Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

In the next morning, the pirates met in Captain Casablanca’s apartment, to decide the next line of action. After a few deliberations, one of the men said, ‘Captain, I think we should go for our ship now that we’ve completed the mission.’

Captain Casablanca looked at him, and smiled, and said, ‘Comrade. The ship had sailed off.’ 

‘What?’ They were dazed and surprised, they wanted to know why? 

‘Oh. How shall we then join them since we don’t know where they left to?’ Another said, feeling very sad. ‘What shall we do now?’

Captain Casablanca looked at them seeing they are downcasted, he said to them, ‘We’ll use the common sense.’ He smiled.

‘Common sense?’ A pirate asked with surprise.

‘Yes.’

‘How?’ Zealot asked, not satisfied with the answer, Captain Casablanca had given. Captain stood up from where he was sitting and walked to Zealot, and tapped him on the shoulder, and said, ‘Comrades, there’s no cause to fear. From today on, we’ll search for them, until we find them, starting from this morning, after eating.’ He smiled.

‘What?’ They all said, so disappointed with the answer given.  Captain Casablanca walked back to his seat and sat back on his couch. The other pirates were looking at him as if he had run mad.

‘Okay, okay. We heard you, Captain. I’m hungry.’ Adam said, as the others looked at him with disdain. ‘What, now? Captain said we’ll start looking for our ship after eating, so I’m hungry, men.’

‘No, Adam. Work before pleasure.’ Captain Casablanca advised, and added, ‘Some of us will go to look for a ship that will sail on for the next few hours.  Eugene, Francis, Adam and Zealot you will be with me, while the others will remain behind. A note of warning to you that will be left behind. Do not cause any unnecessary attention. Any mistake you make will put us all into trouble. Get us what to eat before we come back.’

‘Captain, I thought I will be among those that will wait behind.’ Adam said, not happy.

‘Sorry, Adam, you have to join us. Now, let’s go.’ Captain Casablanca and his men walked out of the building, to port Jericho to look for a ship. They were very surprised what they saw when they got to port Jericho. The news of the robbery on the Treasure Island had gotten all around. The picture of a man was printed on a paper, and some inscriptions were written under it; that the Government of Ireland was looking for a gang of robbers that stole from the Treasure Island. Captain Casablanca flashed back to what he told Thomas, that he must sail off the ship away from the coast of Ireland after the sunset. He and his men looked at the post, and walked away, feeling very sad for one of them whose picture was on the paper. ‘Farewell, Jones. Comrades, watch your moves. Be careful. We’re only lucky.’ Captain Casablanca said, leaving with his men, searching for a ship. There were great activities going on at the port. Some ships were berthing, while some are leaving, while some are loaded into. Little boats could also been seen ferrying people across. Captain Casablanca and his men moved according to their plan, while other sat back in the hotel, waiting for their arrival. The meal was ready. There were lots of passengers at the port, no one cares about the others, everyone was mindful of his business. Captain Casablanca looked down, and saw an empty box, and sat on it, while others have gone checking. Surprisingly he saw a ship among many others, which they wrote, Lady Maggie on. He spoke to Zealot, that was standing by him, ‘can you see that ship?’ Zealot looked around, and asked.

‘Which of them?’

‘Lady Maggie.’ He said.

‘Yes. I saw it’. Zealot answered.

‘Let’s find out where she may be heading to.’ Captain Casablanca suggested, as the two went inside it. He signaled to others to watch their backs, and he walked in with Zealot into the ship, to enquire about her departure day. ‘We need a ship heading to Britain.’ Captain Casablanca said to Zealot, whispering.

‘And you’re sure we can find Thomas in Britain?’

‘We’ll just try our luck. That’s just it?’ He walked to the Captain of the ship. ‘Captain, how are doing?’

‘Great.’

‘When is your ship departure day from this dockyard?’ He enquired. 

‘In few hours friend.’ He said to Captain Casablanca, shouting from where he stood.

‘Okay. Where is your next destination?’

‘Britain.’

‘Oh, that will be okay for us, too. We’ll board your ship to Britain.’ Captain Casablanca said, smiling to the other Captain.

‘Oh, that will be good. We’ll take you there.’ After getting the information he needed, he and the others returned back to their hotel.

 They knocked on the door.  ‘Yes. Who’s that?’ A pirate said, while the others laid hands on their guns.

‘It’s me.’ Captain Casablanca said and the men inside relaxed their guard, and opened up the door for him, as they walked in. Adam began to smell the meal, and walked to the table, where the meal was served. 

‘Oh Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. I’m hungry.’ He moved to the table to eat. ‘I’m dead hungry.’ And sat started, eating. Captain Casablanca said, ‘men, we’re boarding in the next few hours to Britain.’

‘Britain?’ Someone said.

‘Yes.’ Captain Casablanca replied, and everyone was silent. ‘I don’t want anybody to steal anything. Please.’

‘Aye, Captain.’ 

‘By tomorrow morning, we should be sailing off to Britain, moving away from Port Jericho. We will have to leave very early. Any question?’ 

Adam raised his hand from the meal. ‘Captain, are we not going to get enough food along?’ Everyone looked him, shaking their heads.

‘He is a fool.’ Zealot said.