“Listen up,” Kelley called out.
Most of the men stopped what they were doing in order to listen.
“As you know, this is the girl who’ll make us all rich. However, at the moment, she is unwilling to tell me where the treasure is. I’m thinkin’ a day or two tied to the mast with no food or water will loosin’ ‘er tongue, don’t you?”
With cruel enjoyment, the crew hooted and jeered as they watched the pirates take Skye to the mainmast. They put her back to it and tied ropes tightly around her. Kelley stepped in front of her and grinned maliciously.
“Now have you reconsidered?”
“No,” Skye answered, her mind set.
“Very well then. Once you’ve changed your mind, I’ll have you cut free.”
Turning, he strode away to his cabin and the crew returned to their work. Skye stared at Kelley until he disappeared behind his cabin door. Then her eyes roamed the ship, wondering how long she would have to endure before Kelley freed her. He would never let her die, not if he didn’t have the treasure, or at least she didn’t believe he would.
* * *
Night fell on the longest three days Will had ever lived through and finally the glittering lights of Tortuga appeared in the distance. They had spent the last three days working for their passage, just as they said they would. Will had never sailed before, but learned fast. Matthew, on the other hand, proved to be an experienced sailor, though he had never mentioned sailing to Will before.
At the once-infamous pirate port, Will and Matthew prepared to leave the ship. After gathering up their belongings, they thanked the captain for allowing them to sail with him and went ashore. Glancing over his shoulder to watch the ship sail away as they walked down the dock, Will desperately hoped that even if they didn’t find Matthew’s friend, they could still find another way off the island. He could already tell that it was not a place where he would want to be stranded.
Once in the city, Will’s feeling was compounded. Constant shouting and laughter that wouldn’t cease until very late into the night filled his ears. What was worse was that there seemed to be no manner of sanitation at all. Garbage filled the streets. Though the city wasn’t as heavily used by pirates as it had been in the past, many still came there. One man after another staggered past them on his way to and from the numerous taverns. Will couldn’t imagine finding anyone here who could help them, but he trusted that Matthew knew what he was doing.
They had gone some distance when Matthew stopped abruptly and said in great surprise, “There he is.”
Will followed Matthew’s gaze to four men. Two held one man tightly between them while the fourth man stood in front of him.
“Which one?” Will wondered.
“The one who is in trouble,” Matthew said wryly, shaking his head.
They took a few cautious steps closer, enough to hear the argument taking place.
“I want me money now!” shouted the man in front.
“I don’t exactly have it at the moment, but I promise I’ll pay you if you give me some time,” John replied. “And tell ya what, I’ll even give you more,” he said dramatically.
“The way I see it, I should get more anyway for havin’ to wait so long,” the first man declared.
“What I meant was you’ll get more than the more you were gonna get ‘cause you’ll have to wait a little longer.”
In no mood to listen, the man ignored John’s proposition. “I’ve wasted enough time.”
“How ‘bout I give you the map to this island where there is more treasure than you’ve ever seen in your life,” John said, reacting hastily, dangling the prospect of treasure as his last resort. “I’ll give it to you if you let me go.”
“‘How ‘bout ya just give it to me,” the man said pulling a pistol from his coat and pointing it at him.
John scrunched up his face and leaned his head back. “I don’t believe I can negotiate very well with a pistol pointed in my face.”
“Who said we was negotiatin’?” the man sneered. “All you have to do is give us the money and the map.”
“Well, I don’t exactly have either of ‘em with me,” John admitted.
“That’s too bad, ‘cause I’m through with waitin’,” the man decided. He pulled back the hammer to his pistol and aimed.
Matthew took quick action. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” he said walking up to them. “I have some business with this man and it won’t do me any good if he’s dead.”
“Then ya shoulda come to ‘im sooner,” replied the man with the pistol.
As he moved to pull the trigger, Matthew yanked out his sword and hit the pistol, which sent it flying a few feet away. It went off and the bullet nearly hit one of the other two men. They were about to draw their swords when they noticed Will just behind Matthew, his sword drawn as well.
“Now, can we do our business with this man or will there have to be a fight?” Matthew asked.
The two men looked to their leader, who paused for a long moment.
“All right, you can do yer business,” he answered finally. “But we want our money.”
“Well, I’ll talk to him about that, but right now it’s urgent that we have his help,” Matthew said.
Biding their time, the men walked off, likely heading for one of the taverns. Will and Matthew made certain they were gone before turning to John, who was obviously at least a little intoxicated.
Squinting, he asked, “Do I know you?”
Matthew sent Will an exasperated look before taking hold of John’s arm and pulling him into a lighter area, giving Will a chance to see the man better. His appearance certainly left no doubt that he was a pirate. He had long, dark, poorly-kept hair and his clothes were a bit ragged around the edges, having not seen a good washing in months. Will wondered if he would truly be able to help them find Skye.
John studied Matthew in better lighting. “Oh, you,” he muttered after a moment, scrunching up his face in displeasure.
