In their hot, tiny prison, Winona and Xenia had decided to free Alinda from the hood and the straight jacket. The blonde agent wanted to attack Winona immediately after she had spat out the gagging cloth, but Xenia intervened.
„Ladies, we will need all our strength to get throught his!“
Alinda still fumed against the redhead:
„That`s all your fault!“
Winona could not believe it. „I beg your pardon? If I had not freed myself, the result would have been exactly the same! Only would it be me who lacks decent clothing, instead of you!“
She mustered Alinda in her camisole and knickers. The flimsy material had already become transparent from her sweat and her areolas were clearly visible.
After some panting, Alinda calmed down. They considered what to do, but, locked away in an iron room, there was little they could do right now. So, the three girls decided to wait for the things to come.
***
Santiago looked at the little raft vanishing astern. Though he had fulfilled the Captains orders, he felt pity for the three helpless women they were just leaving behind.
They had taken the lid of the „Sea Hawk`s“ main hatch that had an edge length of some two yards. Then, they had tied Yvette and Rita at wrists and ellbows and had gagged them with rags stuffed into their mouths and strips of cloth tied tightly between their lips. The two dancers had fought strongly, but in the end, the pirates had tied their knees and ankles, too, and had seated them and the still bound and gagged Queena back to back on the lid, their legs forming a three jagged star.
„Mhhmmmmmph!“, Rita protested.
„Uuhhmmmph!“, Yvette added.
„Mhhrrrrrrrrr! Mph! Uuuhhhmmmmmm!“, Queena joined in, squirming in her bonds.
„You better keep balance, unless you are good in bound swimming“, one of the pirates told them, causing the girls to whimper, „but before, just some equality for you.“
Without warning, he leaned over Rita and ripped off her dress, baring her breasts. The girl blushed and squirmed, but he did the same to Yvette who also could not avoid getting exposed in front of a group of men.
Then, their captors used the „Sea Hawk`s“ hoist to water the little raft. Immediately, the three bound and gagged women found out that every move had direct consequences on the lid`s balance and that they had to sit perfectly still and adjust to the waves` rocking to avoid falling over. None of them could swim and, bound hand and foot and wearing dresses, this would have been impossible anyway.
They mmphed through their gags and looked pleadingly up tot he pirates, but they just heard one of them yelling:
„Just stay calm and relaxed, there are Yankee patrols around. With some luck, they will rescue you!“
Then, the ship set sails and followed the steamer. After a few minutes, both ships were just a shemen on the horizon, leaving the three topless, bound and gagged girls alone in the open sea.
***
Letting one of his men steering the „Deguello“ (the name of the steamer), the Captain had retired to his cabin and counted the loot. Alltogether, without any possible ransoms or the money he would get for the „Sea Hawk“ and the black girl, they had made a profit of some 1500 golden dollars.
Considering himself as a „real pirate“, this loot would be parted equal between him and his 28 men, whilst he as the Captain would get two shares. Since calculating was not his best skill, it took the Captain some time to find out that he would get some 100 dollars.
That was nothing if he compared himself to his idols, the infamous Blackbeard or the even more successful Bartholomew Roberts. But it was quite a sum and it would be enough to spend a few weeks drinking and celebrating, even after the „Deguello“ had been equipped with new supplies. The fact that he owned a steamer meant that he could operate almost where he liked, but it also meant that he had to get new coal and water every few weeks. Since there were no longer places like Nassau or Tortuga where pirates could live open and free, this meant he regularily had to change the Jolly Roger for a neutral flag, call the „Deguello“ by a more harmless name and to disguise as a merchandman to get into a harbour undiscovered.
The Captain knew that the Golden Age of Piracy was over. Even the „Silver Age“, a wild period between 1810 and 1830 in which some 2500 pirates had taken advantage of the power vacuum caused by the South American wars of independence and the war of 1812, had long gone. However, every great war created a lack of control that allowed unscrupulous fortune hunters like him to become rich. Actually, he normally looted fishing vessels or small merchandmen that were loaded with small amounts of cotton or tobacco, but sometimes, he felt like the legitimate heir of pirates like Blackbeard or Roberts.
Daydreaming about his more or less great career, the Captain had deliberately ignored the bound and gagged Zenobia who was still lying on his bed. But now, he took a look at the naked girl. To his surprise, she squirmed and moved her hips up and down.
„Really? You are trying to get some fun from the rope between your legs? I had no idea that my sheer presence turns you on that much!“
„Mph! Mph!“
Vigorously, Zenobia shook her head and now even her dark skin could not hide the fact that she was blushing all over. She looked pleadingly into the Captain`s eyes, trying to communicate through her mouthfilling gag.
