“Is she waving the death’s-head flag?” one of the sailors asked.
“Not yet,” Captain Frisk said, “but that doesn’t mean she won’t.”
I shaded my eyes as I tried to get a better look at the oncoming ship. It was large—much bigger than theAdventurer.
My pulse increased as the topsails were unfurled, and theAdventurerpicked up speed.
“All hands on deck,” the captain yelled as he pulled the spyglass from his eye, his voice and face set in stone. “She just raised the black flag.”
The activity increased as all the men, even Harry, went to work trying to outrun the pirate ship. I moved to a corner of the deck, trying to stay out of the way.
Captain Frisk called out orders as he kept his spyglass directed at the pirate ship. But it didn’t take a spyglass to see that the ship was drawing closer, and there was no way we could outrun her.
After another hour, Captain Frisk came to the same conclusion.
“Drop the mainsail,” he yelled to his crew, defeat in the slant of his shoulders. “She has us, boys. All we can do is surrender, or we risk an attack that could leave this ship at the bottom of the sea.”
“Who is it?” Timothy asked as he appeared at the rail beside me.
Harry wasn’t too far away, so he said, “Looks to be Captain Zale. That old cur has been sailing these waters for two decades, and he’s yet to be caught. Either he’s the most brilliant pirate in the Atlantic, or he’s fearless and not afraid to face the gallows.”
“Or he’s a ghost,” Timothy said. “I heard he disappeared after he got the King’s Pardon.”
“He did indeed,” Harry continued. “Ten years ago, but it was a ploy. As soon as Woodes Rogers left Nassau, Zale was back on the hunt. They say he’s still after the Queen’s Dowry.”
“Queen’s Dowry?” Timothy asked. “I thought the pirates gave up on that years ago.”
Whatever Harry was about to say was interrupted when the shipin question approached, looming almost twice as large as theAdventurer. An ominous black flag with the skull and crossbones flew proudly at the top of her main mast, whipping fiercely in the wind.
“What will happen to us?” I whispered to Harry as my eyes beheld the massive ship.
“Just keep to yourself,” he whispered back. “They’ll take what they want and then be done with us. As long as Captain Frisk complies, no blood should be shed.”
I swallowed and nodded. I knew how to keep to myself.
At least a hundred pirates lined the railing on the other ship, hooting and hollering their victory as some of them began to swing on ropes, landing with a thud on the main deck of theAdventurerto tie the two ships together. They were a rowdy, colorful bunch, of different ethnicities and carrying various weapons. Most of them were white, but there were Asians, Black men, and Indians among them. Their clothing was bright and influenced by fabrics from all around the world. Some wore red sashes around their waists, others had red scarves over their heads, and still others were shirtless.
Two imposing men appeared at the rail, both wearing all black, with swords at their sides. They carried themselves differently, with authority and confidence.
“That’s Captain Zale.” Harry cursed under his breath. “The older one.”
“And who’s the younger one?” Timothy asked.
“His son, Marcus Zale, the quartermaster of theOcean Curse. That ship has seen more battles than any other, I’d wager.”
I had quickly learned that the quartermaster was the second in command and was treated with the same respect and authority—though the captain’s say was final.
Both men had long dark hair, which was clubbed at the back and blew in the wind. Captain Zale had a dark beard, while his son was clean-shaven. They were both tall and broad, with focused vision as they surveyed the ship they had just taken without a fight.
I stared at both men, captivated by their presence. Even if I hadnot known they were pirates, I would have taken notice of them in any situation, at any time.
The son’s intense gaze scanned the main deck of theAdventurerand landed on me.
I caught my breath and looked down, trying to be small and invisible. After a moment, I looked up again, but he was still staring at me. I tried to step closer to Harry, my heart hammering hard in my chest.
The pirates secured the ship and bound Captain Frisk’s hands. Then the large Black man whistled, and Captain Zale and his son grabbed hold of two ropes and swung onto theAdventurer. Their long black coats fluttered in the wind, and they landed with a thud on the deck.
“Search the hold and the captain’s quarters,” Captain Zale ordered his men in a British accent. “Take anything of value.”
