The Curse of Blackbeard's Ghost

By Andrew G Riddell

A story about ghosts, pirates, and
buried treasure. The three main
characters two children and a sea
captain will keep you captivated
through their antics and adventures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450269537

Andrew G Riddell

Honor and virtue not to mention moral principles are going out like an old fade. I became a published writer in 2010, 9 years ago. I took interest in martial arts and have read a few books studying and practicing some of moves. One book in particular on mastering King Fu states that many artists become poets, writers and philosophers. I published two novels, and have recently began publishing my third with the difficulty that occurred in 2020 with ‘COVID’, the stress and challenges of daily life is being questioned by most. The fact that someone can deal with it, and survival may be a surprise to most people, but to me it’s a way of life. We all receive our rewards in life whether it be good or bad, ‘’God knows the intent of the heart.’’ Whether we chose to follow him or not is our own choice. His will is whether we stand aside or pick up our sword and fight.

Book preview

The Curse Of

Blackbeard’s Ghost

Andrew G Riddell

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

The Curse OfBlackbeard’s Ghost

Copyright © 2010 by Andrew G Riddell

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-4502-6952-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4502-6953-7 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 08/31/2012

Contents

Chapter 1. The Map

Chapter 2. Kidnapped

Chapter 3. The Haunted House

Chapter 4. Rescued

Chapter 5. The Treasure

Chapter 6. Kidnapped

Chapter 7. Stranded

Chapter 8. The Rescue

Chapter 9. The Celebration

Chapter 10. The Ghost

Dedicated to Judy for her patience and hard work and to Beth who will always be Becky in my life.

Chapter 1

The Map

Ken was just a boy of eight when he broke Mrs. Appleby’s window, trying to prove to Becky he had a good throwing arm. Ken was a high strung youngster with a desire to impress young Becky and an aim to please, only a boy of eight could imagine.

The following day, Ken’s conscience bothered him when Becky confronted him about Mrs. Appleby’s window.

Maybe we should tell her, she explained. After all, she is a nice old lady. What harm could she do anyone?

I don’t know Becky. What if our parents find out? I know my mother would ground me.

But it’s the honest thing to do Ken, Becky insisted. ‘I don’t want to share your life of crime."

Mrs. Appleby’s house was on a secluded hill overlooking the sea. It was a large Victorian house with more windows than Becky had ever seen and it was dark and eerie as if it could be haunted. Hey Cove,( a seaside village,) was a tiny community where a handful of people lived and worked. Mrs. Appleby lived on the outskirts of the village where there weren’t any neighbors living within sight. Becky and Ken had to pass her house on their way to and from school each day. It was on the last ten minutes of their journey. The moist ocean mist that filled the air was evident that afternoon when Becky and Ken stopped at Mrs. Appleby’s house on their way home from school.

The gardener was bagging leaves as Becky and Ken approached. Well what can I do for you two kids? he frowned, wiping the sweat from his brow.

We’re here to see Mrs. Appleby, Becky boldly stated as she and Ken stood looking confused in front of the gardener.

What about? said the gardener, slowly taking an interest in what they were saying.

Well, Ken said, I accidentally broke Mrs. Appleby’s window on the way home from school yesterday, and I wanted to tell her before my Mom found out.

Well, that sounds like an honest thing to do, stated the gardener, giving Ken a stern look as he tied the next bag of leaves. I’m sure your Mom would be real proud of you.

I was kind of hoping she wouldn’t find out because I’m sure she would ground me, Ken reassured him.

The gardener took a break from what he was doing and looked at the two children. Can we talk confidentially? he started. I was the one who fixed that window and unfortunately I had to go into that shed behind the house. That’s a job I don’t like to do and can you two keep a secret? There’s a curse in that shed. Now I’m not one to complain mind you but Mrs. Appleby has pushed her authority a little too far when it comes to chores like that. He picked up the next bag of leaves and placed it with the others.

What kind of curse? Becky asked her and Ken both looking confused.

Well now I don’t know if I should be telling you two kids this, it would only give you nightmares, he said.

Oh no, you can tell us. We can keep a secret, Ken stated with excitement.

The gardener hesitated, his head cocked sideways as he looked to one side. Then he began again. Mrs. Appleby had a servant,( whom we both liked) and she hung herself in that shed.. Now I don’t want to get into the details as to why she hung herself, but I know it was do to a curse. Mrs. Appleby can testify to the details herself, but I know it was do to a curse.

We’re real sorry we had to make you fix that window sir, Ken whispered, But if I were you, I wouldn’t worry about any silly old curse.

Well just the same, I worry about it, the gardener said.

Becky and Ken then wandered off in pursuit of Mrs. Appleby. They went across a large lawn to get to the front door and it was located on a large, Victorian style front porch. They rang the bell.

A middle aged woman, about forty, answered saying with an air of sophistication, Can I help you? The woman had on a clean skirt with a blue colored design on the collar. Her hair was pinned up in the back and was sandy brown in color. She was attractive but not too pretty.

Just a moment, she stated, as she left the two children standing outside the door. She was gone for a moment, returned and asked Becky and Ken to come in. Mrs. Appleby was having tea in the parlor when the two children were led in. The room was dark. It was late afternoon and she had the curtain drawn because the light bothered her eyes. She had on a long cotton dress that was dark red, almost burgundy in color. It had a white lace fringe around the edges and was down to her ankles. She was an eccentric looking lady with pure white hair that also was tied up in the back. Her spectacles lay by her side as she loved to read. Ken and Becky noticed how old she looked and the wrinkles seemed to stand out. It made them uncomfortable,( if only for a moment.)

Bring milk and some cookies, Judy and then you can be excused, Mrs. Appleby said. Then she turned to the two children and said, Do sit down children, I won’t have you lingering about while I’m having my tea.

Becky and Ken sat on the love seat with an air of expectation, as Judy went away.

Now what can I do for you? she continued.

Ken was a little nervous having to deliver the news to Mrs. Appleby about the broken window and he was sure how she would react when she found out. Ken was a blond haired boy about average weight and height for his age. He was a good looking child and this was noticeable by Becky who loved to walk home with him after school. Becky also had blond hair and was average weight and height. And don’t think Ken didn’t notice how pretty she was too. He was carrying his baseball glove and he started to fumble with it, looking back and forth at Becky for support. Becky couldn’t look at Mrs. Appleby straight in the face she kept looking down at the floor.

Ken finally got overanxious and said, "We were walking home from school yesterday and I started showing off to Becky. I guess I