CHAPTERONE

TheGhostShip

Sailors tell a story about a big, blackpirate ship.They see it sometimeswhen the fog is thick.Theghostlypirateson theblackshipcannever leave itbecausetheshipcarriesacurse.

Butthisisonlyastory.Therearen'treallyanyghosts.Orarethere?***TheDauntlesssailedslowlythroughthethickfog.Itwasabigship,andit

carriedfiftygunsandahundredstrongmen.Twelve-year-oldElizabethSwannstoodatthefrontoftheship.Shewason

herwaytoPortRoyalinJamaica.Herfatherwasthenewgovernorthere."I'dliketomeetapirate,"shethought.Sherememberedanoldsong:"Yoho,уоho,apirate'slifeforme,Yoho,yoho,apirate'slife..."Suddenly,asailorcalledtoher."Quiet,Miss!"hesaid."Piratessailthisocean.Youdon'twanttocallthem

tous.""Mr. Gibbs!" Captain Norrington shouted at the old sailor. "Don't be

afraid,"hesaidtoElizabeth."Therearen'tanypiratesheretoday.""I'mnotafraid,"saidElizabeth.Butsheknewthestoriesaboutpiratesandfog.Theylookeddownatthedarkwater.Therewassomethingthere.Whatwas

it?Wood?Abox?"Look!"Elizabethshoutedtothecaptain."It'saman!"saidCaptainNorrington."No, it's not," said Elizabeth. "It's a boy. Quickly, quickly, help him!

Somebodyhelphim!"CaptainNorringtoncalledtohismen."Gethimout!"

ThemenpulledtheboyontotheDauntless."IsheOK?"askedElizabeth."Oh,yes,Miss,"saidoneofthesailors."He'sfine.""But where did he come from?" asked Elizabeth. "There's nothing out

there.Onlytheocean."Nobodyspoke.Andthenabigshipcameoutofthefog.Everymanonit

wasdead.Themen ran to the sideof theDauntless and lookeddownat thewater.

Werethereanymorepeoplethere?"Miss,youstaywiththeboy,"thecaptainsaidtoElizabeth.Elizabethsatdownnexttotheboy.Hewasaboutthesameageasher-ten

ormaybeeleven.Slowly,hiseyesopened."Hello,"saidElizabeth."MynameisElizabethSwann.""I'mWill.WillTurner."Andthenhewasasleepagain.Elizabethwatchedhim.Thenshesawsomethinginsidehisshirt.Somethinggold.Slowly,shetookitfromhim.Shelookedatitcarefully.It

wasamedallionandthere,onthefront,wasaskullandcrossbones!"Oh!"shethought."WillTurner,you're...apirate!"WhenCaptainNorringtoncameback,shequicklyputthemedallionunder

herdress."Didhespeak?"heasked."HisnameisWillTurner,"sheanswered.Insideherdress,shefeltthegoldmedallion.She lookedoutat theocean-and there, in frontofher,wasabig,black

ship.Andithadtheskullandcrossbones,too!Theblackshipturnedaway.ButElizabethwassuddenlyveryafraid.

CHAPTERTWO

PortRoyal

Elizabethopenedhereyes.Shewasinbed,intheGovernor'sHouseinPortRoyal.

Shelookedatthegoldmedallionandsmiled.Everydayshethoughtaboutthemedallion.AndeverydayshethoughtaboutWillTurner.Wasitreallyeightyears?Sheheardher father. "Areyou inbed?Get upnow!"GovernorSwanncameintotheroom.

"It'sabeautifulday,"hesaid."Andlook-Ihavesomethingforyou!"He gave Elizabeth a box. Inside, there was a beautiful new dress from

London."You canwear it today," he said, "forCaptainNorrington's party." "Oh,

him,"saidElizabeth."He'sagoodman.Andhelikesyou,youknow.Helikesyouverymuch.

Andaftertoday,hewillbeacommodore."Thegovernorleftthebedroomandwentbacktohisoffice.Will Turner was there. He was now twenty years old and a big, strong

youngman."Mr.Turner,"saidthegovernor."Goodday""Goodday,"saidWill."Doyouhaveit?""Yes,sir.Hereitis."He gave the governor a long box. The governor opened it carefully.He

tookoutaswordandsmiled."Ah,verygood!Afinejob!"HewantedtogivetheswordtothenewCommodoreNorrington."Thankyou,sir,"Willsaid.WilllookedupandsawElizabeth.Shelookedbeautifulinhernewdress."Ah,Elizabeth!"thegovernorsaid."Awonderfuldress!"

ButElizabeth'seyeswereonWill."Hello,Will,"shesaid."Ithoughtofyoulastnight.Doyourememberthat

firstday,ontheship?""Ofcourse I remember,MissSwann," saidWill. "Icannever forget that

day."Hesmiledather.Thegovernorwasn'thappywiththisconversation."Wehavetogo,"hesaidtoElizabeth."It'stime."HetookElizabeth'sarm.ElizabethsmiledatWill."Goodbye,Mr.Turner,"shesaid.Thegovernorandhisdaughter left thehouseandwentout into thebusy

street.

CHAPTERTHREE

CaptainJackSparrow

Captain Jack Sparrow looked at the ships in Port Royal. His boat wassmallandold.Hewantedanew,biggership.Hehadnomoney,butthatwasn'taproblem.JackSparrowwasapirate,andhehadaplan.

He looked at theDauntless for a long time. Itwas a big shipwith fiftyguns.ThenhesawtheInterceptor.Itwassmaller,butfaster.

