His departure was a sad disappointment to those hands who had been preparing their testimony for the trial. Some of them were old shipmates of Jack's, and they were perfectly ready to swear through a nine-inch plank so long as their evidence led in the right direction: the court would have heard a lively description of the Honourable Sod's furious assault upon the Captain with a brace of pistols, a boarding-axe, a naked sword and a topmast fid, together with all the warm or pathetic expressions used on either side, such as Somers' 'Rot your vitals, you infernal bugger,' and Jack's 'Pray, Mr Somers, consider what you are about.
Jack's departure left many witnesses disappointed, especially those who had prepared to testify at his trial. Among them were his former shipmates, eager to provide evidence in his defense, even if it involved exaggeration. They were ready to recount the story of a fierce altercation between him and the Honourable Sod, detailing the dramatic confrontation with an array of weapons, and the heated language exchanged during the incident.
The anticipation of a gripping court trial was dampened by Jack's absence. His shipmates were enthusiastic about sharing their passionate accounts, which would have painted a vivid picture of the conflict and highlighted the camaraderie they had with Jack. This sense of loyalty and readiness to support him underscored the bond they shared, despite the gravity of the situation.
