Message-ID: <2926eli$9708131307@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: From: author22 Subject: The Pirate Affair, Chapter 8B of A/B/C. THE END OF AN ERA! (M/M) ADULTS ONLY! Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories,alt.sex.stories.gay,alt.sex.first-time,alt.sex.masturbation,gay-net.erotic-storys,alt.sex.magazines,gay-net.erotic-storys Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded X-Story-Submission: X-Original-Message-ID: <33F1DFD5.101C@ix.netcom.com> -----Beginning of TPA08B of A/B/C--- -------------------------------- It was a typically hot September day, in the year 1720, as the plans for the party on board the Bloody Cutlass were nearing completion. The cook and his boy had suggested that the invitation be expanded to include the full crew of both ships. Captain Frank was both surprised and pleased at the suggestion. He was not fooled by the fact that the suggestion had come from the cook's new boy. It was obvious that the cook wanted the boy to become part of the ship's company. The lad was handsome, and Frank's pego would have suggested the recruitment anyway. If the man would be willing to share the boy, then Captain Frank would propose his being allowed to sign the ships articles. As the day progressed, the delightful odors of the stuffed birds, cooking in the galley, wafted across the harbor. A table was placed at the helm and set for four -- the two Captains, and their guests. A second set of tables were placed on the quarter deck. Those would be laden with food and drink. Both crews could help themselves. An hour before sunset, numerous branches of Candlewood were placed around the Cutlass as torches. A longboat from the Revenge came along side, and hoisted several barrels of wine and casks of rum on board. Two empty brandy casks had their tops removed and, in them, the caterers prepared a mixture of wine, rum, and fruit juice. The Captain's table was a smaller replica of the one amidship. The birds were browned beautifully and grain stuffing mixed with mango spilled from their insides. Several types of shell fish were placed side by side. As the visitors arrived, they were greeted by their hosts as though they were long lost relatives or the closest of friends. Yet in the pubs of Tortuga they had always been rivals; quick to temper and quick to brawl. Captain Jack Calico was accompanied by two handsome youths. His host wondered if one of them might be a gift. Frank, surmising the possibilities for the evening, suggested to his First Mate that he take his repast with the crew. The unexpected extra guest of Calico's being the excuse. Mr. Johnson willingly gave up his seat. He was not a lover of boys and it looked to him as though that was what was in store at the Captain's table. He smiled to himself at the thought. Calico had a reputation as a womanizer, but the two lads he had brought with him suggested otherwise. In actuality, the two handsome youths were Mary Read and Anne Bonny. As the evening turned into night, both casks were drained and then replaced with open casks of pure, raw rum. The crew had drunk heavily, and were now passed out everywhere about the ship. The pairing went interestingly between members of the two ships. Some were simply drunk and conversing, others were in the throws of sexual exploration. You could hear grunting and groaning from almost every corner of the Cutlass. Despite several attempts to single out one of Calico's guests, neither seemed interested in Frank. It was well past midnight when Calico and his two youths departed the Cutlass, leaving most of his crew still on board his rival's ship. Frank was drunk, horny, and disappointed. The cook and his new boy came to the rescue, and took the Captain to his cabin. ---------------------------------------- Everything was very quiet in Cayona as the Seagull slowly entered the harbor channel with the Swan Louie in tow. The Captains of both ships were astonished by what they saw. At anchor was the ship that had boarded the Louie and just beyond her was the Bloody Cutlass. They had hardly dropped their hook when the Captains of the Louie and the Seagull went ashore to seek an audience with the island's governor. Governmental authority was vested in Count le Passeur, a wealthy plantation owner. His appointment had been made by Jamaica's Governor Woods, whose own authority came as a direct appointment by King George. In fact, the English King had never heard of le Passeur. The "Count" had been an affectation granted him by Woods. The Count's real power came from his ability to compromise. The reality of the matter was that he had little other choice as his domain had no resident armed forces, no budget to pay for one, and no authority to establish or to garner taxes. Nevertheless, in the true spirit of governments everywhere, his governing was accepted by the island and its neighbors because he seldom interfered with their daily lives. His declaration of an amnesty for the pirates had been an intelligent move. With only the occasional armed forces visit from Jamaica, he could never have enforced any other policy. Another key factor was that much of the economy of the tiny island nation was based on trade with those outlaws. The victimized captains were greatly displeased by the governor's attitude and reaction to the case they had