The Frozen Pirate
This cache is based on a novel written long ago by William Clark Russell.
Another tribute to our pirate friends!
Paul Rodney, the only survivor of a storm which leaves his ship stranded on a huge Antarctic iceberg continues to drift south. Seemingly sentenced to die alone in the Antarctic vastness, the mate comes instead upon a ancient pirate ship locked tight in the ice fields.
Aboard the pirate ship he discovers numerous members of a pirate crew, frozen stiff, and large stocks of food, drink, and coal. When placed near a fire, one of the sailors begins to revive. Aided by the mate, the pirate is gradually brought to consciousness. Jules Tassard, a French corsair is astounded to find himself alive, and refuses to acknowledge his fifty year sleep. In gratitude, he shows Rodney several treasure chests stowed in the hold, but becomes increasingly cranky, then begins slipping into madness, to the point that Rodney's life may be endangered. Suddenly, the centenarian sailor begins to age rapidly. Rodney, and the pirate rigged up tackle, hoisted the kegs of powder on deck, slid them ashore and went to work layin' their mines. They had to remain aboard and run the risk of being blown up because if the schooner did free herself they'd be out of luck ashore. It was a terrible risk, but it meant freedom and wealth on one hand or the prospect of ending their days on that iceberg. The explosion jarred the ship free, and she still floated.
Well, lads, the old pirate died that night, calling on God to forgive his sins, and Rodney, the mate, sailed that old pirate schooner through ice, through storm and peril, until he came near the Horn again and there sighted a New Bedford whaler who loaned him four men from their crew in exchange for many casks of valuable wine. Nothing was said about the treasure and he finally landed in England, safe from his hardships and rich beyond his wildest dreams.