I sneaked up right next to the hammock. I wondered if Blackbeard was napping, or just unconscious from his odor.

I wrapped my fingers around The Book and began to gently pull it from his grasp. I almost had it, too, except for one small thing...

Blackbeard sat up suddenly and grabbed my arm. I found myself staring into the most bloodshot eyes I had ever seen. "I needs me a chantey, boy!" he hissed.

And I gulped my biggest gulp of the day...