Bobby Roper and the Nemesis Staff

Bobby Roper and the Nemesis Staff

by R.A. Tidgwell

Copyright 2012 R.A. Tidgwell

Smashwords Edition

ISBN: 9781476102627

TABLE of CONTENTS

1. Tremors

2. Island of the Sebonie Forest

3. Knott the Sebonie Elf

4. Wyvern Castle

5. Shivers

6. Mugwort

7. Mugwort, the Varagon, and the Elf

8. Aery the Dragon World

9. The White Dragon

10. The Great Dragon Race

11. Ware Circumvolutum

12. Seeking Mantis Mithingarr

13. Toadstone Castle

14. The Sorcerer’s Council

15. The Mysterious Door

16. Dungeons and Burrow Bears

17. The Guardian’s Secret

18. Lost in the Caverns of Balgrem

19. Princess Aerawene

20. Land of Bubbling Fire

21. The Nemesis Staff

Chapter One

Tremors

I hate taking the form of these wretched Earth creatures, the tall woman said to the little purple man cowering beside her.

After crouching behind the bush for more than an hour her muscles were beginning to cramp. She stretched and twisted to lessen the pain. Leaning forward again she strained to see between the branches.

Her breath caught as a small figure stepped from the rear door of the hotel. It was him – the Earth-born she had been searching for. She could hardly believe her good fortune. He was the one. She could feel his power in every fiber of her being.

Head down, arms hanging limp at his sides, the unhappy boy shuffled aimlessly along the garden paths. He swung a halfhearted kick at a stone. The long visor of his cap slanted down to protect his eyes from the morning sun.

The woman’s purple companion turned to her and asked, Why we watch boy, Master Barla?

The woman looked down at him as if he were an insignificant bug. Quiet, you purple worm. I’m sure it is the bane of our people come to torment us again. Look at it; it is barely old enough to walk. We must stop that Ware Spawn before it has time to grow. That rock slide that killed his parents made my task much easier. Now I have him where I want him.

Master Barla make rockslide? The purple guy asked.

Ha, wouldn’t you like to know, she cackled. I hate the smell of these sickly plants. Why couldn’t he – have ...?

She fell silent when she saw the boy shake his fists and yell something – at least he looked to be yelling – but not a sound came from his mouth. The air around him shimmered and a blinding streak of blue lightning flashed across the clear sky followed seconds later by a roar like rolling thunder. An electric-blue ball of light settled over the top of the dormant volcano. The top of the volcano rose in the air and broke into tiny particles. The pulverized rock fell back, filling the crater. Where a tall volcano with a wide crater had existed for centuries, there now stood a flat topped mountain.

A blast of hot air hit the spies while a tremendous rumble shook the earth. The ocean waters around the island churned, and a shock wave passed through the hill beneath their feet. The scent of scorched earth filled the summer air. A cloud of dust billowed high above the mountain and drifted out to sea.

The boy froze, eyes wide; his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Moments passed as he watched the mountaintop collapse. He turned abruptly and raced to the hotel peering fearfully over his shoulder at the incredible sight behind him.

A shudder ran through the blond woman’s frame. She winced; her face paled. Did you see that? she whispered.

The little purple man turned his head away hiding a scornful smile. Me see, he breathed.

Visibly shaken, the woman knew that he was the one she had been seeking. She regained her composure and flashed a daunting glare at her purple captive. Such power; I doubt that he is aware that he was the cause of the destruction. He is definitely the one. I must keep an eye on him until I discover where they take him from here. Only then will I tell Lord Balgar that, once again, a Ware Master has emerged from the Terran rabble. That primitive urchin will be my ticket off this rock pile. Take me home, you wretched creature.

In an instant they vanished.

<>

Turning to the small rear window, Bobby Roper watched the top of the hotel as it disappeared from view behind the desolate hilltops.

