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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

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Finally, he spat a last time, <strong>the</strong>n wiped his mouth on <strong>the</strong> sleeve <strong>of</strong><br />

his shirt and straightened up—only to have his knees nearly buckle. He<br />

leaned against <strong>the</strong> railing, eyes closed, breathing through his mouth,<br />

afraid to look around and see whe<strong>the</strong>r any <strong>of</strong> his crew had witnessed<br />

that disgraceful exhibition.<br />

“Feel better now?” It was Robby’s voice.<br />

Jack nodded. “Think so. I’m going to my cabin for a few minutes.<br />

Have to put away my octant.”<br />

“You’re not on watch, Jack,” Robby said, walking along beside<br />

him as Jack made an unsteady way down <strong>the</strong> ladder from <strong>the</strong> bow,<br />

along <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r deck. <strong>The</strong> captain unlocked his cabin with trembling<br />

hands, <strong>the</strong>n went in. After carefully stowing his octant in his sea chest,<br />

Jack collapsed onto his chair. He took out his flask and sipped<br />

carefully, mindful <strong>of</strong> his thoroughly empty stomach.<br />

<strong>The</strong> few swallows <strong>of</strong> rum helped. After a minute, he straightened<br />

and opened his eyes. “That’s a little better.”<br />

“You do look better,” Robby agreed. “I’ve never seen anyone so<br />

green in my life.”<br />

“Don’t remind me,” Jack said. “I assure you that I sincerely regret<br />

all those times I’ve laughed at lubbers who nearly turn <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

inside out, feeding <strong>the</strong> fish.”<br />

“It’s an awful smell,” Robby said.<br />

“Ships will be able to tell what we’re hauling for miles,” Jack said.<br />

He slumped forward, holding his head in his hands. “May all <strong>the</strong> forces<br />

<strong>of</strong> Hades and Hell damn Cutler Beckett for eternity, Robby,” he<br />

muttered. “May he die alone, and have no one to mourn him.”<br />

“Pretty strong curses, Jack,” Robby observed.<br />

“I hope <strong>the</strong>y bloody well come true,” Jack said, in a savage<br />

undertone. “You should have seen him that day, Robby. I never fooled<br />

him. He knew I was lying about something, even if he couldn’t prove it.<br />

So he set out to grind me into <strong>the</strong> muck, just like he’d squash a bloody<br />

cockroach. Sodding little wanker.” He dropped his hands.<br />

Robby raised his eyebrows. “<strong>The</strong> only o<strong>the</strong>r man I’ve ever seen<br />

that made you this angry was Christophe, Jack.”<br />

“Don’t think I haven’t fantasized about running <strong>the</strong> little git through,<br />

Robby.”

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