CHAPTER ONE

The Kidnapped Princess

                 
      “Wonder what the rush is all about” said tappin’ John. Tappin’ John Bullion, Sawn - off Jones and his parrot Mr scurvy, made their way along the quay to the jolly boat. It was July 19th 1717, the sun was setting, the air was still and the harbour water like glass. A few seagulls broke the silence with their cries. Tappin’ John, as he was known, made tapping noises with his crutch on the cobbled quay, and Sawn - off Jones did also with his wooden leg. 

      Tappin’ John didn’t hold with wooden legs “Cos they aggrivates yer stump”, said he. So he kept to his trusty crutch, which concealed a small loaded flintlock pistol, and a throwing knife. “Just to be on the safe side” he often declared.

      Jones said that he didn’t hold with crutches, but not in front of Tappin’ John Bullion. They’d each lost a lower leg in the same explosion battling with a spanish galleon 4 years ago, but wouldn’t talk about it much.

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