Hewantedit.ThereweretwosailorsnexttotheInterceptor.Jackwenttothem."Hey,youcan'tcomehere,"oneofthemsaid.HelookedatJack'soldboat

andlaughed."Whoareyou?Andwhat'sthat?""That'smyboat,"saidJack.HesmiledatthemanandlookedcarefullyattheInterceptor.Themansmiledback."Ilikeyourship,"Jacksaid."Yes,it'sthefastestshipintheCaribbean.""Really?"saidJack."Isn'ttheBlackPearlthefastestship?"Thesailorlaughed."Ghoststoriesareforchildren,"hesaid."Itisn'tastory,"saidtheothersailortohisfriend."Isawthatship."HeturnedtoJack-butJackwasn'tthere.HewasontheInterceptor.Thesailorsranafterhim."Whatareyoudoing?"theyshouted."Youcan'tgoupthere!What'syour

name?""Smith,"Jackanswered."AndwhatareyoudoinginPortRoyal,Mr.Smith?""Iwantoneoftheseships,"Jacksaid.Thesailorsthoughtaboutthis.***

High above the harbor, Elizabeth stoodwith Commodore Norrington. Itwasahotday,andherdresswasveryheavy.

"Lookattheshipsdownintheharbor,"shesaid."They'rebeautiful.""Andyouaremorebeautiful,"saidCommodoreNorrington."You'reafine

woman."Elizabethdidn'tsayanything."Ihope..."hesaid."Ihopethatonedayyouwillmarryme,Elizabeth."

"Marry?"Elizabethsaid."Marryyou?"Shemovedback,butshecouldn'tmoveeasilyinhernewdress.Suddenly,

shefell.Shefelldown,downintotheharborbelow.On the Interceptor, Jack and the two sailors saw everything. The sailors

didn'tmove."Quick!"Jacksaidtothem."Aren'tyougoingtohelpher?""Butwecan'tswim!""Here,"saidJack."Taketheseanddon'tlosethem!"Hegavethemhishatandhisgun.Jack jumped into the water and swam to Elizabeth. She was under the

water.Hetookherhandandtriedtohelpher.Butherdresswastooheavy!Jack found his knife and cut the dress off. Then he pulled the young

womanout.CommodoreNorringtonandGovernorSwannrandowntotheharbor."Thank you! Thank you!" said the governor. "Elizabeth, my dearest

daughter,areyouOK?""Yes,yes,I'mfine,"saidElizabeth.Shesatup.NorringtonlookedatJack."Goodman!"hesaid."Thankyou!Givemeyourhand."Thenhesawit-awhitePonJack'shand."Iknowyou,"hesaid."You'rea

pirate!"HelookedatJackcarefully."YournameisJackSparrow.""CaptainJackSparrow,please,"saidJack.

"Idon'tseeyourship...captain,"saidNorrington."Andyou'reapirate.""Hewantedtotakeoneofourships."ThesailorsfromtheInterceptorwere

withthemnow.NorringtonlookedatJackandlaughed.Thenheturnedtothesailors."Take him away!" he said. "Put him in chains. Now!" The sailors put

chainsonJack."Youcan'tdo that!" saidElizabeth. "Maybehe is apirate,buthehelped

me."Suddenly, Jack moved. He jumped behind Elizabeth and put his chains

aroundher.Thesailorsshowedtheirguns."No,no,don'tshoot!"shoutedNorrington."Becareful!He'llkillher."Jack

pulledElizabethback."Ireallydon'tlikeyou,"Elizabethsaidtohim."I helped you and now you're helpingme," Jack said.He smiled. Then,

suddenly,hetookthechainsoffElizabethandran."Gethim!"shoutedNorrington."Gethim,now!"

CHAPTERFOUR

IntheBlacksmith'sStore

Jackrandownonestreetandupthenext.Heturnedleft.Heturnedright.Heranandran.Thenhelistened.Hecouldn'thearthesailors.Hewasfree!Buthehadthechainsonhishands.

Hesawastoreandopened thedoors.Thenhewent in,verycarefully. Itwasdark,buthecouldseesomeswordsandknives.

"Ah,ablacksmith'sstore,"hethought."Icanuseoneofthoseknives."Hetookoneandstartedtocutthechains.Itwashardwork,andithurthis

hands.Butafteraminuteortwothechainsfelltothefloor.Suddenly,Jackheardasoundbehindhim.ItwasWillTurner."Whatareyoudoinghere?"askedWill.HelookedatJack."Oh,you'rethe

pirate.Peoplearelookingforyou."Hetookasword."Isthatagoodidea?"askedJack.Willdidn'tspeak.HeputuphisswordandlookedatJack.Theyfought.Jackwasquick,butWillwasquick,too."Youcanuseasword!"saidJack.Heturnedandrantothedoor.ButWillwastooquickforhim.Hethrew

hisswordat thedoor. ItwentoverJack'shead.Jacktried topull itout,buthecouldn't.Andnowhecouldn'topenthedoor.

HeturnedtoWillandsmiled."Thatwasgood,"he said.He lookedat theotherdoor to the store. "But

you'rebetweenmeandthatdoor.Andnowyouhavenosword!"Willtookanotherswordandtheyfoughtagain."Doyoumaketheseswords?"Jackasked."Yes,andIusethemforthreehoursadayafterwork,too,"Willanswered."Whydon'tyou findagirl? It'smoreexciting," Jacksaid.He tookouta

gun."Now,moveawayfromthedoor,"hesaid.

BehindJack,Willsawhisboss,Mr.Brown.InMr.Brown'shandtherewasabottle.Slowly,theblacksmithmovedhisarmup.AndthenhehitJackonthehead-hard.

Jackfelltotheground.Norringtonarrivedwithhissailors.HelookeddownatJack."Goodwork,Mr.Brown.Remember this day.On this dayCaptain Jack

Sparrowalmostgotaway!"Mr.Brownlookedattheglassontheground."Hebrokemybottle!"hesaid.

