The Crimson Pirate Page #2

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Disperse the crowd. Change the guard,

and double your patrols in the street.

Come on, my popsy-wopsy-wopsies.

Plague, is it? May it take all of them.

Baron Gruda first.

Aye, and if the plague don't, we will.

- Who are you?

- Simple fisher folk like yourselves.

Put in for a tankard of ale, a friendly word,

and a chance to fight the King.

Why choose us?

You look and talk like a fighter.

It takes one to know one.

You may have us marked, all right.

Maybe not.

But we haven't marked you yet.

- We're asking no questions.

- We are.

What I've heard about El Libre

is good enough for me.

Tell us how to contact him.

A man like him would be pleased to have

two more strong-armed lads aboard.

Not very trusting souls, are they?

I guess we'll have to prove

our high regard for El Libre.

Ojo, you took the words

right out of my mouth.

A brawl with the King's men. Let's go.

Left, right. Left. Mark time!

Right turn.

Halt!

Quick march! Forward! Halt! Turn!

Right wheel!

March!

Halt!

Present arms!

Long live the republic!

Rebels! Get them!

Long live El Libre!

After them!

There they are!

Don't let them get away!

Men! Come on!

Come on! Quick, in that corner.

There they go!

Hurry up. In back.

This way!

Go ahead.

Pierce the canvas.

Fire!

Ready? Fire!

Pick it up! Lift it up!

Come on. Lift it up! Fire!

Take us away.

They're getting away!

Latch the cellars! Block the alley!

Look out. Soldiers.

Just a minute.

Search the place.

- The stink would drive away a pig.

- Which it did.

Watch that door.

You've saved us, lad, you've saved us.

We're among our own kind.

Rebels.

Wouldn't surprise me

if you were El Libre himself.

- You look like a born leader of men.

- The name's Pablo Murphy.

And I got enough Irish from me father

to know blarney when I hear it.

We'd have slit your throats

for snooping spies by now...

only for what you did to them soldiers.

- Who are they?

- Who knows?

This one can't talk

and this one can't keep quiet.

All right, let's get to the point.

I'm Captain Vallo at your service.

And this is Lieutenant Ojo.

Vallo? The pirate?

The Crimson Pirate?

That's right, sweet mother,

with a bargain for El Libre...

a shipload of powder shot and musketry.

- Baron Gruda's ship.

- Baron Gruda's ship?

Aye. Baron Gruda's own 30-gunner.

We took her as easy as you'd take

a mackerel, fine fishermen.

Easier. For we used dead bait.

You killed Baron Gruda?

If I did that you wouldn't need the guns

I want to sell you.

I'm a pirate, not a dog killer.

But I like you lads. I like your style.

So gather round and get this:

The Baron will arrive in port

aboard my own ship in a matter of days.

So how about taking me to El Libre

so we can close the deal for the guns?

Time and tide, you know.

Wash the stink off them

and take them below.

Pass the word along.

When it's dark,

we'll take them to the small boat...

and row them out to their ship.

Come with me.

Now, you know what the plan is.

The rest will join my lads

at the fishing boats...

and stand by the pirate vessel

to receive the guns.

Suppose the pirates

refuse to give them up?

I'll keep my knife at Captain Vallo's throat.

Either he'll give the order

to hand over the guns...

or he'll never give another order.

You're cutting our throats,

Pablo Murphy, not his.

I like your nerve, Pablo, but not your plan.

I say we've got to get the guns and take

the palace before Baron Gruda gets here.

And I say we need more than guns.

We need El Libre to lead us.

You women won't face facts.

El Libre's been captured.

The way to face facts is to rescue him.

Rescue him?

From the King's prison? lmpossible.

Not for a desperate man

with a 30-gunner and a fighting crew.

A pirate rescue for El Libre?

That'd be taking him from the frying pan

and throwing him into the fire.

- We'll handle this our own way.

- About face!

Get over here.

There's a meeting! The door, quick!

Out! The other door!

If I release you, can I count on your help?

You'll be well paid.

You misjudged our men.

Don't misjudge our women.

- Another door here.

- Where?

Follow me.

- What's all the shooting?

- The Skipper coming back from market.

I have a feeling we'll be putting out to sea.

Hoist anchor. Man all canvas. Look lively!

Man the yards!

Prepare to fire!

Fire one!

Fire two!

Signal Baron Gruda's ship for a broadside.

One of us can knock her out of the water.

Shore battery's asking for a broadside

against them, Mr. Bellows.

What are you waiting for, drooling idiot?

- Give 'em a broadside!

- Aye, aye, sir! One broadside coming up!

Good shooting, lads. Well aimed.

Skipper, be that

what thou bought at market?

Take the lady below

and make her comfortable.

Thank you, Captain.

The gallant Captain Vallo, eh, lads?

Be that bit of fluff El Libre?

That's the bit of fluff

that's taking us to him.

He's being held on the Island of San Perot,

only a day's sailing from here.

Who's holding him for us, Skipper?

The King's troop. In the military prison.

Now, what could be sweeter, lads?

We'll steal him from the King's men,

and sell him back to a king's man.

- But be thou seriously planning to...

- Walk us into a king's prison?

Why, not at all, Humble Bellows, not at all.

Gather round, lads, gather round!

- My, my, what a pretty knife.

- Would you like a closer look?

Let's keep this pot

looking like a ship of the line!

Come up here.

Hop to it!

I came up to talk about El Libre.

- Go ahead. I'm listening.

- You have a plan to save him?

A plan and a price.

Guns alone will cost 50,000.

That's a great deal of money for guns.

How much are you asking for El Libre?

Oh, yes, El Libre.

I'll throw him in for nothing.

Very well, Captain.

I'll see that the money

is arranged with him.

You may be sure

that he'll honor the agreement.

What's your plan?

Why did you bolt

your cabin door last night?

If you know it was bolted,

you must've tried it.

And if you tried it,

you know why it was bolted.

How do you propose to get El Libre?

Is your door open only to him?

What do you mean?

So much concern about one man

can't be entirely political.

He's your lover.

No.

He's my father.

Captain!

Land ho!

On your feet, lads. Attention!

You're supposed to be king's men,

not bard slabs.

Look like you belong in those uniforms.

Ojo, signal to the garrison

that Baron Gruda has arrived...

to take El Libre into custody.

- What about my father?

- I ordered you to stay below.

What are they signaling?

The garrison commander wishes

to give a dinner in honor of Baron Gruda.

What are we going to do?

We're going to accept, of course.

Baron Gruda and his bit of fluff...

left enough clothes onboard

to fool the King himself.

If anyone recognizes us...

we'll be stripping for action

and taking El Libre the hard way.

A fine body of men, Captain.

A fine body of men.

His Excellency Baron Gruda and party.

Welcome, Your Excellency.

It is a great honor for all of us

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