laid before him. He had pointed out that none of the crew of either the Revenge or the Cutlass had broken any of Tortuga's laws and he warned them that, as far as he was concerned, any attempt to take issue with anyone on the island or within the protection of her waters would lead to the banishment of the aggressor. So in the next few days those on board the Swan Louie watched helplessly as their cargo was unloaded from the Revenge and sold to the local merchants and farmers. At the same time, some 150 miles south of Tortuga a series of events were taking place that would alter the course of events throughout the maritime world. His majesty's ship Endeavor had reached Jamaica with an order from King George. The document was of the highest priority, and it was international. In a rare instance of solidarity, both France and Spain had countersigned the command. All Pirate ships were to be seized and their crews brought to trial. There would be no exceptions. The order went on to list specific ships that were the most wanted. The Bloody Cutlass, Captain Frank, and its crew were at the top of the list. Second was Captain Jack Calico and the men of the Revenge. The charges were many and included piracy and murder. The punishment dictated was hanging. The decision of Tortuga's Governor had not been acceptable to the Louie nor the Seagull. The two men felt that no fair minded government would encourage such injustice. While the island was small and isolated, it was a part of a larger authoritative structure. Tortuga's Governor was appointed by Jamaica's Governor, who in turn had been appointed by the King. Under the cover of night, the Seagull left Tortuga; destination: St. Jago de la Vega, Jamaica. The Captain of the Swan Louie was a passenger. For the next week the Swan Louie would be under the command of her first mate. Even though both the Swan Louie and her captain were French, the governmental community in the Caribbean had become an homogeneous blend of English, Spanish, and French. Not too many years in the past, these three nations had been at each other's throats and even a version of piracy had been not only condoned, but promoted as a tool of limited warfare; however, economic interdependence had now become too great an issue. Thus, in the world of 1720, sovereign nations sought the help of their neighbors. All of St. Jago was a buzz over the edict from Europe. While the Seagull was being moored, her long boat was taking her passenger ashore. The governor's plantation was just beyond the outskirts of the city. It was while he was arranging for the rental of a horse that he heard the rumors concerning the new mandate. In October, retribution was close at hand. The governor of Jamaica, hearing of Calico's presence sent several armed sloops to intervene and capture the Captain and crew. A trap was now set in place. In Tortuga the Swan Louie would accept a rich cargo for transport to the Carolina's. Sloops would be hidden among several small islands along her course. Back in Tortuga, the First Mate of the Swan Louie was negotiating with the Revenge, through a local sail maker, for the purchase of the Louie's stolen sails. Quid pro quo. To this extent, Count le Passeur was of some help: he loaned the Louie sufficient funds to ransom her sails, taking a deed to the ship as security. The Governor, was walking a very tight rope in his rule of Tortuga. His grandfather had been the island's first leader and had been appointed to that position through the influence of the East India Trading Company. The company had many holdings throughout the Caribbean, including Tortuga. The Swan Louie was a Company ship. Most of the week during which the Seagull was gone from Tortuga was spent re-fitting the Louie's sails. The sun had yet to rise when the Seagull slipped quietly back into Cayona's harbor. Immediately her longboat was lowered, and both Captain's went ashore carrying a sealed pouch from Jamaica's governor addressed to the Count. At noon, a horse drawn wagon arrived at the dock, and several longboats were loaded with an obviously valuable cargo, and taken to the Swan Louie. The Louie's crew had been told that the cargo was destined for the Carolinas and contained much gold. That night a heavy guard was set on the ship, and the crew allowed one last visit to the pubs before departing the next day. At two A.M., Captain Frank and Captain Jack Calico met aboard the Revenge. The plan was that they would also depart Tortuga, but they would do so several hours after the Louie departed. The Revenge would follow the Swan Louie. The Bloody Cutlass would follow the Seagull. If the Seagull stayed in Cayona, the Cutlass would then depart to aid the Revenge in her capture of the Swan Louie. This time the Louie and her crew would not be spared. The same was planned for any ship that might be with her. Afterward they would change their colors and make for Havana. The Louie departed on schedule. There was no sign of activity on the Seagull. It was obvious that she was not going to convoy. Never-the-less, the Cutlass played it safe and waited. The First Mate had set two special watches onboard the Revenge. These were lookouts. Their responsibility was to make certain they were not being followed. As the day progressed their confidence grew. It appeared they would have little difficulty