Buccaneer (Dane Maddock Adventures)

Ancient wonders, hidde
n temples, mythical creatures,
secret societies, and  foes new and old await as Dane and Bones  unra
vel a pirate’s deadly secret in
Buccaneer.

Praise for the Dane Maddock Adventures

"David Wood delivers again with a fast-paced romp
complete with
treasure maps, hidden Templar churches and a secret organization that wants to resurrect an ancient kingdom. Dane Maddock and his sidekick Bones wisecrack their way through adventure, aided by Angel and Avery, two strong women who bring a romantic spin to this action-adventure chase. I loved the Cornish citadel with dragons guarding it and the echoes of Arthurian legend. Fantastic!"
-J.F.Penn, author of the ARKANE thrillers.

“With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of ‘why not’?”–
David Lynn Golemon, Author of Ripper and Legend

“Ancient cave paintings? Cities of gold? Secret scrolls? Sign me up. A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!” –
Robert Masello, author of The Medusa Amulet

“A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back
!”–Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld

“Let there be no confusion: David Wood is the next Clive Cussler..”–
Edward G. Talbot, author of 2010: The Fifth World

Dedicated to John Blake, for always being there for us.

Buccaneer: A Dane Maddock Adventure by David Wood

Copyright 2012 by David Wood

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction, all names, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

Published November, 2012 by Gryphonwood Press

www.gryphonwoodpress.com

January, 1698

It was a stormy day on the Arabian Sea. Dark clouds
hung low on the horizon
and an angry wind scoured the decks with salt spray. William Kidd stood on
board the
Adventure Galley
, surveying his prize. The merchant vessel sailed under Armenian colors, but
carried
French
passes guaranteeing its
protectio
n, and that made it a fair game.
T
hey
’
d taken it with little resistance
offered by its crew
. If its
cargo
holds carried half
the wealth
he hoped, he would be a
rich
man.

“
Captain, may I have a word?
”

He turned to see an
ashen-face Joseph Palmer standing behind him, shifting his weight from side to side and looking about as if
fearful of being overheard
.

“
What is it, Palmer?
”

“
We have a problem.
”
The sailor dropped his gaze, reluctant to continue.

“
What is it? It can
’
t be the cargo. The ship was riding too low
in the water
for her to be empty.
”

“
No, Captain, it isn
’
t that. It
’
s the finest haul we
’
ve ever made. Gold and silver, silk and satin, and all sorts of fine things.
”

Kid
d tried not to let relief show o
n his face. It would not do to
reveal that
he
’
d had even the slightest doubt. Loyalty among his crew was tenuous at best, and the dogs would bite at the first show of weakness on his part.

“
So, what is this problem?
”

Palmer cleared his throat and looked up at the gray sky.

“
It
is not a French vessel.
”

Cold fear trickled down Kidd
’
s spine.
The man had to be mistaken.

“
It is an Indian
ship
,
”
Palmer continued,
“
captained by an Englishman.
”

“
That cannot be. It is under French protection. French!
”

“
It
’
s the truth all the same.
”
Palmer shrugged.
“
The captain of their vessel, he wants to see you.
”

“
Then he may come and see me. I will show him all the proper courtesies.
”
His
thoughts
raced
. He was a privateer, not a pirate, but
, after this incident,
it might not be seen that way back in England. Perhaps he could reach an arrangement with this captain.
“
Bring him aboard.
”

“
There
’
s a problem with that
. We tried to reason with him, but he wouldn
’
t stop fighting. Finally, Bradinham stuck him in the gut.
He
’
s in a bad way, and
I don
’
t think he
’
ll last much longer. He says it
’
s important. He said he...
”
Palmer stopped and scratched at his chin whiskers.
“
What was the word? It was something like
ignore
.
”

“
Implore.
”

“
That
’
s the one.
”
Palmer
’
s expression brightened.
“
Shall I take you there?
”

Kidd saw no way other than to face the problem and work his way out of it.

“
Very well, sailor. Let us go.
”

The wounded captain sat propped up on the bed in his cabin
. His quarters were austere, not at all befitting a man of his rank, Kidd thought
. Blood soaked through
the
heavy bandages
wrapped a
round
his abdomen
, a
nd loss of blood had drained him of any color he
might have had. He forced a smile as Kidd came through the door.

“
Be welcome, Captain.
”
His voice was as thin as old parchment.
“
Please, close the door.
”

Puzzled by this courteous reception, Kidd complied.

“
I understand you wish to see me
.
”

The man
’
s gray eyes, glassy with shock, locked on his.

“
Are you a man of God, Captain Kidd?
”

It was not a question he would have expected, considering the circumstances.

“
Of course,
”
Kidd replied.

“
You are needed to do God
’
s work.
”
A series of painful coughs racked the captain
’
s body, and
red froth oozed from the corners of his mouth
.
“
I need you to deliver something to England.
It
must not be lost or fall into the wrong hands.
”
He handed Kidd a canvas bag. Inside was an ivory document case, very old and ornately carved. Bound to it was a sheet of parchment with instructions on where and to whom to deliver it.

Kidd frowned. The man
’
s urgency indicated this was something of great value. Perhaps he could profit from this transaction.

“
Captain
Kidd
,
please
listen to me.
”
The
man
could scarcely manage a whisper now. His time was short.
“
Do not think to circumvent God
’
s will. That way leads to ruin.
”

Kidd nodded. He was above
such
superstitious nonsense, but no harm in humoring a dying man.

“
Believe me.
”
He
pulled down the neck of his shirt, revealing a brand
on his left breast
.
He
was a hairy man, and the brand was now a pale scar, but Kidd recognized the symbol immediately.

Surprised, he took an involuntary step backward, h
is head sw
imming, and
clutched the wall for support.

“
It can
’
t be,
”
he gasped.
“
They are all dead!
”

The
dying
captain managed a weak smile.

“
Not quite. Not yet.
”

It was like walking on Swiss cheese. Avery chose her steps with care as she wound between sinkholes and abandoned shafts. Damn treasure hunters. They
’
d torn the island apart over the last two centuries and for what?
A legend.
Then again, she wouldn
’
t be
here if she wasn
’
t a believer.

She paused, straining
to listen for any sound that would tell her where work was going on. She didn
’
t know exactly where the crew would be, probably somewhere near the
reputed location of the famous Money Pit.

It had been
a long hike from the causeway. Not so long ago, you could drive onto and around the island, but no longer. The local government had taken it over and shut it down, citing safety concerns. Now, no choice remained other than hoofing it. One hundred forty acres sounded small until you had to walk across it in the blistering sun, all the while worrying that your next step would send you plunging down into dar
kness and whatever lay beneath.

She brushed a stray lock of hair back from her face, feeling the damp sheen of sweat and humidity that clung there. She
knew she
should have made an appointment, but when she
’
d heard the news about the new crew undertaking
the search, she couldn
’
t wait, knowing she might not get a chance like this again
. Now, if she could only make him listen
.