Marcel Boucher's notes

Early March, 17XX The expedition began well enough: we established ourselves on the island and took over three ruins. We'll sleep in the first, turn the second into a storehouse, and fortify the third properly in case of trouble. For reasons beyond me, my idiots even hauled a gate all the way up to the second floor. Louie spotted three ships belonging to Blackbeard's pirates. I ordered my men to stay away from the shoreline and hunt deeper in the jungle. Louie flew into a rage. He wants to lure the pirates into a trap and gun them down. A fool! There are as many of them as rats in a cellar, and we're short on powder. I promised I'd skin him myself and stretch his hide over a boar if he keeps stirring the others up.

Mid-March, 17XX Curse these pirates! They've landed and are now combing the entire island. We have barricaded ourselves inside the fortified ruin, with sentries posted at the other two. A few days ago, Louie disobeyed orders and led some of the lads off. Of course, they walked straight into an ambush. We had to pull them out—but only two made it back. If my musket hadn't misfired, Louie would still be alive. The pirates are closing in. We'll have to abandon the loot and withdraw. The most valuable items will go into a cache.

Late March, 17XX The pirates finally caught up with us. They must have taken me for dead—though I'll soon be for certain. Blood is pouring from my belly without end. I'm sure the others in the island's remaining ruins are dead as well. If anyone finds these notes, tell Henri that… (The rest of the text is smeared with blood.)