Port of Errors (31 page)

Before setting sail, Kenneth convinced Ryan and Justin to sail back to England aboard the Brier Sea, which had been patched up and made ready for the short journey home. “Send word to the Queen that both Captain Stirvin and Admiral Flynn are dead, as you have been witness to with your own eyes. But, you did not see him buried here, they died out at sea. Tell her what you will about me, it matters not. I have nothing to go home to and so I sail with Black-Hearted and whatever fate lies ahead for me there.”

Black-Hearted stood on the dock speaking with Mr. Darcy, while Dr. Rees waited anxiously by. “Take the doctor,” demanded Black-Hearted. “Do not allow him to leave until the deed be done; and the deed cannot be done without him. We’ll return in a few months.”

Morgan’s Ferry was quickly resupplied for their long journey. Black-Hearted was so eager to settle things with Sir Fouste and Isabel, his disposition toward them was frightful. Nonetheless, newly weighing upon his mind was Emily, whom Scurvy had mentioned having sold. Black-Hearted had sworn an oath, years ago, telling her he would someday come to find her again. And he felt that day was vast approaching.

Knowing that Sir Fouste now carried his hat, Black-Hearted set sail, speedily westward, toward the American Colonies of the New World. Upon the inside of his hat was a map leading to Sir Henry Morgan’s buried treasure; an irresistible temptation for any man, including Sir Fouste. But it was only Black-Hearted that knew of the coins of which only three remained. With a pit of anger wrenching within his gut, Black-Hearted raged onward with a searing heat boiling through his veins. Mr. Darcy and Dr. Rees looked on as Morgan’s Ferry took sail. Off in the distance, the echoing phrase often heard at sea was voiced, “Tighten the riggin’s! Keep a straight course, me hearties!”

The End!