Pirates and Prejudice

by Louise, Kara

  *~*~*

  The passengers heard the first explosion. From the hold, the muffled sound seemed far enough away that they were not too concerned, especially when it did not seem to hit the ship.

  Mrs. Joyner was sitting on the floor leaning against a wall despairing. Mrs. Keller tried to reassure her they would be all right. “Captain Smith will know what to do. After all, remember it was he who came to our rescue on the island!”

  Elizabeth, her father, and her cousin exchanged worried glances. Knowing Captain Smith was not a real sea captain was something they did not want anyone to know. It would only add to their concern. She walked over to Mrs. Joyner and sat down on the floor next to her.

  “We are all worried, Mrs. Joyner, but have faith. All shall work out for the best.” Elizabeth was not sure even she had the faith now to believe that. She nervously ran her fingers along the smooth wooden planks of the floor as everyone conversed and conjectured what might be happening on deck. As she did, she felt one of the planks move.

  “What is this?” she said, leaning forward and giving it a pull. The plank cleanly came out after a few tugs. She pulled out two more on either side, revealing a deep cavity. She leaned over and peered in.

  “I think there is something down there!”

  Mrs. Joyner let out a joyful cry, suddenly diverted by such a discovery. Everyone stood around them watching as Elizabeth reached in and felt around. Her fingers brushed against some sort of fabric, and as she stretched in as far as she could, she was able to grasp it and slowly began to pull it up.

  A few more planks had to be removed to lift it completely out, but at length she placed it on the floor. They all simply stared at the white fabric bag, probably made from sail canvas, which was tied together at the top with rope.

  “It is a treasure, I am certain of it!” Mrs. Joyner said. “Hurry! Open it!”

  Elizabeth smiled at the sudden change in Mrs. Joyner’s demeanour. Her hands shook as she tugged at the knot, trying to pull apart the strands of rope. When it finally gave way, there was not a sound in the cabin as she slowly opened the bag.

  The onlookers gasped as they beheld the treasure before them. There were glittering diamonds and a vast array of jewels in a variety of colours and sizes.

  “Heavens above!” cried out Mr. Dillard. “It is likely worth a fortune!”

  “Do you suppose anyone knows about this?”

  “Since we found it, does it belong to us?”

  “I cannot imagine what this might be worth?”

  “Do you think they are real?”

  Questions abounded amongst the passengers. Elizabeth stood up and quietly went to her father and cousin, who were enjoying the merriment.

  Her brows pinched together in concern.

  “Well, Lizzy, our pirating adventure now has the final element!” Mr. Bennet said jubilantly. “A hidden treasure!”

  In a hushed voice, she said, “Yes, but do you not realize that this belongs to Lockerly, and he will most likely do whatever he can to get it back?”

  The smiles evaporated from both men’s faces. “You are right,” David said. “But do not say anything to anyone. Their elation at finding a treasure will be short lived and replaced by even graver concern if they hear that.”

  “No, I shall not. But I think somehow we must warn Mr. Darcy that Lockerly has more than just his ship that he will attempt to reclaim for himself!”

  At that moment, a second explosion was heard. This time, however, they felt the ship shudder at the impact.

  Everyone’s merriment quickly dissolved back into fright.

  *~*~*

  Lockerly’s ship swept down upon the Devil’s Seamaiden, and the men watched with wide eyes as it veered starboard at the last minute to avoid crashing into them headlong. Within minutes they had come alongside, and the two vessels collided into each other’s sides with a jolt. Lockerly’s crew threw a grappling hook over, and as the hooks dug into wood, the two ships were anchored together firmly.

  Confusion reigned as men scrambled from Lockerly’s ship to the Devil’s Seamaiden, either by jumping as the two ships jostled together or by swinging over on a rope. Shots were fired, but went wild, due either to a lack of expertise or the inability to take aim because of the tossing of the ship. Pistols were soon discarded and knives, cutlasses, and swords were drawn as the adversaries came together.

  Darcy and Bellows pulled out their swords. Bellows was the only crew member Darcy felt was proficient to fight these men. However, as he assessed Lockerly’s crew, he felt the pirate was in the same quandary as himself. His crew, although now greater in number than had been on the island, appeared to be just as inept.