A knot grabbed the pit of Bobby’s stomach as he realized that, this time, the separation from his parents was permanent. His parents, and the parents of his traveling companions, were part of a team of archaeologists who had flown to the islands to excavate an ancient site. The day before a landslide had crashed down the hill, covering the whole area where the team had been excavating. No one in the camp had survived.

The girls’ occasional sobs were barely audible over the hum of the limo’s engine.

I can’t believe that they wouldn’t let us say goodbye, the oldest girl said. There’s no reason we couldn’t have stayed another day. The hotel rooms were paid for.

Bobby nodded agreement. I guess they didn’t want the responsibility of looking after us, he said. To be fair, though, I saw the last earthquake and it nearly destroyed the whole island. Another one like that could cause a tsunami and sink any boats in the area. Knowing how close the hotel is to the site it could go next. I’m kind of glad to be leaving there.

Opposite Bobby, on the seat facing him, Leemany Ginger sat between her little sister Jillian and young brother Edwin. Struggling to keep her own emotions under control, she did her best to comfort them. Bobby had met his fellow travelers only briefly at the hotel. Peter Harris was the smaller of the boys. Pete had let everyone know that he was older than Jillian; he was eight and a half while Jillian was only eight years and four months. All had traces of tears on their cheeks. Jillian was still sobbing and Leemany was comforting her. Edwin and Pete sat staring at the floor.

Pete curled his little hands into fists and put on a brave face. I ain’t goin’ to no orphanage, he said.

Bobby couldn’t begin to imagine what they were going through. They had normal lives most of the year. They had friends and activities, like sports and parties, and neighbors who knew them. Now their parents were gone and their lives were about to change forever.

Leemany tried her best to give Pete a reassuring smile. You may not have to go to the orphanage, Pete, she said. It was difficult to keep her voice steady and sound confident when she had no idea what was going to happen to her and her siblings. We have all lost our parents but I’m sure we will find new homes with some nice people.

I ain’t goin’ with nobody. Pete cried.

Once we’re on the plane, we should be home in a few hours, and then things will gradually get back to normal, Bobby said, sounding more optimistic than he felt.

He hardly knew his parents. They worked away most of the year digging up artifacts at archaeological sites around the world. There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to live on his uncle Bertie’s farm. He hated it there. They made him cut brush and trees until the blisters on his hands bled.

They had traveled on about another fifteen minutes when Bobby felt the ride become much rougher. Clouds of dust billowed up around the speeding limo making it impossible to see out the back window and barely possible to see to the sides. They were now traveling on a narrow, gravel topped road.

Leemany leaned towards Bobby and said softly, Something is not right.

Bobby nodded but did not answer. He knew the adults up front were listening.

Mrs. White whipped her head around. Be quiet and enjoy the ride, She snapped.

The orphans were dead silent until Bobby removed his cap and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to smooth it down.

Pete stretched up to see the top of Bobby’s head. Hey, you’ve got gray hair!

It’s not gray; it’s silver, Bobby replied indignantly.

If you’re only a kid, how come you’ve got gray hair? Pete persisted. Are you an old guy?

Bobby sat up as straight as he could in the limo seat. I’m not old! I’m only twelve. All the men in the Roper family have a streak of silver hair and very dark eyes.

A stern look from Mrs. White and the boys sat back, quiet once again.

Glancing out over the ocean Bobby spotted something flying towards them but it did not look like any bird that he had ever seen. The thing came from an area near a small cloud. He cupped his hands around his eyes trying hard to make out what the object was. It was a woman. Bobby pressed himself back against the seat, shut his eyes tightly and shook his head. Just when he thought the day couldn’t get any crazier – or was he going crazy. When he looked again she was still there; much closer. She was not holding herself like you would expect of someone who was flying. She was just lying there casually on the air, and he was sure she was smiling at him.

Hey guys, look at that, he said softly, pointing at the sky; hoping with all his might the others could see her and prove to him that she was not his imagination.

