Thread: Captains Choice   {Dreamless and Steve J}

Three days out of Port Royal, Captain Iron Sam Bonney smiles and yells down from the quarterdeck, All right now boys, time to change the old girl out of her port clothes. There is a cheer from the men on board and they rush to assigned tasks, the ships colors are struck and the sails are furled, soon after a second set is hoisted, a blue green mottled color on them, hard to see against the water, the new flag that flutters above is Bonney's Jolly Roger, a kerchiefed skull, the crossbones are a single bone laced with a cutlass. Pointing to one of the men on deck he points up, Get your ass up in the bucket, there should be some hunting out here today, we got fair wind and calm seas, there are others that will be trying to make the time before storm season gets on us. The man climbs the rigging and in a few short moments was in the crows nest and begins to scan the seas around the ship as the captain turns to the helm, Start a slow search, work to the north and west, I'll be below for a bit. Bonney turns and moves down the port stairs, then to the door amidship, the short hallway leads to a door at either end another he faces directly ahead. Stepping through that one he enters his cabin. The room is not overly large, a rather out of place four posted bed bolted to the door takes most of one side, to the other side a large desk covered with charts and ledgers, log books and journals. The back wall is near completely windows, a low bench seat at the bottom, is all that keep the panels from being floor to ceiling. Going to the desk he shuffles through the papers, opening one map and using a candle stick to hold down one side he opens it, one hand on the other side to keep it from curling, a finger of his free hand running back and forth in an 's' pattern, as if describing the path of the ship he has ordered. Turning he looks at himself in a long mirror, straightening his jacket and adjusting his belt. He is not an overly large man, standing just at 6 feet, a rather slim build and long black hair give him a less ferocious look, but with his cutlass in hand he is quick and accurate, his temper known to be the same, his men followed him for the most part respect, he had increased their fortunes greatly. There is also a good bit of fear as well, all had seen what can happen to those that angered him, few would care to fall to that group. Sam is just starting to look at the chart again when he hears a cry from the look out, Sail ho, 4 sheets, will be coming across the starboard bow. He was out of the cabin and to the rail in no time, his eyeglass out and scanning the horizon until he spot the ship. The smile on his face widens, She's riding low, not showing many guns, we're going to have a prize soon boys. Closing the glass with a snap, he turns to the helm, Set course to be across her bow, then turning to the men on deck he laughs and says, Get us full sheets, I want this to be fast and clean. The men hop to his command, a few minutes later his ship is cutting through the water as if it were flying, bearing rapidly down on his prey. The other ship sees him but being heavy has not the speed or manuverability to get away and even before the ships the other captain had struck his colors and dropped sail, standing at the rail with his sword held over his head in both hand, a surrender, best to lose the cargo then the ship, and ones life.