Skullduggery Island Read online

  “Fine, sir,” Owen replied.

  “Good. Good. I see you’ve met my aide and trusted friend, Jeeves,” he said, gesturing to the slight man. Owen nodded and received a nod of recognition in return.

  “And this is Captain MacCullen,” the governor added, gesturing to the third man, who was significantly older than the governor. He had a weathered face, probably from years at sea, but his posture was ramrod straight. “He’s volunteered to come out of retirement to lead what’s left of our navy,” the governor added.

  “Aye. We only have one ship, and it’s a rusted-out barge,” the gruff old captain said. “I’d hardly call that a navy.”

  “We are grateful, anyway,” the governor replied. “Captain, this is Owen Christopher, he’s—”

  “I know who this wee lad is,” the captain barked. He fixed his eyes on Owen. “And let me just say, it’s a right terrible thing you did, taking off like that. Your old father was never the same after you left.”

  Owen felt his face flush. It wasn’t fair that people were always judging him against his father and grandfather and all the other Christophers. It wasn’t fair that he was expected to join the navy just because they had all done it.

  “It’s a shame his father isn’t here now,” Jeeves said. “We really need a man of his caliber to fight Captain Crawfish.”

  “We’ve sent carrier pigeons off to find him,” the governor said. “But even if he gets our message, I don’t know what he could do to help.”

  Owen tried to ignore MacCullen’s glare. “There must be something that the town can do for itself. Isn’t there?” Owen asked.

  “There is something,” Governor Roland said in a slightly hushed tone. “A system that was put in place for defending the port that goes back generations.”

  “I would say that it’s more of a legend than anything else,” Jeeves added. “A folktale, that’s all. Nothing more.”

  “It’s more than that,” Governor Roland said, pointing toward the old piece of paper on the table. “This document has been passed down from one governor to the next. This is what will save us.”

  “What is it?” Owen took a few steps closer to get a better look.

  The governor’s eyes widened as he read and then spoke in a half whisper. “It contains clues to the whereabouts of a treasure map!”

  “Our town is in possession of a great treasure,” MacCullen added. “But the only person who knew its location was buried long ago.”

  “But how will treasure stop the pirates?” Owen asked. “Is it some kind of magic cannonball or something?”

  “Nothing as fanciful as that, laddie,” the captain grumbled. “It’s enough gold and jewels to hire the biggest and best naval fleet that money can buy.”

  “Captain MacCullen is going to lead an expedition to find the map and the treasure,” the governor explained. “Meanwhile, Jeeves is heading off to Golden Harbor to make the arrangements to secure a fleet to defeat that dread pirate, Crawfish.”

  “But first we need to decode this letter and find the location of the map,” Jeeves said.

  Owen stepped right up next to the men and looked at the document.

  Ever since the legendary pirate Captain Keelhaul and his crew were driven from our waters, I’ve dreaded the day when a new marauder might target our prosperous home. That is why I have hidden our town’s vast fortune where no pirate will ever look for it. Only I know the treasure’s whereabouts, and it’s my duty to keep it safe.

  And so, on this fifth day of October, I have drawn up a map to the treasure, and divided it into five parts. I have sent the pieces to the neighboring islands and have asked trusted friends to hide their portions from prying eyes.

  But just to be sure that the treasure isn’t lost to time, even if many years have passed, here are some clues that will help those with a true heart and a clear mind:

  Parrot Port

  ~Birds of a feather guard the vast treasure. If you’re ever at such a port of call, you’ll have to make a feathered friend if you want any treasure at all.

  Pirate Outpost

  ~Even pirates must brush their teeth, or their days will end in grief. No matter how you fill your hold, a beautiful smile is worth its weight in gold.

  Golden Harbor

  ~Golden lights twinkle in the night. Just make sure you’re safe and get the combination right.

  Dragon Cove

  ~You can always make a wish on a fish, but you’re not alone if you find your destiny carved in stone.

  Bouffant Bay

  ~When ferns are your passion, you’ll find you’re in fashion. If things get too hot, you’ve found the right spot.

