Chapter 5
"This is great," declared Trixie as she Honey and Diana lay on the deck of the large boat working on their suntans. Trixie had spent the little money she had saved and brought with her on a new bathing suit that morning in Key West, as Diana insisted the girls to go shopping, because Diana felt that she didn't have enough clothes for the voyage. Trixie didn't understand that, since Diana had several suitcases.
Diana would look great in almost anything, Trixie thought.
Trixie looked down at her new bathing suit. She liked it, even though she paid more for it than she would have back home. She had purchased a tankini, with a black bottom and light blue top, Diana had bought an exotic looking black whole piece bathing suit, low cut in front with spaghetti straps and a red rose on the front, and Honey wore a leopard skin print bikini.
While the girls lay in the sun, Brian, Mart and Jim were busy trying their hand at deep sea fishing. They had sailed out from Key West that morning and were now somewhere off the coast of Florida, slowly heading north. Ms. Trask was below deck doing some reading on one of her novels she brought along. Trixie had been so impatient to get going this morning, she thought they would never get to leave. When they finally started out, the boat engine had run hot and she had wondered if that would keep them in Key West for another few days. But, the captain and the new deckhand had gotten it cooled off and running, and since the boat had a sail, they wouldn't have to use it all the time anyway.
All the Bob-Whites agreed, that they liked the boat captain. Captain Jerry was probably in his middle sixties, with skin like leather, from too many years in the sun. There was only one crewmember, a young man who was a combination of a cook and deck hand. His name was Luke. Luke was probably in his late twenties and other than the introduction; he hardly spoke to the Bobwhites. Trixie, as usual, thought there was something mysterious about him, but she kept this observation to herself. The boys would've liked to have a hand in sailing, but Luke and The Captain had insisted on doing this themselves, Luke almost rudely.
The Captain was very congenial and friendly and even funny. He promised them that he would tell them stories about some of his adventures at sea later on after dinner. That morning, when starting out, he had shared with them that he had been a boat captain since he was a young man. Lunch was delicious and they all wondered how anyone could make such delicious meals on a boat.
After three days of sailing, they stopped in St. Augustine to stock up on supplies, because from here they would be sailing to the island. The Bobwhite's and Ms. Trask would've liked to do some sightseeing, but the Captain warned that they would only be here for a couple of hours, so they decided to try out the local cuisine instead. "Which restaurant do we go to?" Asked Brian. "We don't have much time." "How about that one?" Asked Honey, as she pointed to a sign that read "The Santa Maria." "I'd like that." Said Diana. "I've gotten spoiled on all this Florida seafood." The others agreed and they all went to the Santa Maria.
"We have to come back and do a tour of Florida sometime," said Honey, looking around wistfully at different signs advertising things to see and do in St. Augustine.
The Bob-Whites and Ms. Trask were heading back to the boat, after having had a delicious lunch. When they arrived, the captain informed them that they were once again having an engine malfunction and they probably had another hour before leaving.
"Well, we probably have time for at least one tourist attraction," Mart said. "So, what'll it be?"
"I think I'd like to go in the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum," Brian said.
"That's what I was about to say," said Jim. "You coming?" he asked Ms. Trask and the girls.
"I can't believe they want to go to a Ripley's museum, when there's an old fort and the oldest schoolhouse and so much other stuff," said Trixie as they walked.
"Oh, I know if we had more time they'd go to the old fort," Honey replied. "But what are we going to do?"
"I think I'd like to go and look at that little souvenir shop we passed," said Ms. Trask.
"Me too," Honey said and Diana and Trixie agreed.
The three girls and Ms. Trask headed for the souvenir shop while the guys headed for the museum. Trixie and Honey had noticed some little rubber hatchets, with colorful feathers attached and were discussing purchasing one each, for Bobby and Larry and Terry, while Ms. Trask and Diana were on the other side of the store looking at costume jewelry. Out of the corner of her eye, Trixie noticed a dark, swarthy looking man enter and she felt a moment of uneasiness. There was something familiar about him, but she just couldn't put her finger on it. As she continued looking for something to purchase for the boys, she turned to say something to Honey and noticed that he was standing right behind her. The next thing she knew, he grabbed for her purse. She screamed and it attracted the attention of several in the store. The man frantically looked around and quickly let go of the purse and took off on foot.