The woman flew closer. Bobby was sure that she winked at him.

Edwin leaned over so he could see the sky. What do you see? he asked.

Look – out there – over the water! Bobby said. What do you see?

Leemany squinted. Do you mean that seagull? she asked.

Bobby began to squirm. Couldn’t they see her? She was right there in front of them. No, just below it, and nearer! he said, all hope of proving his sanity fading fast.

Nope, just clouds, Leemany said, looking at Bobby inquisitively.

Bobby could not believe that no one else could see her. Shading the Sun from his eyes with his hand Bobby looked again. The flying woman was still there, plain as day. The wind whipped her long blonde hair as she flew, her silvery dress shimmered in the sunlight. Why can’t they see her? If I tell them what I am looking at they will definitely think I’m crazy. They might put me in the loony bin.

Bobby knew he had been under stress, but could not bring himself to believe the woman was an illusion. She wasn’t blurry or surrounded by a halo or anything. She was as clear as everything else around him.

Seeing a flying woman was scary and yet awesome. Questions whirled through his mind. What if she was real? How could she be? How could she fly without wings? If she was real, why would she be following him?

Turning back he saw that his traveling companions were staring at him wide-eyed. They wore expressions like they thought his head was going to spin on his shoulders at any moment.

They watched the peculiar expression on his face as he stared at the empty sky; as if he were seeing something that they could not.

Leemany leaned towards him. Are you Okay, Bobby? she asked.

Ah - oh, I’m fine. She flew into a cloud - a small plane - that is. I guess it was just a small airplane.

Minutes later the limo began to climb, its engine rumbling with the effort. As it topped a rise, a small harbor came into view nestled between low hills to the north and south. A few old fishing boats were tied up at the dock in the harbor. The waters of high tide covered the seaweed and rocks near the shore. A row of boats on cradles lined the left side of the dock.

Mr. Henchwater directed the chauffeur to drive onto the dock and Park next to a decrepit old ship. He and Mrs. White were the children's escorts. The chauffeur parked the limo near the gangplank. The name on the bow of the old ship was flaking off so badly that Bobby could barely read it. I.P. Sweetly, he said. Sounds like a bad joke.

As bad as Pete felt he could not help but giggle.

Leemany looked around, bewildered. Why are we stopping here? She asked.

Quiet – you will find out soon enough – this is the end of the line, Mrs. White said sternly. Everybody out and pick up your luggage.

I thought we were traveling by plane! Bobby said.

A sinking sensation washed over him. This was all wrong. Where were they taking them? Were they going to take them out to sea on that rust bucket of a ship?

There were no seats available, Mrs. White replied. This was the only passenger accommodation we could find on short notice.

The chauffeur threw their luggage down in front of them.

Mr. Henchwater walked to the gangplank that led up to the old ship. Grab your luggage and follow me, he ordered.

Fear gripped the small group of orphans pushing all thoughts of their existing problems from their minds.

Even though Bobby knew almost nothing about ships he could see that the I.P. Sweetly had seen better days. Steel plates were buckling in places and there was more rust than paint on her corroding old hulk. Here and there patches had been welded or riveted in place.

Bobby leaned closer to Leemany. This does not look good.

Not good at all! Leemany whispered. That old rust bucket looks as if it would fall apart if a breeze hit it.

Bobby looked out over the ocean just in time to see the flying woman move behind a small cloud.

Jillian wrapped her arms around Leemany. Leemany, I’m scared, she whimpered.

A fat guy Bobby figured had to be the captain waved a grubby hand at them and growled, All right, come aboard – NOW.

One look at the man told Bobby they had better follow his orders. Do as he says, quick, he said.

