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A Breathtaking Adventure

October 10th, 2006 by c4d1ll4c

Introduction

I, Lucius Holmes the third, have been sent to sea by the King of Spain to sail to the land of riches. My grandfather was a crew member on Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the new world, he was one of the few living survivors that traveled back to Europe. He started a cartography and sailing academy where he taught until he was too old to walk. He taught my father who inherited his academy when my grandfather passed away, my father followed my grandfather’s footsteps teaching young men to become sailors and mapmakers. He then fell in love with a waitress at the local bar, they got married and had a child, me. My father was also getting old, there were thoughts that I would inherit his academy but I didn’t want to follow my family’s tradition, I wanted an adventure, and that is exactly what I was about to get.

June 17th, 1562

The king said he would supply me with all the supplies I need and pay for my voyage, he told me I needed a crew, I had three ships that would hold two hundred and fifty sailors. I went to the bar my mother used to work before she married my father, and announced that I was looking for hard working sailors and that the pay would be enormous, however I truly did not know that, but I thought, if I were to die on this journey, it wouldn’t matter if the sailor’s wanted my head. It was like a win-win situation for me, well not exactly win-win but I wouldn’t lose anything, there would only be room to gain. It took the whole afternoon to recruit my crew, I hired some of the most famous sailors of the seven seas, like First Mate Focker Jones, who had many voyages to the new world for trade purposes. I went back to my home and went to bed, the only thought was that I would either become the wealthiest man in Europe or the biggest debtor to ever live, I didn’t sleep soundly that night.

June 18th, 1562

We started loading all our supplies on to the ships, all our food, hygiene supplies, rum, maps, and a lot of other things. It was enough to last months, but nearly half of the voyages in the last year were failiures, every second was making me more nervous, the sweat down my neck started to frighten me, I started to have second thoughts about whether I wanted to go on this voyage, but I knew it was too late to back down now. It was time to go, I grabbed all my stuff and put it in the captain’s cabin, it was well organized and well furnished, at least I would have a nice place to sleep. All the sailors wives were out on the dock giving them last minute kisses and hugs. I looked at the sailors, the grins on their faces, I knew I was betraying them, nearly half of them would be dead men, I felt like a monster, it was as if I were a murderer. I have sinned and God will take it out on me, but we must set sail now.

August 23rd, 1562

We have been on the journey for about sixty days now, it has been a hard journey, nearly half my men have died of hunger and sickness. Our meat is full of diseases, I taste nausea each bite I take, I feel as I have to puke over the side of the ship. Although I do not want to admit it, I think all my crew will die in a matter of days we have not seen land in a very long time, we have forgotten the smell of women, the taste of cooked food, sight of happiness. I am suprised that my crew has not rebeled on me yet. They are loyal men, there is only one liar on this ship and that is me. I owe these men my life, but the only they will earn is death, they will not die by their loved ones, they will die a painful death knowing that their captain is a low life. I go to my cabin and cry, I have not cried this hard ever, the regret I have is so great that I have almost lost to will to live. I pray to God that he will save these men.

September 9th 1562

We are low on food now, our number have shrinked big time. There is scurvy on the ship, it spreads as I write, the days are growing darker, each day is more miserable, I have dreadful headaches every day, God is cursing me I can feel it.

September 17th 1562

We are now down to twenty men and one ship, our food is growing scarce and I have thoughts of comitting suicide. I want to die with these men if I cannot save them, I owe them things money cannot pay, death is around the corner, it’s only a matter of time.

September 21st 1562

I am in my bed, my throat is swollen, I am about to die, but then I hear the two words “Land Ho,” one of my men comes to my cabin and tells me that we have arrived to the land of riches, I see smiles on the sailors faces, these men can prosper in riches, and so can… (the captain suddenly faints and perishes, he was born into a rich family and died a loyal man.

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