Beneath The Black Flag - Pirate on the High Seas

Beneath the Flag of Black:

The Life and Times of Commodore Geoffrey "Killjoy" Thorn


By:
Brian Bringazi

















Prologue

Killjoys reached in his pocket and pulled out a locket with the picture of his late wife Danielle. It has been twenty five years to the day since she had passed away. He looked at the music box that she left behind for him. Boom! The sound aroused Killjoy. "Mr. Johnson what the hell was that"; he yelled. "We are under an attack commodore.” Another shot rang out and landed right outside Killjoy's window. "All hands man your stations defend your post’s men.” A cannon rang out from the portside of the ship. The battle had begun. Killjoy had known that the time had come to avenge his son’s death. The guns blasted thick black smoke and deafening thunder made communication impossible. The enemy replied with a broadside shot that created havoc across the main deck. Splinters whirled around and bore into softer parts of the ship. Before Killjoy's eyes the cabin boy was impaled with a piece of yard that came falling off the mizzenmast. His crew was dropping like flies. Killjoy stood tall in his waistcoat with a pistol in the holster, his gray beard flowing in the eastern sea breeze, a cutlass by his side, and boots that were black as midnight. The pirates rushed to the quarterdecks to receive the commodore's orders.
"Reload. Reload or the devil will have ye!"he bellowed. He knew the battle was lost, but he would not go under without a fierce struggle. If he was captured, the gallows awaited him, he knew that. Admist the smoke and the crashing of falling rigging and masts a new sound threatened both ships. It was the sound of thunder; a storm was brewing in the west. "Commodore we must abandon ship," one of the crew members said. "You will stand your ground Mr. Ormond till the devil takes ye," Killjoy bellowed. Ormond was the grandson of Mary Ormond wife of Killjoy's best friend Edward Teach or as others knew him Blackbeard. As the storm drew closer Killjoy knew he had to make a run for it, but the masts were gone. Captain Woods was the commander on board the H.M.S. George II, a sixteen cannon, six hundred ton man of war. Woods decided in order to save his own ship that he and his crew would board the massive pirate ship Poseidon's Revenge. With a crew of three hundred sailors, and two hundred soldiers, Woods and his men threw grappling lines on to the pirate vessel; Killjoy had about eighty men killed before Woods could even get past the main deck. A young sailor who was by coincidence the son of Commander Woods was killed instantly. He was only nineteen and would have celebrated his twentieth birthday tomorrow. Commander Woods was informed about the death of his son. Killjoy's crew was ready to fight for their lives, along with their Commodore Geoffrey "Killjoy" Thorn. The clashing of metal was deafening. A young boy named Symond Gray, no younger than eleven, had got sliced in half by a loose ratline. Killjoy knew the end was drawing near, but there would be no way he would be captured.
The crew continued to fight for their freedom, Killjoy went to retrieve his pistol that he kept locked away and just as killjoy unlocked the cabinet ; his first mate Sam Creek ran into the cabin to receive the captains next orders. "We continue to fight to the bitter end, and maybe we will have enough crew left to take the enemy's ship"; Killjoy bellowed. The winds were picking up and the rain had started to come down in sheets. Visibility was limited and the sky started to roar with cannon fire and thunder . Killjoy knew time was crucially in need. Hoping to escape the gallows, Killjoy decided to order the crew to abandon ship, and he hated it but it was crucial to his crew's and his own survival. The crew gathered what was left of the smaller boats, dropped them in the sea, rowed to shore and hide in the nearest foliage. Killjoy had gotten on the last raft and rowed to shore. Woods knew the battle wasn't over. The ocean was treacherous to cross on small life boats, but Killjoy and his crew ,or what was left of them had no other choice. It was either take a risk and row to shore to hide or be captured and hung in the gallows. Killjoy felt like a coward, he has never ran from a battle. Why should this time be any different?
The storm churned the seas and tossed the row boats around like rag dolls. The crew was only thirty feet from the Spanish settlement now, but Killjoy felt like he had let his father and friends down by running. Meanwhile Woods returned to his ship with only one hundred and eighty men with him to seek shelter from the storm. Upon returning to the ship a messenger had informed Woods of the death of his son. "It was Commodore Killjoy who killed young Thomas", the messenger said. Woods vowed that the next morning he would either capture Killjoy and his crew or kill them himself for the death of his son. The crew of Poseidon's Revenge had reached land safely and now had to seek shelter from the storm as well. Killjoy's boat rowed ashore; as he stepped on the sandy beach with rain blowing in his face he told the crew to make camp for the night. Killjoy called a meeting with his first mate and lieutenants to make plans for a battle on shore with Captain Woods. "Since he destroyed our ship; that bloody Woods will have to come ashore to capture us, and we shall make him pay for killing our shipmates, destroying our ship, and making life miserable for us." That night Killjoy and his second in command made plans for battle that would take place the next morning. Woods had also called a meeting with his lower ranking officers once the storm blew over, and vowed that Killjoy would not leave the island a free man. Woods was speaking with hate and anger in his voice. On shore the pirates had set up tents and wooden huts to shelter them from the rain. Killjoy stayed up most of the night planning the battle that was going to occur tomorrow.
The storm lasted on through the night and the following morning Woods had gathered one hundred and twenty soldiers out of the one hundred and eighty men that were left of the sailors and soldiers put together, and got in the row boats and started for the shore line. Killjoy's crew started at five hundred and only two hundred and thirty were left. They had saved most of the swords, muskets, and pistols that were on board the ship the night before. Now they laid in hiding and waited for Woods and his crew to go ashore where they would ambush the captain and his men. Woods stepped on the sandy shoreline and called out to Killjoy to either surrender or be shot and killed on sight. Killjoy just sat with his men and waited for the right time to attack. Woods had realized that Killjoy was not going to surrender; either way it didn't matter to him. He wanted revenge for the death of his son. "The sooner we capture or kill that damned fool the happier I’ll be"; he said. Then out of no where Woods' lieutenant was shot in the head and the battle had begun. Two hundred pirates emerged from the trees and began to fire on the British soldiers and their captain. The soldiers returned fire and the enraged captain ordered the men to charge. With bayonets drawn; the soldiers charged towards the pirates and the pirates made ready to fight with their cutlasses.
