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The Mariner |
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1782 Barcelona, Spain Gabriel running as fast as he could along Avenida del Paralelo looking at his back yelling at Pedro he nearly hit the lady approaching him with a cane his been carrying since they left Burgos. “Hurry up Pedro were nearly there he yelled.” He can see the ship his eyes was fill of joy finally his dream to see the world .As they reached at the port there are number of men on a queue ”Your name?” the officer lift up his face holding his feather pen as he dipping it in ink vase near the ledger. “Pedro Valderama “ he said shyly bowing his head to the officer. Gabriel pushed him excitedly as he put his hand on Pedro’s shoulder “me Gabriel Barretto” clasping his hand his head up looking at the edge of ship some sailors are already on board carry their bin bag full of clothes. Luzveminda started to drift it was her first voyage, the sunset was slowly moving in to the horizon Pedro was setting at the edge of the ship holding roof on top of his knee he still mesmerizing his father’s strong but commanding voice “ Pedro if you walked out that door don’t ever think to return” his fist was firm as if his holding a stone ready to throw out to Pedro. Don Ignazio was a domineering but honorable man. They owned a big wheat farmland nearby the city of Burgos the land was near the river of Arlanzon. There was a war coming against Moors . Pedro didn’t want to participate he rather travel by any means he likes to see the world curious to see other races how they survive .Two of his brother Teodoro and Guido can protect and help his parents if necessary, he thought still holding the roof he twisted it in a knot. He stood up and bowed down seeing the bubble of water he looked down intensely a dolphin swimming along by the rhythm the water splashing along the bottom edge of the ship. “Come join with me lets see the where the world end” he said softly as if the dolphin could hear him. Someone’s grab his arm and shake it a bit. “ Look !Pedro see that point it has fortress “ he exclaimed Pedro turned his head to see what Gabriel pointing at with his finger.” that is Alicante” the city has a tower at the mountain top it’s a lookout he thought if there are enemies coming from the sea , “the pirate still disturbing the town “ a voice of another sailor came close to them he sniffed with a cup of coffee in his hand he sounded hoarsely as if he had a phlegm he cough a bit and spit it out .They been sailing for two days since they left Barcelona. Suddenly the ship turned its course towards an island the captain came out from his cabin as he was holding a telescope he was wearing red outfit with black hat his curled mustache was more conspicuous sailors who’s standing below the deck walked closer so they can hear what Captain Sebastian was saying : we will stop into that island to get more foods and water “ as he commanded the officer who’s holding the wheel as he steer diverting their ship to the island of Sardinia. Pedro kissed the warm soil as soon as they embarked it was his first foreign soil he ever been too. He looked around and saw the “Bastione” the wall that surround the town the main gate has two cannon facing toward the the port. His heart suddenly jump as the sound of mandoline was humming behind the little house that made of blue stone as he walked slowly to a stone fence he saw a man sitting on top of it was a man and woman setting on top. It reminded him back home in Burgos his brother Teodoro will be strumming the little mandoline that his father gave him as a present when he came back from Madrid. His father will asked his mother to dance as him and his little brother Guido sitting on the corner legs crossed while the servants are serving them with cheese and nuts. He looked down sadly as he kicked one of the loose stone on his toe bended down and picked it up rolled it around his palm. He felt the sadness in his heart. Nostalgic moment rose into his mind as if he want to go back home but his mind was set he want to explore the unknown. It had been three days since they left Sardinia Pedro was setting at the front of the ship his legs was swinging near the pillar. As he was looking far the inland he noticed something familiar, “the mountain of Alicante but they were far from it they just passing by but why?” he thought he went to looked for Gabriel he was lying down at the hammock inside the sailors cabin down below. “ Gabriel do you know where we going? The ship is passing Alicante !” Asking Gabriel in a low voice. Gabriel opened his sleepy eyes he scratched is arm in a slow motion. “ Where are you when the captain told us were sailing towards Morocco” Pedro was stunned “ What? I’m sleeping maybe” “ Then were going that way “ Gabriel said jokily. “ why we went to Sardinia?” Pedro frowned and still confused. As Gabriel got up from the hammock he explained to Pedro that the Captain has his family in Sardinia and he has to say