Next Chapter click here to pick another chapter

Chapter 11



"What do you suppose will happen to her now?" said Derrl, nursing his mug of ale.

"Wal… supposin' she don't break up sooner or later," He took a long pull from his mug, "she'll be sitting out here fer a long while. She don't look like much but she be built well, she'll hold t'gether. I'd be havin' to give her up for lost now, unless ye be knowin' of a miracle worker who kin float her off this thing. Which I be heartily doubtin' bucko." His face had been a sad one, but the nature of the jovial captain-no-longer got the better of him, and he found himself laughing at his misfortune.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Muttered Derrl under his breath. He handed Sneth the half-empty mug, and turned to the gap-toothed captain. "I'm sorry I didn't help you much earlier, anything I can do now? Perhaps carry something to a client in the city? I'm sorry I can't stay much longer, but I have something I need to do, and it won't be easy." He leaned closer to the captain, "Can I make a request of you?"

"Certainly bucko!" He said with a gap-toothed grin.

"I know this sounds odd, but could you patch up the hole so that she won't get water filling her holds? I have an idea, but otherwise it won't work."

"What would ye be plannin' on doin' bucko?"

Derrl smiled and shook his head. "If I told you you wouldn't believe me, and anyway, I don't know myself, yet. Need me to carry anything in for you? Any trader clients?"

"I might believe ye at that, but, Aye, I be havin' somethin' ye could be carrying for me." At that he turned, and walked along the deck to the ladder leading to his cabin. "Be back afore ye know it," he called over his shoulder. Shortly thereafter his head peeked up above the deck again. He climbed the rest of the way up, and walked over Derrl with the rolling gait of someone long at sea, bearing a small package that he carried gently, knowing that it was something fragile. "Here it be, now best be careful with it bucko. I be needin' this to find its way to "The Pint Alehouse" give it t'the barkeep there, he be knowin' who to give it to."

"No sooner said than done my friend. I'll be off then. Pass it to me once I've gotten over the railing." He smiled and hopped down to the sand and water below, thinking of the cost of new boots. He had gone barefoot all year once, because his boots had been stolen when he'd had no money. He hoped he could find a new pair soon.

Next Chapter



Click here to return to the main page