„Are you trying to tell me something?“
„Mhmph! Mph!“
Zenobia nodded and twisted her eyes, trying to emphasize her pleading.
The Captain sat in front of her and grabbed her chin, almost gently. Before he touched the cloth tied over her mouth, he hesitated.
„Before I ungag you, you have to allow me to touch your breasts. I know, I could do so anyway, but I prefer if you tell me that you like it. All right?“
Closing her eyes in self denial and blushing even deeper, Zenobia nodded. She had endured so much groping of her nude body so far, she would be able to stand this, too.
The captain incresased the grip on her chin: „No, look at me!“
Zenobia forced herself to open her eyes again. For quite some minutes, the Captain kneaded the helpless girl`s boobs, always looking into her eyes. Finally, after what seemed ages, he pulled away the gag, revealing the knotted cleave gag beneath. Grunting with annoyment, he ripped away that cloth, too.
„Mph!“
The giant wad of cotton wool had become so dense Zenobia could not work it out of her mouth on her own accord. Cursing, the Captain helped her to spit the gag out, followed by some saliva. For a while, Zenobia spat out fibres of cotton wool, then, after some panting, she said:
„Thank you, Sir. Please, can you release me?“
„Well-why should I? I like you the way you are.“
Zenobia shuddered, then, avoiding to look into his eyes, she stammered:
„I-I ha-have t-to pee b-b-badly. Please, re-release me, p-please!“
The Captain laughed. Then, he took a caraffe and slowly poured some water into a glass, torturing Zenobia with the sound of the splashing water.
„You want me to allow you to relief yourself?“
„Yes, please, Sir, Master, please!“
The Captain slowly poured the water back into the caraffe and smiled:
„All right, after all, I am sleeping in this bed. But this will cost you. I will think of a pleasant reward for my generosity!“
He cut Zenobia`s hogtie, allowing her to stretch her body for the first time after so many hours. Then, he opened a small door, revealing a little toilet. Before he had taken over the „Deguello“ by mutiny three years earlier, it had been a modern cruiser, equipped with the newest luxury.
Quite gently, he assisted Zenobia to hop over. When she was standing in front of the toilet seat, she again spoke.
„Please, sir-“
„What is it now?“, the Captain raised his voice.
„The-the r-rope b-b-between my l-legs“, Zenobia stammered, lowering her eyes.
„Women!“, the captain laughed, cut the crotch rope and slowly pulled it from between the girl`s labia. Then, he dumped her on the seat and stood right before her.
„C-can`t you please turn around?“, she asked shyly.
„Yes, I can. But I won`t! And don`t dare to take your eyes from me once again!“
Drawing by hugues66
Zenobia almost died from the humiliation, but after a while, she peed, sighing with relief. The Captain smiled and suddenly, he gently brushed through her hair.
„Somehow, you are a cutie. Here!“
He held the caraffe to her full lips and allowed the girl to drink. He wasn`t careful and some of the liquid was spilled over her naked body, but for the moment, Zenobia just enjoyed the refreshment. When she had drunk, the Captain sat her on his bed again.
„Well, you still owe me a favour, don`t you?“
Zenobia took a deep breath: „I know, there is nothing I could do if you would-. But, may I tell you something that might be of more interest for you, in exchange for – sparing me?“
The Captain leaned forward, again putting his hands on Zenobia`s breasts, gently playing with the girl`s nipples.
„What could it be you could offer me that is even better than – you?“
Zenobia forced herself to look directly into the Captain`s eyes.
„Xenia, the blonde you have taken as a hostage. Her fiance really is a rich man. But that`s not all. He is trying to double-cross the Union, so, maybe, he will pay even more if you don`t tell that. He has a plantation at Cuba, and ships, and-“
She stopped, realizing that the Captain had taken his hands from her boobs and was walking up and down in front of her.
„If you are telling the truth, this might be of some interest. I will ask out my – guest and see if she`s the gold mine you say. But, be sure, you won`t like the consequences if I find out you are a liar!“
***
To her horror, Queena had found another reason why it had been a bad decision to wear a hoop skirt on a sea journey. Since the skirtings of her dress still billowed out, the wind again and again blew under her skirt and forced the little raft to shake dangerously. More than once, the three girls had nearly lost balance and fallen into the water.
„Mhhmmmmph!“
Suddenly, Queena felt her wrist ties loosening. Yvette, who had kept the most self control of the three helpless women, had not stopped to work on Queena`s ties. Now, she had been able to pick on the knots and to loosen the tie.
