Pirates of the Storm (Stranded In Time Book 1) by Fletcher Best

will sail to Tortuga to
join with two other ships in the Brethren of the Coast before we
set off on our raids. You have come along at a fortuitous time as
you will have a chance to earn a good deal of money and we will
have a more competent ship’s surgeon when needed.”
    Graves spoke up, “Begging the
Captain’s pardon, but am I not the ship’s surgeon no
more?”
    “No, Mr. Graves. I do thank you for
your service as the surgeon, but your skills shall be needed
elsewhere. Mr. Greene will be taking over as surgeon.” Jeff heard
Crabtree mutter thanks to God at the announcement as he waited for
some sign of anger or resentment from Graves, but there was
none.
    “Aye, Captain. Never did like dealing
with all them medicines anyhow,” Graves said
matter-of-factly.
    It was late afternoon now and the sun
was beginning to drop quickly in the sky. The sea was calm and the
trip back to the ship went quickly. As they approached the ship,
there was considerable activity onboard. The Captain took note of
it and was quick to climb the cargo net when the boat pulled
alongside. “Captain!” Harrison yelled from the bow, “Ye will want
to take a look at this!”
    As Jeff and the others from the
longboat made it onboard, the Captain was already standing on the
bow, looking out to sea with his spyglass. The Captain turned and
yelled up to the crow’s nest, “Mr. Pike, can you see their
colors?”
    “Aye, Captain! They be
Spanish!”
    “Damn the foul luck!” the Captain
exclaimed. “Mr. Pike, keep watch on them!”
    “Aye, Captain!”
    Coxen made his way to the center of
the deck. “Men, gather ‘round.” Jeff stepped forward with the rest
of the crew encircling the Captain. “It appears that at least 4
Spanish man o’ war are heading straight for us. It is to our good
fortune that it is late in the day. They won’t make it here before
sundown and they’d be fools to try to make it inside the reef
without the sun. Most likely they’ll anchor a good distance out and
wait to attack at first light. They will likely spread out and
block us in to the island. Our best chance is to try to slip past
them in the dark, and hope to steer clear of the reef. I do not
wish to alert them to our plan, so set about making ready the ship
to set sail on a moment’s notice but keep the sails wrapped
loosely. Also gather any cargo that is of questionable value and
keep it close to the rail so that we can dump it
easily.”
    “Aye, Captain!” the crew said in one
voice.
    The Captain turned to Jeff as the rest
of the crew quickly dispersed. “I had hoped that you would have
little to do as ship’s surgeon, Mr. Greene, but it may be that
tomorrow will be a busy day for you. I also regret to inform you
that if we are unsuccessful in escaping those ships, you will not
likely live long enough to find your way home.”
    “I understand Captain, but I may have
an idea that will help us escape…”

Chapter 7: Success Or Death
    “Go on,” the Captain urged.
    “Do you still have the mask and
snorkel that was on my kayak?” Jeff asked urgently.
    The Captain wrinkled his brow, “Are
you referring to that piece of glass with the odd waxy rim and
pipe?”
    “Yes, that’s it!” Jeff
replied.
    “I have it in my desk,” the Captain
said, walking toward his cabin. Jeff followed the Captain into the
cabin and Coxen retrieved the mask and snorkel from his desk
drawer. “What exactly is this device, Mr. Greene?” the Captain
inquired as he handed it to Jeff.
    “It’s for seeing in the water. You
place it on your face like this…” he said as he put on the mask,
“…and then you can breathe through the tube when you
swim.”
    “Swim?!” said the Captain, “In the
sea?”
    “Yes,” nodded Jeff.
    “Mr. Greene, you do know there are
monsters in the sea that will devour you, do you not?”
    “Yes, Captain, there are sharks and
such, but with some precautions, swimming in the sea is not that
dangerous.”
    “If you say so, Mr. Greene,