They walked up the gangplank and Bobby had a closer look at the captain. His hair stuck out in all directions from under his cap. His shirt was gray and covered with food and grease from countless meals. The short black beard that covered his chin was peppered with biscuit crumbs and he looked as if he had never seen soap in his life. The gold braid on his cap had turned brown and the brass buttons on his jacket, that were once bright and shiny, were tarnished green. As the little group approached him, he gave them his best smile showing his black, uneven teeth.

Bobby’s heart sank deeper into his chest.

Two men appeared next to the captain holding shotguns. The captain waved to them. Come along, he said. These fine gentlemen will show ya where ta stow yer gear,

Bobby seen his companions mouths fall open and their faces blanch as white as chalk. He looked at Leemany and could see the fear in her eyes. She turned away and said, Pete, don’t you dare say a word. Do whatever they tell you.

The two men marched them along the deck of the little ship, one leading and the other following with his gun leveled at them.

What kind of ship is this? Leemany wondered aloud, trying to dispel some of the fear she knew her sister and brother must be feeling.

As he walked, Bobby took in the features of the old ship as best he could. I don’t know, he said. It looks like an old fishing boat converted for hauling – something, but definitely not passengers.

He stepped lightly – afraid that he might fall through the rotting deck.

Foller me, the lead guy called again, waving for them to follow.

Ushering them to a small door, he grabbed the handle and yanked it open, pointing down to the dark hole below. Yer cabin is the one on the right. Stay there ‘till we call ya, he ordered."

The steps leading down to the lower deck were steep and dangerous. The smell of oil and grease was strong in the narrow confines of the passageway. Little light reflected from the dirty gray walls. Bobby climbed down first and caught their bags as Leemany passed them down.

Bobby helped Jillian down the steep stairs and waited until the others were all safely below.

What could they possibly want with us? Leemany asked.

Who knows? Bobby said. This is just one more crazy thing in a week of crazy things.

At this end of the tiny, dark hallway, there were two doors. The one on the left had a hand-painted sign that read Captain. Bobby cautiously opened the other door and peeked in. Warily, he pushed it open until they could all see inside. The cabin was small and dingy with one dirty porthole that did not allow much light into the room. From the center of the ceiling hung a single light bulb with no protective covering. Bobby found the switch and flipped it to on, but nothing happened. The burnt-out bulb just hung there covered with dust and fly droppings.

Leemany groaned. Not a glimmer, she said, disgusted. Things keep getting better and better – I don’t think.

Why have those men got guns? Jillian asked.

We don't know, Leemany said. We have to be ready for anything.

Bobby nodded. I'm sure it's just some kind of misunderstanding. But, in any case, we should keep our eyes open for a means of escape.

The only furnishings in the room, if you could call hammocks furniture, were two musty hammocks hung near the wall opposite the porthole. A few blankets lay on shelves that were built into the wall. Otherwise, the cabin was bare.

Edwin grabbed Bobby and Leemany by the hands and pulled them aside. Do you think that they are going to shoot us? He asked.

No, Bobby and Leemany said together.

Bobby spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, If these guys were going to do anything to hurt us they would have done it by now.

Leemany wrapped her arms around Jillian. I agree. I don’t know what they are up to but it is obvious that they want us alive.

They heard the engines come to life and felt a shudder go through the hull. Bobby looked out through the dirty porthole and saw the that the ship was beginning to move.

We are under way, he said uneasily.

While he was there he checked the porthole. Unfastening the latches he was surprised at how easy it was to open. Not a sound came from the hinges.

This porthole may come in handy if we have to make an escape, Bobby said.

For a brief moment, he thought that they could escape by jumping overboard and swimming ashore. He abandoned that idea when it occurred to him that they could get sucked into the ship’s propeller as they swam past the stern.

The late afternoon sun lowered towards the horizon so that even less light filtered through the porthole into their quarters.

A few minutes later the Captain entered their cabin with a plate of sandwiches and the water bucket. He began talking to them as if he was their friend.

Awright now, make yer selves comfortable. Here’s some nice corn’ beef sandwichers an’ we’ll have some nice hot grub for ya tomorrow. Ya will be at the airport in no time and ya will be on yer way home.

