Deathjaw

In a tavern long ago was told a pirate tale, but for this story it’s hard to say exactly how to begin. Many claim this legend is false, but many swear it’s true. It’s a story that’s been passed down from sailor to sailor, a story that was told by Pirates.

Now, many don’t trust the word of Captain Jolly Rogers, for the man with two peg legs, two hook hands, and a patch over an eye, spends too much time in his cup. Though, many say they believe the words of Seven Seas Sally as she bats her eyelashes. They say it’s true, so maybe it’s so. Only time will tell. However I bet you’re wondering what the legend is, and where did it start? Allow me to explain to you this creature that lurks in the dark.

Yes, this legend is a creature, and this creature is a shark. However, it’s not one of impressive size or a thousand rows of teeth. It’s a hammerhead shark with a craving it can’t beat. I know what you’re thinking. A hammerhead shark can’t be that scary. Though, I’ll agree and also say that he is only scary if you choose to believe.

As some may know, hammerhead sharks like to swim in schools during the day and hunt alone only at night. However, Deathjaw was a unique shark, and preferred to be on his own. He was a loner, an outcast, and a recluse. Giant Jim, who stood four foot nine, even called him a lone wolf before being thrown overboard. Captain Jolly Rogers is no idiot, you see, he knows Deathjaw is a shark.

As the Captain claims, Deathjaw is addicted to human meat. He says that this is the reason the shark acts so strange. Ever since the captain’s limbs found their way overboard, the shark has been following the ship all across the Caribbean. They try to appease the beast, by making people walk the plank. Prisoners, Mutineers, and those who caught the scurvy. If anything this encourages the wide headed shark to continue on his journey, following the ship known as The Laughing Matter.

Seven Seas Sally often claims that hammerhead sharks like to live in sunken ships. She adds to that by saying, Deathjaw claimed their ship before it sank. Therefore he just follows and waits. I’m sure if we asked the shark, he’d agree that this is true. After all, who would protest living in a home that doubled as a buffet? While we can’t really ask him, we can tell by what we see. He acts a bit excited every time there is a battle at sea.

Now that you know what the beast is all about. His possible origin and possible goal. While no one can guess the truth of these things, there is one thing I can do. I’ll tell you the seafaring tale that Captain Jolly Rogers tells everyone in the tavern.

Captain Jolly Rogers has fought many battles and many battles have fought him. He lost his left hand off the coast of Barbados and lost right hand out at sea. His right leg was cut off while in the Bahamas trying to steal some loot. His left leg was lost when he visited Jamaica and he lost his eye trying to eat soup. However, there is one thing that remains consistent among all these lost parts. Each little piece of our favorite ship Captain, had fell into the sea.

This attracted the attention of a certain beast, who’s name I’m sure you cannot guess. It was from those tastes that gave the ship it’s most famous stalker. Deathjaw followed after the ship, The Laughing Matter, all across the ocean. He was hoping for another bite, and often found a few.

Then there was the fateful day, that will always be remembered. The day The Laughing Matter found itself surrounded by the British navy. Cannons fired from all around, but it was the water that everyone feared. For every man thrown overboard ended up dragged below the water. It’s appetite knew no bounds and it only craved more.

One could only guess what went through the sharks head, as the British cannonballs tore through the hull of The Laughing Matter. The ship then began to go down quickly beneath the waves. Captain Jolly Rogers continued to battle as the ship sank down below, leaving nearly no survivors. Eventually, all that was left was the captain and the shark. The captain fighting for his life, while Deathjaw fought to finish the meal he started. The battle raged on as they both fell deeper into the sea. The tale then ends with a bittersweet end, of how neither was seen again.

Now, once again I know what you are thinking. How can Captain Jolly Rogers tell a story in which he died? Some say he made the whole thing up, but I don’t think that’s true. After all, he told the truth when talking about the soup.