us teach our mates how to harmonize properly, or we shall all have splitting headaches by morning.”
    W HEN THE SUN rose at last over Gunpowder Island, the Pigeon sailed north in search of the Ornery Clam and any pirates who might be lodging there. Hilary steered the ship up the coast, past the city of Nordholm with its brightly colored houses, and past Tilbury Park with its windows overlooking the sea. Soon the towns gave way to forests, and the dark outlines of the Northlands Hills rose up behind the trees. Miss Greyson, who never missed anopportunity to deliver an informative lecture, told them all that centuries ago, when the first lumps of magic ore had been found in those very hills, the Northlands had bustled with industry. They certainly weren’t bustling anymore, Hilary thought. The Pigeon hadn’t passed another ship for hours.
    â€œAre you sure we’re traveling in the right direction?” she asked. “I don’t see anything that looks like a pirate lodging.”
    Charlie studied the map. “It’s awfully hard to tell,” he admitted, peering through a ragged hole in the parchment. “ Someone ’s taken a bite out of the coastline.”
    â€œThere’s no need to sound so accusing,” the gargoyle said from his Nest. “Some of us get hungry every now and then.”
    â€œAhoy!” cried Alice. She was balanced in the rigging high above them, holding a spyglass in one hand and using the other to stop her dress from flying up in a most unladylike fashion. “I think I’ve spotted something peculiar. You’d better see it for yourself, Terror.”
    Alice clambered down to the deck, taking care not to snag her petticoats, and handed Hilary the spyglass. In front of them, a large passenger ship lay beached on the rocks at a queasy angle, as though a storm had plucked it from the waves and tossed it inconsiderately