It was only a bit of a success, because Queena`s elbows were still bound. But with free hands, she and Yvette worked on Rita`s wrists. Progress was slow, since keeping balance did not allow them to move much, but finally, Rita`s hands were free, too.
„Mmmph!“
„Uuuhhmmmph! Mhhmmmm!“
Carefully, Rita bent forward and reached for Queena`s elbow ties. With numb fingers, she managed to loosen these, too. Once her arms were free, Queena immediately reached for her gag, pulled down the stifling cloths and worked the sodden pair of knickers from her mouth. Her sudden movements caused the raft to shake vigorously again, but finally, all three girls had freed themselves from their bonds and gags.
„Phew, that`s better“, Rita panted and tried to provisionally repair the hemline of her dress and to hide her breasts.
„I am not sure if it`s a real improvement“, Yvette, who had fixed her clothing, too, said, looking around at the blue sea surrounding them. There was no sign of a ship or of the shoreline.
Quenna just sobbed for a while, then, she covered her breasts, too. For a while, the girls cried for help, but that did not help them a bit. The sun was burning down on them and finally, Yvette said:
„We have to protect ourselves from the heat. Otherwise, we will be dried out before dusk.“
„But, we haven`t got anything to cover ourselves“, Queena blurted.
Yvette looked at her: „We have our dresses. If we fall over, they will soask and pull us below the surface, anyway. let`s just take them off and use them as a tent.“
„No!“, Queena cried out, „what if someone sees us like that?“
Rita intervened: „Then, we will be save. Besides, there will be enough time to get dressed again if we spot a sail.“
Reluctantly, Queena followed her companions. They took off their dresses, corsets and shoes, keeping on their knickers, camisoles, gartes, stockings and slips. By draping the moist dresses over their bodies, they found themselves more or less protected from the sun. Since they all suffered from thirst and exhaustion and the waves steadily and gently moved their raft up and down, they all dozed off after a while.
***
At about the same time, Xenia, Alinda and Winona were taken from their prison and led on deck. There, they were surrounded by the Captain and most of the crew. Alinda defensively crossed her arms in front of her chest, since she was only dressed in her camisole and knickers. They could see Zenobia standing beside the captain, still stark naked and with her arms tied, but ungagged and without the crotch rope and the leg ties. The Captain raised his hands:
„Ladies, this black beauty here has told me quite a bit about Mr. Drake, your fiance. It seems that he is even richer than you told me. Which means, you are of great value for us. Perhaps, he will even give us his plantation at Cuba as a hideout!“
He laughed whilst Xenia was staring daggers at Zenobia. The black did not stir. She did not owe any loyalty to her or Mr. Drake. The Captain once again spoke:
„However, I just can`t sail to Wilmington and hand you over, in exchange for a sack of gold. So, you will be my guests of honour. You will be even given some refreshment, since I need you three healthy and alive. But now, I see that two of you are quite overdressed for your being here. You and you“, he pointed at Xenia and Winona, „strip!“
Both girls hesitated, but, with almost 20 men surrounding them and wielding their weapons, they saw no chance in being defiant. Reluctantly, Xenia and Winona stripped to their camisoles and knickers.
„Keep these, if you like.“
As his men grumbled, the Captain continued: „I have to somehow prove that we haven`t – diminuished their value. Otherwise, the less they are wearing, the less likely they are to run away. But now, here`s the promised refreshment!“
To the scantily clad women`s horror, this „refreshment“ meant that the pirates poured buckets of water over them and chased them over the planks, laughing like mad. When they were finally done, all three girls were dripping wet and, whilst Winona`s black underwear offered her a minimum of covering, the white respectively pink garments of Xenia and Alinda had become completely transparent and the girls needed both their arms to hide their nipples and pubic area from being seen. Blushing all over, the panting girls stood once again in the middle of a circle of men.
Now, the girls were allowed a short, unchaperoned trip to the crew`s outhouse below the bowsprit. Then, they were given some food and water. When they had finished their meal, they were once again locked in the small windowless chamber.
Zenobia had watched the white girl`s humiliation with mixed feelings. She had almost enjoyed Xenia being forced to strip and to be trenched by the crew, but obviously, even pirates made differences in the colour of the skin. That was even more strange since some of the pirate crew were black, but they did not seem to feel any loyalty towards Zenobia. So, whilst the other hostages were at least allowed to keep their underwear and had a room for themselves, she had to stay in the nude for everyone to see and the Captain only quite half-heartedly chased away those who touched and fondled her.