The clanging of cutlasses and bayonets was deafening which made communication difficult, but that made no difference. Woods was already engaged in a sword fight with Killjoy. Killjoy held his ground till the best of his ability. For three hours the battle raged on, and then finally after sixty British soldiers and two hundred pirates were killed the battle finally ended. Captain Killjoy had lost the battle and a majority of his crew. Covered in blood Killjoy and the thirty remaining crew was escorted to the H.M.S. George II and placed in irons. The ship would sail back to Port Royal and they would be tried and sentence. After Woods and his crew sailed into port Killjoy and his crew were escorted to the jail where they would wait for their trial. Killjoy sat in jail for two months before he stood trial. The day of his trial he went in front of the governor. "Geoffrey Thorn you are hereby sentenced to hang by the neck until you are dead in accordance with his majesty's law". "What are my charges governor"; Killjoy asked. "Your charges are acts of piracy on the high seas, murder, treason against the crown, and unlawful trading". With a smirk on Killjoy's face he asked; Is that all your honor. "Silence Mr. Thorn"; bellowed the governor. "It's Commodore Geoffrey "Killjoy" Thorn to you"; you son of a bitch; yelled Dread. "Guard send him away this instance". Dread was taken back to his cell to await the carrying out of his sentence. As the guard locked the cell door; Killjoy bellowed out that he would return to haunt the good people of Port Royal and vengeance shall be his. A young man sitting near the door had awoken with a start. Quiet old man or I shall smash your skull against the wall to shut you up. Not knowing who Killjoy was he fell back asleep. The next morning Killjoy was hard at work trying to figure out a way to escape from his cell. "It's no use"; the young man said. "What the hell would you know about what I am doing you troublesome heathen"; Killjoy replied? "By the way, my name is Simon; and I didn't have the pleasure of getting your's sir."
Killjoy looked at the young man with a bit of confusion. Didn't he know who he was? Seeing the point what the young man was talking about trying to escape was useless; he decided to sit down and talk with the young man. "Well Simon what are you in here for"; he asked. "I am in here for stealing from the local blacksmith; my sentence is that I too will be hanged." "How old are you Simon"; Killjoy asked. "I am turning 21 in a month"; he replied. "Such a young age for a boy like you to be hanged." "I wish I could have sailed the sea with some of these famous pirates that I am always hearing about." "It seems like to me you would have made a damn fine pirate too mate"; Dread said. "How do you know that"; Simon asked. "Well because I am one of those famous pirates you were just talking about". "What do you mean you are one of those famous pirates?" "Well if you would like I will tell you my life story I want someone to hear it before I die so no one will forget who I am after I am dead";replied Killjoy. "Old man I have all the time in the world right now; please sit down and tell me". "Make me a promise Simon". "Name it; anything you want". "If you make it out here alive as in escape; tell your friends and family about me"; Killjoy said. "You have got yourself a promise"; Simon replied. "Well las sit down for you are about to listen to a story of great adventure"; Killjoy said.







Chapter 1

My name is Commodore Geoffrey Thorn or better known as Commodore Killjoy. Today is July 6th, 1745. I am awaiting to dance with Jack Ketchum. My charge is piracy. I want people to remember me when I am gone so I am telling the story of my life from my birth as it was told to me by my father to the last few days before I am to be hung by the neck until dead. My parents were James Thorn and Katerina Da Costa. As a boy my father was a privateer in the Carribean Islands. James was born in Canterbury England. As a young boy my father worked in the local docks with his father. When he grew older he decided to join the Royal Navy to see the world and to experience adventure. Eventually he became a privateer for his majesty King to raid the Spanish ships that sailed the coast. Father moved to the Carribean to further his career as a Privateer and served under a man by the name of Captain Henry Morgan. Once father learned that he was not going to receive his pay from Morgan or the king my father decided that he was going to be a pirate till then end of his days. He served on the Sea Goddess under Captain Andrew Gray or better known as Captain Roam. My father met my mother on the island called Madagascar. She was a bar maid at the tavern called Calypso's Kitchen. The Sea Goddess was a regular sight at Madagascar’s popular port Toliara. The crew was allowed to go ashore while they were in port. Father always went into Calypso's Kitchen to drink rum and to learn any news of the Royal Navy and their plans to attack. One particular night father was feeling like he needed more than the sea so he asked the tavern owner about his bar maid Katerina for a companion. Katerina was beautiful Portuguese woman who had been traded to the owner of Calypso's Kitchen for food by her tribe.
After being in Toliara a week the sea goddess set sail for unchartered waters. My father often visited my mother when they returned to Toliara. It was May 4th, 1682 when my mother became pregnant with me. She had sent a letter to my father telling him the news. The next time the sea goddess was in port at Toliara father went to see mother and that very night she gave birth to me. I don't remember anything of my mother she died before I knew who she was. My father told me that after she gave birth to me she was allowed on board the ship and for about six months she sailed the seas with my father and took care of me. After being six months at sea my mother came down with the plague and died two weeks before the ship pulled into port. Mother was buried to sea and went to Davey Jones Locker. From the age of two to the age of fifteen I was raised by my father. Shortly after I left the sea goddess to pursue my own career father retired on Toliara. Two years later I learned that the East India Trading Company was hanging the whole town for piracy and harboring pirates. Father was one of the few who escaped. Three years after he escaped Toliara and the gallows, he was arrested here in Port Royal, Jamaica and was hung. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me go back to my life and I will come back to fathers fate later.
I was three years old when I first helped on a ship. Father had me help him swab the decks since I was so little and not old enough to do anything else. As I grew older father decided that I needed a tutor so I could be educated unlike him who had no knowledge of reading or writing. Captain Gray became my tutor teaching the ways of the sea, math, how to tie certain knots, the sacred code of pirates, reading, and writing.
During my days on the sea goddess I got to know most of the crew. One particular man was a man named Sandy Bartholomew Crocker who was a carpenter on the ship. Good ol' Bart was good for telling stories of giant squids and lost ships. Being that I was the only young boy on the ship Bart always had stories to tell for me. As I grew older I like the rest of the crew advanced up the ranks. Around my 6th birthday I was appointed cabin boy. Unlike most cabin boys I was treated really well. I always did what I was told to do, the captain never had a problem with me or my service. My day was always planned out for me; during the morning I was in class with Captain Gray and during the afternoon I was fulfilling my duty as a cabin boy. There was many adventure filled days growing up, such as the day a hurricane hit the local Spanish island of Cuba. I remember watching my father fix the riggings so the sail wouldn't tear. Captain let me stay in his quarters till the storm was over. Can you imagine a seven year old little boy serving on a pirate ship with his father? There was one particular time when we had sailed into the Madagascar to get African slaves. I was in amazement. I had never seen people that looked like that before. Two years came and went and during that time I have seen things that every little boy dreams of at that age. On my ninth birthday I was promoted to cooper. My tenth birthday came and Bart Crocker taught me carpentry . By age eleven I knew how to repair the ship, how to cook for the captain, and the rigging systems. At age 12 I was well on my way to first mate of the sea goddess. The original first mate was a man named Simon White; who perished at sea during a storm we encountered.
