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Fitzhugh smiled "Very well"

"I want your word And if you cross me, by God I swear I’ll hunt you down in hell"

"You have rin "My word as a gentleman" He stepped back fro Captain Mallory testified is the truth"

An outcry rose up aavel to no avail, until Gray nore the look of betrayal in Joss’s eyes But ignore it he did

"I hailed the Kestrel as a friendly vessel I boarded the ship without permission I took command of her crew I shot her e part of her cargo" Gray ticked off the facts on his fingers "All truths If those actions make me a pirate, then I’m a pirate" Gray spoke over a chorus of objections "And neither I, nor the honorable Mr Fitzhugh"--he swept the rooument to the contrary Do you follow me?"

He looked his men in the eye--O’Shea, Quinn, Levi, Stubb, and all the others, right down to Davy--until they absorbed hisand the obedience he deaze unwavering Not even a blink The bravado ca eeks away There would be ti Then he would be alone

He turned back to face the bench "Now then, Mr Fitzhugh, you have your pirate Do you suppose we can conclude these proceedings?"

"Yes, well …" Fitzhugh coughed "In light of your testimony, Mr Grayson, which is supported not only by Captain Mallory’s account but by that of your own first mate, Mr Brackett, I find sufficient cause to hold you on a charge of piracy, a criements will be made for your trial"

The roohter of Mallory "Grayson, I

’s, I sith hilare "Joss, no" Sit down, damn youThink of our sister Think of your son

"I’h the courtrooers and crew If my brother is a pirate, then I’m a pirate, too"

Gray’s heart sank They would both die now, he and his idiot of a brother Joss walked to the center of the courtroo as he strode through a shaft of sunlight "But I demand a full trial I will be heard, and evidence will be exabooks, the condition of the ships, the state h’s eyebrows rose to his wig "Gladly"

"And roaned at the sound of that voice He didn’t even have to look to know that Davy Linnet was on his feet Brave, stupid fool of a boy

"If Gray’s a pirate, I’m a pirate, too," Davy said "I helped hi hi me"

Another chair scraped the floorboards as its occupant rose to his feet

"And me"

Oh God O’Shea now?

"I boarded the Kestrel I took control of her helm and helped bind that piece of shite" The Irishman jutted his chin at Mallory "Suppose that h’s eyes lit with glee "Anyone else?"

Over by the , Levi stood His shadow blanketed most of the room

"Me," he said

"Now, Levi?" Gray pulled at his hair "Seven years in oddamned word, and you decide to speak up now?"

Bloody hell, now they were all on their feet Pu over which one of them deserved the distinction ofdisplay of loyalty, if they weren’t all going to die

"You see?" Gray recognized Brackett’s voice "They’re nothing but lawless brigands, just as I said!"

Fitzhugh banged his gavel over and over, as though he were cobbling together a new bench up there "Silence!" His voice cracked with the shout

"Silence, all of you! I will have order!"

Eventually, a lull in the mayhem occurred--not precisely a pause, but rather a collective drawing of breath, that the yelling e of thehis gavel into the crowd This proved a far more effective use of the ih the chaos, and all swiveled to face its source

"Anyone"--Fitzhugh’s breath heaved, and his as askeho participated in the unlawful seizure of the Kestrel will be conde the whole lot of you, you miserable, bloody louts!"

This, Sophia took as her cue

With a parting squeeze of Miss Grayson’s hand, she stepped into the courtroo her voice, she called out, "Then you will have to hang me, too"

Ah, noas silent Only silk and crinoline had the temerity to whisper as she advanced to the center of the courtroo an entrance