  Only when all the pirates are vanquished and our waters are cleared of danger should the pieces of the map be brought back together and the treasure returned to our humble island.

  I am growing old, and my days on this earth are numbered. I can only hope the person who holds this document is good and true and will do what’s best for the people of my beloved island.

  Governor Ridley

  “But this document must be very old,” Owen said when he was finished reading. “I’m sure whoever was trusted with the pieces of the map is long gone by now.”

  “There’s only one way to find out. That’s why we have to decipher the clues and hunt down the treasure so we can hire a navy,” Jeeves said, jabbing a finger at the paper. “And fast.”

  Owen wasn’t convinced. “It says right at the bottom that we shouldn’t seek the treasure until we get rid of the pirates.”

  The governor shook his head. “There was no way they could have known back then the suffering our community would face due to Captain Crawfish. The treasure was meant to be used for an emergency, and this is definitely an emergency.”

  Owen shrugged. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Now come on,” the governor said as he rolled up the letter and put it back into his safe. “Let’s all enjoy one final meal together. Who knows if we’ll ever have this chance again?”

  Chapter Four

  Set Sail for Adventure

  They were joined for dinner by Matilda, who gave Owen a sly, knowing wink, and her mother, the governor’s wife. They ate a simple meal of fish and bread, and nobody spoke of pirates—although it was clear that all Matilda wanted to do was talk about them.

  After dinner, Owen found Captain MacCullen staring out of a window and looking toward the sea. “That’s the only place I’ve ever wanted to be: the water,” the captain said. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that, now would you?”

  Owen felt a little uncomfortable. “Look,” he said. “I know you don’t like me, but I can be a help. I know my way around a ship. I want to join your crew.”

  “Ha!” MacCullen laughed. “You might know your way around one of those fancy flying ships, but you are by no means a sailor. If we weren’t so desperate for a crew, I’d tell you to take a long walk off a short pier.” The old man turned to rejoin the gathering, but before he did, he glanced over his shoulder at Owen and snapped, “We leave at sunrise. Don’t be late.”

  After he left the governor’s mansion, Owen headed back down to what was left of his home. He lit whatever candles and lanterns he could find and began to clean up as best he could. In the debris he found old family pictures and keepsakes. He placed them carefully into neat piles as he swept broken glass and shards of wood out the front door.

  Just after midnight, he went to the bookcase and unlatched the secret door. If he was going to head out to sea on his first—and perhaps final—voyage, there was something that he needed by his side. As he lifted the Christopher cutlass, he felt immediately aware of its weight. He’d held the sword many times as a boy, but he never realized how heavy it was. Perhaps he could feel the weight of all the past Christophers on his shoulders: their combined history. Was this what my father felt? he wondered. Was this why he became a captain?

  The next morning, Owen made his way onto the docks, the cutlass secured to his side, ju
st as the sun first showed itself in the sky.

  Owen was surprised to see Captain MacCullen standing on the dock next to an old, rusting barge. He had assumed the captain had been exaggerating about the only boat left on the island, but he obviously wasn’t. There were a few townsfolk standing around the dock, mostly farmers, as far as Owen could tell. There was even a boy much younger than Owen with what appeared to be a wooden sword, and the old sailor from the top of the tower. MacCullen really was recruiting every able-bodied person left in port.

  “Listen up, men,” the captain began. “And women,” he added, in consideration of a few women who had also volunteered for service. “We have our orders, and I won’t lie to you, it’s pretty grim. We’ve only got this”—he gestured toward the barge—“um…vessel at our disposal. I’m afraid she isn’t very fast, and she has no cannons.”

  “What be her name?” the old sailor ventured to ask. “Any ship, no matter how rundown, should have a proper name.”

  “Her name?” The captain looked a little flummoxed. “Ermmm…” He eyed the barge warily.

  “How about The Guppy?” the boy suggested, causing some small chuckles from the makeshift crew.

  “Ah,” the old sailor said. “The Guppy be a fine name for such a boat. It suits her.”

