Voyage of Slaves

Still with the noise of the storm ringing in his ears, Ben shot beneath the surface. Something brushed his face; his hand reached out and grabbed it as he clawed his way to the surface. It was the pup—for the first time he heard its tiny, shrill voice echoing through his head. “Amico! Amico!”

“Be still, you pestilence! Ned, I’ve got him!”

He saw the black Labrador pawing the stormswept waters alongside him. Ben and Ned held the little dog between them. Ben saw the side of the ship thundering toward him, he could not avoid it. Bump! It struck the boy’s forehead, stunning him.

Then the ghostly Vanderdecken had him, the black-edged fingers of his skeletal hands latching into his victim’s hair as he laughed triumphantly. “Come with me, boy, sail into the seas of eternity. You and the dog were always part of my crew!”

For a second, Ben felt himself losing his grip on reality. He called out, “Ned, save me!”

Fiery needles of pain pierced the back of his hand, then Ned’s voice intruded into his consciousness. “Get off, you little savage, or I’ll chew your head off!”

Spluttering seawater, racked almost double with coughing, Ben woke. He was on the deck of the Blue Turtle, with Kostas leaning over him, chuckling.

“There, my friend, you’ll live. Hah, it’s amazing how a little dog’s bite can bring you round. That Amico, he has teeth like small needles, eh!”

The puppy was flat on the deck, with both of Ned’s front paws holding him there. “Be still, you confounded cannibal. Huh, talk about biting the hand that saved you!”

The gold teeth of Kostas shone in a flash of lightning. Kostas called to a crewman, “Yanni, get our friend out of the storm, into my cabin with Nico!”

Ben, Ned and little Amico were bundled into the captain’s cabin, where the cook, Nico, lay fast asleep. He had his leg bandaged up in a splint, and an empty brandy bottle lay by his side.

Ned licked the patient’s hand. “Good old Nico, hope he recovers speedily. He does the best pork crackling I’ve ever tasted, what d’you think, mate?”

The puppy growled as he tugged at the cook’s bandaged leg. “Grrr, Amico, Amico!”

Ned cast a despairing glance at Ben as he cuffed the pup away from Nico with a sweep of his paw. “Hmph, not very good at the art of conversation, is he?”

Despite being buffeted about the cabin as it rolled about in the storm, Ben could not help smiling. “Good old Ned. Pass me some of that sheet, will you, mate?”

The Labrador used his teeth to tear off some of the bedsheet, which had been used to bind Nico’s leg. “Sorry I can’t help you, Ben, but paws aren’t much good for bandaging up wounds. Besides, I’ve got this little nuisance to deal with. Gerroff my tail, Amico!”

The puppy, none the worse for his scorched coat and dip in the sea, was worrying at Ned’s tail again. Ben bandaged his hand, laughing as Ned tangled Amico up tight in the remainderof the sheet. The boy winked at his dog. “You seem to be doing a fine job there!”

After awhile Kostas popped in to see Ben and check on Nico. “How are you doing my friend, eh?”

Ben nodded toward the sleeping cook, who every now and then let out a groan. “Better than him I think, Cap’n. Is the storm showing any signs of letting up out there?”

Kostas shrugged. “I’ll give it until dawn, if it hasn’t stopped by then we’re sunk. Just look at that bulkhead.”

The boy followed the captain’s finger. The bulkhead, which was the wall protecting the side of the vessel from the sea, was leaking. Dribbles of seawater were seeping their way through into the cabin. Ben shook his head. “Is it very serious?”

Kostas scratched his mop of red curls. “Bad enough, boy. As I told you, she’s an old lady, and past her best days now. It’s worse in some parts than in others. The stern chain locker is almost rotted through. I’ve got all hands bailing out to keep her afloat. We’ll last until dawn, but no longer.”

Ben rose swiftly. “I’ll come and lend a hand, Cap’n!”

Kostas pushed him back down. “No no, you’ve been through enough for a young fellow.”

Ben pulled himself back up, declaring firmly, “Sorry to disobey orders, sir, but I’m going to help the bailing gang!”

The Greek captain allowed Ben to pass, patting his back. “You’re a good boy, Ben. Ned can stay here and watch Nico. Oh, I see you’ve got the little Amico to lie still, eh?”

Ben took responsibility for the bundle. “Aye, Cap’n, he kept leaping about, I had to do it.”

The puppy attempted to rise, but fell back whimpering. Ned cast a stern eye at him. “Be still, rascal, or I’ll put splints on your legs, just like poor Nico. D’you want me to come, too, Ben?”

The boy shook his head. “No, mate, you play nursemaid here.”

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