Fifteen times the cat was lashed against Red Beard’s back and fifteen times he called out in pain.
"Fifteen," Julian called, "punishment over."
"An' one for luck," Roger replied as he threw that cat once more, causing great delight amongst the crew.
Percy was released and he staggered back to his hideout; the ships rats would be safe tonight.
"Take 'im back to The Mass o' Hearties lads, 'is crew mates can dress 'is wounds. It's back to Portsmouth shipmates, we 'as to get our reward from that there Admiral Sir Donald Drake. Fly the Jolly Roger on the tallest mast so's all can see we's caught another pirate."
And so, The Wood Pigeon and her crew sailed back to Portsmouth. As they entered the harbour crowds of cheering fans lined the harbour walls.
"Hurrah for Roger," one section of the crowd called.
"God bless Jolly Roger," came from another section.
"Cooey, Julian," from a rather odd looking section of the crowd.
Soon The Wood Pigeon and The Mass o' Hearties were tied up and the prisoners taken into custody.
"Ah har Julian 'e did a grand job this trip, as a reward I'm giving 'e The Mass o' Hearties. Make sure 'e keeps it clean an' 'as it serviced properly."
"Ooh, thank you ever so much captain," Julian responded smacking a surprise wet one on Rogers' cheek, "how can I ever repay you."
"Ah, er um, not necessary Julian, just 'e look after it. Now I wants 'e ta come ta London wi’ me, ta see Drake and gets our reward."
"Aye, aye captain. I wonder if that nice Bernard will be there."
Bernard greeted Roger and Julian when they arrived at Admiralty House. "Ah, Captain Roger and Julian. Wonderful of you to capture Red Beard, his trial is scheduled for next Tuesday, so if you'd like to stay in London for a few days, you could watch the hanging on Wednesday morning," Bernard enthused. "I've got some good tickets, right in the front row."
"Ah har, we 'as ta plan our voyage ta catch Black Beard but thank 'e for asking."
"They have some good supporting acts. There's a magician that turns women into frogs, and an acrobatics troop that catapult themselves into huge bowls of custard."
"Nay lad, we 'as a job ta do."
"Oh well, never mind. Drake is interviewing more discoverers, do come in and listen."
Stood in front of Drake was Captain Kirk.
"Oh, it's you again Kirk, well let’s have it."
"Capn’s log, 7 April 14....."
"Yes, yes, get on with it man."
"We boldly sailed west, where no man 'as gone afore. For five months we sailed, never seeing sight o' land, then one day we sighted land that stretched from one 'orizon ta the other; we went ashore. The coast was covered in dense forest, so we set up
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