  “Fine,” the captain agreed. He obviously felt the name of the boat was of little importance. “But let’s get down to what really matters. Our mission is to avoid Captain Crawfish at all costs. We must search every island in our archipelago for the pieces of a missing map. Then, once we have the map, we will search for the treasure.”

  “What treasure?” the young boy asked.

  “A vast treasure that will save our town from ruin; that’s all you need to know,” the captain snapped. “Captain Crawfish is a ruthless scourge of the seas, and this is a dangerous expedition, so anyone having second thoughts should leave now.” He glared at them all, his eyes narrowed to slits.

  “Of course, you’ll always be labeled a coward from here on out, but don’t let that stop you.” The captain waited several seconds, but nobody moved. “Good,” he said. “Now line up and sound off. Tell me who you are and what you think you can do aboard our ship to help the cause.”

  “I’m called Bilge, Captain,” the old sailor said, stepping forward first. “And I’ve been a cook on many a voyage.”

  “I see,” the captain replied. It was obvious he would have preferred someone with knowledge of navigation, but he was forced to take whatever crew he could get. “Welcome to the crew, Bilge.”

  Next was the young boy. He piped up with, “I’m William Winslow, but I’m called Billy.”

  “And what do you propose to do with that wooden sword?” the captain asked with an amused tone.

  Billy furrowed his brow. “Well, I aim to fight Captain Crawfish.”

  MacCullen chuckled. “At least you got heart, lad. Welcome aboard. You can be a cabin boy for now.”

  The introductions went on down the line until it was Owen’s turn, as he stood at the end. “I’m Owen Christopher,” he said, keeping his voice firm and steady. “I’ve never been to sea, but I’ve been to air for six months as a cabin boy on the Aurora. I’m a quick study, and I can do whatever you assign me.”

  Owen wasn’t sure what MacCullen was going to say, but the captain just gave him a solemn nod. “Okay, men and women, let’s launch The Guppy and be on our way.”

  They were just about to board when they saw the governor and Jeeves coming down the dock. “Safe voyage,” Governor Roland called. “We all look forward to your speedy return.”

  “Thank you, Governor,” MacCullen replied as he saluted.

  “Where are you headed?” Jeeves asked. “Where will you start this treasure hunt?”

  “Dragon Cove,” the captain answered with conviction. “Once we weigh anchor we’ll be on our way.”

  “I’m sure you don’t need it, but I had Jeeves scrounge you up a map of the region,” the governor said, giving his trusted servant a nudge. Jeeves felt inside his breast pocket and pulled out a rolled map.

  “Much appreciated, Governor,” MacCullen said with a short bow. “But now we must be going.” With that, he stepped aboard The Guppy, and the ship launched.

  Owen was a little confused by the route the captain ordered to Dragon Cove. He wasn’t a sailor, but their course really didn’t make sense to him. Still, he thought it was best not to question the captain.

  The barge was as slow moving a boat as Owen could imagine. In fact, he thought, if it goes any slower we’ll be standing still. After about an hour in the water, Billy jumped up and pointed out into the water. “Hey! There’s a raft out there.”

  The crew turned to look, and sure enough, there was a small raft headed in their direction and gaining on them. The captain used his spyglass to see who was approaching. “It’s a girl,” he said aloud, but with some confusion. “Why would she be out here all alone?”

  “Oh.” Something occurred to Owen. “Captain, do you mind if I borrow your spyglass? I think I might know who that is.”

  Training the spyglass on the small vessel, Owen focused on the raft. His suspicions were correct. “I know her!” he exclaimed. “It’s Matilda, the governor’s daughter.”

  MacCullen gave orders to slow the barge, which wasn’t difficult to do, and Matilda caught up with them in no time. “What are you doing here?” Owen asked as the girl hopped aboard the ship. She was dressed like a sailor and had a small knapsack with her.

  “I’ve come to volunteer,” she explained.

  “Well, why didn’t you just do that at the dock, like a normal person?” Owen asked.

