The Dealings of Captain Sharkey, and Other Tales of Pirates

"The Dealings of Captain Sharkey, and Other Tales of Pirates" by Arthur Conan Doyle is a set of short stories about pirates from the early 1900s. The stories center on Captain Sharkey, a scary pirate who is known for causing terror on the seas. Through stories filled with betrayal, thrilling adventures, and the harsh realities of pirate life, the stories show how feared Sharkey was and the dangerous world of other pirates at the time. In the first story, Captain Scarrow of the ship "Morning Star" stops at St. Kitt's and hears that Captain Sharkey will be killed because of his many crimes. Scarrow, who was already nervous because of Sharkey’s murders and robberies, feels a sense of relief when he hears this. But, he is shocked to find out that Sharkey has secretly gotten on his ship, taken over, and now controls Scarrow and his crew. This beginning story sets the stage for the rest of the collection, creating an atmosphere of suspense and trickery in the dangerous world at sea, and giving a hint of the evil deeds that Captain Sharkey will do.