Thane Drogos

“Land-Ho!” Jack called from the helm.

I clipped my safety rope to the ladder on the center mast and climbed into the crow’s nest, joining my lookout. Before we could close into the pier, I wanted to be sure there was no other ship on the horizon.

Clear. In every direction. I used my spyglass to look toward the pier, where wives and kids were jumping up and down, awaiting us. A handful of retired sailors fished off the ...