in overtaking and capturing their prey. The Louie was neither being speedy, nor deliberately slow. They intended to be captured, but they would pick the spot. The sun set. The sky darkened. A whip-crack of thunder made the Revenge vibrate; tiny drops of moisture fell like a witches' potion from the sky. The helmsman pointed at the patch of dark clouds that lay to the north west of them. "Looks like we might be in for a bit of a squall." His remark was answered by a deep rumble from the heavens and then a sharp crackling of lightning, which momentarily diverted his attention. Rain began to hammer against the deck, like furious knocking. He pointed toward an odd shape of clouds, "You can imagine it, can't you? A dragon, soaring over the water, and coming this way ..." He tilted his head towards the thunder. "... Landing on the Swan Louie and lashing its tail." The First Mate looked at his shipmate and nodded slowly, as though he'd shared and understood the vision. Their attention was to the north. Darkness settled, and the Swan Louie came into sight. She was running a single light. Rain reduced visibility. Slowly the Revenge approached the Louie's stern. They were less than a mile from their prey when a bright flash of light that could have only been gun powder flashed from the Louie's bow. The Revenge was not aware that they were just north of a small island and, thus, they did not see the fast sloop that was rapidly moving toward them off their port stern. Before the Revenge could hook the Louie, she was grappled by the unseen vessel. It was a surprise attack. The sound of the hook hitting her stern was answered by a half-dozen armed Pirates. In the lead were two youths that fought like the devil was whipping them. The first goal was to break the hold, unloosen the grapple, and attempt to push the attacker away. But at least ten men on the sloop were pulling hard, so that there was never any slack in the line. Even before the two vessels made contact, cutlass-armed men, swinging their blades, swooshed on board the Revenge. A large, red bearded man, with a cutlass held in his teeth, swung across the narrow gap that laid between the two ships. He dove across the deck toward Anne, knife extended. She jumped to the side, avoiding him by inches. She raced toward a large box to climb upon and thus gain an advantage, but the man scrambled across the deck and beat her there. He grabbed her arm while running and swung her against the main mast. Her cutlass spun across the space and rattled as it crashed onto the deck, out of sight. She hit the timber face-first. Her eyelids fluttered, then she fell to the deck in a heap. She didn't get up. She didn't move. The soldier kicked her to the side. The pirate appeared to be unconscious, or hopefully dead. The pirate had been fighting with a mate. The man scanned the ongoing battle. He did not see the young pirate's shipmate. But if not there then where ... ? He noticed that the cargo hatch was open. The man ran to the edge of the space and peered down. It was too dark to see. He predicted with a shout, "Got you!" There was no one there. But how was that possible? Where could the other man be? And then he heard it ... a creak. The creak of a foot on a dry piece of wood ... and it was coming from above him ... on the mast. The soldier smiled. He looked up, "Gotcha!" "Peek-a-boo!" The man started for the rope ladder to scale the mast. "I see you." Mary scrambled further up the ladder. Unfortunately, it was less than six feet to where it dead-ended at the bottom of a sail. There was almost nowhere to go. "You've been a bad lad." He taunted the young warrior above him. Mary's eyes narrowed to two black slits. "The battle has just begun." The man grabbed hold of the highest rung he could reach and started to pull himself upward. Then he cried out in pain. "Aaaah!" Anne rammed a sail peg into the soldier's crotch. Not subtle, but it was all she could come up with on the spur of the moment. The discolored lump on her forehead throbbed. She had been groggy, nearly unconscious, but hearing Mary's shouts brought her back around. She was functioning, though mostly on impulse power, and she doubted her newfound strength would endure. The man peered down. "What the --" She hit him again. He cried out. "You goddamn fucking little ass hole!" All at once, he came tumbling down the rungs, and fell on top of Anne, pinning her. She swung upward and hit his arm just above the wrist, and hit it hard. His knife spun across the deck. She tried to crawl away. He grabbed her hair and jerked her back. "I don't need that to take you," he growled. Anne kicked him on the shin, then reached out with her fingers toward his eyeballs. The man jerked his head back, but her nails scratched his cheek. Enraged, he swung his hand around at her head but missed. In an unusually high and loud voice she was drawing attention, seeking someone to back her up. He clapped his hand over her mouth. Anne bit him. He howled; she sank her teeth in all the deeper. He wrapped his free hand around her throat. Together, they collided back against the mast. He jerked his hand free. Pinpricks of blood showed where his opponents teeth had been. "What kind of men were these that fought like women?" He looked at the wound and his face turned ashen. Reaching out with the speed of