CHAPTERFIVE

PiratesinTown

It was night, and there was a thick fog in Port Royal. Through the fogcameaship-atall,blackship.Itcarriedtheskullandcrossbones.

Inherbed in theGovernor'sHouse,Elizabeth tried to read.Shecouldn'tsleep.Shesawthefog,andshethoughtaboutthepiratesandtheghoststory.

Down in the town,Will left the storeand stood in the street.Everythingwasquiet-tooquiet.

Inhiscell,Jacksatandthought.Whatcouldhedo?Howcouldhegetoutofthisplace?Helookedoutattheharborandatthefog,buthewasn'tafraid.

Suddenly,therewasaloudnoisefromguns."Iknowthoseguns,"Jackthought."It'sthePearl!"Heheardthegunsagain.Andagain.Jacklookeddownatthetown.Itwas

on fire! Smoke came from the houses and the stores. People ran out into thestreets.

Andthen,outofthesmokeandthefog,thepiratescame.Theyranthroughthe town,with theirgunsand theirswordsand theirknives.Theystartedmorefires,andcarriedthingsawayfromthehouses.

Will ranback into thestoreand tookaswordandaknife.Thenhewentoutsideagain.

"Elizabeth,"hethought."IhavetohelpElizabeth."Hestartedtoruntothegovernor'shouse.Buthedidn'tseethemanbehind

him.Thepiratehithim,hard,onthehead,andWillfelltotheground.Upstairs in her room,Elizabeth lookedout herwindowand saw the fire

and the smoke in the town.Then she lookeddownand saw twopirates at thedoorofthehouse.Whatcouldshedo?Wherecouldshego?

Oneofthepirateslookedup.Ragettiwasverydirty,andheonlyhadonegoodeye.Withit,hesawElizabeth.

"Look,Pintel,"hesaid."Upthere!"Pintellookedupandsmiled.Thepiratesranupthestairs.Elizabethwasafraidandquicklyclosedher

bedroomdoor.Thepirateshit thedoor,againandagain.Aftersometime,theybroke the door and went into the room. But they couldn't see Elizabeth.Suddenly,Elizabethranpastthemandoutoftheroom.Sherandownthestairsandintothedining-room.Thepiratesranafterher.Shelookedforagun,forasword,but therewasnothing there.Sheheard thepirateson the stairs.Wherecouldshego?

Therewasasmallclosetatthebackoftheroom.Shewentinandclosedthedoor,veryquietly.Thepiratescameintotheroom.

"Comeout, little girl," calledPintel. "Youhave something, andwewantit."

"The gold is calling to us," said Ragetti. "Come out." In the closet,Elizabethdidn'tmove.Shehadthegoldmedallioninherhand.

Andthen,suddenly, thedooropened,andtherewasRagetti.Hisoneeyelookedather."Hello,littlegirl..."

CHAPTERSIX

OntheBlackPearl

Thepirates tookElizabeth to theBlackPearl inasmallboat.Whentheyclimbedout,amancameoutofthefog.

"Goodday,"hesaidtoElizabeth."MynameisBarbossa.I'mthecaptainoftheBlackPearl."

Elizabeth looked around her. There were pirates everywhere. She wasafraid,butshedidn'tshowit.

"IamElizabethTurner."Shedidn'twanttousehername."IwantyoutoleavePortRoyal,"shesaid."Leaveandnevercomeback."

Thepirateslaughed."I'msorry,"saidBarbossa."Butthatisn'tpossible.We'relookingfor...""I know!" shouted Elizabeth. She ran to the side of the boat and then

showedthemthegoldmedallion."You'relookingforthis!ComenearmeandI'llthrowitinthewater."

Thepiratesdidn'tspeak.Theireyeswereonthemedallion."Iknowyouwantit,"saidElizabeth."Iknowthisship.Aftereightyears,I

rememberit.Nowgoandnevercomeback!"The pirates watched her, carefully. Elizabeth tried again. With the

medallioninherhand,shelookeddownatthewater."I'llthrowitawaynow...""OK, OK," said Barbossa. "You win. Give me the medallion, and we'll

leave."Elizabethgavehimthegoldmedallion."Stop the guns!" shouted Barbossa. "We're leaving." He looked at

Elizabeth."And,MissTurner,you'regoingtocomewithus.""Butyouhavetotakemeback!"Elizabethsaid."No,"saidthepirate,andhesmiled."Istoppedtheguns,andwe'regoing.

ButI'mnotgoingtotakeyouhome.You'regoingtostaywithus!"

CHAPTERSEVEN

OntheDauntlessandtheInterceptor

When Will Turner woke up, his head hurt. But he thought only ofElizabeth.He ran to thegovernor'soffice.He found thegovernor,Norrington,andthetwosailors."ThepirateshaveElizabeth!"heshouted.Norringtonlookedathim.

"Mr.Turner," he said. "You're a blacksmith.This isn't your fight. Pleasego.""Wehavetofindher,"Willsaid."Ofcoursewedo,"Norringtonsaid."Andwewill." "JackSparrow!" saidoneof the sailors. "Heknows about theBlackPearl."

"GotoSparrow.Askhim!"shoutedWill."Wecanfollowtheship!Hecantakeustoit."

"Mr.Turner," saidNorrington. "Please leave us.Now!"He turned away.WillrantoJack'scell.

"Hey, you! Sparrow! Do you know the pirate ship - the Black Pearl?""Yes..."saidJack."Wheredoesitgo?"

"It sails from the IsladeMuerta - the Islandof theDead.Youknow thestories.Butwhyaskme?""TheytookMissSwann,"saidWillangrily.Thepiratesmiled.