"Trixie, are you alright?" Diana asked concernedly, as she and Ms. Trask ran over to where she was standing.
"Just a little shaky," she said.
"Well, come over and sit down," Honey told her, soothingly.
After telling the others what happened, Ms. Trask insisted on telling the store manager, but he seemed to think it was just one of those things that happen sometimes. "You probably should go to the police," he suggested.
"I agree," said Ms. Trask.
"But, we don't have time," said Trixie pleadingly. "It's almost time to head back to the boat."
Ms. Trask reluctantly agreed.
Trixie wondered once again, if this had something to do with the treasure map. But, it was hidden in Trixie's little compartment room back at the boat.
Chapter 6
The Bob-Whites met at their designated spot and together started walking back toward the Marina where the boat was docked. The boys told the others about the things they saw in Ripley's Believe It or Not and Trixie dramatically told them about the attempted purse snatching. The boys were of course furious, and as they were walking and talking Ms. Trask seemed to trip over something and then she fell to the ground. "Oh my gosh, Ms. Trask, are you okay?" Honey asked excitedly, as the others gathered around her with concern. "I think I've twisted my ankle."
"Here's a bench right over here, Ms. Trask, let me and Brian help you," Jim said. They gingerly helped her up and helped her over to the bench.
Brian knelt down and after removing her sensible shoes and knee-highs, he carefully examined her ankle. "Ms. Trask, I think you need to go to a hospital," he told her concernedly. "Your ankle may be slightly fractured." Brian noticed that Ms. Trask was almost faint with pain and he also realized that she was growing older and her bones were probably getting more fragile.
"Oh no," she told them, already beginning to recover. "I don't think so."
Trixie felt guilty. She was of course, very concerned for Ms. Trask, but she was afraid if Ms. Trask opted to go home, they would all have to go, since she was the chaperone. "What're we going to do?" she finally asked.
"I'm going to call a cab to come and take Ms. Trask to the hospital," Brian said. "She needs an x-ray and medical treatment. We'll all go and afterwards, I guess we'll all have to fly home to New York as soon as she's able."
"No," said Ms. Trask. "I want you all to go on your trip and enjoy it. This is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and all of you have always been so trustworthy, I know you will look out for each other and also the captain seems very responsible, he'll take care of you."
All of you go on to the boat and I'll stay with Ms. Trask," said Honey.
"No, Honey," Ms. Trask told her firmly. "You're going on this trip. I'll be just fine. I'm already feeling better. The hospital can x-ray me, put a cast on if needed and then, I'll either catch a cab to the nearest airport or if there isn't a plane leaving this afternoon, I'll stay in a motel till tomorrow."
All the Bob-Whites were concerned about leaving her, but she insisted that she would be fine and that they go on back to the boat. Brian and Honey stayed behind as the others hurried to the boat, to tell the Captain to wait for them. After gently helping Ms. Trask into a cab, she told them, "Just hurry and get back to the boat before the Captain ships out without you."
The Bob-White's left St. Augustine in the early afternoon hours. Their next stop would be the Island of Carmolina. Later that evening, after a delicious dinner of broiled shrimp, lemon broiled grouper fish, homemade bread and salad, all the Bob-Whites came out on the deck to watch the stars come out. Honey and Brian sat close together, her head on his shoulder. Mart and Diana sat several feet from them holding hands. Trixie and Jim were by the railing on the other side of the boat, away from the other couples, looking out over the ocean.
"Trixie, you know you're still my special girl, don't you?" Jim whispered in her ear, as he put his arm around her.