Captain Gray was very impressed with the way I handled myself in the position of first mate.On April 21st, 1694 we made port off the coast of Madagascar, and picked up supplies for the ship such as wood and slaves. Most of the time we mainly picked up supplies and took rest while we were in port. Captain Gray had said that we were running low on men and needed more people to run the ship, so the captain started forcing people into service. By mid summer we had acquired enough loot and gold to get a new ship. The good captain named the new ship the Mermaids Purse. We had stopped near the coast of Hispaniola and attacked a merchant ship leaving the Spanish main that was heading to the florida coast to trade with the colonies. The time had come for me to finally get in on the action. A crew member of the merchant ship had whispered something to another crew member, so I shot him dead. The captain was in a meeting with the captain of the merchant ship. When he saw the man that I had shot; he asked me what was my reason for shooting him, so I told him that I was preventing a mutiny. He just laughed and told me good job. We allowed the captain and the rest of his crew to leave their ship behind and sail away. They did just that. and Captain Gray and I along with the rest of the crew had acquired a new ship. Father was made captain of the new ship and he renamed it from The Regina to The Rage of The Sea. Captain Gray's Ships had a rule over the sea. I was first mate on the Sea Goddess, father was captain on board The Rage of the Sea, and Captain Roam was captain of the Sea Goddess. No one dared trying to retaliate against us. After about a year we heavily armed The Rage of The Sea with six cannons, and a crew of two hundred men.
A year had went by and not much had changed except the weather. Some days it was windy and hot as hell; other days we had thunderstorm after thunderstorm. We sailed every ocean known to man. There wasn't a single port I have not been in. As time moved on I learned new skills such as fighting with a cutlass and loading a cannon. I was very eager to learn everything there was to learn on board a pirate ship. At age thirteen I had knowledge that no other thirteen year old had at the time which was how to sort the barrels of black powder, being a lookout, and giving out orders to the crew. I was a full blown leader by the time I was fourteen. My fourteenth birthday came around and Captain Gray decided to make port in Toliara to celebrate my birthday. They took me to Calypso's Kitchen to celebrate it, and we drank rum and I even got my first taste of love. One of the girls that lived on the island was in the tavern that night. Her name was Katherine and she was a bar maid that had been working that evening. I instantly fell head over heels, so I walked over to where she was and introduced myself. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot so to speak. My name is Geoffrey and I would love to have your company tonight miss. She slapped me across the face. The captain and the other crew members along with my father just sat back and laughed. Being confused about everything; I walked back over to our table where the captain was sitting and asked him what I did wrong. Well you see lad, not every woman in here is easy to get. Try to talk to her again; only this time ask her for her name, so I walked back over to her and said My name is Geoffrey; what is your name if I may ask? Katherine, she replied. We spent the rest of the night talking. The next morning the captain made ready for our next voyage. I never saw her after that. We returned to Toliara several times, but I had learned that she died from cholera two moths after we left Tortuga. A year had passed since I met Katherine and I had been to countries I never knew existed. My fifthteenth birthday was spent in the Portugal. I went with the captain to obtain food for the ship. The Spanish never knew we were there. It would have been disastrous if they had found out. We left two days later and set sail for the coast of Cuba. From Cuba we sailed the ocean looking for any merchant ships with any valuable loot on it. A year had passed and it was rough because of the trading business was taking different routes to escape being pillaged by us pirates.
I was sixteen and had seen many things that most sixteen year olds could only dream of while working as a apprentice or working on their fathers farm. At sixteen I was first mate on the Sea Goddess and was earning a reputation as a fierce pirate. Some people believed I was almost as fierce as Captain Gray himself. That same year we encountered a fierce some hurricane. We lost about half the crew as waves crashed on to the maindeck and washed them away. Captain Gray kept telling me that the great goddess of the sea Calypso was angry, and that some sailor must have upset her. In my spare time I studied up on the myths and legends of the Greeks and the romans. I was very educated for a sixteen year old pirate. We had survived the hurricane barely, so we had to get new crew members since we lost half our crew during the hurricane. Captain Gray decided to go to Tortuga to see if we could get some volunteers before we resulted to forcing people into joining the crew. About three days of being in Tortuga, we had about eighty volunteers and twenty forced crew members. After leaving Tortuga the captain became deathly ill, the crew decided to take a vote on who would be captain if Captain Gray died. They chose me and we waited to see how the captains health would turn out. The doctor we had on board the ship said that the captain had a little over six weeks left. One night Captain Gray called me to his quarters to talk to me. Thorn you have served me well and I would like for you to take command of the ship and I would like to buried at sea. I promised him that his wish would be fulfilled.
Six weeks later Captain Gray died and we had buried him at sea just like he asked me to. About a month after Captain Gray died father decided he was going to retire as a pirate and live in Port Royal for the rest of his life. His ship and crew were taken over by his first mate, I had become captain of the sea goddess and life was good. Father sailed into Port Royal on February 23, 1699, and it would be the last time I saw my father. I had sailed with him to Port Royal to say my goodbyes. Three hours after we left Port Royal the East India Trading Company had found father in a local pub drinking to his health. He was arrested on the spot and carried to jail to await trial. A close friend of my father's and mine had sent word to the ship. When the news reached the ship the crew voted that we sail back to Port Royal to set him free, but we didn't have the strength nor the ability to sail into port safely and defend ourselves. East India Trading Company had about three man of wars in the harbor and we had only one hundred ton sloop with six guns, and a crew of one hundred and fifty men. There was no way we could have helped him; so I sent word to some other ships that we needed help to free some prisoners out of Port Royals Prison.
One ship that answered the call was Captain Benjamin Hornigold's The Bonnett. Now we had a chance of freeing my father. Hornigold arrived around April 16th and dropped anchor off Port Royal's coast. That night Hornigold along with his lieutenant Edward Thatch who would eventually become a very good friend of mine came aboard the ship to discuss how we were going to go about freeing my father. It was decided that The Bonnett would fire upon the ships in port to create a diversion; while Poseidon's Revenge would fire upon the prison to blow a hole in the wall, so my father could escape. The plan was successful. Father escaped and was brought on board my ship. "Captain Mr. Thorn has arrived"; the first mate said. Bring him to my cabin at once; I said. Father walked in overjoyed and happy to see me again. Captain Thorn James Thorn at your service that is if you will have me. Of course I will have you Mr. Thorn. What is it that the good captain will have me do? You shall help the crew prepare the rigging to set sail. Aye, Aye captain. Father sailed with us for a couple of months; then he requested to be taking to Virginia where he would spend the rest of his days, or so he thought. I soon learned that shortly after we took him to Virginia he was arrested and hanged for escaping from Fort Royal's prison and piracy, and murder. From that point on I swore a vengeance on England and the East India Trading Company.