As he passed the sandwiches around he asked, Which one of ya is Mr. Harris?

I’m Pete Harris, Pete said.

I hear that yer rich kin will be meeting ya at the airport, he said. Maybe in a big fancy car, eh. Ya will be alright. Ya can look out for yer friends here too, eh."

Whoever told you that. Leemany shot back. Pete is an orphan. He has no relatives rich or otherwise. He is worried about going back to the orphanage and you are not helping any with such stories.

The Captain’s little piggy eyes glared down at Leemany. Mrs. White tells me that his family is rich. Ye best not be messin’ with me, brat.

Leemany is telling the truth, Bobby said. Pete has been an orphan since he was a baby – and now we’re all orphans.

Pete sat staring at the floor. I had an idea that if I told people I was rich I wouldn’t have to go back to the orphanage.

The captain opened his mouth to bellow something at Pete, but then, thinking better of it, he turned and left the cabin mumbling something that sounded to Bobby like, Flaming idiots.

I wonder what that was about? Edwin asked.

Leemany shrugged. I don’t know, but I’m glad that we don’t have rich relatives. That old cracker box may have been thinking of holding us for ransom.

Bobby agreed but decided that there was no sense in adding another worry to their growing mound of problems. They were being held for ransom. He was sure of it now.

Forget about him, he said brightly. It’s getting late. We had better decide where we are going to sleep before the light is completely gone. He wondered how they were all going to sleep with only two hammocks. The steel floor did not look too inviting.

Edwin grabbed the edge of the upper hammock. I want the top bed.

Pete shouted, I want the top bed.

We are going to have to share, Leemany said. Pete and Edwin, you will share the top hammock, but you will have to be careful you don’t fall out.

Good idea, Bobby said. Leemany, you can share the lower hammock with Jillian.

But where will you sleep? Jillian asked, looking around, concerned about her new friend.

I’ll find a place, Bobby said. Don’t worry about me, Jillian. I’ll be Okay.

Let’s see what we have in our bags, Leemany said.

She dug through their clothing and made a bed on the floor using the blankets from the shelves and their extra clothes to form a crude mattress and pillow for Bobby.

Satisfied with her handiwork she said, Luckily, with this heat, we don’t need blankets to cover us.

But your clothes will get all wrinkled and dirty. Bobby protested.

Leemany gave a dismissive wave of her hand. That’s the least of our problems right now – we all need rest, she said firmly, with a look that warned him not to disagree.

They laid down in the clothes they were wearing and, since it had been a long exhausting day, were soon asleep.

A loud metallic BANG came from the side of the ship just below where their cabin.

Bobby sat straight up in bed; listening.

Leemany looked at bobby wide eyed. Did we hit something, Bobby, she asked.

BANG. A second popping sound as loud as the first.

Bobby shrugged. I could be wrong, he said. I don’t want to scare you for nothing but that sounded like rivets or weld popping.

They sat and listened for more but everything was quiet for the next while.

Leemany laid back. "I’m sure if it was something serious we would hear the crew running about by now. Let’s get some sleep.

Sometime during the early morning hours, Bobby was awakened by loud voices coming from the Captain’s cabin. From where he was sitting he could not make out what they were saying. The Captain was arguing with someone. In the pitch blackness, Bobby crawled cautiously and silently to where light shone under the door and held his ear to the crack.

Ar’ ya lily-livered swine. It was the voice of the Captain. Them flaming idiots got it all wrong. Them kids ain’t worth two cents o’ ransom money and I ain’t going to get caught with them on board. I want them kids chucked overboard as soon as we are far enough away from shore.

– ain’t taking no part in killing no kids.

Bobby assumed that the second voice must belong to another of the ship’s crew. Then he heard the Captain’s voice again.