"Well," she said, laying her head on his shoulder, "I was hoping so. We just don't have these kind of conversations often anymore."
"I know," said Jim. "But it's because everyone's always around and your parents don't think you're old enough to date yet, unless it's double dating."
"I know," she said. "And it's a drag."
"Anyway" Jim said as he pulled his arm off of her shoulders and reached into his pocket, removing a small box. "I bought you a special present, while we were in Key West. I've just been waiting for the right time to give it to you."
"Oh Jimm" she said, as she took the box from him. She carefully took the lid off the box. "It's beautiful!" Inside the box lay a tiny gold sand dollar on a delicate golden chain."
Jim wanted to kiss her, but her brothers were so close.
Later that night as Trixie lay in her tiny bunk bed; she couldn't keep from thinking of Jim. For awhile now, she hadn't really known where she stood with him, but she had always been in love with him. She was so excited, she couldn't sleep. After tossing and turning for awhile, she slowly climbed out of her little bunk. She knew the Captain would be at the wheel commanding the boat tonight and Luke would take over in the early morning hours. She was careful not to awaken Honey as she eased out of bed and carefully stepped over to the chest of drawers to slip on a pair of faded denim shorts and a navy blue fleece jacket. She went out of the room and up the ladder to go on deck and maybe even talk to the Captain. When she got up to the wheel, she noticed the captain had his head lying down and he was snoring! That's not good, she thought. He's supposed to be in control of the boat. Then she noticed the half-empty liquor bottle lying beside him. She realized then why the Captain sometimes had slurry speech. He's been drinking! She heard someone else coming up the ladder and she thought, Maybe it's Luke, it may be his time to watch the boat.
But it was Jim. "You couldn't sleep either?" he asked grinning sheepishly.
"No," she said, shyly averting her eyes. She changed the subject. "Uh, Jim we have a problem." She showed him the passed out Captain and the empty liquor bottle.
"This is serious," Jim said. The two of them stayed up with the wheel of the boat until Luke came on night watch. When they told him everything, he didn't take it serious.
Chapter 7
"He was what?" Brian asked incredulously when Trixie and Jim told him about the Captain the next morning.
"What're we going to do?" Diana asked, her violet eyes wide with concern.
"I think when he's in charge, we have to stay up and watch him to make sure he doesn't pass out at the wheel," said Jim. "The guys will have to take turns."
The others nodded their agreement.
It was a clear beautiful afternoon at sea and Trixie and the others stood on the dock. She noticed several sets of fins about a half-mile away. "Hey, look, dolphins," she told the others.
Luke, who never had much of anything to say, had one comment. "Those aren't dolphins, those are great whites."
"You mean sharks?" Trixie asked frightened.
"Yep," he said abruptly, as he went back to work. The captain had declared the wind was strong enough to put the sails up and the girls were trying to stay out of the way as he and the boys were hoisting the sail. Trixie knew little about sailing, but it looked as if Luke may have caused what happened next. Somehow, the sail came around really fast. Brian and Jim jumped out of the way, but Mart didn't see it coming, and it knocked him really hard and fast out to sea.
"Mart!" Trixie, Honey and Diana screamed, running to look over the side of the boat. As they frantically watched, Trixie expected Mart to recover and automatically start swimming toward the boat, but evidently when he was hit, he had been knocked out and the waves were taking him further and further from the boat. Trixie sat down and quickly took off her tennis shoes and socks and prepared to jump in the water, when Jim caught her by her shoulders. "No, Trixie. The sharks are heading this way, let me."
"No Brian," said Jim, also grabbing Brian by the shoulders, as Brian also quickly began preparing to jump. "I'm the faster swimmer. Thank God Mart thought to put on that life jacket, but it looks like his face might be in the water. Let me go. I can get there fast. Give me the rope!" Honey gave Jim the rope that hung on the boat and he quickly dove over the side and swam out to where Mart was while the shark fins drew closer and closer. Jim expertly and quickly pulled Mart's face out of the water, tied the rope around Mart's waist and holding Mart's head up he swam hard and fast as he could back to the boat.
