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Friday, July 11, 2014

The Treasure of Squeaky Toy Island, Chapter 5

The Treasure of Squeaky Toy Island
Chapter 5

There on deck, beside the previous day's plunder, was the ship's longbow. Beside it was a long, coiled heaving line. Ernie looked up, and said, “Bowman Easy!”

With his blue fur barley visible in the gloom, Easy crept up on deck, and said, “You called, Skipper?”

“Of course I'm called 'Skipper', I'm the Captain! See that heaving line?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Secure it to that arrow, and aim the longbow for the stern of the rawhide!”

“Aye, sir!”

By now, Captain Snoopy had been untied from the mainmast, and was keeping a steady hand on the wheel. Beside him, Captain Speedy was keeping an eye on his launch, and the towline. Just over the horizon, they could make out the faint loom of a light.

Captain Speedy pointed with his paw, and Captain Snoopy nodded, and said, “Aye, she be Squeaky Toy Light.” In a few more seconds, the faint sound of the diaphone fog horn confirmed it.

“Port your helm one point”, Speedy said.

“Port helm one point, aye”, answered Captain Snoopy. “What be that noise?”

“Sounds like a whistle.............”

Then came a dull thud. They looked aft, but saw nothing. With a shrug, they turned and looked back at the sea. The loom of the light grew ever stronger, and the diaphone ever louder.

Captain Snoopy scanned the sea, and said, “Smooth sailing from here on out!”

About a cable's length aft, Easy gave a tug on the line, and said, “We've hooked 'em, Skipper. Shall I pull us in!”

“Avast there, Matey! If we pull in now, they'll know we're coming and they'll be ready. Stand fast and enjoy the ride.”

“Aye aye, sir. This is just like water skiing.”

The lantern gallery of Squeaky Toy Light loomed up over the horizon. Speedy checked his paw watch, and said, “It's been more than a minute since we last heard the fog horn. Must be clearing.”

“Have your crew put the engines half ahead!”

“Aye, Captain!”

 He leaned over the bulwark, and yelled, “Engines ahead half!”

From the pilothouse, Coccolino yelled back, “Half ahead, aye!”

They heard the engines start to throb, and the water began to churn. Speedy watched the towline grow taut, ans said, “Port your helm, two points!”

“Port helm, two points, aye.”

Ernie and Easy felt the longship suddenly lurch forward. Ernie peered through the darkness, and said, “Oh my dog! Right fifteen degrees, now!”

Easy Grabbed the sweep oar, gave it a good push, and said, “I got her, Skipper. What's going on?”

“Now that the fog's lifting, he probably wants to bring them in faster. Keep an eye on that sweep oar! If we don't meet her with each swing, they'll swamp us!”

Easy held tightly on the sweep oar, and said, “I got her, Skipper.”

Back aboard the Rawhide, Frankie was walking the decks, when he thought he saw something dangling from the stern. He stuck his head over the bulwark, confirmed his suspicions, and ran back to the helm.

He drew in close to Captain Snoopy, and whispered his findings. Captain Snoopy grinned, and said, “Get below and get that wooden thingy that makes the noise.”

“Aye, Cap'n.”

“What's up?” asked Speedy.

Snoopy whispered his plan. Speedy smiled, and said, “You can count on me, Captain.”

Ernie was still in control of his craft, but it was taking all of Easy's strength to keep them on a safe course. He looked down at Ernie, and said, “How much longer, Skipper?”

“Not long. Look!”


Easy turned his head forward, and he saw it too. They watched and waited. Little did they know what Snoopy had in mind.

9 comments:

Lovable Lily said...

Captain Snoopy, you've got us hanging by a thread over here!

Muffin is takin' this Pirate life a little too far.... She won't take off her eye patch that you made and walks around all day long bumping into things!

Hugs,
Lily Belle & Muffin

The Ladies of Beaglebratz Manor said...

Oh dearz me - I/m afraid us Beaglebratz haf missed a post an'will hafta go bak tue catch up (or iz it ketch-up) Whatever it may b, so much suspense here - never know what will happen ...... can't wait tue read more.
Shiloh, Lord of the Manor

Anonymous said...

Is that guy named Easy related with me? hahaha It's such a great story and I can learn a lot about seafaring... maybe enough to cross the channel with my dinghy?

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

SHIVER ME TIMBERS..... another Fabulous Chapter... we are LOVING this... butt don't keep us dangling from the yard arm ... we want to know what the Wooden thingy is and what will happen NEXT...

BRAVO WELL DONE.... MORE MORE MORE....

Golden Daily Scoop said...

The suspense is killing us! BOL!

Hailey and Zaphod and their Lady said...

We agree with all our pals great story, but the anxiety to know what is next is killing us!

White Dog Blog said...

this epic tale will be an awesome award-winning blockbuster movie! What super star celeb is signed on to play each of you?

Jans Funny Farm said...

So you guys are still on a pirate adventure. Neat!

Little Miss Titch said...

Arrrh tis fine Adventure we be 'aving,xx Capt'n Speedy