I wants them gone by tomorra night or I’ll scuttle you and yer mate. Now get outa me site. I needs me rest.

There were more grumblings that Bobby couldn't make out and then he heard what, he was sure, was a gunshot and then feet pounding up the stairs.

The captain’s groan came from the hallway nearer the door. Ya shot me.

Bobby heard what sounded like someone dragging themself up the stairs to the deck. He guessed that it was the Captain.

By now the rest of the group were sitting around Bobby trying to hear what was going on.

A pale shaft of moonlight shone in through the partially cleaned glass of the porthole. Bobby was afraid. A feeling of hopelessness flowed through him. They were trapped on a ship manned by murderous pirates.

The captain had talked about killing the kids – throwing them overboard – Bobby knew exactly which kids they were talking about. They were the only kids on board. Maybe the crew had decided to kill the captain and keep the ransom money for themselves. He felt weak all over. What could he do? How could they escape? It was for sure that the pirates would not let them live even if they got the ransom money. They could not leave witnesses behind.

Bobby listened. There were no more sounds of anyone moving about. The only sounds were coming from the creaks and groans of the old ship and the thrum of the engines.

That they had to do something soon was obvious. Once it was daylight, and daylight was not far off, it would be too late to try an escape. They had no choice.

It seems that someone has shot and wounded the captain, Bobby said. I think he crawled up on deck but there have been no other sounds since.

Leemany’s breath caught and she leaned against Bobby’s shoulder. Oh dear, she said. Okay Bobby, we have to do something. What do we do first? Squaring her shoulders defiantly she added. We are not going to wait here to be shot or thrown overboard.

Bobby sighed. We don’t seem to have many choices. He dug into his pocket for his father’s old pocket watch and held it to the weak light. We don’t have much time to make up our minds, either. It’s almost four o’clock in the morning. We have to go tonight. We’ll wait a while longer until we are sure that there is no one moving about on deck before we do anything, and then I’ll go up and see what I can find out.

Bobby mentally sized up the porthole. First, let’s see if I would fit through that.

Leemany held her hands out to size it up. It looks awfully small.

Bobby knew that the porthole was not far above the water. They could drop straight down to the water. Standing on his duffle bag, he quietly pulled the port open and shoved his arms through. Managing to wiggle one shoulder out through the hole he squirmed around trying to do the same with the other.

Bobby, do you think we can squeeze through that window?

Bobby shook his head. No, it’s too small, he said.

Wiggling back inside he went to the door and eased it open. They were relieved to hear that there was not a sound coming from the crew. Then Bobby heard water running. He stepped into the hall and found that the floor was wet. The captain must have left a tap running, he said.

Leemany gasped. Tap nothing. It’s coming in here too. The water is coming in too fast. You were right about the popping noises. The ship is sinking.

Quick, Bobby said. Everybody up. Get your things and put them on the hammock before they get wet. Pack your bags.

They rammed their extra clothing back into their bags without sorting out who owned what, and, after a quick scramble in the near dark, they were packed and ready to go.

Grab your bags and stay close, Leemany ordered.

Hiding in the dark shadows they made their way up the stairs. They moved onto the deck and, looking forward by the light of the moon, could see Captain Sweetly draped over the railing. It was obvious that he was dead.

Leemany looked as if she was going to be sick. What should we do with the Captain? she asked. Even he shouldn’t have died like this. And where is the rest of the crew?

Bobby looked around. One of the lifeboats is missing, he said. Thay’ve left the ship.

And it was obvious that they would not be able to use the second lifeboat. The pirates had tried to lower it but the chains were too rusted and it was dangling over the side by one end.

The Captain’s been murdered, Leemany said. We should not touch anything that we don’t have to. We don’t want to disturb any evidence that the police might need.

Our main task right now is to find a way to get off this sinking ship, Bobby said. Leemany, you Edwin and Jillian search foreward and I and Jake will check out the stern.

