He ran breathlessly to Blackbeard, who was fighting three men at the same time. He defeated them very quickly. Then a fourth man blocked his way: he had a cruel look and a stout and muscular body, reminding Johnny of the Frenchman who had nearly strangled him when they had boarded the brig. The boy saw him giving some trouble to the captain, avoiding his lunges and replying without ever stopping.
Johnny had learnt that facing such a strong enemy could be dangerous, especially if it was done openly. However, his determination in helping Teach was absolute, on the brink of fanaticism.
He slipped behind the mizzenmast and stumbled into a lantern fixed into the wood by a nail. He grasped its ring and hid behind a barrel, awaiting the right moment to put the plan he had made into practice.
A
