Arrival In The New World
Baron Britpop Blastfurnace • Chapter 27
We had been at sea for seven weeks. For several days, the Captain had allowed me to borrow his spyglass to search for land. Every day, I spent hours scanning the horizon. Then, one morning, it happened. I spotted land—a small island. Nothing more than a long sand bar with some vegetation, it brought unmeasurable joy to my heart. I now believed we may yet survive the crossing.
“Andelbert!” I shouted as I grabbed his arm. “Land!”
“May I see?” He replied.
I handed him the glass and pointed in the direction he should look. It took a little effort to find it, but then he let out a cry of joy.
Andelbert’s excitement brought Jonas over to investigate.
“We’ve spotted land,” Andelbert said.
Jonas immediately ran to the mast and climbed up to the crow’s nest.
“Land ho!” he shouted, causing many of the other sailors to let out whoops of joy. One of the crew ran and told the Captain, who appeared on deck a few minutes later.
“Well done, Baron. It is a heartening sight to see land after so long without it.”
“Indeed. I was beginning to wonder if we ever would,” I replied.
Captain Peanut Butter smiled a knowing smile.
“Captain, do you know where we are?” Andelbert asked.
“Not yet. The Caribbean Sea is filled with many tiny islands. We will need to see larger islands or more distinctive ones to get a better idea. But it is a good day, for we know we are getting closer.”
We sailed most of the morning and saw no more islands. Then, slightly after midday, Jonas spotted a sizable island. As we drew closer, the sea turned a color I cannot describe. It was blue and green at the same time. The water had become clear as glass, and I could see hundreds of brightly colored fish swimming in every direction. But it was not just the fish that were colorful. The bottom of the sea itself exploded with color. The very rocks themselves seemed to be alive and growing, forming a multitude of shapes and displaying every color of the rainbow. And it all seemed close enough to touch.
The Captain had reclaimed his spyglass, and as he scanned the island, he spotted a large rock formation jutting up from the sea. He recognized it and said, “We are in luck, lads. We’ve reached Mayaguana.”
He lowered the spyglass.
“This island brings us three good things. First, we now know where we are. Second, it is uninhabited. And third, it has a well.”
“A well?” I said, surprised.
“Yes. Most believe it was dug by pirates. It is called Pirates Well for that very reason. It means we will have fresh water to drink, and fresh fish to eat. And coconuts. And we will stretch our legs on dry land.”
“I am looking forward to trying coconuts,” Andelbert said with boyish enthusiasm.
“As am I,” I added.
As we came closer to the island, I could see the white sand of the beaches rising from the crystal clear waters. And the beach trees the Captain had told me about earlier in the voyage. It was amazingly beautiful. Then I saw the most unusual birds I had ever seen. Their feathers were pink! With black tips. They had the body of a large bird, but they walked on long, spindly legs that bent in the opposite direction of human legs. And from their bodies rose slender tubes of necks. Atop of those necks were tiny heads with a large beak that jutted straight out and then hooked downward.
“Look at those birds, Andelbert!”
“I believe those are flamingos,” he said.
I knew Andelbert had read most of the volumes in Baron Raspberry’s library. Still, I was often surprised at how much he retained.
“That is right, Lad,” the Captain replied. “And this is just the beginning of many wonders yet to see.”
Crossing the ocean had been a long, tiresome journey. But I was already convinced it was worth it.
We dropped anchor not far from shore and lowered the rowboats. The Captain allowed us to be on the first trip ashore. When the boat reached the beach, I hopped out into the shallow water and helped pull it ashore. As I started to walk, I felt wobbly.
Andelbert looked at me and said, “I can’t seem to find my balance.”
“I am in the same condition,” I replied.
“It’s just your sea legs, mates,” Stout said. “Ya ain’t walked on anything not moving for some time. You’ll find your footing soon enough.”
Even wobbly, it felt glorious to walk on land again.
