History's Hotshots Pirates Bold and Brutal Rebels Elste Olson Checkerboard Library An Imprint of Abdo Publishing abdopublishing com
HOIST THE JOLLY ROGER 4
It’s another hot day in the Caribbean You’ve been at sea for weeks You’ve eaten nothing but spoiled meat and bug-infested crackers You sleep alongside many other men below deck But you don’t mind the tough conditions You have more freedom on this ship than you would on shore You trust your captain You even helped elect him Someday you might be captain of your own ship But that day is a long way off Suddenly a fellow crewmember spots a merchant ship The captain gives the order to follow the ship and hoist the Jolly Roger the ship’s flag The black skull-and-crossbones flag flies in the breeze The merchant ship tries to turn around But you know the ship is no match for your swift vessel If you’re lucky your crew will capture the ship without a fight You know most of the merchant ship crew won’t be willing to die to protect their cargo Some might even join your crew However if you do need to fight you are ready You are well-armed and surrounded by some of the fiercest fighters on the Caribbean Sea You are a pirate 5
