"Was on the water," he says, still looking up at the lantern. "Becalmed, and no sound but the breeze whispering and the creaking of the ship under me feet-- not the Pearl," Jack adds swiftly, glancing briefly at her.

"I was the only one on deck, looking up at the sky, with all the little stars set like bright chips of diamond in the black."

A wry, oddly knowing smile twists his lips.

"Only seen something like it in one place since. Anyway, there I was, minding me own, when suddenly a blaze went streaking across the sky like someone'd fired a shot through the heavens."