The Pirates. By Miss Winamop

Pirate Jake didn't really fit in. Most pirates were cold-blooded, heartless, cruel, vindictive, and merciless. Jake, on the other hand, was a bit of a softy. He was thrown out of pirate school for fainting when someone mentioned blood, and still had the use of both his eyes and no wooden leg.

His ship, "The Lovely Daffodil" was kept spotless, and he always said "Please" before trying to board anyone else's ship. All the really hard pirates laughed at him, and called him names.
Deep down, Jake knew that he was right, and that one day soon he would have the opportunity to prove it.

That is just what happened one cloudless, sunny day over the bright blue ocean. Jake was feeling particularly low. Not a ship had appeared for days and he knew that when it did, the crew was simply laugh and send him on his way.

He roamed round his ship feeling more and more low. What could be done? He was just miserably contemplating the idea of giving up pirating forever and opening up a sweet shop in Camden, and wondering what his father would say if he could see him now, when the cabin door opened and the first mate appeared.

"Captain Jake! Ship ahoy!"

Jake sighed.

"Really? Oh dear. Well, fine, fine."

He pulled himself out of his chair and followed the first mate up to the deck. Sure enough, on the horizon, there was another ship, as spick and span as Jake's own. "Good gracious!" said Jake as he surveyed the vessel. "She can't be a pirate ship she's far too tidy."

There was a snigger from his crew and one said, "Unlike the Lovely Daffodil o' course, fine specimen of unseaworthy pirating joy."

Jake ignored them and turned back to the ship, which was heading closer and closer.

"Prepare to attack," he said gloomily.

Soon, the ship was close enough for them to see on board. Jake nearly dropped his telescope in surprise, for there, on the deck of the other ship, was a worried looking man, who looked completely out of place in his pirate gear. Behind him stood a tidy looking crew, preparing for the attack.

Jake's crew also noticed this. There was a clunk as the massive highly polished sword fell out of the first mate's mouth as she opened it in surprise (It was a long story, how Jake's First Mate came to be a woman. She'd disguised herself as a boy and got herself a job on board ship and when Jake found out her true identity , he didn't have the heart to send her away).
Jake, hurriedly pulled himself together.

"I SAY!" he called over, almost simultaneously with the captain of the other boat. "WOULD YOU MIND AWFULLY IF WE-"

Both captains stopped in astonishment and stared at each other.

"Um-" cried the other captain. "I'D RATHER YOU DIDNT IF IT'S ALL THE SAME TO YOU, OLD CHAP. YOU SEE, WE'RE ON A RATHER IMPORTANT MISSION."

"RIGHTO!" Jake called back feeling slightly relieved. "NOT TO WORRY!"

"BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO POP OVER FOR SOME RUM AND SHIP'S BISCUITS, YOU'RE PERFECTLY WELCOME. I THINK WE COULD USE YOUR HELP!"

"Careful, captain," said the First Mate warily. "It may be a trap."

"Well, let's go and find out shall we," Jake said, deciding to be brave for once. "Come on lads, prepare to board."

Jake's crew clambered or swung themselves on board the other ship and settled themselves on the deck.

"Hello," said the other captain holding out his hand, "Jake isn't it? My name's Rodney. We've heard a lot about you."

"You have?" said Jake in a surprised voice.

"Oh, yes, and we think it's marvellous the way you run your ship. Gives a wonderful reputation to the pirating world."

"Oh - er -well, thanks!" said Jake, who was feeling slightly flabbergasted.

"Anyway," said Rodney, pouring out the rum. "We're on a mission, as I said. Trying to find the treasure of Bogohodo. You've heard of it of course?"

"Oh yes," said Jake. "Gone looking for it any number of times, but every time we've come close, something usually happened to prevent us from getting it."

"Well, nothing is going to stop us. We want that treasure and we're determined to get it.

We would like you and your fine crew to assist us - if that's alright with you, obviously."

"I should say so!" said Jake with glee.

"Jolly good," said Rodney. "Right. We'd better be off then."

And off they did go. It took many years for them to locate the treasure they were after, but, they enjoyed every moment of the journey. They made so many friends out on the sea that it became almost impossible for any other pirates to get close to the treasure, due to Jake and Rodney's friends forming blockades and generally getting in the way. When they actually found the treasure, both Jake and Rodney became renowned as two of the finest pirates every to roam the seas. Which just goes to show, that manners and politeness are often an advantage and are generally more helpful than violence - even for pirates!

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