  The girl lowered her voice so only Owen could hear. “You know my father would never let me. I had to sneak out.”

  “Turn The Guppy around,” MacCullen commanded. “We have to return the governor’s daughter to port.”

  “You can’t,” Matilda insisted. “We’re too far out. It would cause a huge delay in our mission.”

  The captain looked uncertain, so the girl quickly added, “Besides, I’m an excellent sailor, and I’m ready to fight Captain Crawfish wherever he rears his ugly head.”

  “Captain Crawfish!” Billy shouted.

  “That’s right,” Matilda said to him.

  “No, you don’t understand,” the boy insisted. “Look!” He pointed out at the water.

  Sure enough, it was the same pirate ship that Owen had seen anchored off the coast of Fort Ridley.

  Chapter Five

  Ambush

  “Full speed ahead,” Captain MacCullen yelled to the crew. “Let’s see what this bucket of rust can do.”

  “You’re seeing it now, Captain. We’re going as fast as we can,” one of the crew members replied.

  Owen and Matilda watched as the giant pirate ship tore through the water toward them.

  “How did he find us so quickly?” Bilge wondered. “It’s almost like the scurvy dog knew where we’d be.”

  “We have to get out of here!” Billy exclaimed.

  “No.” The captain stuck out his chin. “If we can’t outrun them, we will fight them.”

  “Captain, you can’t be serious,” Owen replied. “That ship destroyed our entire navy. We don’t even have a cannon. Do you expect us to fight them off with wooden swords?”

  “What would you do then?” MacCullen barked.

  “I don’t know. But it’s foolish to stand and fight when there’s no chance we’ll survive,” Owen pointed out. “The best thing we can do is try to get to Dragon Cove before they catch us. If we make it to shallow enough water, that big ship won’t be able to follow.”

  Captain MacCullen grumbled something to himself as he looked at Dragon Cove in the distance and then back at the pirate ship speeding toward them.

  “We need to find the pieces of the map,” Owen added. “That’s our mission. Not fighting Crawfish.”

  “Fine,” MacCullen growled. Although it annoyed him, he knew that Owen was right. “Let’s g
et this boat to Dragon Cove as quick as we can. Paddle with ye hands if you think it will help.”

  “We need to arm ourselves, just in case,” Matilda said to Owen.

  “I have my cutlass, and the captain has a sword,” Owen said. “But is there anything at all useful on this barge? Besides Billy’s wooden sword.”

  They scrambled around, looking for anything they could use to defend themselves. “Bilge can use his frying pan,” Matilda said. “And I found these short planks of wood used for decking, which the other sailors can use as clubs.”

  “What about you?” Owen asked. He hadn’t found anything he thought was useful.

  “I found this length of rope that I can use as a whip, and I brought my rapier,” she told him.

  “That’s fine for dueling,” Owen said. “But it isn’t exactly the sword of choice for facing marauding pirates.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m pretty good with this thing.” She pulled the long, thin sword from her gear and sliced it through the air a couple of times. “I’ll be fine.”

  “They be closing in on us!” Bilge called out.

  Owen grabbed the spyglass and aimed it at the pirate ship. On its deck, he could see a sinister-looking man with a shocking crimson hat. As the pirate turned his grizzled head, Owen saw that he had an eye patch with a skull and crossbones. That must be Captain Crawfish, he said to himself. No one else could look that evil.

  “Do you think we’re going to make it to shore, Captain?” Matilda asked. “That ship is getting awful close.”

  “Not a chance,” MacCullen replied as he drew his sword. “Grab whatever you can use as a weapon. Looks like it’s going to be a fight after all.”

  Owen and Matilda stood with their swords ready as the giant pirate ship pulled up next to The Guppy. They could hear the pirates calling out orders to each other. It would only be seconds until they boarded the barge.

  The pirates climbed over the side of their ship and swung down on ropes to the deck of The Guppy. “Repel all boarders!” MacCullen ordered, but there was little his ragtag crew could do as the barge filled with pirates brandishing swords and clenching daggers in their teeth.