The Pirate's Apprentice

  Chapter 7

  John hid in the galley while the cook served breakfast, too embarrassed to show his face around the crew of the Bonetta. If only I could convince Black Sam to take me on as a pirate, he thought as he hugged his knees to his chest. I'd leave her and never come back.

  A scene from the day before invaded his mind again. He didn't want to think about the spanking anymore, but thoughts of it kept coming back like a recurring nightmare. His cheeks flushed hot with renewed embarrassment as fresh tears welled-up, blurring his vision. A single tear escaped and ran down his flushed cheek. Angry, he wiped it away with a balled fist and took a deep breath.

  "I'm not going to cry," he whispered with determination.

  The cook gave him a quick look, then went back to ladling soup and handing out biscuits to the crew. John watched the cook's broad, muscular shoulders move under his shirt. He remembered the terrible scars on the cook's back, and shivered when he tried to imagine what it would be like to be whipped bloody by a cat o' nine tails.

  He listened to the men beyond the galley talk quietly as they waited for their portions. From his hiding spot under the shelves against the wall, John could see the face of each man at the front of the line. As the cook served them, he engaged the crew with humor-filled banter that lifted the spirits of some, and visibly annoyed others.

  Captain Savage came to the front of the line with two bowls and John was relieved to know he wouldn't see his mother, since the captain was most likely bringing her a portion as well. While the cook ladled the broth into the captain's bowls, Captain Savage said, "Thanks, Jack."

  John's back straightened and his eyes widened, he hadn't known the cook's name until now. His cheeks flushed a deeper crimson when he realized he hadn't taken the time to properly get to know the man. He made a mental note to ask the cook his full name when he wasn't busy.

  John waited until the last man had his portion before he got up to receive his. The cook smiled as he ladled the soup into John's bowl.

  "The captain called you Jack," John said suddenly, not knowing how else to broach the topic.

  "Aye, Jack Metcalf is m' name." Jack continued to smile as he spoke. The scar that ran through his eye wrinkled in a ghastly way every time he moved his lips. It was hard not to stare at the dead eye.

  "Why don't you ever wear an eye patch?" John blurted.

  "I only wear it on special occasions," Jack said as he pulled a stool out from under the counter and sat on it.

  John sat on the floor against the wall so he could face Jack as he ate. Today, Jack had put dried peas in with the potatoes and salt pork. John crumbled his biscuit into the soup, just as Jack usually did, and began shoveling the mixture into his mouth. The peas added a bittersweet quality, which seemed to diminish the soup's usual salty flavor.

  "So, when do you think the pirates will be finished?" John asked.

  "They certainly don't seem t' be in a hurry. I overheard some o' the crew sayin' that by the rate they be loadin,' it could take over a week t' get everythin' off the Bonetta."

  "I wonder why it's taking so long."

  Jack shrugged. He finished his soup and placed his bowl on the counter. "I wish they'd hurry up about it. As soon as they're finished we can be on our way."

  "Captain Savage said that the pirates would kill us all and burn the Bonetta. Do you think Black Sam would do that?"

  " Naw … he doesn't seem the type. If they were goin' t' do somethin' of that sort they would've been more violent by now. Naw … that Black Sam … I've got 'im pegged as the romantic type."

  "Romantic?"

  "Aye … the sort that has ideals 'n the like. He seems to be in it fer more than just the doubloons. Maybe he ain't plannin' on bein' a pirate fer long or perhaps he hasn't been one fer long. Aye, I bet 'tis that, an' he's nah interested in unneeded bloodshed."

  "I wish he'd take me away with him," John said wistfully.

  "I know ye do," Jack sighed. "But its nah like ye can apply fer an apprenticeship, 'tis a pirate ship after all."

  "Apprentice," John jumped up from the floor. "That's it!"

  "What?"

  "I can ask him if I can be a pirate's apprentice."

  "Nay. That's nah wha' I meant." Jack blinked nervously and looked as if he were trying to come up with something to say that would discourage John.

  But it was too late, he had planted a seed of hope in John's mind and the boy was already rushing from the galley to the common room.

  "John wait—" Jack yelled after him.

  John didn't look back. A plan was beginning to form in his mind. It was so simple it was genius. He'd ask the pirate captain for an apprenticeship. He knew the answer would most likely be no, for now. But if he asked Black Sam every day, then maybe he'd eventually say yes. John climbed the ladder with a smile on his face.

  On the deck, the two pirates guarding the hatchway didn't seem to care if John came through. As he walked past them, John pretended he was headed for the crow's nest and waited to be confronted. The tall one gave John a suspicious glare, but said nothing.

  As soon as he was far enough away from the guards, John sprinted towards the gangplanks and ran over them to the Sultana.

  "Oi!" the tall pirate called out as he began to pursue. John was too quick for him and was at the captain's door before the guard could catch up. John hammered on the wood with his fist, rattling the door on its hinges.

  "Wha' be it now?" the quartermaster yelled from behind the door as he opened it.