"Hurry Jim!" Honey said frantically, while Diana cried and prayed. Trixie looked toward Brian and she could see he was clearly terrified. Jim made it to the boat and it took all their strength combined to pull Mart up. Since Mart was still knocked out, he was extremely heavy. As the sharks edged closer, they finally hoisted Mart into the boat and then started pulling Jim in. Jim fell onto the boat deck just in the nick of time. The whole time this was going on, Trixie noticed that Luke stood and casually watched.
"Why didn't you help us?" Trixie said, turning on him. "You seemed to have it pretty well under control." He told her nonchalantly, like something horrible hadn't just happened. Trixie didn't know what Luke the deckhand was about, but she vowed that from now on, she would keep an eye on him. The Captain who had been at the other end of the boat hadn't known what was going on, but he was clearly shaken when the other's told him. Mart didn't require mouth to mouth resuscitation, because when Jim got out to him, he saw that only Mart’s forehead had gone in the water. Mart did have a small gash on his head, though, but he regained consciousness pretty fast, but Brian vowed that they would awaken him every few hours just to make sure he didn't have a concussion.
Chapter 8
Mart seemed to recover quickly from the blow to the head and was back to normal within a few hours. The Bob-Whites looked forward to the couple of days they would soon have at the Island of Carmolina and they also hoped the next few days of sailing would be uneventful.
After a couple of days had passed, the captain announced one evening that a storm was heading toward them and they could prepare for a rough night ahead.
"With all due respect, sir," said Brian, "Shouldn't we head inland?"
"It's too late," the captain told him. "If we had headed there an hour ago, we could probably have made it. But, now we wouldn't. The best thing we can do is throw out the storm anchors and try to keep the ship steady through it. Just have the women folks stay below deck."
"How do you know that a storm's coming?" Jim asked him.
"Because he heard it on the ship radio an hour ago," Luke told him, in a rare moment of conversation. "He's drunk, though, if he weren't drinking we would have headed inland."
Brian and Jim could tell the captain was already almost drunk and they were very concerned for all their safety.
The boys helped Luke throw out the huge storm anchors as they looked at the sky with concern. "I wish we could've headed to shore," Jim confided to the Trixie and the others a short time later, as they gathered on deck.
As the storm picked up strength and began to rage, Trixie stayed below deck of the rocking boat as long as she could. When she could stand it no longer, she put on one of the yellow rain slickers and climbed onto the deck. Diana and Honey huddled below deck, very scared. As Trixie stepped out of the hatch, she flinched as she was met with raindrops that felt like sharp needles on her skin. She didn't see how those above deck could see how to do anything, the rain was so heavy and it was so dark.
"Trixie! Go back down below," Jim shouted above the noise of the wind and the rain, as soon as he saw her. Just then lightening struck and it looked dangerously close.
"No, I have to help!" she yelled back.
Luke and the Captain were barking orders loudly as the others scampered to do what they said to try to keep the rocking boat afloat. Sometimes the boat would turn almost sideways. Trixie would hold on to the boat rail with all her might as her feet touched the Atlantic Ocean.
"The storm anchors aren't going to hold us!" The Captain shouted. "We're going to have to try to start the engine and ride out of this. If not, we may not make it."
"I'll go down below to try to start it," Luke shouted as he went down the hatch. They heard a noise that almost sounded like an alarm from downstairs.
"Oh no!" the captain yelled. "The engine's frozen up."
"What does that mean?" Jim asked, flailing his way through the wind and rain to stand beside the captain.
"It's not going to start. I don't know how much more the boat is going to be able to take of this storm, it's taken some hits!"
"Couldn't we get the ship radio and call the Coast guard?" Mart yelled above the storm.
"The radio probably wouldn't work in this weather," the captain shouted back.
