Jack Abbott: A Pirate Story

By Brett Nolan Johnson

Jack Abbott is a story about a young man who becomes a pirate to find adventure and excitement during the late 17th century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781624886751

Book preview

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Chapter 1

My name is Jack Abbott. I have green eyes, fair skin, and long brown curly hair, I stand at 5ft 9inches tall. I was born in 1658, in the slums of London. My mother died giving birth to me. As for my father, he worked in a factory and made very minimal wage. We hardly had enough money for our rent, let alone food. As early as I could remember I was put to work selling newspapers to help with our payments. When I would get home me father would often lock me out because he would have a lady friend over. I spent a majority of my time at my neighbors. His name was Nichols Andrus, a well learned man who taught me to read and write, something I knew my own father couldn’t do. It was through Nichols that I learned of adventure from the many stories he read to me. He told me stories of the Americas and the Islands of the Pacific. Adventure that I had only dreamed of.

When I was of the age of twelve, Nichols died. With my father paying very little attention to me, and having no need to stay, I headed for the nearest merchant port in London. As I reached a port, I saw the towering masts and the endless amount of trading going on. I was filled with excitement and adventure. An adventure full of mystery awaited me. But I needed a ship to stow away on, hoping that later if I was discovered I wouldn’t be tossed over the edge. But there it was, sitting in the murky water. A singled mast Carrack, it had six nine pound cannons mounted along the stern of the ship and flew the English flag. Its name was painted on the back, Mercy of the Sea. This merchant ship was made for me. I snuck on board hoping that the ship would cast off soon. After waiting for what seemed to me an eternity, the ship came to life with a crew of forty. It didn’t take long for someone to find me. The first mate, who found me, his name was simply Cabanas. I was taken to the top where I met the captain. Captain Allen Grey. The crew was kind, and took me in as one of their own. That’s were I met my best mate, Francis Milligan. Only two years older then I was, he took it upon himself to teach me the basics of sailing. The first mate, Cabanas, who was a remarkable swordsman, taught me everything he knew about hand to hand combat. But it was Captain Grey that took me in as his own son. He taught me everything about navigation, maps, the stars, math and the best ways to live my personal life. As I grew older I continued to learn everything I could from the crew. I even found myself becoming the Helmsman, unless the Captain wanted to steer his own ship. Now I end this letter at the age of nineteen. That is my life as Jack Abbott. 13 of August, year 1677

I lifted my pen from the piece of paper I had been writing on. I looked up at Captain Grey who was steering the ship. It had been a full day since we spotted the Pirate ship that was shadowing us. It had put up its Jolly Roger flag not to long ago. The wind was good and strong. But it was no use trying to use the wind to get out of the sights of the pursuing ship. We were carrying a full load of sugar and also tobacco straight out of the Caribbean. As I started to roll up the small letter, I watched my dear friend Francis Milligan make his way over to me. Francis had red hair and wide green eyes. He was slightly shorter then I was, and walked very proudly. He was an interesting person just to look at. However, he had the personality to back it up. He is very good at making friends and starting conversations. Francis lived in harsh conditions in Ireland, so his mother sent him to his uncle who was once on this ship. Do you honestly believe that we won’t survive if the pirates decide to catch us? he said with a half chuckle.

I slid the paper into an empty bottle. I just figured someone might as well know my story besides you and half of the crew. I pushed a cork into the top of the bottle and tossed it overboard.

Aye, I guess that be true. But I say we stick together. With our fighting skills, I’m sure we can defeat them. He smirked as we began to make our way below deck. He began to talk quietly, But if there are too many pirates, we surrender, and then live our lives as pirates.

I chuckled, Us as pirates? Constantly being chased by the law? As we made our way over to the starboard side of the cannons, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being a pirate. The adventure would be endless.

The ship smashed into a larger wave. We both naturally braced ourselves. He looked at me as we sat down to check the ropes that held the cannons in place. Frances responded as if he had been reading my mined, Aye, imagine the excitement! There was a brief pause of silence, If ye don’t join them, they’ll probably torture you, then slit ye throat. Them pirates, they’re always looking for new recruits He gave a small chuckle.

Then I’d best be joining their crew. I said back to him. He smiled back at me showing his poor rotting teeth.

The sound of foot steps coming down the steps grabbed our attention, it was Cabanas. He stopped half way down the steps, so he could just barley see us. His deep voice filled the deck we were on, Cap’n would like to see you two in his quarters immediately. Cabanas was of Greek decent, he had dark hair and a dark skin tone. He was however, a very large man and very strong. Francis and I spoke in unison, Aye sir!

