But their conversation was interrupted by a horrible crashing sound.

“Poseidon’s beard, what was that?” asked Blackbeard, looking around. The ship was shaking violently, making the lanterns overhead sway from side to side, extinguishing some of the candles within.

“We’re under siege!” said James, trying to steady himself. Just then a large tentacle burst through the side of the ship, and would have impaled James if he hadn’t fallen down.

“Good gods, it’s an Architeuthis dux!” James said, standing up and lending his hand to Blackbeard, who had also fallen to the floor.

“What are you on about now, James?” asked Blackbeard, getting back to his feet and looking at the gaping hole in the side of the ship, splinters of wood scattered around the cabin, his wooden dresser destroyed, and the wooden chest that was atop it lying open on the floor.

“The Ruling Squid, sir! A Kraken!” said James, making Blackbeard shake his head.

“This is no time for Latin lessons! Get yourself on deck, see if any of the men were injured, and assess the damage. I’ll be right behind you!” said Blackbeard, rushing over to a chest that had been knocked over in the mayhem.

James emerged from below deck to chaos. The men were scrambling and in panic. One of the Kraken’s tentacles had taken its hold around the ship, and another was inching its way up the crow’s nest, where Smee had been situated. James could see poor Smee looking on in terror, determining if he should jump.

“Smee! What are you doing up there?” yelled James, but Smee didn’t answer—he was focused on the encroaching tentacle slithering its way up toward him. “You stay put, Smee, I’ll save you!” yelled James.

By James’s account he could see just two tentacles, but he knew this creature was in possession of several more, and wouldn’t hesitate to bring the ship down, and could do so easily within moments.

He had to act quickly.

James spied Bill Jukes positioning the cannon to fire on the tentacle that was wrapped around the ship and had Mullins pinned to the deck. Mullins was screaming, writhing in agony. Jukes would obliterate the poor man if he fired the cannon.

“Jukes, hold your fire! You’ll take off Mullins’s head and sink our ship!” James bellowed, as Blackbeard made his way up to the deck from his quarters. “Smee, hold tight! I’ll save you,” said James, seeing the tentacle creep closer to his friend.

“James is right, you son of a git! Stand down!” Blackbeard yelled, taking in the scene, and immediately rushed to Mullins and pulled him out from under the tentacle.

“Are you savvy, Mullins?” asked Blackbeard, his eyes darting around the deck to assess the situation.

“Aye, sir!” Mullins said, looking at his chest, which was covered in goo.