Page 42 | Chapter 2 | The Ghost Ship | A Free Serialized Online Novel by Scott Telek

Wolverton raised his head. He slowly turned, and, with great effort leaning forward to stand, faced them. He was shorter than John, but wide, with huge round shoulders at the top of his powerful, bull-like frame. That, coupled with the two pistols tucked in his pants, and the long cutlass hanging from a belt round his hip, made the surprised young couple take a step backward.

“Desperate, eh?” he said, voice coming in a sadistic leer. His blue eyes narrowed, looked them both up and down, letting eyes wander languidly over their fine tailored clothes and Iris’s jewelry—all gifts from her family. His hungry eyes then turned to Iris, as though she herself was an object of wealth on display. She stepped slightly behind John as the captain’s gaze fell on her.

“Well,” John said, “I’m afraid so.”

The captain narrowed his eyes.

“Seventy dollars, for both of you” he said. “You will have your own cabin, but you’ll share it with cargo. Sleep in hammocks. Weren’t expecting passengers, not specially provisioned for any, but if you’re ready to make a rough passage of it, we can get you,” he reached out and his fingers felt the fine fabric of John’s lapel, “and your valuables there. You’ll get cabin food, soft tommy, but no special handling. You’ll be confined aft of the mainmast, fore of the poop, and you’ll stay out of our way,” he poked John roughly in the chest with thick finger to emphasize his point. “No special privileges,” he continued. “You won’t complain, you won’t go poking where you’re not wanted, and you won’t tell me how to do things on my ship.”