May fourth sixteen-ninety-nine I turned seventeen and it should have been a happy day for me, but it was just the opposite. It had been a over a year since my father was hanged for piracy. Since then I plundered every merchant ship from the western Carribean to the New England Colonies; burning every town from home to the capital where their governor stayed. The crew decided that it would be best to keep my name a secret, so when people asked who were they sailing under they just told them Captain Killjoy. Thence forth I acquired the nickname Killjoy. Merchant captains could not believe that a seventeen year old boy was commanding a ship and successfully plundered them. One particular ship we captured was carrying gold bars to take to the Spanish colonies for safe keeping. The captain was amazed at who was robbing them of their wealth. You are just a kid. How is this possible that a kid is commanding a ship when he should be a cabin boy? Mark Dogwood, my quartermaster overheard the captain talking bad about me and shot him in the heart on the spot. The rest of the crew on board the merchant vessel who didn't volunteer to join our crew was marooned on a deserted island that I can't remember the name of.. We encountered more and more English merchant ships as time went on. One of them in particular was carrying some important documents regarding shipments from England to the new England colonies. We came up on the ships starboard side and demanded that the cap'n stand down and allow us to come on board. Once the crew and I boarded the ship I demanded to know who the captain was. A man standing about six foot, three inches claimed to be the cap'n, so I took quarters with him and asked what did he have on board. Nothing that concerns you I can assure. Now look here I will have your lights and liver if you don't tell me what is on board this ship and who you work for, I replied with hate in my voice. The crew had pillaged the entire ship and the captain finally decided to answer my question. After I learned that he was carrying documents regarding shipments from England to the New England colonies, I made the captain think that I was going to let him live and instead I ordered the crew to lock the captain and his crew in the cargo hold and then burn the poor excuse of a ship. The captain and his hands was burned alive.
Me eighteenth birthday came around and we decided to set sail for France to celebrate with an acquaintance that we met while pillaging the eastern hemisphere of the world. His name was Acelin Buose and captain of The Rogue. Bouse was lord of the seas in that part of the world. As we arrived into port Bouse was waiting on the decks, welcoming us to his lavish abode. Bouse and I went to drink'n most of the night and discussed my plans on destroying the trading empire. Bouse agreed that I should take out the East India Trading Company first then work on the rest of the trade companys later. The following morning I roused the crew to hoist the colors and weigh anchor to begin the greatest crusade a pirate could ever embark on. I would make the East India Trading Company pay for my father's death. Bouse decided to accompany me on my crusade with a fleet made of three sloops, two Man of wars, and his pride and joy the Rouge. We were at sea for about three days when we came upon a Spanish Galleon. Bouse approached the vessel on the starboard side while I came up on the port side and cage the ship in. The crew and I boarded the ship while Bouse made sure that no other ship was following the galleon. I took quarters with the Spanish captain but because he spoke a language that I didn't understand, so one of my crew knew the language and came in to tell me what he was sayin. The rest of the crew pillaged the ship and Bouse's crew helped, and strangely enough Bouse didn't want a share of the plunder that we had acquired. After the ship was picked clean, I ordered the crew to put the galleons crew in the captains cabin and burn the ship to the water. Before the crew started to throw tar and pitch on the main deck a few of the Spanish merchants volunteered for being part of the crew. I accepted their service and let them on board, but the rest of the crew and the captain were sent to their death in the captains quarters.
Three days after the encounter with the Spanish galleon, we saw a British merchant ship with the British flag sailing in the afternoon breeze. Bouse decided that I could take the ship with my crew. We came up on the ships port side and instantly they surrendered. The captain asked me for quarters, I took him in making him believe that he was going to remain alive. As usual the crew pillaged the ship, the captain was talking with me on board the Sea Goddess, and after I was told that the ship was picked clean I told the captain that he is to board his ship and follow my first mates orders. Me hearties forced the captain and his crew into the cargo, shut and barred the doors, and sent the ship and her crew to davey Jones locker. Over the next few weeks we continued capturing ships and burning them to the ground. Some of the ships were even ran aground and then lit it a blaze. We heard rumors of the king learning of what we had done and that he was planning to capture and hang us for our actions. I decided that if his majesty wanted us, he would have to catch us first. The Sea goddess was the fastest ship in the seven seas. June twenty first seventeen hundred the king had sent a ship named the Manatee to catch us. The Manatee came in a birds eye view of our hull on July seventeenth. Our lookout had called out Sail ho. Me and me hearties rushed to the main deck to see what in the hell was going on. I took my spyglass and looked out over the hull and saw a British flag blowing in the wind. Damn them sea dogs, they shall pay for killing my father. My voice was filled with pure hate and the crew knew the time had come to show no intention on surrendering. Instead of our usual black flag the crew hoisted the red flag with death's head on it as most British sailors called it. I was ready and willing to fight. Me hearties were ordered to drop anchor and wait. About three o' clock a rowboat came up on our starboard side. It was a messenger from the Manatee carrying a message from the captain sayin that if we surrender no harm shall befall us. I just laughed at the message and the messenger and told him to tell his beloved captain that Captain Killjoy and his crew won't have no surrender and asked if his captain was a complete idiot. What on earth do you mean, the messenger asked? I just shot him in the heart and killed him. The crew placed his body back in the row boat and sent it back to the Manatee. I am guessing that upon receiving his messenger's body he took notice that we intend to not surrender. About twenty minutes after that the Manatee fired a shot that missed our main mast by a few inches. The bo’s’n turned the ship around to return fire. The powder monkeys loaded the cannons with a double shot. I gave the command to fire. H.M.S. Manatee had received no damages but the double shot took off a sailors head clean off his shoulders. We still didn't know what the Manatees strength was. They finally caught up to us to where we could see how many sailors and soldiers were on board. I estimated about two hundred sailors and three hundred of his majesty's finest soldiers. Bah!, damn cowards I say. I didn't care to know the captains name nor what his orders were. Me hearties grabbed grappling lines and planned to board the ship. One of the finest crews I ever commanded I tell you.
