The Legend of Graybeard - PART II - The Abduction of Pearl
Shortly after his triumphant discovery of Rock Hall, Graybeard encountered a very beautiful and saucy wench affectionately known to the locals as "Pearl". Pearl had migrated south to the Isle of Delmarva from Philadelphia after escaping a jealous lover by stowing away on a ship from England. An accomplished watercolor artist, she soon grew tired of the crowds and the accelerated pace that she found in the fast-growing metropolitan area. Pearl enjoyed a free and laid-back lifestyle operating an art gallery on the main street as well as catching her own grub from the Chesapeake Bay. She had a particular knack for catching crabs simply by tying string around chicken necks and placing them into the water.
Graybeard quickly became besotted with love for Pearl and set about to make her his wench for life. However, Graybeard's fearless mates could not bear to see their celebrated leader swept away with such infatuation. They complained that he had lost interest in them and that they never did the fun things they used to do - like stealing, sword fighting, sailing and drinking grog. The men began to ridicule Graybeard behind his back. They laughed uncontrollably as they sang out their familiar refrain.
"Hail Rock Hall, Hail Rock Hall
Long live Graybeard - Pirates are we all
Pirates are we all - pirates are we all
Long live Graybeard - Hail Rock Hall"
Meanwhile, after a year of relentless pursuit, Captain Jay Hawkins, great grandson of the notorious sea dog, Sir John Hawkins, had become discouraged in the quest for his elusive nemesis. His mates had likewise, become exhausted from their tormented days and nights at sea in the armada of tiny ships. "Alas", Jay Hawkins sighed in gloomy resignation. "We must prepare to come about". Just as he was giving his orders, a scurvy lookout by the name of Bud the Wiser spied a shiny metallic object floating adrift on the western horizon. Hawkins ordered the tiny ships forward, whereupon the buccaneers retrieved a 10-ounce container of grog from the sea.
"Aargh"! Growled the Wiser, reaching over the side"
"Land is near - we can follow the tide"
Wiser, a well-known scrimshaw artist, scratched his name into the can, then shared its contents with the thirsty crew before tossing the empty back into the sea. "An amazing discovery indeed", remarked Hawkins, then he barked,
"Sail onward! Me scallywags, don't be distressed, Graybeard is near - we shall continue our quest!"
"Hail Rock Hall, Hail Rock Hall
Long live Graybeard - Pirates are we all
Pirates are we all - pirates are we all
Long live Graybeard - Hail Rock Hall"
The wayward canister with the words "Bud Wiser" engraved into the side finally washed ashore beside a shack in the harbor where Graybeard's and his men gathered for grog.
Recognizing the container, Graybeard, stirred from his love-sick spell and studied the empty can carefully. He spoke:
"Avast me scoundrels, what have we here? Someone, it seems, has been drinking our beer!"
Graybeard's mates continued to mock him and they refused to listen as Graybeard withdrew to the buccaneer's bathroom (heretofore known as the head).
Then Pearl examined the object and exclaimed:
"Tis Bud, the Wiser - whose been drinking our beer and only can mean that Jay Hawkins is near!"
Moments later, an enormous fleet of small ships appeared outside the harbor led by the resolute flagship of Captain Jay Hawkins.
"At last!" shouted Hawkins - "We have come for the Rock".
As the fleet of small dinghies tied up to the dock!"
Capt. Jay Hawkins and his ruthless invaders came ashore in a throng, demanding grub and grog from the startled wenches behind the bar. At once, the music stopped; the fiddler's fiddle dropped and the crowd froze in fear. Jay Hawkins carefully scrutinized the multitude of pirates and wenches that assembled on the dock. He commanded with great indignation,
"I am Jay Hawkins, in relentless pursuit
Of the one they call Graybeard and Her Majesty's loot!"
(A gasp rose up from the crowd as the impatient Hawkins twirled his mustache with his fingertip).
Then Hawkins stepped up to the head and exploded with a furious shout, "Graybeard, ye rouge, I warn ye, come out"!
The Pirate captain's unpatched eye was then captured by a glimpse of the beautiful Pearl holding the empty Bud Wiser can. At once, his mouth dropped open and his anger fell away to silence.
"Pearl", Jay Hawkins muttered in a trembling whisper. "This cannot be true. So many years, I've been searching for you".
The unsuspecting Graybeard was caught off guard when he finally emerged from the head. Although the record is unclear as to what happened next, a terrible fracas ensued and a horrified Pearl suddenly found herself in the jealous arms of Jay Hawkins. He hauled her away toward one of the tiny ships waiting at the dock. Graybeard, hastened to the chase, but found his less-than loyal men slow to the call as they defiantly ordered another round of grog, laughing still.
Yet again, Graybeard's oratorical proclivity rose to the fore. In what may have been his finest exhibit of persuasive verbal communication, Graybeard addressed his mates. Although his exact words are not known, the legend has it that when he was through, a dry eye among his men could not be found. The buccaneers began to hug each other and cry as Graybeard hoisted his mug:
"Who lives better than us? He implored.
"NOBODY" - shouted the men as they hastened toward their ships echoing out their familiar refrain:
"Hail Rock Hall, Hail Rock Hall
Long live Graybeard - Pirates are we all
Pirates are we all - pirates are we all
Long live Graybeard - Hail Rock Hall"
PART I: