The Bloodlust was a two-master, and only partially full, from the booty we'd collected from an incoming ship earlier. I looked over at Captain Mort's ship -- she was empty, a three-master, sailing outward from Port Royale.

I'd figured we'd just take her down, or she'd flee with the speed gained by being empty. However, she fired back. Our two ships were briefly side to side, increasing our mutual risk from cannon fire.

I had extra cannon aboard; I yelled to the men to keep up their barrage. Our muskets were trained their way, and I fired my own gun. They don't respect you, your men, if you don't get into battle with them.

Suddenly, success -- rigging on the foresail collapsed, although the mast remained in place. The ship was beginning to turn, to move away. Their two large sails were still in action.

My ship, the Bloodlust, sustained damage above the waterline. Our last cannonblast took out some of their manpower, but their return volley caught my second mate, who fell, punctured and bloodied by a volley of scrap metal.

Captain Mort then sailed away. I considered pursuing, but decided not to. Before leaving my cove nearby, I needed to find out whether or not Calico Jack intended to leave Port Royale anytime in the next month or so. Perhaps a plague had already felled him? I would hate his misfortune to spoil my pleasure in my own form of vengeance.

My second mate was on the ground, moaning, gritting his teeth, occasionally letting out a scream he tried to suppress. I walked over, looked down at him. Froth bubbled from his mouth. He would not be long for this world.

Without a word -- what was he going to remember or say? I shot him in the heart, and gestured for men to give him a burial at sea.

I looked back at the horizon. In one direction rose the island. In the other, the two remaining sails of Mort's ship.

Mort. Some might wonder why I attacked him, and not a ship heading towards Port Royale, loaded with pirated goods. Ah, but it is known that Mort the Bloodshot and Calico Jack are thick with each other.

I'll finish both of them off someday.