  From his vantage point at the helm, Darcy searched the motley group of men for Lockerly, who most likely was also looking for him. From what little he knew of the pirate, he was probably already on the ship, plotting its takeover. But as unrelenting as his thoughts were about what Lockerly might do and where he was, just as pressing was the thought of Elizabeth and how to ensure her safety.

  Darcy looked at Bellows and nodded. There was nothing left to be done at the helm; the ship was sitting helpless in the water. They both took to the deck and entered the fray.

  As Darcy made his way through the fighting men, he kept a lookout for any of his crew that seemed most in need of assistance. It was overwhelming, at first, not knowing where to turn. He was grateful for the lack of proficiency exhibited by all men. The last thing he wanted was a massacre, especially when these men – both his and Lockerly’s – were young, and likely did not have the same evil propensity that drove the merciless pirate.

  He fought off a couple men as he made his way around the ship. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and realized someone was headed towards the ship’s stern. He quickly followed, and when he cautiously came around the corner, he found himself face to face with Edward Webber. The young man’s eyes were wide, his face ashen, and his hand gripped his shoulder.

  “Are you hurt, Webber?” Darcy asked.

  “Jest a small slice, Cap’n. I feel a bit dizzy. Need a moment.”

  Darcy lifted the man’s hand and saw the blood ooze from his wound. “Get yourself below. Go to the hold and announce to the passengers it is you. Someone there should be able to tend to you.”

  “But the fight…”

  “Do not worry about the fight!” Darcy took his pistol out of his belt and handed it to the young man. “Take this and use it if you have to! I need you to stay down there and guard the passengers. Do not let anyone get past you!”

  “Aye, aye, Cap’n.”

  The two walked back towards the bow of the ship, with Webber slipping down the stairway as they passed.

  *~*~*

  The activity in the hold came to an abrupt halt when footsteps were heard, followed by a knock at the door.

  Mr. Dillard pressed his fingers to his lips to silence everyone. They were not sure whether they should say anything, in case it was Lockerly or one of his pirates.

  “It is Webber,” came the voice at the door. “Ken ye open the door? I’m hurt.”

  The door was unlocked and opened just enough for Mr. Dillard to cautiously peer out. When he saw it was indeed Webber, he slowly opened the door. The young man walked in. Blood trailed down his shirt, as well as his fingers and hand. They quickly locked the door once he was inside.

  “’Tis not much, but...”

  “What happened?” Mr. Dillard asked, helping him in.

  “Lockerly’s pirates come aboard and we be fighting ’em, but I…” He face turned white, and his eyes rolled back. “I…” Mr. Dillard caught him as the young man collapsed onto the floor.

  Mr. Dillard tore open the young man’s shirt and saw a gash across the top of Webber’s shoulder. He pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to the wound. Turning to his fellow passengers, he said, “It is only a slight wound. It has been bleeding, but I doubt that he lost enough blood to cause him to pass out.”

 
; “Then what did he pass out from, dear?” his wife asked.

  Mr. Dillard glanced up and said, “My guess would be fear. I think the poor lad is plain frightened!”

  Webber began to stir, and his eyes slowly opened. Then he bolted up. “What ’appened?” he asked, looking around him. The colour began returning to his face.

  “You were injured,” Mr. Dillard said. “Rest a little and tell us more about the fighting up on deck.”

  Webber nodded. “Pirates… I’ve never ’ad to fight like that before.”

  “Are there many?”

  “Seems like a lot.” Webber winced. “Me thinks they ’ave as many as we ’ave.”

  Mr. Dillard nodded. “You just rest a little, lad.”

  Webber began to sit up. “Cap’n Smith gave me the pistol to protect ye down here, but me thinks I should go back up an’ ’elp.”

  “But you yourself said you have never fought before.”

  Webber sadly shook his head. “I know Cap’n Smith is dependin’ on me. I ken’t let ’im down.”

  Elizabeth stepped forward. “Mr. Webber, I believe I saw you climbing the ropes and masts like you had done it all your life. Am I correct?”

