A weak sun painted the streets around the port and managed a faint brightening of the cell containing Hollick and his crew. He peered from the window and could see the Bright Star anchored next to the frigate that caught them the previous night. There was an early morning bustle of workers lading some of the merchant ships and by putting his face against the bars, he could see the edge of the Governor's building up the hill. As he watched he suddenly tensed. The figure coming down the hill looked familiar, even with the hood over the face. It was Alicia, he knew it.

Alicia turned once to make sure she wasn't being pursued then cut across the square and approached the military jail.

"Good morning, Miss Francorte."

She stopped abruptly, facing the grinning face of the marine guard.

"Do I know you, sir."

"No ma'am, but we all know the Governor's daughter."
"I see." She hadn't wanted this at all. being noticed made her mission that much more dangerous.

"We's glad to see you escaped from them pirates, ma'am. Was me what carried the news of their capture to your father." He straightened and even preened a little.

"Really. He must have been pleased with your diligence."

"I can hope, ma'am. Loyal to the Governor, I am."

"Yes, well I was supposed to visit the prisoners and deliver a message to their Captain." She prayed her station would be enough to gain compliance.

"Oh... well I'm not sure as how I can- I mean I have orders to keep a weather eye on them and nobody said anything about visits or messages." His grin slipped.

"What is your name, marine?"

The tone had a bit of iron and he wondered if he had erred in even speaking to her in the first place. "Uh, Charlie- Charles Mountpiece, Private, ma'am."

"Very well, Private Mountpiece, I don't think my father would entertain any good will toward someone interfering with a specific request made on his behalf. It will take but a moment and I would be inclined to mention the dutiful Private Mountpiece when I return home."

He looked up the hill, around the square then back to the Governor's daughter, praying what he was about to do would stand him in good stead.

Hollick came to the door as he heard the debate between the jailer and the marine guard. A moment later the door opened and Alicia stepped into the cell.

"What are you doing here?"

"It is a pleasure to see you as well, sir." She made strange expressions with her face and told him she was delivering a message from her father.

He had to almost laugh at her charade, managing to hold it in check as she frowned and waited for him to do something.

"Do something." She finally hissed, glancing back at the guard.

"Should I kiss you here in front of your father's men and my crew?"

"Not kiss me, you fool. Escape!" Another long, hissing sentence.

"Oh. Oh, I think not, m'lady. I couldn't compromise your safety in the event of failure, and besides, I'm expecting more visitors a little later."

"Visitors? Who? The only visitors you will have will be my father and the hangman."

Hollick smiled, annoying her beyond constraint and she stamped a foot, turning to leave.

"Your generous offer has not gone unnoticed, Alicia. I will be sure to show more apt appreciation when this is all over."

Her look was one of stunned disbelief. She waved a futile hand and left, watching the turnkey lock up again.

"Maybe we should have taken the opportunity, Skipper." Braggs said.

"That would have only placed her in jeopardy with her father. Mullen will be along. We have always had that plan in place for an event such as this. Any delay in a deliberate mission, the balance of the men immediately respond."

"Never had to use it before though. How do we know old Mullen will remember what to do?"

"Old Mullen, as you call him, carries a permanent itch for action. He won't forget, trust me, Braggs."

******

The longboat hugged the coast and dipped in and out of inlets avoiding patrol ships and merchants. Mullen stood in the bow, his Tricorn hat pulled tight onto his head against the headwind.

"Ready about, helm."

"Aye, Mister Mullen." There was a burst of laughter from the crew. The helmsman was more familiar with the sea and sailing than Mullen was with his own face, and to hear him play Captain amused the men considerably.

"Larboard tack, helm." Mullen knew they were laughing but he didn't care. Captain Hollick had entrusted him with the details of the plan and by thunder he would see them carried out.

"Would that be starboard, Mister Mullen?" Another round of laughter.

"Four lengths, helm."

In spite of the joking, the longboat followed the directions precisely and they made good headway against the wind.

The crew put ashore in a secluded inlet, furled the sail, dropped the mast and pushed the boat as far under cover as possible then, armed with their cutlasses and pistols made their way overland to the Hispaniola port.

******

Francorte stood in front of his mirror making the final adjustments to his uniform and checking his wig. He wanted all the pomp and ceremony he could muster for this undertaking. The populace would be urged to attend and would be treated to a parade of the prisoners on foot through the town to the docks. Hollick would be the last to go. He would be forced to watch as each member of his crew was hauled up to the yard by the neck. Then, and only then, would Francorte himself place the noose around Hollick's neck and give the order to hoist away.

Alicia came to his room in a final attempt to stop or at least postpone her father's vengeance. In a bold move, she decided to tell him about her visit to the jail, hoping it would serve as such a distraction as to delay the sentence.

"You what! You are lying, the guard has strict orders to admit no one without my permission."

"I duped the poor man, father. I told him I was there on your behalf and if he obliged me, I would speak well on his behalf to you."

"His name, now!" The command was so harsh, Alicia sputtered out the name without a thought.

"He was afraid not to listen, since it was me. He is not to blame, I am."

"Fear not, daughter, you will pay dearly for your indiscretion." He pointed a finger at her, indicating she was to stay put, and he marched out of the room and out to the waiting carriage.

The carriage arrived at the jail on schedule and the compliment of marines executed a snappy parade salute. Francorte barely noticed, he was zeroing in on the guard by the door of the jail.

"Private Mountpiece."

"Sir, yes sir." This was it, he thought, recognition, long awaited. Miss Francorte must have kept her word.

"Take me to the prisoners."

Charlie saluted, did an about face and opened the door for the Governor. Six marines followed in close step. Down the steps and along the corridor to the cells.

"Open the cell, turnkey."

The door swung wide and Francorte entered with Mountpiece and the six marines right behind.

"You and your men will follow these marines now, Captain Hollick." While in uniform, the courtesy of proper titles was protocol, regardless of the standings.

Hollick waved to his men and they all shuffled out of the cell and into the corridor. Francorte stopped and turned to Mountpiece.

"Your weapon, sir."

"Pardon?"

"Your weapon. Now."

Charlie handed the musket to the Governor and felt the hand on his chest pressing him back into the cell.

"Turnkey. No food or water for this prisoner." Francorte left the stunned and speechless Charlie, peering through the door bars.

******

Mullen returned to the temporary hiding place the crew had chosen near the Hispaniola docks.

"Here's the story lads. The Governor is going to take the prisoners on a slow walk through the town to show off his prize. He wants all to know he was the man who captured Terry Hollick. They'll be comin' down the hill from below the Governor's house to the docks and then to our ship. He wants to string the lads up to our yard arm ."

"How can we take on a company of Marines, there's only seven of us."

"There will be more once we put out the word that Captain Hollick, the man that has supplied some of the neediest people living here, is about to be hanged. Pedro, you and Thomas get about right smartly and spread the word. Tell we're here to save the Captain and we need as many as can to help with the rescue."

"Sounds risky to me, Mullen."

"Aye, and a risk worth takin' too. Without Captain Hollick, where will you be... any of us for that matter. If Davey Jones is waitin' then so be it. What say you, lads?"

"We're here ain't we? Let's give them marines a taste of pirate steel."