Posted in the Throwback Thursday and Serial Sunday Presents

“A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid” J. R. R. Tolkien

The Treasure Hunters: Part Three

My feet were not used to running barefoot, and I could feel each and every little stick and stone along the path. I just hoped we would reach our destination, soon.

The little rag tag group formed of myself and the recently acquainted pirates finally reached the camp. From what I could tell, realistically, the hike up the hill could not have been more than a few kilometres. Unfortunately it felt more like a marathon to me and my poor bare feet. What I would have given for a foot bath and a massage right now!

I was seated by a tall wooden table, sitting on the hard bench. A person, who obviously seemed to be a cabin boy, had brought a bowl of some sort of grub and a chalice filled with what tasted like wine. OK, so this was no gourmet meal. Certainly no competition for any fast food meal I had eaten in the past either. But at this point, hearing my stomach growling, I would have settled for a bowl of cooked stones. I could not believe how unbelievable hungry I actually was.

“So, Lad, which boat did you serve on?” The Captain, sitting on the other end of the table, asked me.

“I um, ” Come on think, think, I was telling myself. It had been a while since I watched any films, especially those of adventure and pirates! Then it hit me: “The Black Pearl, Sir!” Nice save dumb ass I told myself.

The Captain looked puzzled for a while before he replied, “The Black Pearl? I don’t recall a ship by that name. What was the name of your Captain, Lad?” He ogled me suspiciously.

“Sparrow, Sir, Captain Sparrow.” I tried to pull the best innocent look on my face I could muster. It sure had worked before. At least when I was still me that is.

“Sparrow, Sparrow…” The Captain repeated thoughtfully, rubbing his beard in the process. Then he stopped and looked at me, or rather right through me. He let out a laugh: “I do recall a Captain Sparrow. Tough as nails! No wonder you are on the run!”

So, the little white lie sank in! Great! But now, the Captain believed me to be a runaway. I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing at this point. After a moment of silence, staring at my feet, trying to look guilty as the suspect of being on the run, I looked up.

“Yes, he was. That’s why I left.”

“And I suppose you are looking for a new hiring?” The Captain asked, this time very politely.

Well, I guess I was looking for a job. I had nothing but the clothes on my back, no shoes, no food. So yes, I needed a job, a place to stay and the means to find my way back.

“Yes.” I replied simply.

The cabin boy had been filling the drinks and as he had heard the Captain’s comments asking me about the job, he looked at me, smirked and gave me a wink.

“Well, laddie,” The Captain replied, “You look like you are made of a stern stuff. Consider yourself hired!”

I had no idea what I had gotten myself into, but come what may, I was now officially a pirate!

“Thank you, Sir!” Good thing I had been watching a lot of television and movies in the past. I at least had some idea of how the people talked in the past. At least I hoped the Hollywood types had not taken too many artistic liberties!

“Welcome on board!” The cabin boy said to me. It was actually the first time I heard him speak and I was surprised he sounded more like a girl than a young boy.

“Thank you!” I think. I just wasn’t sure.

To be continued…

Posted in the Throwback Thursday and Serial Sunday Presents

“There is more treasure in books, than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island”

The Treasure Hunters: Part Two

I started slowly walking towards the ship. It would be my best option to get more info on what was going on. Just hoping these people, who ever they were, would be the friendly sort.

“Ahoy there!” I shouted and waved my hand as I approached the crew of the ship.

Who obviously was the Captain and the two crewmen standing beside him, turned and looked at me. They then looked at each other, obviously surprised of my presence.

“Who are you and where do you come from lad?” The Captain asked me.

‘Lad?’ I must have also changed appearance and sex since my transportation or teleportation or what ever it was that got me here in the first place. I was thoughtful and tried to choose my words carefully before answering them so not to reveal myself or my origins.

“Hi, I mean top of the morning to you Sirs!”

I had to remember I was considered ‘a lad’ and that to the best of my knowledge meant a young man or teenage boy. Of course without a mirror I could not tell what my face looked like, but judging from my clothing, the Captain was right on spot.

“I was wondering if you could tell me where exactly I am.” I was thinking of a quick cover story, “It seems I bumped my head after a fall and seem to have lost all sense of direction.” I mock rubbed my forehead to convey the now oddly staring crew members where I had been hurt.

The Captain took a step closer to me and stood staring for a moment. I could smell the rum on his breath and was sure he did not buy my story. I managed to hold my stance and stared right back at him, trying to keep an innocent look on my face. After a few moments, during which I felt I would pee myself soon enough if the Captain would not stop his piercing stare.

All of a sudden, he burst into laughter. He patted me on my shoulder and turned towards his crew.

“Come on men, let’s get the lad some assistance here.” He ordered his men and turned back to me asking.

“Are you hungry lad?”

I nodded. After all I had missed lunch, running most of the day on coffee only.

“OK, then. Come with us and we’ll fill your belly with some grub. I’ll have the doctor check your forehead. That looks a very nasty gush you have there son.”

I was surprised, since I was not aware I had any wounds on me. I looked at my hand I had been rubbing my forehead with and as I looked at it, there was blood on it. I was shocked and felt a little dizzy. Blood was not something I could deal with lightly.

The Captain laughed. “Come on lad, don’t faint before we get you to our camp.” He then waved to one of the crewmen, who quickly came and offered to support me.

“Thank you!” I answered briefly and the crewman just nodded as we all left for the camp.

I could not help wondering how my little white lie had turned into reality. Maybe I was dreaming in some elaborate way where I was in control. I was planning on testing my theory once we reached the camp, since currently I had trouble keeping up with the others’ pace, let alone think of anything else. My feet were not used to running barefoot, and I could feel each and every little stick and stone along the path. I just hoped we would reach our destination, soon.

To be continued…

Posted in the Throwback Thursday and Serial Sunday Presents

“I always say, ‘I’m not a pirate, I just play one on TV.'” Paul Watson

Treasure Hunters: Introduction

Welcome to Treasure Hunters!

In a new weekly series called “Serial Sunday Presents”, The Rantings Of A Third Kind will be showcasing stories published each week, on Sunday. Short stories, continuing saga and tales of the odd for your reading pleasure.

The first series posted, is the continuing saga of the The Treasure Hunters. A tale of time travelling, change of identities, treasure hunting, pirates and a little adventure on the side 😉

Parts one through four have already been posted. More to come next Sunday in Part Five!