The Buccaneers' Code by Caroline Carlson Page B

“What’s that?”
    â€œIt’s for when I defeat Captain Blacktooth. I’ll have to come up with new rules of conduct for my League members to follow, so I thought I’d start writing some.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” said the gargoyle. “I’ve never liked Blacktooth’s rules—especially the one about having to appreciate parrots. You won’t write anything silly like that, will you?”
    â€œI’m not sure what I’ll write,” Hilary admitted. “I’ve been thinking about it for hours, but all I’ve come up with so far is the title.”
    â€œWell, you’ll figure out the rest soon enough.” The gargoyle patted her hand with his tail. “How hard can it be to give orders to hundreds of rowdy, sword-wielding scallywags?”
    Hilary groaned and buried her face in the notebook. “I’d prefer not to think about it.”
    When she looked up again, Alice Feathering was coming through the cabin door, swinging a lantern in front of her. Miss Greyson had agreed that Alice could travel with them on the Pigeon as long as she kept up with her studies, which Miss Greyson would personally supervise each evening. Alice wore a black-and-white-striped stocking cap embroidered with a skull and crossbones, though her curls were making a courageous attempt to escape. “Your Miss Greyson is even more fearsome than my tutor,” she told Hilary. “She wouldn’t set me free until I’d read today’s newspaper from front to back, and most of the articles were as dull as rocks—no offense to the gargoyle, of course.”
    â€œNone taken,” the gargoyle said. “If you’d ever met my great-uncle Chester, you’d know exactly how dull rocks can be.”
    â€œIn any case,” said Alice, “Jasper’s out on the deck, and he’d like to see you for a moment.” She passed her lantern to Hilary.
    â€œThank you,” Hilary said. “By the way, if you had to give a band of pirates one rule to follow, what would it be?”
    Alice thought about it. “Don’t let anyone stick astocking cap on your head,” she said at last. “You’re sure to look ridiculous.”
    H ILARY MADE HER way to the foredeck, where Jasper was tossing his magic coin from hand to hand and looking out over the bay. The pirates of Gunpowder Island didn’t seem to be the least bit concerned about facing the Terror of the Southlands in battle: bonfires lined the shores, and raucous hornpipe melodies floated on the breeze, though they were frequently drowned out by cannon blasts. “Ahoy, Terror!” said Jasper, turning toward her. “Do you have any need for a magic gravy boat, or perhaps a magic coatrack? I was supposed to hand them out to the good people of Augusta, but everyone kept clamoring for magic coins instead. It’s difficult to carry a coatrack about in one’s pocket.”
    â€œYou’d better hold on to it,” Hilary said, “and the gravy boat as well. I can barely handle my own magic coins as it is.”
    â€œThat suits me perfectly,” said Jasper. “It’s been far too long since I’ve had any treasure of my own to bury. But I’d better let Eloise take a look at them first. She may be able to use them to speed our travels.”
    Hilary felt sure that Miss Greyson was capable of taking charge of a magic coatrack. “Is that all you wanted to ask me?” she said.
    â€œNot entirely. I was wondering who you were planningto put on the night watch. Whoever it is had better be sharp; those Gunpowder Island cannonballs are terribly unpredictable.”
    â€œBut you’re the one who assigns the watch!” said Hilary. “You’re the captain!”
    â€œActually, I’ve been meaning to discuss that with you.” Jasper reached into the pockets of his pirate coat and pulled on a pair of Miss Greyson’s fluffy