Chapter 218 - I Will Take You Home (1/2)

Dufresne started getting nervous the moment he saw the black shadow.

“What should we do? Are we going to attack them?”

“How many sober cannoneers do we have?”

Zhang Heng and Anne were probably the only ones that could remain calm in a critical situation like this. They displayed uncanny fearlessness even as the fleet of battles.h.i.+ps charged towards the island furiously.

“Four. I was a cannoneer last time. I can take up the position if you need me…”

“It’s pointless to fight with them with sticks and stones. Release the mainsail. Let’s get to them before they get into formation.”

“They have seven battles.h.i.+ps! How are we going to fight?”

“We don’t have many choices here. It’s do or die right now. They will sink us if we stay on. We will also lose our window to attack if they get into their battle formation and seal off the port. As long as we are fast enough to charge into the middle of their formation, I’m pretty sure that only two or three s.h.i.+ps would attack us since they need to be careful and not shoot their allies. I believe the Jackdaw is tough enough to withstand the onslaught.”

When all was said and done, Zhang Heng took a glimpse of the beach. The pirates had realized that a fleet of navy battles.h.i.+ps was moving fast towards them. Immediately, chaos and panic broke among the crowd. These the best pirates Na.s.sau had ever seen, gathered here for a common goal, doing something that no one had done before. If only they’d not gotten drunk and prepare respective s.h.i.+ps, they might have a chance to defeat the navy. Unfortunately, just a single lapse of judgment sealed their fate. The celebrated pirates were reduced to running and screaming headless flies.

The only pirate that hadn’t given up was Black Prince Sam, mustering up his people as he attempted to aim the cannons at their enemies. The fact that he was the only one who retaliated made him seem a little lonely. On the other hand, Jarvis boarded a small boat and was ordered to row back to the island. However, he changed his mind the moment he saw the navy fleet dawning on Parrot Island. He quickly changed direction and rowed towards the navy, waving his hands and screaming out to them.

At this point, Zhang Heng wasn’t bothered about his allies anymore. He turned around and looked at his men. Panic and despair had hit the crew hard. Helpless and afraid, they didn’t know what they should do if they wished to live to see another day. Suddenly, Zhang Heng heard a deep, commanding voice in the dark.

“Don’t worry. I will take you home.”

…

The fleet of battles.h.i.+ps moved faster than expected. Even though the Swordfish decided to leave Parrot Island, they were still attempting to gather all their men. It was too late for them to escape. Brook’s face had turned pale with the Jackdaw being his only comfort. Although Zhang Heng and his men got on the s.h.i.+p earlier than them, it seemed like it was too late for them to get away as well.

To everyone surprise, not only did the Jackdaw not retreat, but they now charged at the navy without respite. Such a suicidal move shocked everyone.

Worden, the navy fleet commander, stood on the deck, watching the Jackdaw calmly.

“Is that the corvette we lost earlier?”

“Her exterior seems different. I believe the pirates modified it. But yes, sir. This was indeed the Glory, a corvette we lost during the battle of Charleston,” replied the chief officer after taking a good look at the Jackdaw.