test your creativity

[tinkslite]

I started this story, u guys finish it! Tinkslite
PIRATES

Once upon a time, in the warm soothing waters of the islands of the South Pacific there was a young sailor named Thomas. Thomas loved the sea. He loved the salty sea air, the cry of the sea birds and the leaping of the dolphins at the ships bow. Thomas was at home upon the sea and felt like a fish out of water upon the land.

Thomas was a cabin boy upon the ship Adventure. The Adventure was a beautiful vessel and Thomas loved her every plank and beam. He especially loved to stand at the mast with his face turned to the wind.

Orlando had watched Thomas for many months. Orlando was often heard to send Thomas to do some little errand. Cabin boys serve the captain of a ship, but also the First Mate. Orlando was the First Mate aboard the Adventure. He was in charge of navigation and crew morale. Crew morale could be a problem, because many men were not as happy upon the sea as young Thomas. Some sailors would get tired of sailing in the middle of a long voyage. They would complain about eating fish day after day, or of the state of the water barrels, or the choppiness of the sea.

Thomas never ever complained. Even during a storm, he worked hard and seemed to enjoy the fish and the oceans rhythmic dance.

Orlando admired the young mans speed and dexterity. The cabin boy could climb up into the riggings and repair torn sails and frayed ropes, even in a squall. The boys eager willingness to take on any job, and his

[Herbwoman39]

willingness to do even the most tedious of tasks brought a smile to Orlando's face. He found himself watching the young man frequently throughout the weeks and days at sea enjoying his enthusiasm for seemingly everything he did. Orlando was, himself, a born and bred sailor so he recognized the same qualities in the young man that he shared. This affinity seemed to

[biwords]

cause some apprehension in the captain, "Smackwater Jack" Gilligan, who had personally promised Thomas's mother Felicity that he would keep an eye out for her son. (Many years previously, the captain had been engaged to Felicity's sister Fanny, who had tragically died of a consumption while Jack was en route to the Barbadoes; he did not learn of her passing until his return to Portsmouth six months later, when Felicity met him at the dock personally to convey her sad news. The captain cherished Fanny's memory and, it was said, never looked at another woman again.....). The captain was only too aware of the dangers and inconveniences to which young cabin boys at sea might be subject.....

[tinkslite]

Of course, the young man was really not a boy anymore. He must be 17 or 18 years old now? He was a true asset to the crew. The captain wondered

[TaylorMade]

if it was time to have Orlando show him some of the duties of a first mate. The grizzled old captain knew he wasn't going to be around much longer; he trusted Orlando to take over when the time came, and then Thomas to become First Mate. Orlando was in his late twenties, almost thirty; the age he had been when he took over a ship. This was on his mind when he called Orlando into his cabin.

"Yes sir?" Orlando had an idea what this meeting was about, and could barely contain his exitement. But he managed to hold his feelings under a cool exterior.

"Thomas... the cabin boy. He's a good boy, yes?"

Orlando nodded. "One of the best. You don't find 'em that adapt to ocean life this quickly."

"I thought as much. I'm asking you to mentor him. I'm not going to be able to helm the Adventure too much longer, and I want her in capable hands. You probably will be the man to take my place, and - -"

"You want Thomas to take mine."

"Correct."

Orlando sat up, and nodded toward the captain. "Thank you for trusting me in this, sir."

Orlando exited the cabin and ran head long into Smackwater Jack. He recovered his composure, and looked up

*Taylor*