A large chalkboard, stained with grease and sea salt, listed the day's specials: fried fish, salted cod, crab pie, and clam chowder. The smell of old oil, crispy seafood, and spices hung in the air like a sticky cloud, luring in sailors, dockworkers, and smugglers alike.
The place was moderately busy, so they searched for a table. Each one put what coins they had on the table; Sammy placed the shilling given to her by the boatswain, and with that, Cody went to the bar to place their order.
Just at that moment, Skippy, Paine, and Trumper entered the establishment. They sat at a table near where Sammy and her friends were.
Meanwhile, Cody, carrying a tray full of greasy fish, tripped and spilled the food onto a fierce-looking pirate.
The man stood up, visibly angry, and began hitting Cody without a word. Cody tried to defend himself, but the difference in size and strength was obvious.
"I think they're beating up Cody," said Kayin.
"He never breaks the habit," Sammy remarked as she stood up to defend him.
When the pirate saw her approach, he threatened to gut her if she interfered.
"I'm afraid I won't be following your warning. Let go of my friend… or face the consequences," Sammy replied.
The pirate, amused, shoved Cody aside, took a few steps toward Sammy, and drew his cutlass, which gleamed in the filtered light.
"All right, let's begin… my cutlass against your tiny fists."
Sammy took a step back and bumped into another pirate who offered her his own weapon.
"Here you go, lad—feed my sword some blood," he said.
Sammy grabbed the cutlass and took her stance. Kayin watched without blinking.
"She's completely insane," he muttered as Cody came to stand beside him.
"She's nuts…"
Sammy stepped forward and challenged her attacker.
"Come on, now we're even… I await your first strike, "said Sammy.
The pirate let out a laugh and looked at the crowd.
"How do you want it, lads? Sudden death or slow death?" asked the pirate, amused.
"Slow… slow… slow!" the pirates began to chant.
The attacker waved his cutlass and smiled.
"You heard the crowd… Let's begin," said the pirate, smiling.
Then the duel between Sammy and the pirate broke out, blades clashing as the onlookers formed a circle, cheering, yelling, and whistling.
"Isn't that the kid you rejected, Captain?" asked Mr. Paine.
"Damn it, look at how he moves," said Trumper.
The captain simply watched the fight with an indifferent expression.
Finally, after a fierce struggle, Sammy disarmed her opponent. The sword flew over the crowd and embedded itself in a nearby table, spearing a fried cod. The fight was over, and the mulatto was declared the winner. Applause erupted, and the gamblers divided their winnings. Sammy was hoisted onto shoulders, her head brushing the thatched ceiling as she laughed. Cody and Kayin clapped and whistled, but just then a scream broke the celebration.
Everyone dropped Sammy, who landed on her feet. Nearby, the defeated pirate lay on the floor, clutching his forearm, where a knife was lodged. Beside him, a dropped pistol made it clear that he had tried to attack from behind.
Everyone began to look around for the person who had prevented the treacherous act. Then, from the crowd, emerged Captain Skippy. With a cold gaze, he approached the injured man, knelt beside him as he howled in pain, and said:
"It's not gentlemanly to attack from behind."
Without a second thought, he grabbed the knife handle, yanked it out —eliciting another scream of agony— and wiped the blade on the man's jacket. Then he stood and walked out of the tavern, followed by the boatswain and a disgruntled Mr. Paine, who grumbled about having missed his dinner.
Sammy watched the scene unfold. As they were leaving, she ran after them.
"Captain!" she called out.
Skippy turned and looked at her with a serious frown.
"Thank you for stepping in, "Sammy said, "If it hadn't been for you, that coward would've killed me from behind."
"I only did what a man of honor should do… I commend your bravery, Mr. Worthy," replied the captain.
Sammy was surprised that he remembered her name. The captain gave her a pat on the shoulder and began walking back toward the Garnor.
"So… can I work for you?" she asked.
The boatswain pressed his lips together.
"I think the decision's already been made. Good luck," said the boatswain.
Sammy stood there, watching them head toward the pier. Then the boatswain turned back toward her:
"We set sail at sunset, so you'd better hurry," he said.
With that, he followed after the captain and the secretary. Sammy was still a bit confused, but then it all clicked. A rush of indescribable joy surged through her, and she ran back to The Devil's Skillet, where her friends were waiting.
When she arrived, she found the table loaded with plates of food and froze in surprise.
"Guys, you won't believe what just happened, but first… where did all this food come from?" said Sammy.
"They took that coward away, and some pirates from the other table —the ones playing dice— treated us to dinner," answered Cody, mouth full, while Kayin ate with the manners of a young gentleman.
"That was impressive. Honestly… I better stick close to you," added Kayin.
Sammy sat down and grabbed a wooden fork.
"Listen! We've been accepted as part of the Garnor's crew."
The two boys, their mouths full, stopped chewing immediately.
"What did you say?" asked Cody.
"That we're leaving at sunset on the Garnor!" said Sammy, smiling.
The three began talking all at once and toasted to their luck. But when they noticed the daylight beginning to fade, they quickly finished their meal and ran toward the docks.
Meanwhile, at a nearby table, a solitary figure wearing a wide-brimmed hat that shaded his eyes had been watching everything. He pulled out a "Wanted" poster. The face on the page was that of a girl. Though someone had said they were looking for a woman and not a boy, this man was a spy for the infamous pirate Carioca. As the youngsters left the tavern, the man quickly followed, determined to learn more—but the trio was too swift, and he soon lost sight of them.