Drawing by hugues66
***
Just around dusk, the little raft with it`s sleeping passengers hit a rock and keeled over. Yvette suealed with surprise when she fell into the water and wildly thrashed about. Her foot touched something steady and, after some fidgeting, she found out that she was in shallow waters and that she could keep standing. Looking around in panic, she yelled for her companions. Similar criesd answered and she could see Queena and Rita, supporting each other in walking towards something that turned out to be a little beach. Yvette looked for the raft, only to see it getting carried away by the waves. With some effort, the three girls managed to reach the shore, falling on the sand in exhaustion.
„The-the raft! And our clothes!“, Queena gasped.
„At least, we are on firm ground now! Let`s get under that palm trees over there, they will protect us. We can`t find another shelter in the dark. Tomorrow, we will find someone to help us and we are save!“
So, the three dripping wet girls, clad only in their underwear, crawled under the trees and once again fell asleep.
***
„Did you make any progress?“, Alinda asked Winona for the umpteenth time.
„It`s not that easy in the dark“, the redhead hissed back. In their cell, there were still the straight jacket and the hood. So, Winona was trying to use the metal pins of the buckles as a picklock on their cell door. She had tried for a while and was about to resign, but finally, the door opened.
„Right, let`s go“, Alinda hissed, but Xenia hesitated.
„No. We will need some clothes. And besides, this black bitch will have to pay for betraying me and my fiance.“
Winona did not believe her ears. „You are right about the clothes, but we definitely have the time for your stupid revenge feelings! Besides, she has all right to be free, even if you don`t like the idea!“
To her surprise, Xenia did not talk back, she only looked to somewhere behind Winona. Too late, the redhead realized that Alinda was standing behind her.
„Aaauuhhmmmmph! Mmmmmph!“
Alinda slung her arms around Winona`s mouth and body whilst Xenia grabbed her wrists. She fought hard, but finally, they had forced the straight jacket on her and buckled it tight. This time, they both seemed to know how to tie the straps right. Alinda took her arm from Winona`s mouth. Before she could utter a scream, Xenia stuffed the cloth that had gagged Alinda earlier into her mouth. Roughly, they forced the leather plug in there, too, and pulled the hood over her head, closing the straps tight.
„Mhhrrrrrr! Mhmmmmmmph!“, Winona screamed through her gag and tried to at kick her captors. With a laugh, Alinda pushed her back into the cell and closed the door.
„There! Now, our hosts have at least something to take out on when they discover we have gone!“
Now, the girls listened carefully, bur they were deep down in the hull and obviously, there was no guard below deck.
They sneaked to the stairs and could hear some singing and laughing. Obviously, the pirates were celebrating their success with some rum. Alinda carefully examined the deck. Some pirates were already sleeping, whilst others were on the foredeck, gambling and shouting. They had a great lamp beside them, meaning that the rest of the deck lay in darkness.
The two girls sneaked towards the steamer`s stern. On their way, they both grabbed one of the jackets lying around and put them on.
„Now, we can go“, Alinda hissed, pointing at the boat from the prize commando that was still moored at the railing. The pirates had obviously been too lazy to haul it on deck.
„Just one moment“, Xenia said and looked inside the stern cabin that was still lit by a lamp. She could imagine the Captain lying on his back, dressed only in his pants and sleeping soundly. Beside him, she saw the dark figure of Zenobia, still naked and tied to the bed post with her hands over her head, but otherwise unrestrained.
„I want her. Besides, if she has become the Captain`s pet, we might do well in taking a hostage with us.“
In fact, Zenobia had not at all fraternized with the pirates, she had just tried to stay alive and save. After a while, the Captain had shooed his men out of his cabin and released her from her bonds, allowing her to stretch her numb arms. He then had tied her wrists to the bed post, but he had obviously no intention of doing her harm. As a quid pro quo for her allowance to fondle her breasts some more, he had given her something to drink. She had wondered why he did not just touch her without playing games with her, but she had been thirsty.
To her surprise, the offered bottle had not contained water, but rum. Zenobia had coughed and tried to fight it, but the Captain had forced her to take some sips. The warm, burning feeling in her throat and in her empty stomach did not feel that bad and so, the girl did not hesitate when he offered her some more. Zenobia was not used to drink alcohol and soon, she was quite drunk and fell asleep.
So, she did not notice the two persons sneaking inside. Xenia held a knife she had found in the pantry in one hand and some cloths in the other, Alinda was carrying some pre-cut ropes. They stepped beside the bed and examined the naked girl for a while. Carefully, to not wake her up, Xenia slung a noose around her waist and placed the ends between the sleeping Zenobia`s slightly opened legs, whilst Alinda wrapped another rope loosely around her ankles.
