The Bright Star anchored in a small cove around the south end of Hispaniola and Hollick, with Mullen and Cafferty again, sailed in the longboat along the coast to Port-au-Prince. Disguised as mourners, in clothing liberated from merchant ships, they put ashore close to port and made their way through the streets to slip into the line of legitimate mourners behind the family carriage. The procession moved at a stately speed and the long trek to the cemetery was finally over. Marines quick stepped into a double line facing the Francorte crypt and the mourners took up positions on either side.

Alicia, her father and the minister climbed down from their carriage and stood solemnly in front of the crypt. The carriage was moved away as was the hearse after removing the coffin. The minister stepped forward and began his sober eulogy, voice rising and falling as the sea with flowery sentiments and grave admonitions for those not heeding the word. Hollick fastened his eyes on Alicia, willing her to look his way, wishing he could just walk forward and be with her. It didn't work and even if It had, what then? He thought. The minister finished with a flamboyant blessing and an invitation to view the deceased inside the crypt.

As the crowd moved forward into a semblance of order, Hollick made his way around the edge and came within a few feet of where Alicia stood accepting condolences. He purposely coughed several times and at last attracted her attention as she turned in annoyance. Her eyes exploded in surprise and it was all she could do to keep from running down to him. He pointed to a spot behind the crypt and moved off before she drew more attention. When most had been inside and were leaving in small groups, Alicia stole away and came to where Hollick waited. The embrace was fierce and he told her he wanted her to come with him.

"I'm sorry to sound so harsh but you don't have an excuse any more. I want you with me Alicia. I have missed you more than I can say."

"Oh, Hollick... I don't know what to do." She hugged him closer.

"Come with me."

She stepped back, still holding his arms, her eyes seeking his with a hope for understanding.

"I can't just leave... like that. I have responsibility to-"

"Your father! You owe him nothing, Alicia. I've heard the way he speaks about you, like you are chattel... you and your mother both. Ornaments to be displayed at the Governor's request."

"That's not fair, Hollick, he's my father."

"And as your father I demand you step away from that scoundrel now!" They both turned in shock to find Francorte and a group of Marine s with rifles pointed at them.

"Father! No-"

"Silence. Get away from that man now."

"Go." Hollick squeezed her hand and eased her away. "Well, Governor, what next?"

******

He leaned on the cell window and watched the construction of the special gibbet in the square. Well, Hollick, old man, I think this time you might have overplayed your hand. He ran a thumb down the sea corroded bar over the window and considered his extremely limited options. A young Private stood at rest outside and Hollick could see him looking furtively over his shoulder at the window every few minutes. Scared of guarding the notorious Terrence Hollick? Hollick smiled and returned to the straw covered board cot.

He lay down and stared at the stone ceiling and dreamed about the cavern and all the amenities he had available there. Here he was giving it all up for a woman who claimed to love him... he blinked and frowned. She had never actually said that. A scrape on the floor outside his cell made him sit up. A key rattled in the lock and the door opened. Captain Woodcuffe stepped inside, dismissing the jailer.

"Captain Woodcuffe. A surprise to see you here," Hollick sat up.

"Mister Hollick." The absence of the formal greeting wasn't lost on Hollick. "I came to see if I could convince you to reveal the location of your Tortuga haven in exchange for some leniency."

"Some leniency."

"Well it certainly won't be freedom."

"Then I fail to see any accord, sir."

"I can promise you now, on the word of an officer in the King's navy, that if you reveal that location, your people will be allowed to leave without penalty. I will, however, seize your ship and any plunder I find."

"You would let my entire crew and their families go without any punishment of any kind?"

"On my honour, sir."

Hollick stood and went to the window again. The Marine Private was still in his place and still glancing over at the cell window.

"Even if I accepted your terms, there is no way you would gain entrance without a battle. I would have to tell them personally, otherwise it could be another incident like the Contender."

"I sincerely hope you are not comparing my seamanship with that of the late Mister Barlow."

"Wouldn't matter if I was, Captain. The outcome would be the same."

"So you refuse my offer then?"

"Only to save your life, sir."

