Pirate Crew

It is a beautiful day in the Caribbean and the wind fills the sails above you. This cruise has been a great one for you and your brother and sister pirates. You are not only the youngest member of the crew but the toughest, smartest, and fastest. In fact, your skills are so great that the captain has made you first mate for the last year and you have done a great job of it. As you prepare to sail into Pirates’ Cove the captain calls you into his cabin for a private chat.

Art and illustrations graciously created by Shiloh Penfield,
a New York City graphic novelist.

“Well me hearty you’ve done a fine job on board this old hulk of mine. That’s why I want you to be the first to hear that I’m retiring. You’ve been good luck to me and I tucked away enough plunder to keep me set for the rest of me life.”

“Captain Bloodyfist” (it’s the only name the old man will answer to), “what about the ship? What about the crew? What about me?”

“Have no fear on any account,” he replies. “I’m selling the ship to a merchant who thinks he can make an honest girl out of her. The lads and lasses will have no trouble finding berths on other boats. They’re a good lot and I know plenty who’ll be only too glad to take on those who’ve shipped out with Braggart Bloodyfist. No, my one concern now is for you. You’re too smart and brave to just start out as crew on another boat and work your way up. For you I’ve made some arrangements and I’ve worked out a choice for you.

“You can either have the Blackbird as your own ship to command or you can be first officer to Mad Martin Murder. Think on it well my young friend. The Blackbird would be all your own but she’s a small little thing, her crew is mostly green, and she leaks like a sieve. Still, all in all, you’d be commander of her for better or worse. Mad Martin is indeed as crazy as a Junebug but his ship the Pegasus is a big, fast, strong boat. His crew is the best in the port and he’s known for bringing in plenty of plunder.”

Well then, what will it be?

• Have your own small ship?
• Be second in command of a strong ship?