In READ Magazine's pirate issue (yar), we asked you to write the conclusion to a story called The Pirate's Life For Me. To read the first part of that story, click here. To read Deb Chadwick's conclusion... keep reading.

The Pirate's Life For Me (Part II)

- Deb Chadwick, Grade 11

I have been on this boat for the past 8 months and I have learned a lot: how to sword fight, rob ships, and gain the trust and respect from all of the other pirates. The one thing that I love the most is my new sword. From the very moment I held it, I knew that it was mine.

Uncle Petey has taught me well and I hope I've made him very proud. One day, Uncle Petey had been looking for Black Island, a dangerous island where the dead wander. He had said that a lost but very valuable treasure could be found there, but the treasure was protected by some kind of a monster. When the island was near, Uncle Petey and I lowered the smaller boat into the water and began to row toward the island.

Uncle Petey seemed scared as we entered the cave. The closer we got to the treasure the colder we became. We entered a chamber that was large and damp. Water was dripping from the ceiling. As we got closer to the treasure we saw the monster. She was half-woman, half-snake, and she had a very long tail.

Uncle Petey told me to get the gold while he distracted her, but I was the only one to get out of the cave alive. When I got back to the ship, I told everyone what had happened. The next day we had Petey's funeral. We filled a coffin with all of Petey's belongings and set it off to sea on fire. When it was over, all the other pirates decided that I should become the new captain because of my bravery. It's been 3 years since we lost Petey but I promised everyone that I would be just as good of a pirate as he was.