I wanna tell you a stoooory...

Out of deference to Sir Hornpiper (eerrr-harumph!); the Flossie Jetsam raised signal flags to the Bacardi. "About that treasure map - maybe we can come to an agreement."

"Its a trap, Capt'n! Don't be taken in by 'em," whispered the pirate, Ibram, into Kit's ear.

Kit thought for a moment. Signal flags were hoisted on the Bacardi. "Send over the Corgi's. Jay McGee will translate."

UT conferred with Sir Reginald. Do you think you can explain this matter to the Corgi's in a way they will understand?"

"Well, If I can communicate with the British government, I don't see why I can't communicate with a Corgi," replied Sir Reginald, somehat irritated by this question of his skills.

UT went over to where the Corgi's were sleeping on the deck, their little paws blissfuly extended up toward the sky, and their tummies starting to turn pink from the sun's bright rays.

"Sir Reginald wants a word with you lads," he whispered. The Corgi's made little corgi noises in their sleep and blissfully slumbered on.

"TREATS!" whispered UT, "but no barking." The word "treats” awoke the corgi's at once. They rolled over and sat up, their fox like ears perked expetantly. MaggieL hurried over to present them all with milk bones.

After the crunching was finished. Sir Reginald adressed the Corgi's. He explained the situation is some detail and finished up with, "Well, lads, that's the problem. Would you mind going over to the Bacardi and explaining what I've said to Jay McGee?”

"We'd love to get off THIS stupid boat,” the alpha Corgi growled softedly. “ We'll do it on the condition that we never have to return to the Flossie Jetsam."

"DONE!" exclaimed Sir Reginald.

Presently, a skiff filled with Corgi’s was launched from the Flossie Jetsam. Bewildered pirates helped the small dogs scramble aboard. T’Pau, Queen of the Universe was NOT pleased.

“Alright” said Jay McGee to the Corgi’s. “First you must swear to take the Pirate’s Oath. If you do that you will become permanent members of the Bacardi’s crew; you will never again be placed in the hold; you can have all the milk bones your little tummies can hold, and a tot of rum everynight.”

“Make that TWO tots of rum,” said the outlaw Corgi, Belle Starr, “and you have a deal!”

“TWO tots it is,” agreed Jay McGee. “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Starr. Now the oath.”

The Corgi’s swore horribly, one after another in Welsh. Even Jay McGee’s pirate’s ears turned red to hear some of the language they used.

“Aaarh, matey’s. You may be short, but you have true pirate’s hearts. Welcome to the Bacardi cruiser!” The Corgi’s all stuck out their right front paws sideways and Capt’n Kit solemnly shook all ten little paws.

The Corgi’s then explained about the two halves of the treasure map with Jay McGee excitedly translating their soft barks and growls.

“What?” exclaimed Kit. “I got that tattoo one night in the Canary Islands at a barber’s shop when I had a bit too much rum. Always thought the bloke had cheated me, but we had to sail after a prize the next morning, so I let it go. You’re telling me that UT has the missing half?”

All ten corgi muzzles nodded up and down in agreement.

“Well, that’s a fine kettle of fish!” exclaimed Kit. “ I have to coperate with UT to get Blackbeard's treasure?”

The Corgi’s nodded again.

The grammaphone began to play “Strangers in the night.”