a striking snake, he grabbed Anne by the back of the neck and slammed her head against the pole. Anne's resistance faded with the impact. Her legs wobbled. The man twisted her hair around his hand to hold her up and slapped her face, hard. She tried to twist away, but he was still clenching her hair. "Shut up." He brought the flat of his hand back and hit her again. "You should've stayed out of my way and stayed ashore to sell your ass in Tortuga." "You're all alike. You pretend to have values, but you don't. You let your mates do whatever they want. You pretend you don't hear when their victims scream. You let them be punished. Well, now it's time for you to be punished." He reared back his hand, this time balled up in a fist. It hit Anne's face with a sickening impact. She fell to the deck with a thud. "Goddamn Pirate!" the man shouted. He saw his knife lying where it had fallen on the deck and picked it up. "Now you're going to wish you hadn't been born." He straddled her body, clutched her neck with his free hand, raised his knife into the air. Mary had been driven out of sight, hidden by the sail. She peered about her, gaining a sense of where she was and what was happening. She moved downward toward a long iron bar used to pry halyards from jammed pulleys. Moments later she brought the bar down on the back of the soldier's head. He fell backward, toppling off Anne and onto the floor. The two shipmates found their cutlasses and resumed their fight. It was not a shining moment for the once-dashing Calico Jack, who, as everyone knew, had been the first to propose the skull-and-crossbones symbol. A combination of drunkenness and heavy bombardment sent many of the men, including Rackham, below deck. Anne and Mary stayed on deck, swinging away. At one point they became so disgusted with the cowardice of their crew mates that they rushed to the hatch and shouted to the men to come up and defend the ship. "If there's a man among ye, ye'll come out and fight like the men ye are to be," Anne shouted. When they were ignored, Anne drew her pistol and fired into the hold, killing one. Anne and Marys' cutlasses bit deep into many a British sailor. Blood flowed and splashed. However, they were out-numbered and soon found themselves back-to-back surrounded by no less than ten armed men. Then Mary did as she had done months before on that tiny island just before slaying Ruben. She ripped open her blouse to display her breasts. Her recent opponent had begun to suspect what the pirates true sex might be, so her hopes of an advantage did not come her way. The ship was taken, and when the sloop's captain boarded, he found two "lads" berating Rackham for his less-than-manly comportment. Before midnight, the Pirates found themselves in chains in their own hold. Anne and Mary who had fought hard in the past hour were vocal about the lack of bravery on the part of their shipmates. Anne took Captain Jack Calico to task. Her face reflected her anger. Had she not been swordless and in chains, she would have killed her sometimes-lover. The Revenge, the sloop, and the Swan Louie changed course. Destination: St. Jago de la Vega, Jamaica. Captain Frank's luck had changed for the better. The on-coming storm had caused him to delay his departure from Cayona and the onset of the heavy weather had prevented it altogether. It took three days for the news of the Revenge's capture to reach Tortuga. Word of the European Edict had already been rumored around the island. The Revenge had been drawn into a trap set in place right under Frank's nose there in Tortuga. Had it not been for the storm, the Cutlass would also have been captured. And to add vinegar to the open wound, rumor had it that it had been an ex-mate of theirs, Capt. Barnet, who had commanded the King's sloop. Frank did not dally. Within an hour of the news of the capture of the Revenge, the Bloody Cutlass departed Tortuga. Destination: unknown. By the next morning there was not a pirate left on the island. The ribald atmosphere of the water front pubs became no more than an echo in the past. Tortuga, as the pirate capital of the Caribbean, passed out of the present and into history. Still, the Seagull had one last task ahead of her. She had the passengers from the Swan Louie, and the Swan Louie was in Jamaica. The day before she was to get underway for St. Jago de la Vega, Doctor Michael Redliffe sought passage. Reluctantly they agreed, with the understanding that he must sleep on deck. The Captain and First Mate had given their quarters to the two girls. At sea, one or the other would always be on deck so, even though it was a bit crowded, the ship's officers shared the focsle crew's quarters. The Seagull now had three more people than she normally carried; five if you counted the two ghosts. There was little privacy except in the small cabin shared by Lucy and Julie. Jack and Jose must climb the main mast to the Crow's nest if they were to serve the needs of Scott and Jerry. -----End of TPA08B of A/B/C--- -- +--------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `------------+ | story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us | story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us | | Archive site +--------------------+------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | \ .../assm/faq.html> /