"Oh,soyoudidfindagirl..."hesaid."ButwhatcanIdo?I'minhere.""Icanhelpyou,"saidWill."Icangetyououtofhere,and thenyoucan

helpme!"JackSparrowthoughtaboutthis."Whatsyourname,boy?"heasked."Turner.WillTurner.""Turner?OK,Mr.Turner.I'llhelpyou.Butfirst,Ihavetogetoutofthis

cell."Willsmiled.Hewasablacksmith.Hecouldopenacelldoor!WhenJackwasfree,heandWillwentdowntotheharbor."Whatarewegoingtodo?"askedWill.

"We'regoingtotakethatship,"saidJack."TheDauntless.""Takeit?You'recrazy!"ButWillfollowedJack.Thetwomenswamtotheshipandclimbedupthe

side.Thereweresailorsontheship."Don'tmove!"Jacktoldthem."Ihaveagun!Iwantthisship."ThesailorslookedatJack,thenatWill.Theystartedtolaugh,"Butthisisabigship,"oneofthemsaid."Youcan'tsailitwithtwomen!""Wecantry,"saidJack."Now,leave!"ThesailorslookedatJackandWill.Theylookedatthegun.Andthenthey

gotintoasmallboatandlefttheDauntless.FromtheInterceptor,NorringtonsawWillandJackontheDauntless."What?"he thought. "You?Buthow...?Andwhereareyougoingonmy

ship?"Heturnedtohissailors."Quickly,"hesaid."WehavetocatchtheDauntless.Now!"The Interceptor was a faster ship, and minutes later it was near the

Dauntless."Let'stakethem!"shoutedNorrington.He and his men went onto the Dauntless. Only one man stayed on the

Interceptor.Norrington'smenlookedeverywhere."Findthem!Iknowthey'rehere!"thecaptainshouted.ButJackandWill

weren'tontheDauntless.TheywerenowontheInterceptor."Hello,"saidJacktotheonlysailorthere.

Themanlookedathim.HelookedatJack'ssword.AndhelookedatJacksgun. "Canyou swim?"asked Jack. "Like a fish," said the sailor. "Good!" saidJackandthrewhimin thewater.CommodoreNorringtonandhismensawthesailorwhenhefell.

"Stopthem!"Norringtonshouted."Stopthem!"Butitwastoolate.TheInterceptorsailedoutoftheharbor.

CHAPTEREIGHT

DinnerwithBarbossa

ElizabethsatatatableontheBlackPearl.Therewasalotoffoodonthetable-bread,fruit,andmeat.CaptainBarbossasatattheotherendofthetable.

"Areyouhungry?"hesaid."Pleaseeat."Elizabeth was very hungry. She took some bread and some meat and

startedtoeat."Haveadrink,"saidBarbossa.Elizabethdrank.Thenshelookedatthecaptain."You'renoteating!"shesaid."Issomethingwrongwiththefood?Areyou

tryingtokillme?Youeatit!"Shegavethecaptainsomebread,buthedidn'ttakeit."I can't eat it," Barbossa said unhappily. "I'd like to. I'd love to. But I

can't."Hetookthegoldmedallionfromhiscoat."Thisgold,MissTurner,isveryold.TheAztecsgaveittoCorteswhenhe

arrived in theAmericas.Therearemany,manymoreof these.And theAztecsputacurseonthem.

"WefoundthegoldontheIsladeMuerta,"saidBarbossa."Wetookallofit.Weboughtfoodanddrinkwithit.Butthen,suddenly,wecouldn'teatandwecouldn'tdrink.Whenwetookthemoney,MissTurner,thecursecamewithit."

Thecaptainsuddenlylookedhappier."Butnowwecanendthecurse.Wehad to find all of thegold.Thenwehad toput it backon the islandandgivesomeblood. For ten yearswe looked for the gold on every ship and in everytown..."

"Andnowyouhaveallofit,"Elizabethsaid."Yes.Withthisgoldmedallion,wehaveallofit.Thankyou."Shethoughtforaminute."Youhaveeverything,andyou'regoingtobefreeofthecurse.Sowhyam

Ihere?"

"There's one more thing. You're Elizabeth Turner, the daughter of thepirateBillTurner.Hewasoneofus,butheisn'twithusnow.Wehavetohaveyourblood!"

Elizabethdidn'tunderstand,butshewasafraid.Herblood?She jumpedup and tried to run.ButBarbossa stood in front ofher.She

tookaknifeandpusheditintohim.Thensheranoutside.Sheclosedhereyes.Herblood!Whatcouldshedo?

She opened her eyes and saw the pirates at work. Then she lookedcarefully.Theyweren'tmen-theywereskeletons!

Barbossawasbehindher."Now,MissTurner,youcanreallyseeus."Hesmiled."Yes,MissTurner,

we'reallghosts.You'reinaghoststory!"

CHAPTERNINE

TheIslandofTortuga

WillhelpedJackontheInterceptor.Theweatherwasgood,andthewindwasstrong.

"You'renotasailor,"saidJack."You'reablacksmith.Wheredidyoulearnaboutsailing?"

"IworkedonashipwhenIwasaboy,"saidWill."IcamefromEngland.Iwantedtofindmyfather-BillTurner."

"Isthatright?""Youknewmyfather,"saidWill."Iaskedforyourhelpwhenyouwerein

thecell.Youweren'tinterested.Butwhenyouheardmyname,yousaidyes.""Oh,Iknewhim,"saidJack."EverybodyknewBill.Hewasagoodman.