Woodcuffe slapped his thigh and called for the jailer. "Your arrogance, sir, will forge your epitaph." The door opened and the Captain marched out.

When he looked out the window again, the private was gone and he strained his head around to see as much as possible but still no sign. The note bounced between the bars and landed on the floor, surprising him. He looked outside again and there was the Private, back in his regular spot and still behaving nervously. He picked up the note and unfolded it, smiling as he read the troubled writing of his friend, Cafferty.

We's gut yer escape all ploted owt, Skiper. At meal time weel be comin with the jaler and weel get yu free. wach for a lite at the dock its ware the bote will be watein.

                                          Caferty

So once again his crew was risking everything to rescue him again. He stuffed the note into his pants and checked the window again, wondering how they got the private to leave while they delivered the note.

******

"Did you get it to him?"

"Aye, and thanks to yer dealin' with that laddie Marine ."

Alicia clutched his hands and thanked him. "Can you make this work, Mister Cafferty?"

"A piece of cake and a tot of rum, ma'am. These lubbers are no match fer Captain Hollick's mates."

"One more favour, Mister Cafferty."

"Aye?"

"I wish to be in that boat tonight when he arrives."

"Oooh, well now, ma'am... that's a tall order fer sure. He- the captain might not-"

"I'll take full responsibility, sir."

"Even so, ma'am-"

"Good, it's settled. Tonight, Mister Cafferty, bring him to me." Alicia gathered her skirt and hurried away out of sight of the Marine Private .

******

A heavy looking moon, draped in ash coloured clouds stationed itself in the sky above Port-au-Prince. The light from the moon brightened Hollick's cell and he felt concern over the plan his men had prepared. When the meal time arrived and he heard the jailers key, he readied himself for whatever might be expected. The door swung open and the jailor tumbled forward onto the floor, his head hitting with a heavy smack.

"We're away, Skipper." Mullen handed him his pistol and cutlass and the two men locked the door and left the jail cautiously.

"The others?" Hollick whispered as they kept to the dark shadows of the building.

"Just Cafferty and me, Skipper. Doesn't take an army to beat these sheer hulks."

"Let's not dismiss them too readily, they didn't have these islands given to them."

They stepped from the shadow of the building at the same time as the three man patrol came around the corner.

"Oy! Halt there!"

Mullen drew his pistol and fired, dropping the nearest Marine. The other two unshouldered their muskets but the delay allowed Hollick and Mullen to attack. A noisy clash of steel and a loud shout for help turned the little incident into chaos. Hollick's cutlass slashed down on the arm of one Marine, sending him reeling and screaming in pain. Mullen parried a bayonet thrust and then was scorched by the blast of the musket before he thrust his own cutlass into the exposed side of his opponent.

"Quick, to the dock!"

"There's more comin'." Mullen shouted over his shoulder. "We'll never cast off fast enough, Skipper."

Hollick stopped and went down on one knee, aiming and hitting the nearest Marine. The others slowed and spread out, taking cover and taking advantage, he stood and ran again. At the bottom of the street he could see lanterns swaying as another contingent of Marines came from a different direction. They sped across the road and down to the dock, stumbling and tripping until they reached the boat and jumped aboard. Without a moment to lose, Cafferty cast off and began hauling on the oars, hoping to get into the shadows of the moored ships along the quay. Musket shot splashed dangerously close to the boat, some tearing splinters of wood away. They maneuvered the boat behind a brig, using it as a shield while Mullen quickly ran up the sail. A few more mighty pulls and the boat was clear, allowing the offshore breeze to move the sails .

"Grab the skeet!" Hollick called. "We need more speed."

The musket shot was soon falling short of the boat and they permitted themselves to relax slightly.

"Make for open water then come about and back into the coastline, Mister Mullen."

"Aye, Skipper."

"So, Mister Cafferty, you two seem to be- what in blazes!" He almost stood but maintained his seat.

"I had no choice, sir."

"He's right, Hollick. I insisted on coming." Alicia moved away the cover that had hidden her and held out her arms.

"This is such foolishness. You could have been killed!" Instinctively, he reached for her and while they embraced he continued berating her action.

"I think we best belay that, Skipper. There's a brig making sail in the port."