Excerpt from Pirates Revenge |
This page was last updated on: November 18, 2009
He decided to let her sleep and quietly got dressed and went outside. Slowly pacing the verandah, the cool morning air helped clear his head as he looked down on the harbor. All eighteen ships were there, lying peacefully as the night was chased away by the day. It was a wondrous sight. For a moment his guilt and worry were replaced with pride. These menthese scoundrelswere like his family, and the camaraderie that was shared was a bond that held them together. His reverie was rudely snapped by the loud clanging of the bell from the roof of the house. An instant later, his heart skipped a beat when he looked to the west and saw the smoke of the signal fire at Arawak beach. As unlikely as it seemed, he knew they were under attack. Stepping into the yard, he looked up and called to the rooftop, "Do you see anything besides the signal? The watchman replied, "I saw the lookout on horseback riding this way a few moments ago, but he's lost to view now." "Keep a sharp eye. Tell me if you see anything else at once!" He started to go back into the house to rouse Tica, but she was already coming out the door, pulling on her shirt. "What's up?" she asked nervously. Pointing, Rafe answered, "Signal fire at Arawak beach. The lookout is on his way as we speak." "Godammit to hell," she cursed, strapping on her sword. "Rafe, go into my war room and fire a blank charge from one of the cannons. That will signal all the captains for an emergency meeting. Be quick!" Without bothering to answer, Rafe ran off to comply. |