goodbye for this trip. Pedro didn’t know what’s happening because he was too busy loading the cargo and went out as soon as the he had his change to look around the island. But Gabriel on the other hand was too kin to know what’s going on so he was more informed than Pedro. They were at the front of the ship as Gabriel was lying down at the bowsprit as his hands up behind his head looking at the clouds as if it’s following the ship. Pedro pointed out his finger at the two land on sight as they passing by in between.” Look two lands I wonder what country is that” Gabriel sat up to see what is Pedro pointing out. He looked at two both land then turned to Pedro and said “ According to the map on your right hand still Spain and at the left is Africa” Pedro stood up and put his hand at his forehead trying to see if he can trace any movement but of course it was too far to acknowledge, he was ecstatic “ Africa! But which part of Africa” Pedro still curious to know. “ My friend that is Morocco “ Gabriel pat his shoulder as he walked away from him skipping the rope which rolled near at the front foremast as he looked up the watcher who was setting on top of foremast whistling. The wind still blowing nicely there was no sign of dark clouds coming. Midnight when Pedro felt of sudden movement the hammock he was on, swinging in slightly he saw the lamp swaying too. He didn’t move instead he felt dizzy and his mouth started to built the saliva as if he is going to throw up, he saw the tin bucket next to the post he quickly grabbed it and ”whoop” all the foods he digested in came out. He still felt sick again and again its just like a convulsion. He sat at the corner with the bucket on his knee. Gabriel yelled at him “ tied yourself with the rope “ Pedro quickly grabbed the rope and tied it on to the post near him. He heard the wind whistling they were in the middle of the storm every one are coming up and down to the cabin as someone left the door open he saw the first blow of wave splashing towards the floor as the water pouring down the ship swaying side by side as if she is dancing along the rhythm of the sea. It was morning everything was calm all the cask of wine was everywhere the remnants of violent storm was noticeable some ratline rope had been cut off. Captain Sebastian was already up to see the damages. He gathered his sailor in case some of them fell overboard luckily his crews was more prepared.” Now we are in North Atlantic Ocean we will be expecting more storm and heavy wave “ He spoke loudly so everyone can hear what he was saying. Tomas the watcher came forward “should we offer to Neptune the gods of sea to give us a safe passage” Everyone looked at him murmuring “ safe passage?” Tomas has been a sailor of different ship that goes around Africa and Mediterranean sea he knew the rules of ocean. The captain knew very well for what he was talking about he didn’t want animosity between his crew. Superstition at sea was very important he didn’t want to have the mutiny in his watch. Captain Sebastian grab a bottle of wine at the cask there is one left behind. He lifted it on the air “to Neptune god of sea let us pass to your kingdom” then he throw the bottle of wine towards the ocean, everyone glanced at the floating bottle hoping their wish will be granted. Another day passed they saw a little Island on top there was a cloud covering a mountain as the cloud disappeared a towering volcano was revealed as the sunset disappearing at the background. “ We will be staying in that island until we fix our ship “ The captain ordered his crews they been sailing with broken foremast. Pedro was relieved when he heard the captain’s decision, they been sailing for months now and the goat on board need grass his becoming friends with Ignazio the goat keeper, he was nice to him from time to time he will give him some goat cheese . Cape Verde Island was not sandy at all the marked of lava that came from the Volcano was all around the shore its black rock was become the home of stone fish. Pedro and Gabriel was swimming when they noticed a dark woman watching them they suddenly came out from the water but the woman disappear . They hurriedly went back to the ship and told to the captain that they are not alone , someone are living in the island. Upon hearing this the captain quickly ring the bell “ We must hurry we need to leave” Pedro found out that the island was inhabited by a cannibal a man eating tribe. One of the old sailor Benito told him about one ship docked into the island and one of their man had been captured by this cannibals. They almost circum navigating Africa Captain Sebastian decided to stop at Cape Town they have seen the wreckage of Grosvenor and don’t want to have the same mistake. Luzveminda was fragile as it is. But they need supplies Captain Sebastian knew the British General Brown he met him in previous occasion and since they are not French he has no quarrel with the British.
To be continue….
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