away the last shreds of mist and now the big shape became clear for the first time It wasn’t an island Looming up before them was an enormous wooden galleon But it looked like a wreck with lop-sided masts and ripped sails A ship said Chuck We we’re definitely saved now Stella stared at the creepy old galleon I I’m not so sure she replied Chuck ignored her Help Help he cried out Man overboard I mean ship ahoy I mean S O S Shush hissed Stella Not so fast I don’t like the look of But her words were drowned out by a booming voice from above Ahoy there Welcome back The birds stared upwards A shadowy figure leaned over the side of the galleon Welcome back Chuck said What do you mean back I was talking to me boat came a gruff reply That there little jolly boat of mine likes to roam and wander and catch me a few guests now and then Stella did not like the sound of that They had been caught but by whom Just then a beam of moon light broke through the clouds and fell upon the face of the mysterious stranger on the ship She could now 12
see a terrifying pig figure Under an enormous leather tricorn hat was a shriveled face more skeleton than pig One eye socket was empty the other contained a big bloodshot eye staring at her A ragged dark beard grew on his chin The figure was wrapped in a tattered black coat Perched on his shoulder was what looked like a stuffed parrot with its head rolling to one side as if about to fall off So what have we here growled the pirate studying Chuck and Stella with his one gleam ing eye Want to join me crew d’ye to answer Chuck was too scared
Who who are you asked Stella More to the point who the black barnacles are you roared the pirate Chuck opened and shut his beak but no words came out This is Chuck and I’m Stella Stella said We’re birds from the island over there We just got a bit lost and And thought you would join my crew grinned the pirate showing the most horrible teeth Stella had ever seen even on a pig N no stammered Chuck The pirate stared at Chuck as if astonished What was that word ye just said to me ye swab Chuck said nothing He said NO squawked the parrot suddenly com ing to life Then its head lolled back down again life less The pirate acted stunned No No NO That is a word I haven’t heard in a hundred years he said looking amazed I am a bloodthirsty pirate captain people always says yes to me Stella could sense danger The pirate was getting angry She had to do something He said yes said Stella quickly He said yes please That’s more like it ye swabs said the pirate Come aboard the Saucy Pickle 15
