[The threat of a very different kind of death jars Hollom. He actually laughs -- though a quiet, nervous laugh.]

I've never dealt with pirates before, sir. Privateers, Frenchmen, Spaniards... but I never did cross paths with pirates.

[And he sounds nervous enough with that thought in mind.]

I... I suppose there's little to be done about that. Save finding a ship that needs another hand. [A crew would offer some protection. For the time being. Until they had enough of the misfortune that would follow them with him around.]