“I would have expected a kindlier greeting for the man who saved your life,” Matthew chided.
“Saved it!” John exclaimed loudly. “You nearly got me killed!”
Matthew’s brow lowered. “You must be thinking of someone else because the way I remember it, you could have got me killed.”
John paused for a long moment and then shrugged before studying Matthew again with narrowed, dark eyes. “You look older.”
Matthew shook his head with a sigh. “If your memory serves you, you’ll remember the incident was almost fifteen years ago.”
John frowned, seemed to be counting, and then said, “It was, wasn’t it?”
Matthew could only sigh again. “Enough remembering past events, we need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”
Matthew had barely spoken before lightning lit up the sky producing an earsplitting crack of thunder.
“We’re not gonna stand out here, are we?” John asked, making a face and looking up at the black sky.
“Do you have a place to go?”
“Follow me,” John instructed and led them even further into the city.
* * *
Skye’s muscles ached and cramped. She tried to shift positions, but the ropes were too tight. She could barely feel her legs anymore, her throat cracked with thirst, and her stomach squeezed with hunger. She had been at the mast since morning the day before and her body was weakening. With growing desperation, she prayed that Kelley would soon free her.
Just as Skye began to drift off into a light sleep, a loud rumbling of thunder jolted her awake. She tipped her head to look up into a night sky which was darker than normal. Not a star could be seen. A flash of lightning lit the ship, followed by another thunder clap. Within minutes, the wind picked up fiercely, and drops of rain pelted at Skye’s face. As the wind grew stronger, crewmen hurried around deck, sails billowing and straining against the rigging.
The door of Kelley’s cabin burst open and Kelley strode out, scanning his ship. One of the crewmen rush
ed up to him and they spoke. The man then nodded and ran to where a bell hung and rang it loudly.
“All hands on deck!” he shouted over the ever-increasing roar of the wind.
* * *
Will took a seat with Matthew and John at a private table in the corner of the noisy, crowded tavern John had brought them to. The moment they entered, John had started toward the bar to get himself a mug of rum, but Matthew had stopped him, saying he’d had enough already.
“So what could possibly bring you all the way to Tortuga seekin’ me after fifteen years?” John asked, still moping over the missed drink.
“Three days ago, Kingston was attacked by pirates. They kidnapped a girl from the orphanage there—“
“So?” John interrupted.
“Let me finish,” Matthew stressed hastily. “She is like a daughter to me and no one is making an effort to find her.”
“And you want me to help you rescue her,” John said, rolling his eyes with a sigh.
“Yes.”
“Sorry, but you’ll have to find someone else to help you.” John stood to leave.
“Hold on a minute.” Matthew reached out to grab his arm, forcing him to sit back down. “I would not ask this if it wasn’t extremely important to me, but please help us and repay me for saving your life.”
John sighed heavily and put his head in his hands. Now why’d he have to go an’ say that? Truth be told, he could never say no to the man who had been his only friend those fifteen years ago when he’d faced imminent hanging. He couldn’t help but feel like he owed a debt, and he did vaguely remember telling Matthew that if ever he needed help, all he had to do was find him and ask.
“Oh, all right,” he said in exasperation, but then added, “if you buy me a drink.” He may not exactly want to help them find this girl, but at least he could get a little something out of it.
Matthew frowned, wanting strongly to deny the request, but then handed John a coin.
“Thank you,” John said with a cocky grin. “I’ll be right back to discuss the details.”
He returned momentarily with a large mug of rum. “Okay, so tell me exactly what happened.”
“As I said,” Matthew began, “three days ago, pirates attacked Kingston. They blew up the fort and some of the homes nearby. A band of them evidently came ashore because they broke into the orphanage and kidnapped the girl.”
“Did they raid the city or kidnap anyone else?” John wanted to know, a keen look in his eye belying his inebriated state.
“No.”
“Who is this girl an’ why would they want her?”
“You’ve heard of Daniel McHenry?”
“Of course. Anyone who knows anythin’ about pirates has heard of ‘im.”
“The girl is Skylar McHenry, his daughter.”
“I see,” John said with a nod. “And let me guess. These pirates are after the famous treasure her father was said to ‘ave hidden somewhere.”
Matthew nodded.
“Why don’tcha just wait? When she tells ‘em, they’re bound to let ‘er go,” John said, knowing it wasn’t the truth, but hoping he could get out of his agreement to help. “They’ll have no use for ‘er.”
“You and I both know that’s far from true,” Matthew countered. “Even if it were, I know that these particular pirates wouldn’t release her. For one thing, she promised her father she’d never tell anyone where the treasure is and nothing could make her break that promise. Number two, Daniel McHenry used to sail on this ship and he left the crew, taking a prisoner with him. The captain likely still holds a grudge, and he’ll take his revenge out on Skye.”
“Just who exactly are we goin’ after?” John wanted to know as he took a swig of his rum and tried to recall who Daniel McHenry had sailed with.
“Captain Francis Kelley.”