Now, Xenia placed a strip of cloth with a giant knot in the centre beside Zenobia`s head and hung two others over the bed frame. Then, she balled up a huge wad of cloth and held it over the girl`s lips. She could feel Zenobia`s breath on her fingers and smelled the scent of rum. Now, she could hear a faint snoring from her, Gently, she reached for the slave`s prominent nose and squeezed her shut. Slightly stirring, Zenobia parted her lips.
Xenia nodded towards Alinda. In one second, Xenia stuffed the wad of cloth deeply into the girl`s throat and cheeks. At the same time, Alinda sat on her legs and tightened the ankle tie. All happened so quickly that Zenobia did not open her eyes or utter a sound before Xenia had placed the knotted cloth between her lips and tied the ends off at her neck and Alinda had tightly tied her feet.
„Mhm? Mhmmmph!“
More and more, the still dipsy and drowsy girl came to life. She squirmed and moaned, but Xenia and Alinda just turned her on her belly. With a swift move, Xenia tied one of the remaining cloths over Zenobia`s mouth.
„Mhhrrrrrrmmmmph! Uuuhhhhmmmph! Mph!“
Alinda, again sitting on the squirming girl`s legs, pulled the rope between her legs tight whilst Xenia loosened her hands from the bed post and bent her arms over her head and down her back. They tied her wrist ties to her crotch rope. Now, every attempt to bring her arms upwards tore on her crotch.
„Mhmmmph!“
The Captain still was sleeping, only inches away from the desperate girl. If only she could alert him! Zenobia bucked, but Alinda slung a noose around her neck and tied the ends to the girl`s bent up legs. Now, she was rigidly hogtied and every move tightened the rope around her neck.
„Mhrrrrrr! Glllllg!“
Xenia took the last cloth and tied it over Zenobia`s nose and mouth, further blocking her breath. Then, they carried the still squirming girl to the window. Zenobia could see the captain turn on the bed, his right arm landing on the place where she had been lying.
„Mhhhmmmmmph! Mph! Mph!“
There was no reaction. Zenobia prepared for another desperate scream when the two attackers threw her overboard.
„Mhhmmmmmmmmph!“
Zenobia landed in the lifeboat. Luckily, a crumpled tarpauline lying there cushioned her fall. Frantically, the hogtied girl tired to wriggle into a position that allowed her to take some strain from her throat. When she looked around, she could see Xenia and Alinda sitting beside her. Both took an oar and silently, they paddled the boat away from the steamer.
Zenobia once more cried through her gags, but none of her moans could be heard over the music and laughing on the ship.
When they had brought some half a mile between the ship and themselves, Xenia said to her:
„Well, bitch, it seems that you won`t end your life as a pirate princess, but as my lady`s maid, just as you deserve it.“
Zenobias desperate cry died away in the night.
***
Immediately after sunrise, Queena, Yvette and Rita had tried to get some help – only to find out that they were on a small island. They had desperately called for help and tried to find someone, but it took them only some minutes to find out that they were alone. The island was only some 80 yards long and some 50 yards wide and there was no sign of civilisation.
In the west, they could clearly make out the shoreline some two miles away, but, having no raft and with none of them being able to swim, it could have been 2000 miles as well.
Luckily, they found a little fountain providing them with fresh water and the island also offered some fruits and coconuts. They would not starve immediately, but sure, they would not be able to stay longer than a few days.
They had searched the beach for some drifted goods, but - quite a grim joke! -they had only found the pair of knickers that had previously gagged Queena.
„We have to make a fire, so a ship can see us“, Yvette said.
„Oh, sorry, my matches are in my other handbag“, Rita snarled, pretending to feel for a pocket in her flimsy slip.
„We must knock two stones together, or rub two sticks against each other. I have read about that in a book!“, Queena said.
They all tried to do so, but they soon found out that either the book had been inaccurate or that they were lacking survival skills. Finally, when she had broken a nail, Rita threw away her stones and shouted:
„Girls, this is not somewhere in the Pacific Ocean! Over there, there`s the coast of the USA, and there are thousands of ships coming that way every week. We just have to wait for a while.“
Surprised to hear just Rita appealing on their patience, Yvette nodded. They built a makeshift sun roof with palm leaves and spent the day collecting fruits and coconuts and looking for ships.
Obviously, the „thousands of ships“ had already passed for this day.
***