CHAPTER SIX THE BAPTISM OF FIRE
The weeks after he first met Blackbeard were the worst.
Johnny found out to his cost how hard life on board was. Work was never ending, its rhythm was just beaten by meals times. The food was rationed in such small portions as to be barely enough to survive and the crew had to eat in the crowded below deck. Many of them devoted himself to fishing, trying to make up for the scarce food.
Taking advantage of his rare work breaks, Johnny asked Vogler to teach him how to tie knots. Apart from that, he was forced to do the most degrading tasks. He was given a bucket and a cloth, together with the order to clean the main deck each morning. Then he had to look after the cattle, standing deep into the stench for hours. At those moments, he remembered bitterly
