Les Burdett's story of Roger

Author: Les Burdett

Nationality: British

"Ah har ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ho, ho, ho, ho, he, he, he, he," Roger had never seen anything so funny.

"Ooh captain, that poor doggy," Julian forgot to sound captainish.

"Quick lads," Roger was recovering, "let’s get that there treasure back ta The Enterprise."

They were soon joined by Kirk and his crew who got all the treasure aboard The Enterprise in short time. All the landing parties were now aboard The Enterprise as well as that ship’s crew, so Roger decided to address them now.

"All 'ands on deck!" Roger called. "Oh, I don't believes it! STAND UP! Why do it be that all sailors are so stupid? Now then, Cap'n Kirk, 'e best stay 'ere, guard the treasure an' be ready ta leave soon as we catches Black Beard. Then 'e can go where 'e pleases, wi' all that there treasure, it be yours as agreed. Julian, come wi' me, we 'as a trap ta set."

Roger and Julian took their men back to the foot of the mountain. Just below the cave they dug more than a dozen ten foot deep holes, covered them with nets, and camouflaged them with leaves and branches.

"Ah har," said Roger, "all we 'as ta do now is wait for that there Black Beard."

For more than three weeks they lived in the cave, each day expecting the pirates ship to be sighted. Then, one Thursday morning, just after sunrise, a ship was sighted, it sailed closer and closer until it dropped anchor just off the beach nearest the crossed trees. Roger could see two chests being unloaded and placed in a rowing boat.

"Ah har Julian, one be feet an' one be treasure," Roger said in a low whisper.

"Ha ah, Roger, what are you, I mean, what be 'e whispering for, they be a mile away," Julian replied.

"Just 'e keep quiet an' watch what 'appens."

Black Beard and his landing party unloaded the chests from the rowing boat and started to carry one up the beach and into the forest toward the X trees.

"Shiver me timbers an’ splice me main brace," Black Beard shouted, "someone's been triflin' wi’ me tootsies. Ye gods, me treasure! Quick lads follow me up ta the cave, run as fast as 'e can."

Black Beard ran as fast as his legs would carry him, until he suddenly realised there was no ground beneath his feet. His men, seeing him disappear turned round and fled back to their ship, leaving Black Beard alone in the hole.

"Ah har, ahoy there Black Beard. I be Cap'n Roger an' I be takin' 'e back ta London ta stand trial for murder an' piracy. Tie up the net lads an' haul 'im back ta The Wood Pigeon, ha, ha, ha, he, he, he. 'E made it simple for me Black Beard."

"Aye Cap'n Roger," agreed Julian, "'e be the easiest ta catch so far. Let's go wave bye bye ta Cap'n Kirk."

By the time Roger and Julian got back to the small bay where they had left Kirk, The Enterprise was under way and a hundred yards or so off shore. On deck and waving stood Cap'n Jim Kirk and his first mate John Silver.

As Roger and Julian stood on the beach and waved to Kirk and Silver they heard Kirk call out, "We'll be back." Then The Enterprise went sort of fuzzy and after a second or two vanished into thin air.

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