Perfumed Pirates of Perfidy by Charlie Small

Author:Charlie Small [Small, Charlie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-49441-2
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2008-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

My heart raced and my palms sweated as our little rowing boat scraped the wall of the quay and we moored. Captain Cut-throat took my hand and gave it a squeeze, whether of encouragement or as a warning I didn't know, and we walked along the stone jetty and across the cobbled harbour. My ankle was feeling much better, and I looked around nervously, trying to see a way to escape. But the captain had me in an iron grip and there was no way I could make a dash for freedom.

I thought about crying out, ‘Kidnap!’ but as soon as the thought crossed my mind, the captain squeezed my hand even harder, and when I glanced up at her, she was holding her shawl slightly open. Tucked under her armpit I could see her jewel-encrusted dagger, glinting. It was as if she could read my mind: I quickly gave up the idea of yelling out. I was off the ship, but still very much a prisoner, and besides, the captain still had my precious mobile and I needed it back.

We seated ourselves on the picturesque quayside and ate our packed lunches while Cut-throat scanned the scene for any possible trouble. But nobody took the slightest notice of us and, satisfied, the captain whispered to us to follow.

We promenaded genteelly through twisting alleyways, up flights of steps and out into the market square.

The pirates’ plan was working. The dandies of the town tipped their hats and said, ‘Good morning, ladies.’ But when the pirates turned and smiled and the young men saw their weather-beaten, toothless faces, they made a quick apology and hurried away. I desperately wanted to cry out, but the captain still had my mobile – and her long, sharp dagger.

As the pirates wandered through the market square, casually browsing among the stalls, I took a good look around. I was in a very tricky situation and needed a way out. On one side the square ended in a low wall that looked out over the bay below. Amongst the boats that dotted the bay I could see the Betty Mae at anchor, looking small and dishevelled next to her neighbour – a gleaming golden galleon. At each end of the wall stood a light cannon, and I knew immediately what I must do. I would have to blast the Betty Mae out of action and prevent the pirates getting away.

Just then, Captain Cut-throat let out a bloodcurdling yell. ‘Help! Stop, thieves! Please help a poor defenceless lady!’ she screamed, and the shoppers rushed over to help. I took my chance to slip away through the crowd and darted over to the cannon, half hidden behind a market stall.

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