Hewas...agoodpirate.""No!"shoutedWill."You'rewrong.Myfatherwasn'tapirate."Hepulledouthissword."Putthataway,"Jacktoldhim."Whyareyougettingexcited?Yourfather

wasapirate,Mr.Turner.Agoodman,butapirate.Nowhelpmewiththisship."TheyarrivedattheislandofTortuga.Tortugawasasmall,dirtyplace.Ithadaharbor,somehouses,anoldstore,

andfourbars.Badmenandpirateswentthere.Theywantedtodrinkandtofindwomen.

"Comewithme,"JacksaidtoWill."Wehavetofindsomesailorsforourship."

They went into a bar and found an old man. His name was JoshaemeeGibbs.Hewasasleep,andhehadabottleinhishand.Jackkickedhim.

"Wakeup,Mr.Gibbs.Wehaveworkforyou."Slowly,Gibbsopenedhiseyes."Oh,it'syou.Whatdoyouwant?"Jack moved near to the old man. He didn't want Will to hear their

conversation."We'relookingforaship,"hesaid."TheBlackPearl."

"TheBlackPearl?"Theoldmansatup."That'snotsmart,JackSparrow.YouknowthestoriesabouttheBlackPearl.DoyouthinkBarbossaisgoingtogiveyouhisship?"

Jack laughed."Oh,I thinkhewill,"heanswered.HelookedatWill,andtheoldman'seyesfollowedhis."Ihavetheboyandtheywanthim."

"Thatboy?""ThechildofBillTurner.Hisonlychild."JoshaemeeGibbsdidn'tspeak.HethoughtaboutJack'swords.Andthenhe

smiled."Ah,Iunderstand,"hesaid."Hisonlychild.IthinkIcanfindsomesailors

foryounow."Gibbs did his jobwell. Some of the sailorswere small; somewere tall.

Somewerefat;somewerethin.Someweresmart;somewerestupid.But theywereallgoodsailors.Theystoodinfrontoftheircaptain.

Jacklookedatthem.Thenheshowedthemtheship."There'smy ship, the Interceptor," he said. "It is a fine ship, a fast ship.

Sailwithme,andattheendyoucanhaveit!Whatdoyousay?"Thesailorsshouted,"Yes!"Jackstoppedinfrontofasailorinaverybighat.Suddenlyahandcame

outfromunderthehatandhithim.Jackfelltotheground.Thehatfell,too-andshowedawoman'sface.

Jackstoodup."Hello,AnaMaria,"hesaid."Youtookmyboat!"sheshouted."Ah..."saidJackslowly."Andwhereisitnow?Doyouhaveit?""No,Idon't.Butthisshipisbetter."Heturnedtothemen."Getready!"he

said."We'regoingtosail.AndAnaMariawillgiveyouyourwork."Thesailorsranontotheship,andtheInterceptorleftTortuga.GibbsandWillsatandlookedoutattheocean."DoyouknowCaptainSparrowwell?"Willasked.

"Oh yes," said Gibbs. "I knew him when he was captain of the BlackPearl."

"What?CaptainoftheBlackPearl?Buthow...?""Listentothestory,"saidGibbs."JackSparrowwasapirate,buthewasagoodman.HefoundtheIsladeMuerta -and therewasgold foreverysailoronhis ship.Buthis sailorsdidn'twantJackSparrow.Theywantedthegold.Sotheylefthimonanislandwithnofoodandnowater-onlyhisgun.""Theylefthim?"

"Theylefthim-buthegotaway.Andnowhewantstofindthosepirates,andhewantstousethatgun.Hewantstoshoottheircaptain,Barbossa!"

***The Black Pearl was at the Isla de Muerta. "It's time, my dear," said

Ragetti.Hesmiledather,buthisonegoodeyewatchedhercarefully.Theyputher

inasmallboatandlefttheBlackPearl.Thefoggotthinner.Elizabethcouldseea big, black cave. "Are we going in there?" she asked. "Yes, my dear," saidPintel.

CHAPTERTEN

Gold!

A short time later, Will and Jack and their men arrived at the Isla deMuerta, too.Throughthefog,theycouldseeships-oldshipsunderthewater.JackturnedtoGibbs."Stayherewiththemen,"hesaid.JackandWillgotintoasmallerboatandstartedtogototheisland.

"Doyou see that?" saidWill. "There!A cave, I think."Theboatmovedslowly into the cave. Itwasverydark, and thewallswerewet. Jack andWilldidn'tspeak.Ontheirleft,theysawalight,andnexttoitwasaskeleton.Ithadaswordinitsback.

Theystoppedtheboatandjumpedout.ThenWillfollowedJack,andtheyclimbedforashorttime.

Suddenly, they saw some lights. In front of them was a second, biggercave.Theysawgoldboxes,goldcups,goldplates,andgoldswords.Andalotofmoney.Thecavewasfullofgold!

Inthemiddleofthecave,inthemiddleofthegold,ElizabethstoodnexttoanoldAztecbox.Shecouldn'tmovebecauseBarbossahadhishandsonher.

Willwantedtogotoher,butJackstoppedhim."No!"hesaid."Wehavetowait."Willdidn'twanttowait.Elizabeth'slifewastooimportanttohim."I'msorry,Jack,"hesaid,andhehitJackhard.Jackfelltotheground.Hedidn'tmove.Willlookedaroundthecaveandlistened."Doyouknowmyplan?"CaptainBarbossa said tohismen. "When this

curseends,I'mgoingtoeatfruit.Alotoffruit!"Theotherpirateslaughed.Barbossa looked at Elizabeth.He took her hand and cut itwith a knife.

Thenheputthemedalliononherhandandclosedherhandaroundit."Blood,"hesaid."Turner'sblood.Thecursestartedwithbloodanditends

withblood."

HetookthebloodymedallionfromElizabethandputitintothebox,ontothegold.

