The Jaguar's Heart

Hispaniola, 1573

Captain John Littleton and his swashbuckling crew were ready for action. Their sloop cruised through the inky black water as thick clouds hid them from the light of the moon and stars.

The Spanish in their mighty galleon, La Tortuga, were completely unaware of the pirates until Captain John yodeled forth his battle cry. By then, the entire galleon had been swarmed by silent men in black.

The swish of swinging swords, the ripping of flesh and the screams of the Spanish sailors rang out across the sea. Those to whom the dark pirates granted mercy were bound at the wrists and ankles, while the pirates searched the vessel for its treasure.

The usual doubloons, precious stones and pearls were divided evenly among the men, after of course, a portion had been set aside to aid the poor islanders oppressed by the Spanish colonials.

Captain John kept but one gem for himself. He stared into the gleaming facets of the giant red ruby, nearly the size of a man’s fist.

“Surely the legends of the Jaguar’s Heart are just foolishness,” he whispered at the gem. “Yes, I will sell this piece in London for a good price!”

Captain John never reached London. His ship was intercepted by a rival privateer who had just returned from bountiful raids in the Pacific and purchased the giant ruby for a hefty sum indeed.

Tragically, John Littleton was killed by vengeful Spanish musketeers just two weeks after this transaction. The Jaguar Heart’s purchaser, Francis Drake, went on to experience an entirely different destiny.