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Pitt was continually taken in by Sandecker's fascination with odd and creative vessels "An oceanographic research vessel disguised like a fishing boat That has to be a new first"

"A Scots-built fishing traill stand out in the Caribbean like a street derelict at a debutante ball," said Giordino dubiously

"Not to worry," replied Sandecker "The superstructure of Poco Bonito is electronically designed to auto fleet in the world"

Pitt stared at the carpet, trying to visualize such a vessel "If h school Spanish serves me correctly, Poco Bonita means 'little tuna' "

Sandecker nodded "I thought it appropriate"

"Why all the subterfuge?" asked Pitt "We're not entering a war zone"

Sandecker gave hiey look that Pitt knew too well "You never knohen you host ship full of phantom pirates"

Pitt and Giordino both gazed at the admiral as if he'd just claihost ship," Pitt repeated sardonically

"You've never heard of the legend of the Wandering Buccaneer?"

"Not lately"

"Leigh Hunt was an unscrupulous freebooter and pirate who ravaged the West Indies in the late seventeenth century, preying on every ship he caiant of a man, he made Blackbeard look like a sissy Tales of his brutality were legend throughout the Spanish Main Crews of merchant ships he captured were known to have killed the to Hunt His favorite pasti unfortunate captives behind his ship until the ropes were pulled in empty after the sharks took them"

"He sounds like an old salt I know," muttered Giordino testily

Sandecker continued as if he hadn't heard the gibe "Hunt's reign of terror lasted fifteen years until he atteuised to look like a helplesswith a black background and skull with blood strea from the eyes and teeth and sent a shot across the Britishers' bow Then, just as he pulled alongside, the British raised their gunports and poured a series of murderous broadsides into Hunt's ship, which was nae After a furious battle the pirates were decimated A company of British marines then swarmed aboard the pirate vessel and made short work of its crew"

"Was Hunt still alive after the battle?" asked Summer

"Unfortunately for him, yes"