Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen.

 

 

Cabin Boy has run out of time, and out of choices. His fate is sealed, for it is time he faced the captain. He only hopes that he will have a chance to explain himself before the captain discovers that the bloomers are missing.

Captain Jigswiggle is already in his cabin when Cabin Boy enters. His eyes are bleary, and his nose is red and swollen. It is apparent the captain’s terrible cold has not yet left him.

 “Ahoy, lad. What can I do for ye?” Captain Jigswiggle sneezes loudly, and wipes his nose on his sleeve.

“I have something to tell you, but I am afraid you will have me keelhauled, or worse, make me walk the plank.”

“Nonsense, lad. I’m sure it can’t be that bad.”

“It’s worse. Annie’s Undies - ”

The captain interrupts him with another massive explosion from the nose. This time he pulls an over-sized handkerchief from his pocket and blows his nose loudly.

If the captain’s eyes and nose are not evidence enough of his cold, the handkerchief certainly is. It looks like it has been used to mop up an entire puddle. It is just as well it is so large. Unusually large, Cabin Boy thinks. Then he notices the decorative frill about the edge of the piece of fabric the captain holds.

“Annie’s Undies!” he exclaims.

“Yes, lad, Annie’s Undies - what about them?”

“No, Annie’s Undies!” Cabin Boy says, gesturing wildly at the soiled cloth. “You’ve got Annie’s Undies!”

Captain Jigswiggle watery eyes sparkle, and he begins to snigger. “Why, yes. Yes, I have. I’ve been using Queen Anne’s bloomers as a booger-buster the whole day.” Soon he is laughing merrily. “If only me Da and Pa could see me now! Me, a pirate captain, blowing me nose on Queen Anne’s knickers!”

The tight feeling in Cabin Boy’s chest begins to leave, and for the first time since he had discovered the bloomers were missing, he smiles. Soon, he is grinning broadly. Then he chuckles, and shortly, Cabin Boy joins the pirate captain in uproarious laughter.

From the other side of the ship, Mr Manners hears their merriment, and frowns.