Thepirateswaited."Idon'tfeeldifferent,"Ragettisaid."Isthatreallytheendofthecurse?""Howwillweknow?"Pintelasked.Barbossa thought about that. Then he took out his gun and shot Pintel.

Pintelstayedonhisfeet.Thepirateswereveryunhappy."Oh,itdidn'twork!"theyshouted.Barbossadidn'tunderstand."You!" he said to Elizabeth. "Was your father William Turner? Bill

Turner?""No," shesaid.Thepirates shoutedagain. "She'snotTurner'schild!""She's thewrong person!" "But she had themedallion!" "She's the right age."TheycalledtoBarbossa."YoukilledBill.""Youstartedthis!"NobodylookedatElizabeth.Suddenly,shefeltahandonherarm.ItwasWill."Comewithme,"hesaidquietly."Quickly.Now."Elizabethstarted tomove.But first, she took themedallion.Theyrantotheboat.

"Look,thegirl!Shehasthemedallion!Getthem!"Thepiratesrantotheirboats.ThentheysawJack."JackSparrow!"saidBarbossa."Aren'tyoudead?""No,I'mnotdead.""Butyouwillbe..."Barbossatookouthisgun.

"Wait, wait," said Jack. "The girl's blood didn't work." "How do youknow?"

"Iknow.Youdon'twantherblood.Icanhelpyou."

CHAPTERELEVEN

TheBloodofaPirate

WillandElizabetharrivedattheInterceptor."Where'sJack?"askedGibbs."Yes,where'sJack?"askedAnaMaria.

Jack?JackSparrow?Elizabethwasn'thappy.Shedidn'twantthehelpofapirate."He'sontheisland,"Willtoldthem."Wehavetogo-now.""OK,"saidGibbs."Getready!"heshoutedtotheothersailors.WillandElizabethwenttothe back of the boat.Will looked into Elizabeth's eyes. Hemoved nearer butElizabeth stopped him. "This is yours," she said. She gave him the goldmedallion."What'sthis?"heasked.

"Don'tyouremember?YouhaditwhenIfoundyou.""Ohyes,"saidWill.Helookedatthemedallion."Itwasmyfather's."Andthenheunderstood."Theyhavetohavemyblood-notyours.Myfather'sblood.Thebloodofapirate!"

***JackandBarbossasatata tableon theBlackPearl."Ah,myship,"Jack

said."Itisn'tyourshipnow,"Barbossasaidangrily."Yougivememyship,"Jacksaid,"andI'llgiveyouaname.You'llhaveyourblood.AndIwanttosaythankyou.""Why?"

"Youleftmeonthatisland,"Jacksaid."Youtookthegold,andthecursewentwithit.Butthecurseisn'tonme.Sothankyou!"Apiratecamein.

"We can see the Interceptor," he said. "Get the guns ready," shoutedBarbossa.

"Whydon'tIgoontotheshipandtalktothem?"Jacksaid."I'llgetyourmedallion."

"No, youwon't." Barbossa turned to his sailors. "Take him downstairs -andwatchhim!"

TheBlackPearlmovedfasterandfaster.***ThesailorsontheInterceptorwatchedthepirateship."It'stoofast,"Gibbs

shouted."We'retooheavy,"saidAnaMaria.Theythreweverythingintothewater:boxes,bottles,food.ButtheBlack

Pearlwasverynearthemnow.Thenitwasattheirside.The fight was short, and Barbossa's pirates quickly won. They took

ElizabethandJack'ssailorsontotheBlackPearl.Barbossahadthemedallioninhis hand. Suddenly,Willwas there in front of him!He had a gun. "She goesfree!"hesaid."Elizabethgoesfree."

"No,shedoesn't,boy,"saidBarbossa."Putdown thatgun.Youcan'tkillme.We'reghosts.Wecan'tdie."

"You can't. But I can."Will put the gun to his head. "My name isWillTurner.MyfatherwasBillTurner.Hisbloodismyblood!"ThepirateslookedatWill.Theydidn'tmove."Withoutmyblood,"saidWill,"thecursewillalwaysbewithyou."Hewasright.Thepiratesknewit."OK,Mr.Turner,"saidBarbossa."What do youwant?" "Elizabeth goes free." "Yes.We know that.And?"Willthought hard. This game was new to him. "And... and the sailors of theInterceptor.""OK,"saidBarbossa.

Willputdownhisgun.Barbossatookitandsmiled."Jackandthegirlwillgo to that island,"he said.He showed themavery small islandnear theboat."But they won't be free!" shoutedWill. "You said..." "They will be free. Butthey'llbefreeonthatisland."

CHAPTERTWELVE

OnaSmallIsland

"Now,"BarbossasaidtoJack,"it'stimeforaswim.""Lasttimeyougavemeagun,"saidJack.

"Yes,that'sright."Barbossaturnedtohissailors."Givehimhisgun.""Thereare twoofus.Wewant twoguns.""Onlyone.Youcanshoot the

girlwithit."Barbossatookthegunandthrewitintothewater.Elizabethjumpedin and Jack followed. They swam to the bottom and got the gun. Then theyswamtotheisland.TheylookedbackattheBlackPearl.

"Hehasmyshipagain!"saidJackangrily."Forthesecondtime!"Elizabethlookedaroundtheisland."It'snotverybig,"shesaid.Jackdidn'tspeak.Herememberedthisisland.Hesatdownandstartedto

makeafire."Howcanwegetaway?"askedElizabeth."Wecan't.""Howlongcanwelivehere?""Oh, there's food on the trees.Maybe amonth.Maybemore." "But we

don't have a month!We have to helpWill!We have to do something now!"Elizabethsatbythefireandstartedtosingtheoldsong:"Yoho,yoho,apirate'slifeforme,Yoho,yoho,apirate'slife...Wedrink,wefight,andthenwedie,Yoho,yoho,andwedrinktoapirate'slife.""Howdoyouknowthat?"Jackasked."Oh,IlearneditwhenIwasachild.""Ilovethatsong,"saidJack.Hesangwithher.