  "I came to talk to the captain," John blurted just as the guard grabbed him by the arm and yanked it back.

  "Did ye now? Is this t' become a common occurrence?" the quartermaster asked, thoroughly annoyed.

  "I can take 'im back to the Bonetta if he's botherin' ye," the guard said to the quartermaster as he pulled John away by the arm.

  "Let go!" John yelled.

  "Is that the young pup from the Bonetta?" Captain Black Sam asked. "Well don't just stand there, Mr. Noland. Let him in."

  The quartermaster sighed and nodded to the guard. The tall pirate let go of John's arm, his mouth hanging open.

  "I'll be below deck if anyone needs me," the quartermaster said sourly as he left.

  "Come in puppy," the captain said. "I need a good distraction. Wha' can I do fer ye this fine day?"

  "I came to ask you if you'd take me on as an apprentice," John said as he walked into the room and closed the door.

  "Right to the point, I like that about ye," the captain said looking amused. He sat forward in his chair and looked John over seriously. "Ye remind me of myself at yer age."

  "So will you do it?" John asked.

  "Ye're a persistent lil' fellow. I'll give ye that, but no I can't take ye on as an apprentice. Where ever did ye get such a notion?" the captain asked.

  John shrugged. "Nowhere. I thought it up myself."

  Captain Black Sam sighed, rubbing his sweaty face with his palms. "Ye don't want to be a pirate, lad, trust me. 'Tis not a proper life fer a pup," he said as he massaged his temples with his fingertips.

  "I'm not a pup!" John shouted and stomped his foot as hard as he could against the deck. "I'm ten."

  "Aye so ye say, but ye look so young. Come back an' ask me when yer fifteen. Then we'll talk."

  "But how will I find you? You could be anywhere by then," John whined.

  "Lad, yer testing me nerves. I'm through arguing with ye. Be off." Black Sam turned to the map on his table and began studying it.

  John stood his ground, trying to think up a more compelling argument.

  "Well be off with ye then. I've got other matters that need tending to," the captain said as he scowled down at the map in front of him. He shooed John away with the back of his hand and took a sip out of his coconut chalice.

  John backed out slowly, bowed as if he were leaving the king, then opened the door and left. That went as I expected, John thought. He whistled a merry tune as he walked past the tall pirate on his way bac
k to the Bonetta. The tall pirate had been waiting for John to come out and began following him as soon as he walked by.

  John slowed his pace as he headed towards the gangplanks, quickly scanning the deck for his slingshot, knowing that it had to be on the Sultana somewhere. He couldn't see it, and wondered if one of the pirates had found it after his mother had thrown it over.

  Giving up, he crossed the gangplanks to the Bonetta and descended the hatchway ladder, ignoring the constant glare of the pirate guard shadowing him. When he arrived in the common room, he hesitated at the bottom of the ladder. His mother was talking to Jack. Her head snapped towards him as his bare foot touched the deck.

  "John!" she cried and ran to him. "I'm so glad you've come back. I was worried." She wrapped her arms around him before he could escape.

  John froze as she embraced him. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do next. For a moment he contemplated pushing her away and climbing back up the ladder, but he didn't really want to spend another uncomfortable night in the crow's nest.

  "Can I stay with Jack in the galley?" he asked. "I've been helping him peel potatoes."

  " 'Tis true, the lad has been a great help," Jack added.

  "Well I don't see why not. As long as you stay out of trouble," she said sweetly. "I only came out to see if the cook had any of that fine tea with lemon," she smiled at Jack as she spoke, lifting up her cup.

  "Of course," Jack said as he took her cup from her. He disappeared into the galley and quickly came back with the amber liquid. "I added a lump of sugar," he said as he handed it back to her.

  "The captain has offered to teach you how to play chess," Alice said to John. "Perhaps you'd like to play a game with him. I'll leave you with the cook for now, but please, won't you come back to the captain's quarters for dinner?" Alice pleaded.

  John swallowed the lump of nerves that had formed in his throat. He wanted to yell: "No! I hate you!" But instead he nodded reluctantly.

  Alice cleared her throat. "Well … you know where I'll be," she said, then went back to the captain's quarters.

  John sighed with relief as she disappeared into the cabin. For the rest of the afternoon, John helped Jack in the galley, getting ready to serve dinner. He decided he would play nice with his mother for now, just until he could convince Black Sam to bring him on as a pirate's apprentice. He knew it would be easy to get away to the Sultana since he was expected to work in the galley with Jack. The cook cared for John but wasn't about to restrict his movements in any way. And as long as his mother believed he was with Jack, he didn't have to worry about making excuses.

  After dinner, Captain Savage taught John how to play chess. It was an interesting game that John took to with surprising attention.

  "I believe we have a natural military strategist here!" the captain exclaimed proudly as John beat him for the second time.

  "I'm so glad he has taken to it so enthusiastically," Alice said, peering over the cover of Bonifacius: Essays To Do Good.