Yankee Buccaneer Page #7

He knew the risks.

Sure he did, like the time he

took the blame during the storm.

lt was my life he saved

by turning the wheel.

l was pegged to the side

while sneaking some rum.

There, l feel better

for telling you.

Captain Porter,

she's gone,

the Countess.

We checked the ship.

She's nowhere aboard.

Are you sure?

Positive, sir,

we looked all over.

lf she's jumped ship, there's

nothing we can do about it.

But Davey... l can't

endanger the lives of the men.

Well, then how

about volunteers?

l'm sure the boys would rather fight

than let their shipmates rot in a cell.

You realize a raiding party is

in direct violation of my orders?

Yes, sir.

That l could be court-martialed

for landing armed men

on the soil of

a friendly nation?

Yes, sir.

All right, let's go.

Mr. Redell, get me some

powder fuses and flint rock.

Watchers, lower the boats.

The rest of you draw arms.

Well, Mr. Link, you're

probably witnessing the end

of a long and honorable naval career.

Yes, sir, but what

a way to go, sir.

Ooh!

So my young friend

feels better, huh?

l don't believe

l've had the pleasure.

Then allow me to

introduce myself.

l'm the Count

Del Prado,

Governor General of His

Majesty's Spanish possessions.

Del Prado?

Yes.

You speak as if

you've heard the name.

No. No, l was just trying to

see if my mind still functions.

Mmm.

lt was a silly gesture to

try to escape like that.

There was no need for

such heroics, you know.

Now, shall we talk?

Who are you and

what is your missin?

l sail a ship.

We haul cargoes.

And fly the pirate's flag. This l know,

but who are

you really?

Who flies the pirate flag but pirates?

l have never heard of

such men from the colonies.

Even colonials

have a price.

A profound observation

from one as young as you.

The ship l sail is

well-manned. We seek a charter.

Perhaps, if l

am convinced,

there is a task l would...

Let me go! Let me go!

Let me go! Let me go!

She was caught by the

guards, swimming ashore.

Obviously not contented with

life aboard your ship, Captain.

ls that true, Countess?

Was the Captain's

treatment that bad?

He is no captain, and if he were,

l would have still freed myself.

So you're not the

man l seek, after all.

Place yourself in

our position, Del Prado.

lf we are accepted

here as friends,

the Captain has ample

time to come ashore,

and if not, he can

just sail the ship away.

What happens to you

if he sails away?

Chances one takes

in this professin.

l was uncertain as to the

reception you would afford us,

but now that our defenses

are down, we can talk.

Ask the lady about us.

She was onboard when the

pirate flag was raised.

ls this so?

Yes.

He and his men are the

breed you do business with,

and l want no

part of them.

l imagine this

is yours.

l was in the

Spanish Court

when the Guierre was

sold to the Americans

for the specific purpose of becoming

a naval officers' training ship.

The purchase was widely

heralded to all Spanish subjects

as a token of

our friendships.

Or do you wish to tell

me you pirates attacked

American

men-of-war, too?

Now, who

are you?

Very well.

You will have

a short time

to decide that telling

the truth is less painful

than the tortures

of my chamber.

Take them

to the tower.

Guards.

Davey, did Del Prado tell

the truth? You're not pirates?

We're American

men of war.

Our missin was to

break up this conspiracy.

And l betrayed you.

You couldn't know.

l could have

trusted you

and did when you

gave me the medallion,

but then l overheard you

talking to the Captain

and thought you meant to

hand me over to Del Prado,

so l escaped.

To this.

l'm truly sorry,

not for myself

but for you and your men and

the failure of your missin.

We knew the risks.

You didn't.

So many times l wanted to

explain but wasn't able to.

l understand.

A little late but still in time for

all my doubts of you to be resolved.

And all your questions?

Answered.

So far, so good,

Captain.

Signal the boats

to come ashore.

Aye, aye, sir.

Pull them ashore.

All ashore, sir.

Spread the powder along

the edge of the footpath.

Aye, aye, sir.

What time does the guard

change at the castle?

l guess he doesn't

savvy us, Captain.

We'll just have to cut his head off.

No! No, no,

seor. l tell.

The guard, it change

again at the midnight time.

How many in

the guard?

Twenty.

Sometimes less.

You see yourself

as they ride to castle.

And l know just where

we can observe them from.

Tie him up.

Aye, aye, sir.

Powder set as ordered, sir. Good.

All ready

to go, sir.

All right, Mr. Link, let's have

some shore leave in Foxardo.

Follow me, and

keep a sharp lookout.

Through experience,

l have discovered

that the ancient methods

are most effective.

l venture that, in future times,

more ingenious devices will be used

in gaining confessions. However,

for the present, this will suffice.

Unpleasant, isn't it,

to share all this with

other political prisoners?

Since your crew have not the

detailed information l seek,

it is you

l turn to.

Very well, then.

We will proceed, huh?

l'm afraid there's a limit to

nobility, even for Americans.

Guard change

reporting.

Dismount.

Tie and gag him.

Quiet now, until we

find out where...

That's where!

Let's go.

l wish you could share this

drink with me, my friend.

lt would refresh you.

lt is not my nature

to be inhospitable.

l apologize for

your discomfort.

Now, may l ask again

what your missin is?

Bring her here.

Look there.

Look there, l say.

Maybe this will convince you

once and for all, my friend,

that l mean

to get the truth.

Now, do l get

the information,

or must the Countess

face the rack, too?

You patriots are all

alike. Resist to the last.

CAPTAlN:
To the

very last!

You're Del Prado,

l presume.

l am the

Count Del Prado,

Governor General of his...

That's all l want to know.

Take him.

Are you all right?

Yes, thanks

to you, sir.

Mr. Link,

you're hurt?

No.

l feel just fine. l

mash 'em. l muck 'em...

- Beckett, take

care of Mr. Link.

He has a bellyful.

Let's shove off.

All right, let's move out.

Open up.

But it is past time. The gates

remain closed after midnight.

This is

special detail.

They lie!

What is the cause

for alarm?

They have kidnapped the Count

and ridden towards the beach.

Follow me.

Everybody in the

longboats! Hurry!

That'll take care of them

till we're ready to fight.

l doubt that they'll fight

with the Count onboard.

We can rest

easy for a spell.

You have committed a great

blunder in bringing me here.

l represent the

Kingdom of Spain.

You also represent

a pirate fleet.

The King may

not approve of that.

He'll know such

charges are a lie,

unless you can

furnish proof.

You'll furnish it yourself

before you leave this ship.

l'll not say a word.

Very well.

Mr. Farragut?

Yes, sir?

l take it we're still

masquerading as pirates.

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