"We'rehardandwe'rebadandwefightandwedrink..."Andthenhefellasleep.

Elizabeththoughthard.Thenshestartedtowork.Shegotmorewoodandput iton the fire.Then she foundmoreandmorewood.WhenJackwokeup,therewasfireeverywhere."Whatareyoudoing?"heaskedElizabeth."Wehavetolivehere!""Lookatthesmoke,"Elizabethsaid.Helooked.Therewasalotofsmoke.

"Yousee?"Elizabethsaid."Everybody is looking forus.Andwhen theysee the smoke..." "Nobodywill see it," Jack said. "Theyaren't looking aroundhere."Jackwalkeddowntothewater.Andthenhesawit-aship!AnEnglishship!ItwastheDauntless."She'snevergoingtoforgetthis,"hethought.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

BacktotheIsladeMuerta

Jack was on the Dauntless again. And again, Commodore Norringtonwantedtoputhiminchains.

"Mr.Norrington!"Elizabeth said. "Wehave to go to the Isla deMuerta.CaptainSparrowcanhelpus,butnotinchains."

"CommodoreNorrington," said Jack, "Barbossa is the captainof the lastpirateship in theCaribbean.Youhave tocatchhim.Butwithoutme,howcanyoufindhim?"Norringtonthoughtaboutthis.

"WehavetogobacktoPortRoyal,"hesaid."Thegovernorwantstotakehisdaughterhome.Wecan'tgoafterpirates."

"Please,please,"saidElizabeth."WillisontheIsladeMuerta.Wehavetohelphim."

"Dowe?""Mr.Norrington,youwanttomarryme.Wecanmarry.Wewillmarry.But

first,we have to helpWill. Please do it forme."Norrington smiled. Then heturnedtohissailors.

"OK,men,getready.We'regoingtotheIsladeMuerta'***WillandtheghostlypirateswereinthecaveontheIsladeMuerta."Itisn't

aproblem,"PinteltoldWill."It'sonlyalittleblood.""Maybemorethanalittle,"saidBarbossa.HepushedWill downon the floor andput aknife tohishead."Excuseme!"

"Who's that?" said Barbossa. "Who's there?" "It's me. Captain JackSparrow."Jackwalkedintothecave.Barbossalookedathim.

"Notyouagain!"hesaid."Howdidyougetofftheisland?"Jacklaughed,andBarbossagotangry.

"FirstTurner,thenyou,"hesaidtoJack."Iwanttoseeyoudie.""No,"saidJack,veryslowly."Youdon'twanttodothat.""Andwhynot?"

"BecausetheDauntlessishere.Theywanttotakeyou."BarbossatooktheknifeawayfromWill'shead."Takeus?Theycan't.We'renotmen,we'reghosts."

"You'reghostsnow.Butafter theblood?Whenyou'remenagain, theycankillyou."Barbossathoughtaboutthis."So,what'syourplan?"hesaid.

"GoouttotheDauntlessnow.GhostscantaketheDauntless.Thenyou'llhavetwoships."

"Andwhatdoyouwant?""I want to be a captain again. Under you, of course. You'll have the

Dauntless,andI'llbeyourcaptainon theBlackPearl."Barbossasmiled."OK.Let'sdoit!"

***Outside the cave, Commodore Norrington waited on the water. He had

sevensmallboatsandmorethanfiftymen.Itwastimeforafight!Butwhentheghostlypiratesstartedtomove,Norringtondidn'tseethem.

Theyweren't intheirboats.Theywalkedontheoceanfloor,belowNorringtonandhismen.Onlythefishsawthem.

"Wherearethey?"saidoneofthesailors."Cananybodyseethem?"Suddenly, theyhearda loudnoise.Guns!On theDauntless!Commodore

Norrington turned and looked at his ship. He saw his men. And he saw...skeletons.

"Quickly!"heshouted."Backtotheship!"TheywentbacktotheDauntlessandclimbeduptheside.Theyshotatthe

ghostly pirates, but they couldn't kill them. Then Norrington saw GovernorSwann.

"AreyouOK,sir?"heasked."I'mOK.Butwhere'sElizabeth?"

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

TheEndoftheCurse

At the same time, Elizabeth left the Dauntless and swam to the BlackPearl.Sheclimbedupthesideandheardpirates.Therewereonlytwoofthemon theship.TheywantedBarbossa tocomeback.Theywanted theendof thecurse.

Thesailorslookedatthefoodonthecaptain'stable."Whatwillyoueatfirst?"oneasked."Cake.Alotofcake,"saidtheotherman.Quietly,ElizabethclimbedontothePearl.Butthenthepiratessawher."Hey,you!Stop!"Elizabethranandthepiratesfollowed.Buttheystoppedwhentheyhearda

noisebehindthem."Whatwasthat?"Gibbswasthere.ThenAnaMaria,andmoresailors.Theypushedthetwo

pirates,hard,andthepiratesfellintothewater."Whoareyou?"saidElizabeth."We're Jack Sparrow's sailors," said one of them. "And now the Black

Pearlisours!""Good!"saidElizabeth."WehavetohelpWill.AndJack,too.Quick!We

havetogointothecave."Butthesailorsdidn'tmove."No," said AnaMaria. "The Black Pearl is ours, not Jack Sparrow's. He

tookmyboat.""OK,"saidElizabeth."ThenI'llgowithoutyou!"***Inthecave,Jack,Will,andBarbossalookedatthegold."Idon'tunderstandyou,"saidBarbossa."Areyouwiththemorwithus?""I'madifficultman,"saidJack."Nobodyunderstandsme.Here,catch!"he

said to Will, suddenly. He threw a sword from the floor to the young man."Jack!"saidBarbossa."Ialmostlikedyou!"Jacklaughed.