The men threw the lines on the the ship, and some even swung from a rope on to the other ship. Do you remember Bart Crocker? Well he decided that he wasn't going to let his beauty go under, so he grabbed a cutlass and began fighting as well. Not longer after he started fighting; Bart was shot. The crew had liked bart as much as I did. When one of the crew members seen him get shot they rushed to his aide, but it was too late. Bart had died that day. I do miss the ol' sea dog. Damn fine sailor at that. We fired at close range hoping to destroy the ship. Most of the crew returned to the ship noticing what the plan was. However; being that we were at close range the Manatee decided to return fire. One shot soared through our bilge and caused the Sea goddess to take on water. Realizing that I was putting the crew and myself in danger by staying on the ship, I gave the order to abandon ship but vowed that I would return to my crusade on tearing the British empire and the trading companies to ruins. The row boats were tossed into the water and filled with the crew. My row boat was the last to be tossed in the sea, cause the cap'n is suppose to stay with the ship. I would not let myself be captured. Me hearties and myself rowed out of view from the war ship. The row boats stayed in the ocean for three days before a fellow pirate captain and good friend of mine came along and brought us on board. The fellow cap'n was Captain Benjamin Hornigold who was sailing nearby and happened to see our ship go down. Hornigold told me that he decided to go looking for us and that he was damn glad that we were alive and well. I told Hornigold what I was doing and what actions I had taken to make sure that the crusade would work. He was interested in joining my little crusade. We parted ways with Hornigold and his men to set sail for the coast of Madagascar to acquire slaves to help with the plan I was coming up with. Hornigold gave me a ship that he had captured, so I could sail to Madagascar. September tenth we had arrived into the coastal port of Morondava. The chief was friendly enough and gave us shelter and three hundred slaves to help accomplish my plan. The next few days I ordered the slaves to start building my new flag ship.
Meanwhile the crew and I made shelter within the local tribe to await the building of the new ship. It took six months to build a new ship and by that time my crew had went from a mere two hundred to over six hundred men that was made of slaves, free men and even rouge merchants that passed by. The ship was named Dead Man's Chest after my father and the good men we lost in battle six months prior to us leaving Madagascar. Two days at sea and not one ship even crossed our path. I became very frustrated and angry at the situation. Supplies were running low and the men started talking of leaving the ship. With the rumors I was hearing; I decided to make a announcement."Any man who feels like leaving the ship better think twice or you will be shot on sight". The men finally decided to stay and that they would keep their mouths shut for the rest of the voyage. A month had went by and finally our lookout shouted out "Sail ho!". I grabbed my spyglass and spotted a Spanish Galleon that was twice the size of my ship. From the looks I’d say she had about forty cannons, a crew of about four hundred men, and weighed about twelve hundred tons. The ship I was on at the time only about six hundred tons, and the Spanish galleon was a perfect fit for me and my crew. I knew it would take skill and cunning wits to take over the ship, but I was bound and determined that it would be mine. The bo’s’n swung the ship around to the galleon's starboard side , and once the Spanish crew saw the flag that flew on the main mast they surrendered immediately hoping that we would spare their lives. We boarded the massive vessel and immediately started looking for valuables and Spanish gold. After the crew was done pillaging the ship, I claimed the newly acquired ship as my new flagship. I named the ship Poseidon's Revenge. We marooned the crew on a little island of the coast of Portugal.
After leaving Portugal the crew and I set sail for the English channel where we continued our quest for revenge. About four hundred miles off the British coast we would make our presence known. We pulled into the English Channel around ten o'clock on the eve of April seventeenth, 1701. Paying no mind to the warnings that were posted about us pirates as they called us we decided to open fire to announce our entrance. The crew went ashore to pillage the town. Most of the towns people were afraid so they willingly gave up their merchandise to keep from getting killed. Young boys were taking from their families to serve under my command on the high sea. We needed more crew members to keep the ships afloat. One man was forced to serve as a carpenter on the ship. The crew decided that since my nineteenth Birthday was arriving in a few weeks that they would make the local carpenter make brand new furniture for my cabin. I was becoming a well known name from the Atlantic ocean to the eastern Caribbean. By the time we had left the English channel the poor town of Brighton lay in ruins. The King heard word of this. His majesty thought we were dead and once he learned that Captain Geoffrey Thorn was still alive and well, he became enraged and sent orders to all the colonies in every part of the world to ready their men and be prepared to either capture or kill me and my crew. Poseidon's Revenge was now the fastest ship that sailed the seven oceans and no vessel merchant nor war ship could catch us.
With half of the western hemisphere on the lookout for us; we decided to sail to Sardinia and see what we could find there. Around May first, we sailed into Cagliari a little town in Sardinia. The crew went ashore to meet with a rogue merchant captain named Richard Midnight. Midnight was living in Cagliari to hide from the East India Trading Company who was after him for illegal trade. He seemed like a perfect fit for my service. After the crew returned to the ship, they had told me about this bulky figure of a man. "A very timid sort of character"; one crew member said. "Bring this man to my cabin at once". "I wish to meet this man who wishes to join my crew"; I replied. Shortly after the crew left to bring the man to see me, I had received word that King George and The king of Spain was collaborating to capture me and bring me to justice. HaHaHa damn bloody fools had no idea that I was going around to different ports in the Mediterranean Sea to seek all those who wish to join in my crusade to bring down any authority who stood in our way. The crew returned with Midnight and brought him aboard the ship. My first mate brought him in. "Cap'n Mr. Midnight as you requested". "Please sit down Mr. Midnight". "Allow me to introduce myself". When he realized that I was only just a boy as he put it, he tried to leave the ship, but the crew barred him from doing so. "Your just a damn kid, a cabin boy". "I demand to know where the captain is"; he bellowed. "You are looking at him Mr. Midnight". "I am the captain of this ship and commander of the two vessels". "Now please do take a seat and lets talk". "You said you would like to join my crew; well I am giving you the chance I need all the help I can get"; I replied. Well about two hours into the conversation I finally convinced him to join us. My soon to be fleet now had three ships; two which had guns to defend itself. Before we left port; I went ashore to have me a drink and to find me a tailor to make me a captains suit. I had came upon a little tavern called The Triton. As I walked I felt like everyone was staring at me like a stranger from a foreign land even though I was, but I would make sure that they never forget who I was.