We had brought a couple of water barrels with us and started rolling them up the beach. Jonas ran ahead and was walking along the grass line, looking for the well. After a few minutes, he waved his arms in the air and shouted, “I found it.”
We rolled the barrels to where Jonas was standing, and then he led us through some tall grass to a round clearing about 20 feet across. In the center of the clearing was a hole with some rocks placed around it in a circle. We lowered a bucket on a rope into the well and then raised it back up. It was full of water. Jonas dipped a cup into the bucket and took a drink.
“Ohhh, that is good!” He said.
He passed the cup around, and we all had a drink. Jonas was correct. It was cold, and it was delicious. Jonas, Stout, Andelbert, and I got busy filling up the water barrels. Fresh water would be a welcome change from stale grog.
As we filled the water barrels, some crew members gathered wood and coconuts. Others were fishing with nets. When all our work was done, the whole crew gathered on the beach and sat on the sand.
The Captain stood and said, “Lads, it has been a good day. We survived another crossing, we made landfall, and tonight we will feast on roasted fish, crab, coconuts, and fresh water.”
Everyone raised their voice in agreement.
“Captain, as our work is done, may Britpop and I go exploring? I am curious to see more of this wondrous place,” Andelbert asked.
“Aye, you may. Take Jonas with you. He knows this island well and will help you navigate your way back.”
“You took the very words from my mouth,” I said to Andelbert as the three of us started walking down the beach.
“Can we walk around the whole island?” Andelbert asked Jonas.
“Not unless you’re shipwrecked. It has to be 50 miles around or better. You just saw a small corner of it from the ship.”
As we walked, Jonas pointed out one amazing thing after another. We saw creatures that lived inside hard shells and walked across the beach. And more flamingos taking off in flight. We waded out into the crystal clear water and saw a bright red sea creature in the shape of a star, plus colorful fish and other sea creatures of various shapes and sizes.
After a while, we walked back up to the beach and rested under a group of palm trees. It felt good to take a break from the ever-present sun and enjoy the sea breeze.
“Can we go inland and look around,” Andelbert asked.
“We can, but it is mainly grass and other greenery. Maybe some birds and lizards.” Nothing exciting that you can’t see from the beach,” Jonas replied.
“Well, the beach is exciting enough for me,” I said.
“I agree,” Andelbert added.
After a nice rest, we headed back toward the ship.
Just before sundown, we built a fire, and Cookie started cooking the fish and crabs the crew had caught. The Captain took a sword and cut open a coconut and gave Andelbert and me a large piece of the white fruit. It was a taste I had never experienced before. Kind of oily. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. Andelbert, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy it, so I gave him the rest of mine.
“Are you sure you don’t want it?” He asked.
“I think it is a taste I will have to acquire over time. I would rather see you enjoy it.”
“Alright, then. Thank you. I find it very flavorful.”
Captain Peanut Butter heard our exchange and stated, “Like any fruits or nuts, some men like the taste of coconut, and some do not. But if you are hungry enough, it is an easily found food in these parts. There are many more foods yet to try. I am sure you will find many to your liking.”
Soon, Cookie started passing out fish and crab, both of which I found immensely to my liking, especially since they were still hot from being cooked over a fire.
As we sat on the sand and enjoyed our meal, Andelbert, who seemed particularly chatty lately, asked the Captain another question.
“If I may be so bold. What are your plans now, Captain?”
“My original plan hasn’t changed. Tomorrow, we will sail for Jamaica. There are people there that I would dearly like to see again. We will see how the winds blow after that. A pirate has to be flexible and cannot plan with certainty. The winds of fortune and danger change as often as the sea winds. As for my immediate plans. I plan to finish this fine meal. Well done, Cookie. And later, get a good night’s sleep right here on dry land.”
Several of the crew shouted out, “Hear, hear!” and “Aye!”
After the food was finished and several stories of island adventures were told, we unrolled some blankets on the sand and settled in for the night.