"Remember,Iamapirate!"hesaid.JackfoughtBarbossa,andWillfoughtBarbossa'smen.Suddenly,Barbossastopped."Youcan'twin,Jack,"hesaid.Thenhepushedhisswordhard intoJack. Itwent throughhimandcame

outofhisback.Jackstoppedfighting.Willstoppedfighting.Theylookedattheendofthe

sword."Ilikedyourcurse,"saidJack."Iwantedsomegold,too."Hepulledagoldmedallionfromhispants.Hewasaskeleton,too!Jackpulled the swordout, and the two skeletons fought again.Barbossa

wasgoodwithasword,butJackwasbetterandquicker.Butghostsdon'tdie.Hecouldn'tkillBarbossa,andBarbossacouldn'tkillhim.

Willfoughttheotherpirates.Then,suddenly,hesawElizabeth."Iwanttohelpyou,"shesaid.Shetookaswordandstartedtofight.ButBarbossasawElizabeth,too.Heputhisswordnearherhead."Iwin,CaptainSparrow,"hesaid."Givemeyoursword,orthegirldies."Jackdidn'tmove.HelookedatElizabethandthenatWill.Hetookouthis

gunandlookedatBarbossa.ThenheshotBarbossa.Barbossasmiled."Areyoustupid?Youwaittenyearsandthenyouuseyourgunonme.You

can'tkillme!""He'snotstupid,"saidWill.Hestoodnexttotheboxofpirategoldwiththemedallioninhishand.His

handwasbloody.Heputthemedallioninthebox.Barbossa stopped talking. He looked down at his shirt and saw blood.

Thenhefelldown,dead.

At the same time, on theDauntless, the other pirates changed, too. Theskeletonswerenowmen.

"What'shappening?"saidoneofthem."Ifeel..."Norrington'smenfoughtthemeasily.Somepiratesdied.Themenputtheotherpiratesinchains.Inthecave,Jackcuthishand.Heputsomebloodontohismedallionand

putthemedallioninthebox.Hetooksomeothergoldfromthefloor.Thenheleft thecavewithElizabethandWill.But theBlackPearlwasn't there.Hesatdown.

"I'msorry,Jack,"Elizabethsaid."Iunderstand,"saidJack."Iwaslate,sotheydidn'twait.Theywereright.

Piratesdon'twaitforanybody."

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

TheLastofthePirates

Jackstoodinfrontofthegovernor,CommodoreNorrington,Norrington'ssailors,andpeoplefromthetown.

"It'stime,JackSparrow,"saidthegovernor."You'reapirate,andnowyouhavetodie!"

"ButFather!"shoutedElizabeth."He'sagoodman.Hehelpedme,andhehelpedyourmen.""Iknow,"saidthegovernor."Buthe'sapirate."

Suddenly,WillwasatElizabeth'sside."Iloveyou,Elizabeth,"hesaid."Iwantedtotellyoubefore,butIcouldn't."

ThenherantoJackandthrewhimasword.TheyfoughtNorrington'smen.Elizabethandherfatherwatched.

"ShootSparrow!"shoutedNorrington."Useyourguns!"WillstoodinfrontofJack."Shoothim,andyoushootme,"hesaid."Will!"saidthegovernor."Whatareyoudoing?Thismanisapirate!""Andagoodman!"Willshouted."You'renobody,Turner,"saidNorrington.Willlookedathim."I'mthemanbetweenyouandJack,"hesaid.ElizabethstoodnexttoWill."Andmyplaceishere,too!"shesaid.NorringtonlookedfromWill toElizabeth.Heknewnow.Shedidn't love

him.ShelovedWill.Jacklookedatthepeoplearoundthem."Friends,"hesaid."Rememberthisday.Onthisdayyoualmostkilled..."Buthedidn'tfinish.Hefellbackintotheharbor.Everybodyranandlookeddown.There,belowthem,theysawtheBlack

Pearl. And on the Black Pearl were Jack's sailors. They were there for their

captain.NorringtonlookedatWill.Thenhelookedathissword."Thisisagoodsword,"hesaid."Agoodmanmadeit.Ihopeyou'reagood

man,WillTurner."HeturnedtoElizabeth."Ihopeyoutwowillbeveryhappy,MissSwann,"hesaid.

Asailorrantothem."CommodoreNorrington,sir,dowefollowtheBlackPearl?""Notnow.Ithinkwecangivethemsometime.We'llfollowthemlater."Hewalkedaway.Theyweretherefortheircaptain.Will lookedatElizabethandshesmiledbackathim."Ohdear,"said the

governor."Heisn'tasailor-heisn'tacaptain.He'sonlyablacksmith.""He'sapirate!"saidElizabeth.Shesmiledagain.***Jack swam to theBlackPearl andclimbedonto the ship. "Youcame for

me!"he said toGibbs.Gibbs lookedat the floor. "Iknow itwaswrongofus.But..."

Jacksmiled.HelookedbackatPortRoyal.Thenhelookedoutacrosstheocean.Itwasabeautifulday.AnaMariawasatthefrontoftheship.Sheturnedtohim."CaptainSparrow,"shesaid,"theBlackPearlisyours."Jacktookoffhishatandhiscoat.Thenhesmiledand turned theboat to theeast.Hestarted tosing:"Yoho,yoho,apirate'slifeforme..."