They jogged around the deck searching for anything they might make use of in their escape. Near the stern of the ship Bobby and Pete spotted a storage container with a lid that was latched closed - but not locked. Compared to everything else on board, the box looked relatively new. What had caught Bobby’s attention was the sign painted on it. Inflatable Dinghy, it said in big red letters.

Look at this, he said, pointing it out to Pete.

He unlatched and opened the lid of the box. Inside, a yellow, self-inflating life raft and a watertight bag, that Bobby assumed was a survival kit, had been folded and packed neatly inside.

Hey guys, over here, he called, waving to Leemany.

Leemany ran up and checked out the box. Yahoo. I’m surprised to see a life raft on board, she said. "The old Captain was not completely crazy; but I don’t think I would like to be out there bobbing around on that wide ocean in a little raft.

Bobby nodded in agreement. Especially if a storm came up, he said. But at this moment it looks like we have no choice. Better afloat on the raft than sinking on the ship. I am going to see what I can find below that might be helpful. Leemany, you check out the wheelhouse and see if there is a radio we can use to call for help.

Leemany quickly forgot about the Captain. Right. Wouldn’t it be great if we could wait right here on the Sweetly until we were rescued?

Bobby gave her a quick salute. That would be cool, sir, he said, starting down the old stairs to the Captain’s cabin.

You three come with me, Leemany told her siblings and Pete.

Thinking along the same lines as Leemany he wanted to see if there were charts that might be useful. With them he might be able to figure out if there were any islands nearby. Even steering by the sun and stars he figured he could at least get them in sight of land. Half way to the lower deck he stopped. The deck below was covered with water. He didn’t have long to wait before he could see that the water was slowly getting deeper. The ship was definitely sinking!

He found Leemany in the wheelhouse. This old tub is going to sink, we had better grab whatever we can and get out of here. If the ship sinks before we untie the raft it will be pulled down with it.

Leemany let her hands fall to her knees. The radio has been smashed; I don’t think that I would have time to fix it now. I guess the crew must have mutinied, but why would they leave the ship?

Because it was sinking? Bobby quipped.

Yes, and I bet that Captain Sweetly was forcing them to stay on the ship, she said, They surely panicked and when the Captain wouldn’t let them leave they had to – to mutiny – to kill him so that they could escape.

Bobby stared at her blankly. Nice story, he giggled. You should write a book. Lets go.

They breathlessly made their way to the box and opened the lid. The raft was heavier than they had anticipated. They struggled but were unable to lift it out as it was. They found that if they partially unfolded it, while it was still in the box, they could lift one end. Even so, it took all of their strength to lift it. They were losing hope that they would get it out of the box in time. Gradually, slowly, they managed to heave the last bit out onto the deck.

After looking over the dead body of the Captain, Edwin and Pete came to help. Even with their help it was a struggle to move the raft. They stopped several times to rest. When they finally reached the area closest to the water, Leemany went back and picked up the survival kit and closed the lid on the box. She came back to where Bobby was waiting with the unrolled raft. The moon came out from behind a cloud and the deck of the old ship was lit up as bright as day.

Now we have another problem, Bobby said. This raft is self-inflating. Once we lower it to the water how will we get it to inflate?

Leemany’s grin widened. I’ve seen this before at a boaters safety meet. This coil of rope is tied to a release valve on the inflation device, she said and gave it a yank.

Oh no, Bobby cried. He grabbed the rope that was tied to the front of the raft and tied it the the railing. Once it's full it will be too heavy to handle. Quick everybody, shove it over the side.

It was a struggle to heave the still limp raft over the railing. Once they had heaved the first half over the rest was much easier and it fell away. Luckily, it hit the water with its topside up.

Bobby plunked himself down on the deck and inhaled deeply. Wow, it worked. Now we have to maneuver it along the ship to someplace near the door to the cabins – over near the gangway should be a good spot.

