FANFIC: Familiarities With Pirates
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The life of a pirate was not all booty and blood, swash and swag. There were also the endless hours of tedium. Waiting to spy a prize. Waiting out the doldrums. Long days on an empty sea, with little to do and even less to amuse. Some crews found diversions in dice and cards, others in drink. All of which led to boasts and brawls and the inevitable knife fight on a barren beach.
“Why doesn’t he do something?” Will asked the Black Pearl’s quartermaster, as they witnessed another dispute being settled in the traditional piratical fashion.
Gibbs’ face was neutral but his voice betrayed his emotions. “Best not interfere with the likes of them,” he said with a sad shake of his grizzled head. “The pirate’s way is equal pay and equal say unless engagin’ in battle.” He gestured towards the two men sweating and grunting, locked in hand-to-hand combat, armed only with their wits and knives.
“But Jack’s their Captain.” Will glared at Jack lounging in the shade under a clump of palms. “He signed them on, he ought to be able to enforce the rules.”
Gibbs ran a weary hand through his hair. The lad meant well, but knew nothing about the ways of these cutthroats. Not that Gibbs wanted to see either McGee or Bartlett kill one another, both were valuable for their sailing skills as well as their swords. Unfortunately, both were also hotheads that held a grudge better than their rum.
“You know the Code’s more guidelines than actual rules,” Gibbs said. “Most men make their mark knowin’ full well they won’t be adhering to most of them. It’s what drove ‘em t’ turn pirate in the first place, escapin’ them rules.”
A loud cheer interrupted him as the burly Bartlett managed to pin his opponent on the sand, knife poised against his throat. The remainder of the crew were laying bets as to whether he’d finish the job, or show pity and let the other live.
Jack, who had showed little interest in the fight up to now, rose and ambled his way over to the circle of men surrounding the combatants. He made his way to the center of the crowd and looked down at his two recalcitrant crewmen. Without turning around, he acknowledged Gibbs who had joined him. “What say you, Mister Gibbs?”
“It ‘ppears Bartlett here drew first blood, that makes him the winner,” Gibbs said. “So gentleman, I suggest you settle your bets and make your peace.”
The two men stood up and shook hands, clapping one another on the backs like the best of friends. The group of men dispersed, leaving Jack, Gibbs and Will behind.
“Is that it?” Will asked, a puzzled look on his face.
“Aye, they made their point,” Gibbs explained. “There’s no reason for them t’ be killin’ one another, over mere trifles. He rubbed his chin and added, “More ‘n likely, they don’t even remember what it were they were fightin’ about.”
Will shook his head in disbelief. “So why fight at all?”
“To stave off the tedium, mostly.” Jack grinned at Will. “I imagine it’s all new and exciting to you, being fresh on the crew. Give it a month or two and you’ll be placing your bets alongside the rest.”
He turned to Gibbs and asked brightly, “How much do I owe you?”
Will’s mouth dropped open. “You bet on him?”
“Both of them, actually. After all, I am Captain of this ship, and being Captain it would not be conducive to me health to be choosing sides in a blood matter such as this.”
Jack fished a few coins out of his pocket to settle his debt. “I imagine one of them miscreants will be challenging you next,” he added. “No use acting the innocent, Will. You know well’s as me they’ve been sizin’ you up. Wondering what you’re made of.”
Will continued to stand there, mouth agape and an incredulous look on his face.
“I’m reckoning by the next time we make land. I suggest you choose the sword; knives can be a tricky thing. Now, we have a tide to catch.” Jack turned to join Gibbs and his crew at the boats. “Come along, William. And shut your mouth, you’re not a codfish.”
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True to his word, three days hadn’t passed before the challenge was made. Will had been sitting near the forecastle splicing the ends of lines, doing his best to fit in as part of the crew. What had seemed a good idea at the time was quickly souring. At first, the crew had been welcoming, having heard how Will had stood down the Commodore and rescued Jack from the gallows.
But, as the weary weeks wore on, with nothing to break the infernal monotony of the sea, the men had become more testy and impatient, the oppressive heat adding to their misery. The surlier the crew became, the more they looked for a target to take their frustrations out on. And who better than Jack’s latest recruit, the blacksmith turned “pirate”.
“Hey you, blacksmith!”
Will looked up from his task to find McGee standing over him, the hot-headed Irishman from Cork.
