I grasped the handle of my cutlass tightly. I knew someone was just around the corner. I sensed it. I held my breath as I came closer, until I was so close that if I moved one finger, I would be discovered.
And then I leaped out and drew my cutlass out at the same time, hopefully catching the person off guard.
“Have mercy,” he was a weak, timid man. I put my cutlass back in its sheath.
“This is my ship. How long have you been here?” I clenched my fists.
“I- I don’t know.”
“Follow me, you fool.”
I got a hold of his arm and pulled him out onto the main deck. Then I rang the “get out on the deck or get thrown overboard” bell. In a minute, the whole crew was standing there. There was a buzz of excitement in the air.
“I found this idiot hiding near the cabins. What are we going to do to him?” I shouted to the crowd.
A rumble of responses came from the crowd such as, “throw him overboard,” “take everything he has,” and even a bit of “hang him by his toes so all can see.” Yes, I loved being a pirate.