Untying the rope they made their way back towards the gangway, pulling the raft along beside the ship, their shoeless feet flapping softly on the deck. Bobby had wrapped the end of the rope around his waist and they held it tightly to make sure the raft did not get away. When they got to where the ladder was fastened to the side of the ship, they tied the rope to the railing. This was the easiest place to board the raft – through the gangway and down the ladder.

Did you happen to find any drinking water? Bobby asked.

Water, we’ll need lots of water, she said. "There is a tap over a small sink in the wheelhouse.

They ran up the stairs to the wheel house and found another water pail. This one had a lid which made it easier to handle without spilling its contents. Quickly, they filled it with water and then lowered it to Edwin on the main deck. He passed up the old pail which they also filled. Luckily the salt ocean water had not yet gotten into the water tanks.

Leemany had everyone ready to go in minutes.

I told them that we were going on an adventure, she whispered.

Bobby nodded. Ain’t that the truth. It’s going to be one awesome adventure.

The trick now was to get down into the raft. Bobby climbed down the chain ladder first. As the ship was listing to the far side the ladder did not reach all the way down, he had to drop the last short distance to the raft. He helped Jillian and Edwin down and then Pete, who kept protesting that he could do it himself.

The sea was relatively calm, but the rolling waves were enough to bounce and bang the raft against the side of the I.P. Sweetly. Once Leemany saw that the others were safe, she tossed their supplies down to Bobby. At the last moment she remembered the pails of water. Kneeling, she lowered them as far as she could reach and then dropped them to Bobby, who caught them without spilling a drop. She looked around one last time to see if they had missed anything then climbed down to the raft.

Reaching up high, to save as much of the rope as possible, Bobby sawed frantically to free the raft from the ship. I really don’t want to leave this nice bit of rope behind, but there is no way to untie it from the railing. We can’t hang around here any longer, he panted. It’s too bad because there’s no telling what we might need on this adventure.

They watched the Sweetly for a while and then a cloud of steam rose from the old ship.

Bobby guessed what had happened. Water has reached the engine, he said. We didn’t get out of there a moment too soon. She won’t go far now; she’s done for. We were lucky to get off her when we did.

The ship listed badly now and sat very low in the water. A short while later, the I.P. Sweetly slowly capsized and sank out of sight. The small group of orphans could not help but feel a sense of loss. Old and beat up as she was, it would have been safer if they could have stayed on board. Now they were adrift on the ocean in a small raft with nothing in sight but vast expanses of sky and water.

It was a warm day. The group sat quietly under the shelter of the lean-to and watched the horizon for a sign of anything that could be a ship. Occasionally one of the group would stand up and look back over the tarp to check in that direction.

They drifted for three days. Leemany carefully rationed the food and water. The small amount of water left in the pails would be sufficient to last another day or two but after that they would be in serious trouble. They were already showing signs of dehydration.

The fourth day darkened to night and it was Bobby’s turn to watch for ships. His companions had bedded down for the night and were fast asleep. Sitting on the side of the raft he considered their situation. This was the first time since they planned to escape that he had time to think. There had been no time to think about what they would do once they were alone on the ocean. If a ship approached he could send up a flair. In the daylight they could wave their coats to help attract attention. That was about it. To move the raft any significant distance using a makeshift sail or the oar was not worth trying. Bobby knew that they were just too far from land.

Scanning the horizon for ship’s lights once more proved fruitless. There was something else missing from the area that he had not mentioned to the others. The sky was empty of birds. Since leaving the ship the first time he had not seen one seagull. If they were anywhere near land they should have seen birds of some sort.

A flash of light near the horizon to the west broke his chain of thought and jolted him wide awake. Could it be a ships light? A few more flashes put an end to any thought of it being a ship. A darkening area was silhouetted against the starry sky to the west. It was definitely not a ship and he hoped against hope that it was not a storm. But then, moments later, as the darkness rolled towards them emitting unmistakable flashes