Upon sitting down, A beautiful English woman came walking down a flight of stairs next to the bar. I just had to know who she was. "You there! Barkeep!" "Who is that lovely young lady over there by the stairs"; I asked. "That woman be the lovely Danielle Brown; the lovely widow of Good Ol' Cap'n Franklin Brown"; he replied. "If I may ask what happened to the late Cap'n Brown"; I asked. "He died at sea in a fight with that damned East India Trading Company"; the barkeep replied. It had been five years since I felt the warmth of a woman's heart. This time I would win over this woman's heart. I causally and arrogantly walked over and introduced myself as Cap'n Geoffrey Thorn. "Ya and your point being"; she replied in a feisty manner. "Well Ms. Brown I would like to enjoy your company if that be alright with you". "What kind of a woman do you think I am Captain Thorn"; she replied. "Well you Ms. Brown it does get lonely on the high sea and would like to have some company write to me stuff of that nature". "Well Captain Thorn I do write to your type; for it was your type that took my late husband from me"."If you are looking for that try one of the local whores". "I am a woman who has self respect and dignity"; she replied. "Ms. Brown how old are you"; I asked. "Captain Thorn if that is what you truly are, you are asking the wrong person". "Please Ms. Brown..."; I stopped. As soon as I got close enough to touch her, she grabbed my cutlass and pointed the blade at my heart and said with warning in her voice "Mr. Thorn if you dare come any closer I will gut you like a fish". I admired her fiery attitude and I vowed to make her my wife even though I was only getting ready to turn nineteen. As I left the tavern to find me a tailor, a woman's voice suddenly called out my name. "Mr. Thorn; please forgive my rude behavior its just that it hurts to be near the crowd that got my late husband killed". She walked with me all over town helping me look for a tailor. Through out the night we became close, and eventually agreed that we would become lifetime partners. She had agreed to write me at sea and I agreed to come visit her every chance I got. The crew was patiently waited on board the ship. I finally found the perfect tailor. With a loud bang on his front door; I woke him and told him that he was to accompany me to my ship. " Whatever in the devil for, you troublesome child"; he said with bitterness in his voice."Quite simple my good fellow, I wish your services on board on my ship, and by the way I may look like a child but I am a captain". The tailor just looked at me and laughed.
"What is so damn funny you old fool"; I asked with fire in my voice. "Its just hard to believe that you are a captain"; he said. At that moment the crew walked up and held him at gun point. "Very good lads; nicely done"; I said. They carried him to our ship where he was forced on board. We weighed anchor at eleven thirty that evening. From Sardinia we sailed south to begin our journey to a small island in the Pacific called Fiji. Three months had passed by and we had ran into merchant ships ranging from the East India Company to Spanish Galleons. Most of the ships we just Burned to the ground with the crew locked inside the captains cabin. One ship we sent back to with nothing but dead bodies on the main deck and the captain nailed to his chair with a cutlass in his chest. September second we reached the coast of Santo Antao in a little town called Pombas. We dropped anchor, rested a few days, and hoped that we were safe there until I got more supplies, ammo, and food. Money was also running low, so we had to pillage another Spanish ship. Word had reached me that the Spanish were sending another treasure ship to the Spanish main. I sent word to the other two ships that we were to set sail at the sun's first light. The very next morning we weighed anchor and set a course for the Caribbean Islands. During our journey I had kept word with Ms. Brown telling her when our next visit was going to be. Around the First of November we arrived in the Caribbean ocean about thirty northeast of Barbados. We came into view of a lighthouse around eight thirty that night, so we dropped anchor and waited for view of the treasure ship. The treasure ship finally came into view at dawns first light. The bo’s’n called from topside "Sail, Ho!". We raised anchor and went after our prize. First we shot a warning shot, and then came up on its port side and made ready for a battle. I knew that the Spanish would not surrender. "All hands on deck; get your asses moving men we have treasure that needs to be taken"; I bellowed. This time we were prepared with three ships at my command, a good 20 guns ready to fire, and over a thousand men ready to take the gallant Spanish treasure. The crew boarded the ship and began firing upon the crew of the Spanish treasure Isabella. I came on board and started to fight my way to the cargo hold. Just as I went to open the captains cabin; the captain cut me across the face and with a fierce blow to the stomach I cut his gizzards open. Once the crew reached the cargo hold they found six chests full of gold, Spanish doubloons, jewels fit a pirate captain, and diamonds the size of me hands. We took every bit of cargo back to our ship, and sent the Spanish ship to its destination with the crew dead and the captain hung from the main mast as a warning.
With the gold and jewels in our pockets we changed our minds about going to Fiji and set a course for Sardinia to celebrate our victory. We arrived in Cagliari on April first 1702. Most of the men went to The Triton to drink the night away. I however went and visited the lovely Ms. Brown.




















Chapter 2


During my visit with Ms. Brown I talked about my exploits and the different sights I saw. We stayed in Sardinia for about three months. Over the three months that we were there Ms. Brown and I grew close. Before I knew it; Ms. Brown and I had started to court each other. The crew stayed in town with the other two Captains of my growing fleet. There was rumors going around that the Spanish was on the lookout for a group of pirate ships that attacked one of their treasure ships. Speculation started about how I acquired the money that was in my pocket. Being that I didn't want my identity revealed just yet I told the townspeople that my crew and me had good trades in the north Atlantic. Once the rumors died down we decided that it was again time to sail out on our journey again. July first we had sailed north to the British island Ireland to acquire more men and more ships to attack the British empire with. Two months at sea, we arrived in the sea port of Dublin. I made arrangements to meet with a pirate brethern name Captain Percival Goldstein. Goldstein had tried time and time again to destroy the Royal Fleet with his ship the Mermaid's Purse. To no avail Goldstein had to retreat to his home in Dublin lying low until he could gather enough strength to accomplish his agenda. I was now twenty years of age and very defiant. Goldstein had heard what I did to the Spanish treasure ship Isabella, and took me very seriously when I told him that I was in need of more ships and more men. He agreed to join in the voyage and told his men to ready the ship for the high sea. Three days out to sea and we were about five hundred miles outside the Bay of Biscay. Our next destination was the Caribbean Islands where we would trade some slaves for sugar cane and rum. On approaching the Caribbean Sea we hit a hurricane of massive strength. The winds tore at our sails and washed waves on our main decks, and once the storm was over we set out for the Caribbean.
