Before I could answer, Blackbeard stepped forward and yelled, "If these three lads is aboard our ship, they must be pirates, yeah?"

"Aye!" shouted the crew.

"And if they be true pirates," continued Blackbeard, "then they must know what a powder monkey is, yeah?"

"Aye!" shouted the crew.

I didn't like where this was going. I could almost SEE The Book slipping away from us.