Roger made his way back to The Wood Pigeon arriving just in time for breakfast. Julian and Christopher were also aboard waiting for his return.
"Ah har me 'earties, 'ave a good breakfast lads, for soon we sails east ta catch Grey Beard and Elsie. Only one way ta catch 'em lads, we 'as ta board their ships an' fight 'em wi' the ol' cutlass; I hope we all survives." Roger told his crew. "Julian, 'e takes the lead in The Mass o' Hearties, when 'e sights Elsie you gives chase. Elsie will stop ta let 'e catch up, but just as 'e boards Elsie's ship Grey Beard will come into sight ta attack 'e from behind, ah har. But don't 'e worry lads we 'as a surprise for ol' Grey Beard, the Wood Pigeon will be submerged, as Grey Beard boards The Mass o' Hearties we'll surface an' take 'em by surprise."
"Excuse me Sir," Christopher raised his hand, "how do you know that they will use Elsie as a decoy?"
"Ah har Christopher lad, they always works that way. Besides we 'as ta 'ave a plan, if things work out different we just 'as ta do the best we can. An''’ now lads, breakfast, three Shredded Wheat today Cookie if 'e please."
After breakfast Julian and Christopher returned to The Mass o' Hearties and within the hour both ships were under way.
For two days and nights they sailed east without a sign of pirates, then, just after dawn on the third morning, a sail was sighted.
"Sail ahoy!" The call came from The Mass o' Hearties.
"Where away?" Roger called back.
"Off the port side, on the horizon."
"Ah har, it must be Elsie. Quick lads, below decks. Dive, dive,
.dive."
The Wood Pigeon was lined up astern of The Mass o' Hearties and laid back about 150 yards. Because The Wood Pigeon was submerged the horizon was reduced to a distance of only 200 yards, so Roger constantly watched for the pirates to come into view. After what seemed an endless wait the pirate ship finally came into view, it was The Bird of Prey, Grey Beards ship, and it was almost upon The Mass o' Hearties.
"Quick lads, surface," Roger commanded, "it be Grey Beard, Julian be in trouble."
By the time The Wood Pigeon had surfaced Grey Beard and his crew of pirates had boarded The Mass o' Hearties. A battle was in full flow, and it would take three or four minutes for The Wood Pigeon to reach the scene.
"Sail ahoy!" The call came from the crow's nest.
"What?" Roger called back.
"I said, SAIL AHOY!" replied the sailor.
"I know what 'e said, fool. Where away an' what ship be it."
"Dead ahead of The Mass o' Hearties, cap'n. It be The Maid of Dishonour, Elsie Beard cap'n."
"Ah har, full speed ahead lads, we 'as ta intercept 'er before she takes out The Mass o' Hearties."
"Cap'n," the lookout called, "The Maid of Dishonour is turning away. Look cap'n! By The Bird of Prey. Another ship. It's....it's....it's."
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