Captain Jack by Jack Chance

Author:Jack Chance [Chance, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2022-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The Zon ship had cleared the harbor and had full sails hoisted giving them a comfortable lead. The Morgan Out Island 41 wasn’t exactly known to be a speed machine and even as well fitted and equipped as R’lyeh was she couldn’t overcome her design. She was stout and spacious but she wasn’t known for being fast. Then again neither were ships built using primitive methods, even if they were impressive methods. Between the two I knew I’d have the edge.

My bottom was clean of growth as I’d cleaned it myself two days before departure for the Bahamas. A smooth bottom alone could give me a knot advantage. My sails were tight and crisp, not even fully broken in yet. Not only were they better sails but they were larger too thanks to the miracles of aluminum masts and stainless steel rigging to support them.

And, of course, I had an electric motor.

They already had their sails hoisted so I got right to work. I scrambled forward to unzip the mainsail bag and stopped to snag the pistol and bag the man had dropped. Flying back into the cockpit I grabbed the main sheet and spun it around the winch.

“Into the wind.” I said to Terra. We’d need to face into the wind so the sails wouldn’t power up and prevent me from cranking them to their full height.

“We’re there.” Terra said given the wheel a spin and letting the boat settle just a bit. I cranked for all I was worth and the main sail shot up the mast as it flapped lightly in the breeze. I cleated the line off as soon as the sail was fully hoisted and started on the mizzen sail. It was a smaller and lighter sail and went up with ease.

“Here comes the wind.” Terra said smartly as she brought the wind to our starboard side as she piloted us back towards the exit to the harbor. She’d already picked up how the furling system on the headsail worked. I spun the line for it around a winch while releasing the starboard side furling line. After a quick tug the sail spun out and snapped smartly into position.

“Aye, we’ll catch ‘em in no time.” A voice suddenly said from the rear of the ship as I cleated off the line. Terra and I spun around to see a still out of breath Godo, now sopping wet, climbing up the rear cabin of the boat.

“Godo?” I exclaimed more than a little surprised. He must have launched himself off the dock and caught onto the swim platform. After hoisting himself up he probably laid there catching his breath while Terra and I got the ship under way.

“Godo, what in the Ocean are you doing?” Terra exclaimed looking back and forth, unable to decide on watching where we were sailing and looking at the comically wet Godo. His bushy beard was sopping wet and the white hair on his head was thrown forward and matted over his face.

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