John nearly choked on his rum and slammed his mug back down. He looked wide-eyed at Matthew and then back at his mug.
“Okay, I think maybe you were right. I think I have had enough. I’m beginnin’ to hear things,” John said and pushed the rum away. “I could’ve sworn I heard you say the name Francis Kelley.”
“You did.”
“Okay, you did say it, and I should’ve known you were only jokin’,” John said with a nervous laugh.
“Listen,” Matthew emphasized with great seriousness. “I don’t have any reason or time for jokes. Skye was kidnapped by Kelley, and we are going to rescue her.”
“It’s a suicide mission!” John exclaimed. “Some of the best ships in the British Navy have gone after the Finder and none have been able to best her. You go after Kelley and even if you happened to survive an attack on your ship, you’d be captured and killed. Kelley is by no means known for kindness to his prisoners.”
“Exactly why we must rescue Skye before it’s too late. And if we die trying, so be it.”
John was silent for several seconds. “I’m crazy,” he muttered, “but I’ll still help you ‘cause I can see this girl means a lot to you.”
“She does,” Will said after sitting silent throughout the conversation.
John looked at him critically. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
“My name is William James,” Will replied. “I grew up with Skye in the orphanage.”
John nodded and then turned to ask Matthew, “What exactly is it you need?”
“A ship that will take us to find Kelley and then bring us back to Kingston when we’ve rescued Skye,” Matthew answered simply.
“I’d be changin’ the when to if,” John remarked. “Now about the ship. I’m lucky enough to have one at the moment, not a big one mind you, but she’s fast. I also have a small crew that’s been sailin’ with me for a coupla years now, and I’m hopin’ they’re loyal enough not to jump overboard as soon as they learn what we’re doin’. If that happens, I guess we’re goin’ after Kelley alone.”
With that settled, they left the tavern. Outside, rain poured down from the inky darkness above. John led Will and Matthew quickly to his ship. It was fairly small, as he had said, but it was in good shape and appeared to be very fast. The three eagerly took shelter from the rain below deck. Matthew and John sat down at a table to talk more, but Will decided to try to get some sleep. He hadn’t found much on the trip to Tortuga. Finding the hammock that John directed him to, he lay down and fell asleep.
Chapter Seven
Thick sheets of rain hammered the ship, and the masts creaked loudly as the sails strained against them. A blast of wind hit her and Skye groaned, pulling with all the strength she had left against the rough ropes that bound her to the mast. She couldn’t stand up any more. She had to sit down. Resting for a moment, she could barely see the crew scurrying through the rain.
She made one last desperate attempt to loosen the ropes and finally, because of the rain slicking down the mast, they slackened a little—just enough for her to slide down and sit. Finally able to rest, Skye realized how cold she was. The rain was like ice, and she had no shelter from the wind, which set her to shivering uncontrollably.
She huddled against the mast for hours before she noticed the wind begin to die down and the rain to lessen. The ship grew brighter as the sun rose, hidden behind thick clouds. Morning had arrived after a night that had seemed as though it would never end. Soon the wind died almost to nothing, but still it rained incessantly. Most of the ship’s wet and tired crew sought shelter below.
With no hope of comfort, Skye pulled her knees closer to her chest and rested her head on them. Her teeth chattered. How much longer would she have to bear it? She knew she could try pleading with Kelley, but she wouldn’t. It would only give him satisfaction.
Skye didn’t know whether to be relieved or apprehensive when footsteps came near. Lifting her head with what little strength she had left, she saw Kelley stop in front of her with two others.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” Kelley asked with a smirk. He didn’t even consider the possibility
that Skye might still oppose him.
Though exhausted, Skye’s eyes burned with determination. “The treasure will never be yours,” she declared hoarsely.
Kelley’s smile morphed into an expression of loathing. He whipped around and nodded curtly to the pirates who hastily untied the ropes around Skye. They took her by the arms and yanked her to her feet. She barely had the strength to walk with them, but somehow she made it below. Once in her cell, she collapsed. Sleep quickly took her, and she slept soundly without waking for many hours.
* * *
Will woke to find he was alone. He looked around the cabin and listened. Voices came from above deck. Slowly, he climbed out of the hammock, and after slipping on his boots, waistcoat, and sword, he headed for the stairs. He emerged topside to find the weather warm and only remnants of clouds remained.
Scanning the ship, Will spotted John near the wheel. Matthew sat on a barrel nearby, sharpening the edge of his sword. Will walked over to him and said good morning.
“Did you sleep well?” Matthew wanted to know.
“Better than I have the last few days.”
Matthew nodded in approval. “Good.”
The two of them fell silent, each occupied with his own thoughts. Will watched Matthew for a moment before glancing toward the stern. His eyes caught on John who was staring at him.
“I heard you sew clothes,” John said suddenly.
Will frowned. John seemed to be making fun of him.
“I worked for a tailor, if that’s what you mean,” Will corrected.
“And you work with soft cloth and little needles, is that right?” John asked, an unmistakable smirk creeping across his darkly-tanned face.