The Pirates will gather

Every fall the pirates of Lake Sakakawea gather to celebrate the end of the sailing season.  Gathered around the fire they share the loot they have taken from the various ports of call. There will be lying, a little fighting, and several full scale brawls will break out.  After everyone is bandaged up the drinks are passed around and the music begins.  The old sea shanties are sung and the radiant beauty of the pirate queens surrounds the fire.  Down below in the secretive cove the ships sit like horses tied to the rail.  Pity the poor power boat that wanders into this group, unless of  course it is the pirate Doc,  who is in league with the scoundrels around the fire.  Doc keeps the pirates informed of the movements of the large merchant ships so they can be attacked at will.  Nothing makes pirates dance like Doc's Mohito's.  Some of the pirates will make it back to their bunks, others will pass out in their chairs around the fire.  As the sun rises in the dim early morning light it is not unusual to see a parrot opening it's eyes on the shoulder of a crumpled pirate sitting at what is left of the fire.  Withing weeks the ships will be hauled the season will end.  Good men and women of the sea will be land lubbers until the cruel winter passes.  Spring will come again and erase the wicked ice.  Ships will set sail. Again the hardy, the brave, the true people of the sea will launch, and roam the vast world of the lake.