Once in port we dropped anchor fifty miles off the coast of Barbados again, only this time we went ashore to see if there was any news of the royal fleet or the East India Trading Company coming into port to look for us. People just shrugged and said that they haven't heard anything of anyone looking for anybody. After learning that it was safe; we carouse around like normal. I went to make arrangements to meet with a famous pirate called Avery Thompson. As a child I heard stories about how Thompson used Barbados to terrorize the Spanish ships that went back and forth from the Spanish main to the Spanish colonies in the new world, and there was even rumors that he had something to do with the Spanish wrecks off the coast of the new Spain colony. I figured he was a good asset to my growing fleet. Avery wasn't much of one to be under command of someone else, but he decided to join my fleet. Now with four ships, over a thousand men under my command, and enough cannons to destroy a whole city we set sail for the North Atlantic Ocean. First we sailed to Nassau to trade some of our Negroes in exchange for supplies, then we set sail for the new England colonies hoping to find shelter to plan for our war against the trading industry and the British empire. We had arrived in Nassau on November 21; three days before Thanksgiving. In Nassau we traded two hundred Negroes for weapons and supplies. Three weeks after leaving Nassau we set sail for the colony of South Carolina. Thompson had many connections in South Carolina including the governor himself. December 12th we pulled in Charles Town Harbor. We were welcomed with open arms; the terrain was none like I had ever seen. The land was full of swamps and creatures I had never seen before such as this creature called the alligator. Governor Charleston who the harbor was named after invited me and the commanders of my ships into his home. I told him our intentions and my true identity. "Governor we have some valuables that need to be hidden". "Valuables such as treasure captain"; he replied. "Sir I don't think that is any of your business"; I retorted.
The valuables that I was speaking of happened to be the barrels of sugar cane and rum that we didn't get rid of in the Caribbean. Over two hundred drums of rum was placed in the shed in the governors yard. While we were in South Carolina we had come across the likes of a pirate named Captain Daniel "Baha" Masters. Masters was not friendly and challenged that if we wanted shelter in what he called his town we would have to fight for it. Upon this challenge the crew snuck over to his private plantation in the middle of the night, and cut his throat. Once Masters was dead we had free reign over the town. The governor even risked his own life when British officials came looking for any pirates. I had sent for my beloved Danielle Brown to join me in Charles Town. Two months later Ms. Brown arrived in Charles Town Harbor and met me at dockside. I had purchased land not far from the governors mansion a month prior to Danielle's Arrival. February twenty first Danielle and I were married in the local church. Even though I had just got married that did not stop my conquest to destroy the trading industry and the British empire. March thirteenth the fleet had set sail to the north Atlantic ocean. Our first destination was Cornwall, England where we could recruit more men. I was in need for more powder monkeys. After we left Cornwall; we set sail for Labadee Haiti.. The voyage took nine months. Over the nine months out to sea we had captured more merchant ships leaving from England heading to the british colonies in the Caribbean. Two of them we kept for our own prize. As we sailed ever so closer to Labadee; rumors were told that a pirate by the name Juan de Marco was ruler over the town and it was said that he killed any man who crossed his path. I vowed that he wouldn't Labadee anymore. October sixth we were five hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina. Seeing another pirate flag was good because it happened to be hornigold's lieutenant Edward Teach or as some called him Blackbeard. Blackbeard took quarters with me that night, and I explained to him what I was doing and told him the news of me being married. He just laughed and told me good luck. Most of the night we sang and drank till mornings first light. The following morning Blackbeard returned to his ship and set sail for his home in Bath, North Carolina. We weighed anchor again and kept our course for Labadee. I was going to make it known to this man that he was not king of the ocean; I was. December thirteenth we arrived in Labadee. The crew was ready for a battle. With three thousand men at my command we went ashore to see De Marco and to kill him if we had to. When we reached the walls of his so called fortress we were greeted by gun fire and arrows. It had appeared that he had the protection of his crew and the local natives. We returned fire and the battle had begun for claim over Labadee. Goldstein and his crew of three hundred Irishmen charged the walls, Midnight and his crew of two hundred Italians and Greeks surround the west and east side, and my crew and I stormed the doors to the place. There was no way De Marco could hold his place against three thousand pirates. I killed the native chief and the chiefs son. Once we were inside I set out to look for De Marco. De Marco fired a shot that hit me in the left shoulder, but once I caught up to him I shot him in the legs so he couldn't run and then sliced his stomach open for the gulls to feed off of and then I cut off his head and raised high on his own flag pole.
It was soon after the battle that I claimed De Marco's quarters for my own. I now had rule over the land and refortified the fortress. The fleet and I stayed in Labadee for two months making a base for the winter. I sent a letter to Danielle wishing her a happy anniversary for it was our first year as being married. After the fortress was refortified we set sail for South Carolina after we received a letter from Governor Charleston asking that we return to protect Charles Town Harbor. We arrived in Charles Town Harbor and immediately I went to the governor's mansion. "What is wrong that you ask our presence governor"? "We received word that a renegade pirate vessel is on its way to take shelter with us Captain Thorn". It wouldn't be long before we found out who the stupid pirate was coming to my land. The pirate vessel arrived about two weeks after I pulled into port. I went down to the docks to get a good look at who was pulling into my docks. The flag that was flying on the main mast was that of Sam Bellforth. I informed the governor that Cap'n Bellforth was ok to take shelter with. Summer had arrived and word had gotten out that some corsair ships were taking over the English channel and taking prisoners. I gave the orders to weigh anchors. We arrived too late to save the English channel but I became angry and decided to chase after the Muslim bastards who destroyed our brethren's home base. Goldstein was exceedingly enraged about this. He had learned that his family was killed by some of the worst Barbary pirates. Goldstein asked for permission to go ahead of the fleet to catch the bastards. I told him that we would be right behind him. Three weeks later we caught up to one of the corsairs that had caused damage among the Irish coast. The crew on board the corsair was not willing to surrender, so Goldstein fired shot after shot at the corsair. One shot hit the hull of the corsair and killed about thirty crew members. Midnight's crew came up on the corsairs starboard side and made ready to board the ship. The crew of Dead Mans Chest was on the portside and Poseidon’s Revenge was at the backside of the ship to surround it. The Corsair had no where to go. Goldstein had killed about twenty of the crew that was on the main deck, Midnight had damaged the bowsprit, and I had boarded the corsair myself and killed about ten men ever making my way to the captain. Once I reached the captain he was ready for a brawl. His decks were now stained crimson red from the blood of his own men. Captain Abdul was of arabic race and I had no pity for them, so I sliced him limb from limb. After the Abdul was dead I ordered the ship be burnt to davey Jones locker. Any treasure we found was taken for our own possession.
