Chapter 2

“Just take any hammock that’s available. The guys tend not to care who gets which one.” Mark said as he lead Shane into the crews quarters in the forecastle. It smelled of men and sweat but over the past few years Shane had become used to it. Though going from sleeping in the captains quarters to the crews quarters was going to be a bit of a change. But after being tied to the main mast of a navy ship for a day Shane was convinced she could sleep just about anywhere at the moment. “Here.” Mark handed Shane a rum bottle filled with water. “You look like you could use it.”

“Thanks,” Shane tried to sound nonchalant but the moment the jug was in her hand she downed it faster than she thought possible. “Where are we headed?” Shane asked setting the jug down on a bench along the side of the narrow room.

“Well we were up on our way from Curacao to Nassau. That man-of-war was the first ship we’ve seen in weeks.” Mark said as Shane sat on one of the hammocks.

“Why Nassau?” Shane asked leaning back and making herself comfy. Mark had asked her earlier to watch for sails that night so Shane was getting ready to catch some sleep before nine bells.

“I uh, have a girl waiting for me… I’m a turncoat. When I found out my girl was pregnant…” Mark paused and took a deep breath before trying to reword his thoughts. “We’re rather poor. Her father never approved of me and told her that if she chose to defy him and stay with me than she wouldn’t get a single gold coin from his sugar plantation. What can I say. We’re madly in love. She ran away with me and… well we really need the money. I want our child to live a well life.”

Shane smiled at the thought of this man building a life for his family at one of the most notorious pirate havens.. “You’re a good man, Mark.” Shane closed her eyes relaxing.

“The courts certainly don’t think so. But a few more ships and I’ll have enough to start my own Inn. A family business, right near the docks.”