Drake was napping when the knock came on his cabin door. "Damn your eyes, Jamison! I said wake me in four hours, didn't I?" Jamison blushed crimson and replied "Captain, a ship is approaching. She's a Spanish merchantman, but outfitted for war, and she flies the Union Jack!" Drake vigorously rubbed his eyes with the back of his knuckles and said "where away?" Jamison pointed, saying "if the Captain looks to starboard she is no more than 2 miles off." Drake moved quickly to the bay window that graced the cabin's bulkhead and grimaced at the approaching Contessa. He mumbled to himself "too well armed to out-gun...too much canvas to outrun.." then louder "precede me to the deck, Mr Jamison, and see the crew is armed."

Thornton peered at the English ship and laughed out loud. "Why it's Drake!" he shouted. Lambert said "yes, sir, The Pelican. What shall we do?" Thornton laughed again. "What do you mean, Lambert? We'll do what any seaman would do when he comes upon his countrymen in hostile waters. We shall have a friendly chat. I'll be happy to see that infamous card-cheat."

The Contessa was soon in hailing distance, and she wheeled over to a northeast reach just off the Pelican's starboard beam. Leaning over the rail, Thornton placed the horn to his lips and shouted "Ahoy The Pelican! Ahoy Captain Drake!" A short, stocky man soon appeared near the Pelican's rail and replied "who hails us?"

"Captain Thornton, Francis! Aboard the Contessa D'Albino, late Spanish ship-of-the-line, now British Privateer!"

"Congratulations, Sydney! They always told me you'd make something of yourself. It appears I've lost a bet!"

"Aha! Well, Francis, if you are in a losing mood, then we shall have a game of cards forthwith!"

"Delightful suggestion, Sydney, but I simply don't have the time to dally!"

"Nonsense, Captain Drake! Or do you have something you wish to conceal from the Queen's Navy?" Thornton turned to Lambert and said "un-hatch and prepare the cannon." He again raised the horn, as the clatter of hatches and the rumble of rolling guns came from below. "I'm afraid, Francis, I really must insist! Shorten sail, sir, and lay by!"

Drake's fist were clenched as he turned to Jamison and growled "damn all! Shorten sail Mr Jamison."