“You’ve heard that it’s unlucky to harm an albatross, ain’t you?” said Ridgey, looking down at the River Thames.
Gadge stood at the base of the plank, using his extendable arm to poke the mechanical albatross further towards the end.
“I believe that saying only refers to shooting them down,” said Quartermaster Lexi. “There’s nothing about making them walk the plank.”
“Click, even if there was, tick, it wouldn’t matter,” said First Mate Mainspring. “Tock, you’re not a real albatross.”
“Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Ridgey.
“With your wings bound, you’ll sink like a stone,” said Captain Clockheart. “Now, for the last time, where are Pendle and Twitter?”
Gadge stamped his foot, making both the plank and the bird wobble.
“All right, all right.” Ridgey balanced on the tips of his claws to avoid falling in. “I’ll tell you everything. It was Swift. The whole thing was set up by him. He only created me to lead you to the Tower.”
“I say we send this double-crossing bird for a swim,” said Gadge.
“No,” said Captain Clockheart. “Let him back on the ship … but keep his wings tied.”
“Click, are you mad?” said Mainspring. “Tick, if this captain don’t have the guts to do what’s right, then I know who will. Tock, me.”
“I said no.” Captain Clockheart showed Mainspring the blade of his cutlass. “Ridgey was made the way he is. It ain’t his fault that he’s a dirty, two-faced, stinking scallywag.”
“Thank you,” said Ridgey. “I think.”
“Besides, he’ll show us where Swift has taken Pendle.”
“That’s right, his workshop is about a mile upriver,” said Ridgey. “You won’t be able to take the ship because of all the low bridges.”
“Click, are you mad?” said Mainspring. “Tick, would you take your crew from one trap straight into another? Tock, and all for the sake of a cabin boy and a parrot.”
“I’d walk into a thousand traps for the sake of young Pendle.” Vapour hissed from the captain’s eye sockets as he spoke.
“Click, and this crew will follow you. Tick, because they have no choice. Tock, after all, they were designed to follow your orders.”
The line of steam shooting from his head thinned as Captain Clockheart thought this. “That’s not right, is it? My crew chose to follow me … didn’t they?”
Lexi’s word-wheel whirred around. “It is true that you were designed as our leader. The crew were made to follow your orders.”
Steam put-put-putted out of Captain Clockheart’s head as he considered this. When he next spoke, it was to address the whole crew.
“I’ve decided that Mainspring is right. This is most likely a trap, but since we cannot leave our own behind, I will go and rescue our cabin boy and Twitter. The rest of you will stay here. If I’m not back by sunrise then Mainspring is your captain. Do as he bids and he will lead you to further glory. Those are my orders.”
The crew fell silent for a moment, as the captain’s words sank in.
“You won’t go alone, Captain,” said Gadge. “Lexi and I will join you.”
“Er…” began Lexi.
“As officers, we can make our own decisions and we’re not afraid of death,” continued Gadge.
“Actually…” said Lexi.
Captain Clockheart slapped them both on the back and grinned. “Very good. Then my officers and I will rescue Pendle. Ridgey will come, too, to show us the way.”
“Then you’ll let me go?” said the albatross.
“Once we have Pendle and we’re safely away, you’ll have your freedom. You have my word.”
“After all he’s done!” said Gadge.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” said Captain Clockheart.
“You won’t regret this,” said Ridgey.
“But if I get so much as a whiff of treachery, I’ll drop you into this old river hook, line and sinker!”
“Captain,” said Lexi, “the chances of the three of us surviving this mission are…”
Gadge clonked Lexi on the back of the head, shutting him down, then lifted him up on to his shoulder. “Prepare to lower the rowing boat,” he said.
“Click, the ship will be safe under my command,” said Mainspring.
“It better be,” said Captain Clockheart. “I intend to be back by sunrise, but if I’m not I want you to do as I said and sail away. We have too many enemies here. Now, Mr Gadge, let’s hear a song to lift our spirits.”
As the rowing boat was lowered into the water, Gadge threw his head back and sang:
