Hero At Sea - Indira Nankoosingh (novels to read for beginners .TXT) 📗

I woke up one morning, feeling the need for an adventure to sea, and although it would be on a
boat, I wasn’t sure if my dear friend Tom Grange would be interested. He always had a fear of boats,and didn’t like the possibility that they may sink, especially when he couldn’t swim. We had many adventures together, but never to the sea.

It had been so long, since I have sailed, and suddenly needed to set sail once more. I felt, as if the sea was calling and beckoning to enjoy its serene and calming effect. I remembered the last time I set sail on those crystal clear waters. I was a young lad then, and my father would take with him every second weekend, to sail. He showed me everything, I needed to know about sailing, and I have always enjoyed every moment of it. Even when the sea became rough, and unkind – about to take us into its depths, but that never happened -- my father always knew what
to do in those frightening situations.

I met Tom when I was a young man of nineteen at the Royal Embassy College. We became best
buds, instantly and have been on many adventures together, but never at sea. I really wanted for him to join me for this one, since I thought; it would help him conquer his fear of sailing. I needed to show him that it is not as bad, as he thinks it is.

Maybe if I concentrate on the advantages of sailing -- just maybe I can persuade him to join me.
Suddenly, an idea came to me. I will take him to the docks for a drink, and just maybe that may be enough. I quickly jumped off my bed and got dressed, had a quick meal, and headed out the door. When I left the house, I called for my stable boy to get the horse and carriage ready. Within minutes, I was on my way to Tom’s residence.

Once I arrived, I quickly stepped out of the carriage and walked up to his door and knocked. It
wasn’t a moment too soon that he answered, and I invited him to the Ocean Blue bar by the docks.
We arrived there at 12:30 and waited for a waitress to the patio where we sat at a little round table and two chairs. I ordered a couple drinks for us both, and in within a few minutes, the waitress rested them onto the table. By that time my friend and I was engaged in conversation-- talking about anything and everything I could think of – just to ease the conversation towards sailing. It was then, I conveyed my idea to him, but he quickly reminded me of his fear of boats. I explained to him that I have sailed many times with my father.

“He taught me everything I needed to know,” I exclaimed, proudly -- letting him know that he had
nothing to worry about, and that, I would teach him everything my father taught me.

We sat quietly for a few moments to give him a chance to work it through his mind, as we sat enjoying the scenery and the boats sailing off to the distance.

“I can see that you are enjoying the boats setting sail. It seems to me that you may be interested.” I raised my eyebrow at the moment, anxiously, at the same time trying not to show my anxious nature. How about it? Just give it a try just once, and if you don’t like it, I promise, that I would not bother you with it again. ”

Tom then turned to me and replied, “I’ll think about it. Just give me some time, okay?”

I could see that he was getting a little annoyed, and thought maybe, I was pushing the subject more than I should. Something, I did not want to do, in the fear of chasing my friend away, so I dismissed the subject at that moment.

We sat in a moment of silence as we watched the boats set sail, and then I decided that I needed to take a stroll along the docks. I then stood up and calmly urged Tom to join me, and he did.
As we walked along the docks we came upon what seemed to be a strong sturdy boat. I asked the
gentleman of the boat if he is the owner.

“Aye, I am. I am Captain Jack Webber,” he replied as proud as he can be.

I then introduced myself and Tom. I also explained that I would like to set sail soon as possible. I was quite surprised when Tom stepped inside the boat, and I was proud of him. I thought that it was the first step, to conquering a lifetime phobia. While he got used to the swaying of the boat I engaged in conversation with Jack. I was glad to hear that Jack would be setting sail tomorrow morning. I then asked him if I could join him.

“It would be a pleasure to have on board. I could use the company.” Jack then glanced over at Tom, and asked, “Would your friend be coming along too? I need to know, so I know how many people I would be expecting to sail with me bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, I’ll be there,” replied Tom, still uncertain.

“Are you sure?” I asked, not wanting him to do this if he wasn’t ready, and I also knew that if you didn’t go, he may never be able to get past his fears.

“Yes, I’m sure. You have persuaded me, and you are right. I need to deal with my fears, otherwise I will never get over my phobia.”

“There is no need to worry. This boat, is as strong and sturdy as a boat can ever be. I’ve maintained her quite well, and she has never failed me once. Even through the roughest tides. Yes sir, she still going strong. I even named her, Warrior Princess of Tides.

I was amazed at my friend’s sudden bravery when he agreed to join us at sea. I was also excited to think, that early the next morning we will be setting sail. If you saw me, you would think that I was like a child in a candy store. I just couldn’t wait, but of course, being an adult, I couldn’t really show my extreme excitement. Soon we were descending the stairs of the boat to a tiny kitchen, where Jack offered us a drink. We talked and talked before we realized how late it was, and if we were to get up bright and early the next morning -- we are all going to need our rest. By that point, Tom and I left the boat while waving to Jack.

I was awoken 5:00 am in the morning by the warm sunlight illuminating through the window. I
found my slippers and walked over to the bathroom to get ready. I did all my usual morning activities, and collected items for the trip such as food, and clothing. Once everything was all accounted for in my travel bag, I headed out the door to meet Tom and Jack at the boat. When I arrived though it was 7:00 am, and Tom, was not there yet, and it was already getting late. We are supposed to be setting sail by 7:30. I was worried he had changed his mind. We waited at least twenty minutes before he showed up. I could tell that he was still a little nervous, so I laid my hand on his right shoulder as a means to comfort him.

It wasn’t long before we were on our way. The sea was calm and crystal clear, while the skies were blue without a cloud in sight. The day felt quite promising. The perfect day for our journey. It had been smooth sailing for three days, at least until the evening of the fourth day. We saw the clouds now rolling in. By 6:15 pm, they had darkened, and the waters were getting rough. I saw that Tom was beginning to panic, so I sent him down to the cabin below. I told him that Jack and I can handle things from here.

As we brought down the sails, I thought I saw something moving in the waters not too far in the
distance. I went to the front of the boat to get a closer look, and before I knew it, I was on the floor. Something very large had hit the boat, almost knocking it to its side. While I struggled to my feet I saw a large tail sweeping Jack across the deck and I looked in horror as it now had Jack hanging by his feet. The creature appeared to be a giant serpent and it had a strong hold on Jack as it waved him in mid-air. I quickly ran to the below deck to grab the shotgun, but slipped, and hit my head. I was now lying on the floor, losing consciousness. Just before I faded away, I saw Tom grabbing for the shotgun while he rushed up to the top deck. I heard three shots fired.

I woke up the next morning on what must have been Jack’s bed and as I tried to stand, I felt quite dizzy. Tom quickly rushed to my side to help to assist me to a chair in the kitchen. When I recovered from the dizziness, I remembered Jack hanging from his feet. I was about to run up to deck, but Tom quickly set me back down. He told me that Jack was alright, and that he was on deck keeping watch.

“I fired three shots between its eyes. I wish you could have seen it. That monster would not be coming back any time soon,” exclaimed Tom, in victory.

Ten minutes later I heard Jack descending the stairs. Jack explained that Tom had saved his life, and if it hadn’t been for him, Jack would have been devoured by that fearful monster.
“It was about to have me for dinner until Tom here came shooting at it, until he got it, right between the eyes,” said Jack, excitedly.

I could see that Jack felt honored to have Tom on board with us. He was also relieved at the same time. I was extremely proud to hear this and if it wasn’t for Tom’s quick reaction, we all would have been that monster’s dinner, or if not, swallowed by the depths of the sea. We then celebrated Tom’s heroism with a couple of drinks, before we headed back to shore.