James Hobbes

Life Prior to Joining the Squadron

James Hobbes was a very clumsy boy. Born In Ireland, his father was a typical Irishman. But that changed when he met James' mother. A daughter of a wealthy Businessman James' father instantly fell in love with her. She was in Ireland on "business", and at first rejected this crazy Irishman. But he changed, lost some of his Irish (if that's possible) and eventually won her heart. While James was Irish at heart, his true loyalties were to the Crown (due to how his mother raised him) and he loved his country with a passion. He wanted nothing more than to serve his nation, but he was not sure how. At 18 he joined the army, thinking he would finally be able to fulfill his duty to Crown and Country, but after a mishap where he tripped up half the regiment it was apparent his strange style of walking wouldn't fit in the army's close formations. He then requested a transfer to a cavalry regiment, hoping he could ride a horse better than he could walk. This proved to be false when the horse kicked him, knocking him out both of conscience and of the regiment.

After his removal from the army he became very depressed. James spent his days wandering the streets of London without purpose, eating very little and never sleeping. One day, he ran into his little sister, Jenny, on a lonely street on the edge of the city. Jenny brought him home, fed him, and gave him a place to rest. It turns out she captained a ship that belonged to a nice merchant company, made a good living, and was staying in a nice little apartment. James was proud of his little sister, and when he heard she was making a trip to the Caribbean he knew he had to come along. Even though he hadn't been on a ship since his family came over from Ireland he knew the sea was where he would fight for his country. Every part of the trip went smoothly, there was good wind and spirits where high. Until they came across a small pirate ship lurking in the Bahamas. The 6 gun merchant ship was no match for the more heavily armed pirate vessel, and they had double the crew. The situation looked grim for the little merchant. Not sure what to do, the pirates were gaining fast, and they were running out of time.

The crew were scared, he could see it in their eyes and in there movements. He could see it penetrating into their souls, a deadly fear that spread destroying every last ounce of hope in anyone. When the skull and crossbones went up over the advancing pirate vessel some of the crew broke, one man threw himself overboard. The cook came on deck to serve a "last meal" to the crew. All of them believed they were dead, going to hang from the yardarm like the pirates that the navy captured. The crew were lining up to get the last bit of food they might ever eat, when from below James burst up, knocking the cook over and the food on the deck. He threw a bundle of canvas on the deck, kicked it open, and there lay the ship's cutlasses. The crew looked up, shocked and confused. He just stood there, staring coolly at the crew. Before they could say anything, he went back below. A couple minutes later he came back up with two more bundles, the slow matches, and some powder. "Well," he said, "You going to stand there with your mouths hanging open or help me out here?" Some men got up and walked below to help, others started passing out swords, some just continued to sit and stare. Next time he appeared he had multiple pistols slung over his shoulders, he handed a few out but kept many for himself. He had a sword, a nice one that probably was one from the cabin used for decoration.

A bow chaser echoed across the open ocean, the splash making the crew even more tense than they already were. The pirates were getting very close now. The British ensign that had been hauled down earlier out of fear had been run back up, the cannons loaded and run out, and the crew armed. James had a new look, his dark blue coat had a different air about it. As the pirates approached, nearly within pistol shot, he drew his sword. The sun gleamed off the deadly edge and he raised it above his head, inspiring the crew. one of the crew yelled out, "I am not going to die hanging on the pirate's yardarm when I can die gripping my sword fighting to the death!" This was answered by a cheer, the gloom lifted off the crew and the energy was renewed. James grabbed the wheel and spun it hard to starboard, bringing guns to bear on the pirate ship.

To Be Continued...