Entries of First Mate Essex Hale

June 3rd, 1712 – Cadin Cay, Outer Shoals

We held the station off the shoals. The sea lay flat as hammered lead. At dusk, the Sable Rose raised an hourglass.

The Rose spoke first with their own volleys:
Compass + Skull
Compass + Moon
Compass + Crown

The Triton’s guns spoke second, though their pattern was halting. They flew only a solid red flag. From the Triton, four arcs fell:
Shield + Cannon
Shield + Diamond
Shield + Wheel
Shield + Key

Captain Dukes gave the order for our signal and to raise the hourglass. The men loaded the charges, and I specified the target locations to them and marked each pairing as it struck:
Hook + Sun
Hook + Eye Mark
Hook + Anchor

I set each mark upon the tide chart. No clear measure yet emerged to pursue the treasure. A traitor is amongst the ranks of the admiralty.

June 6th, 1712 – Cadin Cay, Outer Shoals

The second night dawned no clearer in purpose. Our shots were fired in the sequence identical to the last entry.

Tonight, the Rose hung the hourglass high, signaling their readiness.
Compass + Skull
Compass + Moon
Compass + Crown

Then the Triton’s cannon spoke in deliberate measure:
Shield + Dove
Shield + Dagger
Shield + Hand

When the last arc of the Triton fell and the translation completed, I provided it to Dukes. He turned to me. “That’s the sign,” he said. “They’ve found their Judas.”

I brought up the spyglass. Two men were hauled to the rail, bound hand and foot. Even at a distance, I knew them: Irwin Stafford and Shelby Rowe. A lantern of red glass was raised. Two shots cracked the dusk, and the bodies were gone.

June 7th, 1712 – Cadin Cay, Outer Shoals

Tonight, all masts bore the twisted hourglass. No pretense.

The Sable Rose fired four measured pairings:
Compass + Sun
Compass + Serpent
Compass + Hand
Compass + Crossbones

The Triton followed, answering with three arcs:
Shield + Trident
Shield + Crown
Shield + Skull

Our own guns gave five final pairings:
Hook + Moon
Hook + Sword
Hook + Wheel
Hook + Fish
Hook + Diamond

Dukes watched each impact flare across the tide glass, his face grave. “That’s all the proof we’ll have,” he said. “Make your record.” I have done so. If we vanish, let it be known these signals were sent true, and we did not turn back.

May the sea keep what comes next.