“Heard you thought t’ marry the Gov’nor’s daughter. Like a fine doxy like that would be marryin’ a peasant like you.”
“What’s it to you?” Will glared at McGee.
“Oh, me and the boys were just curious. Weren’t we, lads?”
A murmur of agreement went up from the half dozen men who had gathered around, each joining in on the conversation.
“What happen? You sully her honor and then try t’ cover it up?”
“I heard she never meant t’marry him t’all, not with the Commodore pressing suit.”
“The Gov’nor probably threatened t’ cut off his balls if he did.”
“Hell, I hear he ain’t got no balls.”
Will sprang to his feet with a frustrated snarl, reaching for his sword.
A hand on his arm stopped him. “You know the rules, Will. There’s t’ be no fightin’ on the Pearl.” Gibbs turned to the others. “That goes for the lot of you. Back to your stations, or it’ll be the bilge pumps for you.”
The men turned and went back to their duties, the momentary diversion over.
“What rules?” Will asked, his disgust evident. “Why bother to even have rules with the likes of them. They are nothing but blaggards and scoundrels.”
“Pirates!” Jack said brightly, joining them. His expression sobered. “It’s a pirate’s life, Will. They didn’t join up t’ be followin’ rules. But they’ve all signed the articles, same as you.”
“And them articles state clearly that every man’s quarrels be ended on shore, at sword or pistol.” Gibbs added.
Will shook his head. “I have no quarrel with them.”
“But they do with you,” Jack said. “And it won’t be ended until you settle it.”
“You are telling me to fight? Why should I have to prove anything to them?”
Jack sighed. “Because they’re pirates.”
“Cap’n’s right, Will.” Gibbs nodded towards the crewmen, who were surreptitiously keeping an eye on their conversation. “Everything’s an equal share. They just want t’ be sure everyone’s pullin’ their own weight.”
“We’ll be making port in two days time,” Jack said. “I’ve no doubt McGee will be wanting to finish off what he started today. Best be watchin’ your back in the meantime.”
Will scowled as Jack ambled off, stopping to converse with AnaMaria on his way to the helm. She nodded and came over to where Will was angrily slicing at the end of a line with his knife.
Squatting down next to him she said in a low voice, “Jack asked me to keep an eye on you.”
Between clenched teeth, Will managed an angry snarl, served with a glare underlining his words.
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“No, but you could use a friend among the crew.”
Will narrowed his eyes, lowering his work on his lap, and gave Ana a good, measuring look.
“There was a time I avoided familiarities with pirates.” Getting back to splicing, movements sharp and twitchy, he continued with a cold tone, “I’m beginning to think I was better off like that.”
Silence fell between the two, Ana mulling over what she’d just heard, then springing to her feet, drawing her hand back as if for a swipe over Will’s head, then landing it slowly on her belt.
Glancing at Will from head to toe along her nose, Ana sniffed indignantly. “And I’m beginning to think McGee has you figured. You do think yer better than the rest of us.” Wiping her hands to her breeches as if to cleanse herself of ever touching Will, Ana lifted her chin towards Will. “Fine, Master Turner, suit yerself. But remember, when it’s time for you to settle this, no one will come running to your aid, you’re on your own.”
With that, she turned her back on the young man.
Will watched her stalk away, his blood boiling. He’d settle this all right, once they made port. He’d be quitting the ship altogether.
****
“Think he’ll leave?” Gibbs asked Jack later that day. “Seems the lad might not be cut out for the pirate’s life.”
Jack pondered for a moment before answering. Had he made a mistake? He’d offered Will a chance to break free from his old life, put behind him the humiliation of having to watch his former fiancée marry the Commodore. To Jack, the freedom of the sea seemed just the right thing for Will Turner. Son of Bootstrap, pirate ran in his blood. ‘Bout time he squared with it.
But, as the weeks had passed, Jack had not seen a sign of the spirit and passion that he admired in Will. If he were not mistaken, Jack would say Will was pining away for his old life. Perhaps he ought to send him back, if not to Port Royal, then Nassau or Tortuga.
“We’ll let young William make that decision,” Jack said aloud. He consulted his compass, frowned and quickly snapped it shut once more. “Set a south south-west course Mr. Gibbs.”
Gibbs nodded and asked quietly, “Where we heading, Cap’n?”
Jack stared resolutely off at the horizon. “Port Royal.”
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On to Part 2