CHAPTER EIGHT
JOURNAL ENTRY
30 March 1719
The inevitable toll of constant combat has reduced our numbers as to make it nearly impossible to man the Gallant in a storm. This has forced us to take on smaller ships (where the outcome of battle could be easily predicted) in order to take on more men. We have captured some and given them a choice: they could feed the sharks or take a blood oath and become part of our crew and receive a share of our takings. I befriended a young sailor who signed on as ‘M. Read’ and we have become fast friends.
It was time to test their new skills. Stevie shielded her eyes with her hand and looked out at the three barrels lashed together and floating some distance from the Seeker. She’d fancy standing closer to the rail, but the nearness of the water made he
