Blackjack the Pirate

Brett Nolan Johnson

ISBN: 9781617922725

Prelude

There was a strange chill that streaked down my spine as I got my first look at the island a few hundred yards away. They forced me out of the ship that I had learned to love. I climbed into the row boat that rocked against the larger ship. The three others got into the little boat with me, Montour, Staliker, and the Captain. My shackles clanked as I moved my hands to brace myself as the boat rocked when the Captain got in. He looked at me and smirked, “You know Black…this didn’t have to happen.”

I chuckled, “And rot in hell with you, no thanks.” I smiled back.

“If you’re referring to the people I’ve killed, then try to think about the ones you yourself have killed.” He smiled at me, “And if you’re just now finding religion, then you’ll have plenty of time to get in touch with God on that island over there.” He pointed towards the island. The two other crew members chuckled as I took another glance at the approaching shores.

The waves were now pushing us towards the white sandy shores. The two crew members hopped out of the boat and pulled the boat closer to the shore. Captain Milligan gestured for me to get out. I hoped out of the tiny boat, and splashed into the warm Pacific water. I walked out of the water onto the soft sand. I stopped half way between the water and the trees to turn around and face the three pirates.

Milligan had his pistol out. My heart leaped at the thought of being shot on these shores. He smiled at me, showing his yellow teeth. Staliker came to me and took the shackles off my wrists. “It seems that your life as BlackJack the pirate has come to an end.” They turned and started to walk back to the row boat. As they rowed away I heard Milligan shout out, “Enjoy your very own island!” I could hear all three of them laughing at the comment. I stood there and felt my heart sink as the ship began to sail away. Sailing had been my adventure, it had been my life. I turned and looked at my new home. I sucked my lips in and made a popping noise. I walked to the water line and watched the ship disappear over the horizon. I looked in both directions and turned right. I began stepping foot by foot measuring the size of the island.

It was mid afternoon when I reached my starting point. I sat down doing the math in my head. I screamed out and grabbed a nearby stick and threw it into some palm trees. A few birds flew out. I thought to my self, “just over two and a half square miles!” I fell onto the sand, all of the emotions swirled in my head; hate, stress, sadness, loneliness. The sea breeze felt good as I bowed my head and began to cry.

Chapter 1

My name is Jack Abbott. I have green eyes, fair skin, and long brown curly hair, I stand at 5ft 9inches tall. I was born in 1658, in the slums of London. My mother died giving birth to me. As for me father, he worked in a factory and made very minimal wage. We hardly had enough money for our rent, let alone food. As early as I could remember I was put to work selling newspapers to help with our payments. When I would get home me father would often lock me out because he would have a lady friend over. I spent a majority of my time at me neighbors. His name was Nichols Andrus, a well learned man who taught me to read and write, something I knew me own father couldn’t do. It was through Nichols that I learned of adventure from the many stories he read to me. He told me stories of the Americas and the Islands of the Pacific. Adventure that I had only dreamed of.

When I was of the age of twelve, Nichols died. With my father paying very little attention to me, and having no need to stay, I headed for the nearest merchant port in London. As I reached a port, I saw the towering masts and the endless amount of trading going on. I was filled with excitement and adventure. An adventure full of mystery awaited me. But I needed a ship to stow away on, hoping that later if I was discovered I wouldn’t be tossed over the edge. But there it was, sitting in the murky water. A singled mast Carrack, it had six nine pound cannons mounted along the stern of the ship and flew the English flag. Its name was painted on the back, Mercy of the Sea. This merchant ship was made for me. I snuck on board hoping that the ship would cast off soon. After waiting for what seemed to me an eternity, the ship came to life with a crew of forty. It didn’t take long for someone to find me. The first mate, who found me, was simply named Cabanas. I was taken to the top where I met the captain. Captain Allen Grey. The crew was kind, and took me in as one of their own. That’s were I met my best mate, Francis Milligan. Only two years older then I was, he took it upon himself to teach me the basics of sailing. The first mate, Cabanas, who was a remarkable swordsman, taught me everything he knew about hand to hand combat. But it was Captain Grey that took me in as his own son. He taught me everything about navigation, maps, the stars, math and the best ways to live my personal life. As I grew older I continued to learn everything I could from the crew. I even found myself becoming the Helmsman, unless the Captain wanted to steer his own ship. Now I end this letter at the age of nineteen. That is my life as Jack Abbott. 13 of August, year 1677 

 I lifted my pen from the piece of paper I had been writing on. I looked up at Captain Grey who was steering the ship. It had been a full day since we spotted the Pirate ship that was shadowing us. It had put up its Jolly Roger flag as the captain looked at it through a spy glass.  The wind was good and strong. But it was no use trying to use the wind to get out of the sights of the pursuing ship. We were carrying a full load of sugar and also tobacco straight out of the Caribbean. As I started to roll up the small letter, I watched my dear friend Francis Milligan make his way over to me. Francis had red hair and wide green eyes. He was slightly shorter then I was, and walked very proudly.  He was an interesting person just to look at. However, he had the personality to back it up. He is very good at making friends and starting conversations. He had an uncle that was once on this ship. Francis lived in harsh conditions in Ireland, so his mother sent him to help on the ship with his uncle.  “Do you honestly believe that we won’t survive if the pirates decide to catch us?” he said with a half chuckle.

I slid the paper into an empty bottle. “I just figured someone might as well know my story besides you and half of the crew.”  I pushed a cork into the top of the bottle and tossed it overboard.

“Aye, I guess that be true. But I say we stick together. With our fighting skills, I’m sure we can defeat them.” He smirked as we began to make our way below deck. He began to talk quietly, “But if there are too many pirates, we surrender, and then live our lives as pirates.”

I chuckled, “Us as pirates? Constantly being chased by the law?” As we made our way over to the starboard side of the cannons, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being a pirate. The adventure would be endless.

The ship smashed into a larger wave. We both naturally braced ourselves. He looked at me as we sat down to check the ropes that held the cannons in place. Frances responded as if he had been reading my mined, “Aye, imagine the excitement!” There was a brief pause of silence, “If ye don’t join them, they’ll probably torture you, then slit ye throat. Them pirates, they’re always looking for new recruits” He gave a small chuckle.

“Then I’d best be joining their crew.” I said back to him. He smiled back at me showing his poor rotting teeth.

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