Cabanas quickly knocked on the door and opened the door to let us through. He followed closely behind. Inside the captains quarters was much nicer then the rest of the ship. It was here I was schooled how to properly navigate, and follow maps, a skill I am proud of. A large wooden desk sat nailed to the floor, papers scattered about it, and a plate of soggy pork. Captain Grey was an older man in his later forties. He had white hair, and strangely, he liked to grow his sideburns long and stroke them while he was in deep thought. His father and his fathers’ father were merchant captains. But he found no time for a woman in his life. I became close to the captain, making me the closest thing to a son he had. The captain stood behind his desk, staring out the bay of windows that lined the back of the ship. I glanced out of the dirty windows and could see the figure of the other ship pursuing us, it had become much closer then last I saw it. Captain Grey turned and faced us, and smiled. He always gave us a small smile. Now I wanted to talk to you two, actually all three of you. He turned to Cabanas. Now I’ve been watching this ship following us, and by my judgment, it will be upon us in less then an hour’s time. I looked at Francis to see an emotion out of him, but he was doing the same, and glancing back at me. Now I wanted to talk to you three before I talked to the rest of the crew. If we are to be attacked, I want you three down manning the cannons. Cabanas, I want you to make sure orders are givin clear on when to shoot. And you two, I want you two to also watch out for Jonathan. Jonathan was the youngest of the crew at the age of ten. Ten other men should be suffice in helping you down on the cannons. Those are my orders to you. Now let us head to the up.

Francis and I said in unison Aye cap’n!

He quickly turned to Cabanas, Gather the men Cabanas.

We headed up top and stood next to the captain, as the rest of the crew quickly gathered on the main deck below us. I glanced behind me to take a look at the ship following us. It was apparent that it had picked up speed. I now could see the waving of the Jolly Roger flag. The rest of the crew was gathered and the captain began to speak to them in a loud voice. Now I’ve know ye all for a very long time, and some I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing long enough. But there be a ship, flying a pirate flag, that is following us and gaining speed. Now I know ye have heard the many stories of what pirates do. He paused for a moment taking in a deep breath, I however want ye to fight with me, and show these pirates, that these merchant sailors aren’t afraid of them! There was a cheer that came from the crew below. Cabanas will tell ye where ye need to be! And let us put these Pirates at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker! There was a louder cheer from the sailors. Cabanas began telling each person where they should be. They began to gather up their cutlasses, knives and whatever weapon they could find.

I stood next to the captain watching the other ship. It looks to be a heavily armed sloop, she be having twelve, maybe twenty cannons.

Sir, we’ll surely be blown out of the water. We’ll be the ones at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker. I could feel my heart beat more rapidly. Never in my life did I feel more threatened. Sir you’re taking a gamble that we’ll win? We’re out armed.

He turned and looked at me, Aye it is a risk. But I’ve talked to some other captains and learned that some pirates try just scaring us. That sometimes they don’t always have enough gun powder to handle a fight. He smiled, You should best be heading to your post. The captain was right. Who knows what these pirates would do if we were just to surrender.

I headed down the steps and to the lower deck containing the four cannons. Francis was already at one of the cannons waiting for me. Have these cannons been fired before?

Cabanas was standing behind me, No they haven’t, but they’ve been cleaned and checked weekly by you two. He chuckled and walked over towards the stairs so he could hear the commands from the captain.

Francis walked over to me and whispered to me, we be fighting till there’s nothing left to fight for…right?

Right, till there isn’t a reason to fight. I whispered back to him, he sighed. We’ll be fine mate. We’re in the gun ports and we’ll most likely be the last to come into contact with the pirates. There was command from the main deck. It was time.

Chapter 2

From all of the shouting and yelling the pirates were making, I could tell that the ship was approaching our smaller and less armed vessel. We had opened the gun ports and pushed the cannons forward, ready to fire at a moments notice. I gazed out from behind the cannon, I held tightly to the linstock, ready to light the gunpowder when given the order. The bow of the sloop came into sight, as it slowly pushed the waves aside. I saw what seemed to be a naked mermaid carved out in front of the ship, her arms raised behind her as if she was holding up the ship. The ship was possibly fifty feet longer then ours and had an entire gun deck. I began to count each cannon as each gun port past mine. Eight cannons, I took a deep breath, there must be another eight on the other side of the ship which quadrupled our four cannons. I saw the snarling faces of the pirates directly across from Francis and me. They hung partially out of the gun ports, holding their cutlasses and knives, gesturing to kill us all. I could feel my heart beat faster and faster, as I realized that death could be a moment away.

The other ship slowed down to our pace, being completely parallel to us. Without warning, my heart leapt as a shot came from one of their cannons. The iron ball ripped through our wooden haul like butter. It was only a warning shot, but it gave our captain a real reason to fight back. Cabanas yelled out at the top of us lungs, Fire! I tapped the slow burning match to the vent. A bright flash came out of the vent as the gun powder ignited. There was a deafening sound of thunder as the cannon went off. It lunged back as the cannon