  Webber nodded. “Aye. Me brothers used to call me Monkey ’cause I loved to climb.”

  “I think I have an idea of how you can be a big help to Captain Smith,” Elizabeth said. “Do you think you can slip out carrying a bag and climb up one of the masts quickly without anyone seeing you?”

  Webber nodded. “I know I ken do it quickly. I ken certainly try to do it without them seein’ me.”

  “What do you have in mind, Lizzy?” Mr. Bennet asked.

  “Hand me the bag,” she said to Mr. Keller, who had a tight grip on it. As she looked back at Webber, she said, “And I also recall that you have a fairly loud voice, which could easily be heard from up on the mast?”

  “Yes, me ma always had me call me brothers when she needed ’em.”

  As the bag was passed to her, she explained to Webber what they had found. The young man’s eyes grew wide as Mr. Keller opened the bag and he saw all the jewels.

  “I think Lockerly has come back for this, and it probably is worth a great deal more than this ship!” Elizabeth pointed to some of the jewels. “It appears there are diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and other gems that I could only guess at.”

  “You think he can use them to distract Lockerly?” Mr. Dillard asked.

  Elizabeth nodded. “I also wonder if his crew, who apparently he only recently engaged, even know about it. We could use this to turn his crew against him.” Elizabeth leaned in to Webber. “I have no idea if this will work, but I have a plan!”

  Chapter 20

  Darcy shook his head in frustration. Webber had been scared to death and should not have been forced into a situation like this! He was as unprepared as anyone but was younger than them all! He was grateful he had received only a minor wound, and he hoped that sending him down to the hold would spare him from being injured even more!

  Darcy searched for any sign of Lockerly, as well as any crewman who might need help. It was difficult, in the confusion and action, to even differentiate between his and Lockerly’s men. The blades of their weapons crashed between the crewmen, but he could see no skill exhibited in their manoeuvres. In their faces he could see no real thirst to do their opponent harm. He felt he was watching a sparring match, where injuries would be unlikely. For now he was satisfied with that.

  He saw smudges of blood everywhere, but fortunately, no one was down. He saw that young Jenkins had taken a fall and a pirate stood menacingly over him brandishing his sword high enough above him not to pose a real threat. Darcy rushed over, however, and sliced through the air with his sword, knocking the pirate off balance. Darcy and Jenkins quickly subdued and bound him.

  As Darcy scanned the ship, he noticed someone moving stealthily towards the stairs. His heart pounded thunderously as he feared that whoever it was might reach the passengers in the hold. He ran up behind the man with his sword drawn and hollered, “Halt!”

  The figure spun around. In a blur, he came at him with his sword swinging, knocking Darcy backwards. The man came at him again, swinging his sword high and low. Darcy’s jaw tightened in anger as he stared back into the face of Lockerly!

  Lockerly lunged back at Darcy. “How dare ye hornswaggle me out of what be rightfully mine!” Lockerly yelled.

  The two danced around each other as their swords clashed between them. “You own nothing, Lockerly!” Darcy countered. “You ought to be dead like your former shipmates. A dead man owns nothing!”

  Lockerly’s face twisted with rage, and the two men continued their fight at a much greater intensity than before. The stature of the two men, and their proficiency at fencing were equal. Darcy was determined to keep the ruthless pirate at bay and not allow him any sort of advantage. The thought of protecting Elizabeth from this vile monster gave him added strength and endurance. He would not allow Lockerly anywhere near the hold and especially nowhere near Elizabeth. In that moment when he thought of her, he vowed that he would even give his life to save hers.

  The two men battled ferociously, steel meeting steel with a resounding clank. Their swords met high and low as each man attempted to successfully thrust, parry, and outwit the other.

  Lockerly suddenly lunged at Darcy with his sword pointed at him. As Darcy quickly swung his sword to ward off the blow, he jumped back and stumbled over the grappling hook that had been thrown earlier from Lockerly’s ship. He struggled to keep himself upright, but could not, and fell to the ground. Lockerly slowly approached him, a sinister sneer etched on his face.

