Several hundred yards from the Tavern, a mill stream crossed the quayside road, and Richard Jones and his charge found a clump of gorse bushes that shrouded it. Jones quickly rinsed the knife and his hands in the flowing water, then stripped off his shirt to wash the blood from the sleeve. "I'm sorry to cause trouble Mr Jones. He's deserved it, though," said Benjamin Bragg. Jones hushed the boy, then said softly "maybe he did, Ben. That doesn't make his killing set any easier with me." Jones wrung the shirt out and, shivering, put it back on. At this moment, two men in hauberks bearing the Arms of London sprinted by toward the Unicorn. "They'll be after me. Time for some quick action. Where are your Mum and Da, Ben?" The boy hung his head. "Got none. There's only me sister Tess, and her husband don't want me around."

"Englisman!" a voice called in a loud whisper. Jones spun to see the Italian sailor from the Tavern. "Quickly! Come with me!" Jones stood, undecided, then said "why should I trust you?" The Italian smiled. "You have my permission to kill me if I prove untrustworthy," and he gave an exaggerated bow."Now...quickly!"

Jones and his young charge followed Bertoli across the road and through the clutter of a warehouse yard, then among a milling crowd near a departing Man'oWar, and finally to a quay where stood a black-hulled three-master, the Gallant. Supplies for a long voyage were being loaded aboard, and a rather devious lot of crewmen were making ready. A row of cannon glinted at the gunwale hatches. "She's a privateer," said Jones. "Aye," said Bertoli," and bound for the Carib Sea on the next tide."