We did not stop there. It took another three days to catch up to another corsair that had the Gauls to stick around. Once we boarded the ship we left none alive and decided to hang the barbary captain from his own bowsprit. One more corsair was left; only this time we would leave one person alive. We caught up to the ship and killed most of her crew, but when we found the captain he begged for mercy. "Find mercy amongst your own cursed dogs of people"; I replied. We left the ships main deck stained with the blood of the crew and sent the ship back with her captain and a message. The message was simple enough for a blind man could understand it. I told the captain to tell his owner, king, whoever employed his services that if he ever returned to the English channel that his barbaric men would be tortured and killed on sight. King George thought I had done him a service and thought I was surrendering, but I had no intentions on surrendering to a king because I was a king. The king became enraged and sent out the H.M.S. Hellfire which was said to be of enormous size, but this did not scare me. I decided that the fleet would stick around to see what this ship looked like. Nine o' clock the next morning the lookout called from topside "Sail, Ho!". The ship was not as massive in size as I had thought and when I saw it I just laughed and ordered the crew begin the usual duties. H.M.S. Hellfire came around portside and asked for quarters. I allowed the captain quarters and once he was on board I invited him into my cabin. "Yes Cap'n what can I do for you"; I said putting on a front. The colors were sailing as usual and we played as English Merchants just doing their job. "Well sir I was wondering if you have seen any pirate ships wandering around the coastline". "No sir; can't say that I have"; I replied. Little did the captain know but the crew had already captured his crew and he was to be next. As the captain walked out the door I called out to him; "Oh by the way Captain welcome aboard Poseidon’s Revenge the fastest ship in the world". When he realized what was going on; it was too late to try to do anything. He tried to shoot me with his pistol, but I shot him first in the shoulder and then cut off his arm. "You won't live to see twenty three pirate". "Your crew and yourself included will be captured and hanged in the gallows like the devils that you are". With a false grin on my face I replied; "Now, now Cap'n is that anyway to speak to a person of high rank". "Damn you insignificant sea devils; I shall see that you all will be hanged"; he replied with anger and hate. "I don't think so captain"; I retorted. With that I cut his throat and watched him bleed to death. The decks of H.M.S. Hellfire was a mass pool of blood and it was littered with bodies. Goldstein ordered his men to set the ship a blaze. My crew had removed all the weapons and loaded them on board our ship. We had to now grab another ship. I decided to set a course for the Moroccan coast where we could find a number of ships to grab. The venation king who sent the corsair that attacked the Irish coast had become enraged about what we had done and sent another four corsair ships after us. Once word had reached us that more corsairs were coming after us I made the decision to stay and fight hoping to capture one.
We dropped anchor fifty miles of the morocco coastline and waited for our prey like a tiger stalking game. The corsairs finally arrived three days later. I ordered the men to make ready for battle. Every man grabbed grappling lines, cutlasses, pistols, and anything that could be used as a weapon. The barbary pirates were ready for a fight as well with their scimitars. Upon boarding the corsairs we killed over two hundred men and mutilating the captains. After we had washed the corsairs decks crimson red we decided to end the raid once and for all. September Twentieth we weighed anchors and set sail for the barbary capital Sallee. I was the first one to arrive in Sallee. I dropped anchor about ten miles from the shoreline and went ashore to observe the ground. The rest of the fleet arrived the following evening. We did not raise the colors, so we could use the element of surprise against the King of the barbaric pirates. I called a meeting with the captains of the fleet to set up a plan to enter the city. We came to a decision to enter the city by night; since it was easier to get inside the city gates that way. Once we reached the kings palace the crew took out the guards; while I went into the bed chambers of king Ashan where he was sleeping. I raised my cutlass and sliced his throat and then cut off his head. After I returned the ship I had the crew hang his head from the bowsprit of the ship. We did not waist anytime getting out of Sallee. Immediately we weighed anchor and sailed back to the Irish coast with the kings head flying from the bowsprit.
Goldstein requested that he stay behind this time to rebuild the fort which our fallen brethern built so many years ago. I granted his wish and returned to South Carolina with Captain Midnight, Captain Gray who was captain of Dead Man's Chest, and Poseidon’s Revenge. Upon arriving in Charles Town Harbor; a great celebration was being held for us. Once I stepped on the docks my lovely wife Danielle was waiting for me. I decided that it was time to tell her who I really was and hoped that she wouldn't be mad at me. That afternoon I had arranged a meeting with the governor to discuss getting a pardon from the king so I could pillage and plunder till my black heart dies. I returned to my house that evening to talk with Danielle. "Sit down my love"; I said. "There is something you should know about me". "I am not a rouge merchant; I am a pirate". With a stern look on her face Danielle just accepted the fact that she was married to a pirate. The next morning I returned to the ship to see if we needed any supplies for our next voyage. Little did I know that the crew members had planned a surprise for me in light of me now becoming Commodore Geoffrey "Killjoy" Thorn. The crew lead me into the new cabin where I found a commodores hat and brand new furniture. After we had all got the reception of me being commodore done, we all went to have a drink. I wasn't much of a drinker though. A messenger had come into the tavern to give me word that the governor wanted to see me right away. Once I left the crew at the tavern I raced over to the governor's mansion. "You wanted to see me governor". "Yes Commodore Thorn; word has reached me that the king is planning to send ships here to find you"; he replied. "The hell with the bloody devils". "Commodore you must leave immediately so they won't find you". "I have never ran away from a battle governor"; I replied to him. I returned to the crew at the tavern and told them to make ready for battle. The crew immediately returned to the ship to get the ships prepared for battle. Governor Charleston sent word to me that the royal ships were expected to arrive over the next few days. We sailed out into the harbor to wait for the ships arrival. I knew that it would be a red day as I like to call it. The first ship to come in a crows eye view of my spyglass was the H.M.S. Hammerhead. It was a small vessel with about ten guns, about one hundred and twenty soldiers, and about eighty sailors. "Steady on the bow lads"; I bellowed. The Hammerhead came up on the starboard side and the captain noticed that we were not friendly towards British ships. They opened fire on us and began preparing to board. I didn't allow the damn fools to board. I had killed thirty men with my pistol since they were at such close range. Dead Man's Chest came around on the hammerhead's port side and opened fire on her with brutal force. Midnight's crew was keeping watch for the next British ship that crossed our path. The crew on board my ship was smart as they set up barrels and other objects to keep from getting shot. A young man swinging from the hammerhead over to my ship was shot down and dropped into the deep blue.
Two hours later the H.M.S. Victoria came into view. Midnight ordered double shots be rained upon the Victoria's main deck. The hammerhead's main deck was washed with blood. I ordered the bo’s’n to turn the ship towards the Victoria. Victoria now had two pirate vessels at both starboard and port side. My crew boarded the victoria and continued to blast the crew with everything they had. I fought the captain in a daring sword fight. The captain couldn't believe that he was being destroyed by a young man no younger than twenty. "Captain I wish to have your name, so I can tell the good governor that I killed you". "My name is Captain Alexander Dogwood and you sir shall die". With that he swung his sword towards me, but I blocked it with my cutlass and sliced his belly open. We rejoiced after the smoke cleared, but we found out that another ship was on its way. The fleet returned to port two days after we had d