Rafael the Pirate is a short story. The Royal Road of Brasil is the setting. A life lived in the 1700's and a day of Pirates off the shore. I have traveled that interesting and historical road. It's worth the trip. Brazil in it's infancy as an acquisiton by Portugal became the benefactor of immense wealth. First came the crops. Sugar cane and cattle brought the seekers. Hard men, men without the women they left at home. New races emerged, part White, part Negro and often part Indian. Rafael, a mixture, was born in the time of Gold. Lots of gold. An orphan, he wanted more. The system of the time only gave him a slim opportunity. He learned the Portuguese language. He grew strong and was assigned to travel the Estrada Real, the Royal Road with an ox cart. It was full of gold. Forced to sail the ships to Rio, he became a sailor. That was the path. There was so much gold, the Portuguese never missed what Rafael did next. His Mother would be proud. Learn more about his great country. The country selected for the Olymipic Games in 2016. It wasn't always this way.