  Darcy inwardly chastised himself for not paying attention to his surroundings, a vital element in fencing. He surmised that Lockerly expertly planned and executed the manoeuvre that unknowingly directed his own movements towards the hook, which consequently brought him down.

  He looked around for Bellows and finally saw him cornered at the bow of the ship by two of Lockerly’s men. He would be of no help to him now, but he seemed perfectly capable of holding off the two men.

  Lockerly let out a vile laugh as he hovered over him. “So, me inferior impersonator, me thinks you’ll be visitin’ Davy Jones’ Locker by day’s end!”

  “I would not count on that, Lockerly!”

  Darcy was grateful for his years of fencing lessons. Despite his one misstep, he was confident he could hold off Lockerly, even though the pirate now had the advantage over him.

  Darcy kept his eyes fixed on his adversary. He fought him off as he watched and anticipated every move Lockerly made so he could quickly respond with the best defensive tactic. He was getting weary, the sword held up in his arm feeling heavier with each passing moment. He only needed to wait with patience for the precise moment when he could knock Lockerly off balance and leap back up to his feet.

  As Darcy continued to fight from a prone position on the deck, watching for the right opportunity to present itself, a sudden cry from up in the main mast caught everyone by surprise.

  “Lockerly!” the booming voice called out.

  Darcy glanced up at the mast and narrowed his eyes, realizing it was Webber.

  “Is this what you ’ave come aboard fer?” Webber called out as he walked out across the yardarm to the edge. He held out a white bag, dangling it precariously out over the water.

  “Where’d ye git that?” Lockerly demanded.

  “I bet ye would like to know!”

  “What ye got in there?” one of Lockerly’s pirates asked.

  Webber smiled triumphantly. “So Lockerly did not tell ye, eh? ’Tis jewels. Lots of ’em. They was ’idden in the ship’s hold! There be diamonds, rubies…”

  “Don’t ye dare drop that!” Lockerly yelled, glancing from Darcy to Webber, and then to his men. “An’ I was gonna tell ’em!”

  “When?” demanded another. “When ye took most of ’em fer yerself?”

  Webber smiled. “Ye give ye
rself up, Lockerly, an’ I won’t drop these.” He peered over the edge of the ship. “Looks to be perty deep down there.” He raised and lowered the bag a few times. “An’ it seems perty heavy. Me thinks it’ll sink straight to the bottom!”

  Lockerly’s face grew red with anger. “You bring me that bag right now or I run this imposter through wi’ me sword!” He moved closer to Darcy with a threatening glare.

  Webber slowly shook his head. “No, Lockerly. Ye put yer sword down an’ give yerself up, an’ I’ll think about comin’ down wi’ ’em!’

  Lockerly let out a string of curses and pointed his sword up to the sailor. “Ye and yer cap’n will both meet your maker t’night if ye don’t drop it! Now!”

  Darcy quickly jumped up when Lockerly was distracted by Webber. Lockerly noticed and swung his sword back around. Darcy held him off with a swing in the opposite direction.

  Webber’s eyes widened. “Ye really want me to drop it?”

  “Right now! Throw it to me! I’ve only been playin’ games wi’ yer cap’n. He’ll not live to see another day if ye don’t do as I say!”

  Webber looked from Lockerly to the bag, and then back to Lockerly.

  “As ye say!” With that, he heaved the bag over the heads of the pirates, the crew, and Lockerly. As it sailed over his head, Lockerly yelled and dropped his sword. Sprinting to the rail of the ship, he jumped up to try to catch it as it went over, but it was too high for him to reach. As it hit the water with an impressive splash, Lockerly quickly hopped over the railing of the ship and crashed into the water, just as the bag began to sink.

  Darcy rushed to the rail and looked out. Lockerly held onto the bag with one hand, and was struggling to keep himself afloat. His arms flailed about, in an unsuccessful attempt at staying above water.

  Lockerly’s men looked about sheepishly, unsure what to do. They began grumbling amongst themselves how their captain had not been honest with them about this valuable treasure, and now they did not know whether he would even be pulled from the waters alive. They reasoned their best course of action was to surrender, and they all despondently dropped their weapons and raised their hands.