Brian and Mart once again started scampering around on deck to try to do what you have to do during a storm. Jim was working beside Trixie when the boat rocked sideways. She quickly grabbed the rail and as Jim reached for the rail, he missed and fell into the turbulent water.
"Jim!" Trixie screamed loudly and Brian and Mart fought their way over to stand beside her. "It's Jim, he went over the side!"
"He's gone." Luke yelled at her. "Get over it! Brian and Mart, we need your help. We have to take the storm anchors up!"
"We're not leaving our friend out there!" Mart yelled at him as Brian nodded his agreement.
"Your friend is gone." Luke told them loudly but firmly. "We're still here and we're not going to make it if you don't help!"
Trixie would not accept anything Luke said as she held onto the rail of the rocking boat with all her might and looked to catch even one glimpse of Jim.
Please God, she prayed. Let him be okay. Finally, she saw him. He was fighting waves with all of his strength, but he waved at her. He was alive! Just then, a huge wave rolled over him and onto the boat and Trixie was so blinded by the water that she couldn't see him, all she could do was try to hang on and keep from being swept overboard herself. After recovering and looking around to make certain Brian and Mart hadn't also been swept over the side, she again looked for Jim. "He's right there," she yelled to Brian as the winds howled on and the water pelted them.
"Let's get this Styrofoam innertube, it has a rope tied to it," Mart yelled as they unbolted it and threw it toward Jim.
The wind kept blowing the innertube up in the air and around and away from Jim, as Brian and Trixie hung onto the rope that was attached to it. Finally, Jim pushed himself up from a piece of debris and grabbed it and hung onto it as Trixie, Brian and Mart struggled to pull him toward the boat. He got close to the boat and a huge wave came once again and knocked Trixie, Brian and Mart flat onto the deck and when Trixie recovered and stood up, still hanging onto the rope, but she couldn't see Jim. But, through all this, Jim still clutched the inner tube; he had been swept way out again, among the debris and the rollicking waves. The rain grew harder again and it began to sting their faces as they hung onto the rope with all their might.
"You need to stop what you're doing and help us get some of this water off the deck!" Luke yelled at them as he came around the side.
"We will as soon as we get Jim back on the deck!" Trixie yelled as Luke glared at her and then he struggled back around to the other side. Finally, after two failed attempts, the Bob-Whites pulled an exhausted Jim onto the deck.
"Are you alright, buddy?" Brian asked concernedly, having to hold onto the rail as he bent over to speak to Jim.
The deck was almost knee deep in water and Jim sat in it. "Yeah, I think I just swallowed half the ocean and I feel really sick," he replied.
Trixie, Brian and Mart held their heads down to hear him, while at the same time holding on to the railing. "Let's get you out of this water and get you downstairs with Honey and Diana. Be sure and wrap in some blankets," Brian said as the boat continued to sway from side to side, but not as bad as it had been.
After safely getting Jim below deck, Trixie, Brian and Mart worked desperately to get the water off the deck. Finally, the storm began to subside and Trixie breathed a sigh of relief. Later, after bailing water off the deck, three tired and soaked Bob-Whites went down the hatch to the table where Honey, Diana and Jim sat. Jim had a blanket wrapped around him and sat at the table with the girls.
"We could have used your help out there," Luke said tersely to Jim, as he passed by them to go to his bunkroom.
"For your information--" said Trixie, as she prepared to really tell him something. Mart clenched his fists and started to stand up, Brian looked at him warningly as Honey put a hand on Trixie's shoulder to try to calm her.
Diana made all of them some hot tea in the tiny galley as Trixie, Jim, Brian and Mart went to each of their rooms to change clothes.
Chapter 9
After repairs to the boat, what little could be done while it sat in the ocean, the crew headed to the Island of Carmolina. There it is!" said the captain.
Trixie looked ashore. She saw a beautiful white sandy beach, water the color of clear blue sapphire and it seemed to sparkle in the afternoon sun. There were tall palm trees and coconut trees and a trail leading into a jungle of tropical foliage. The Bob-Whites managed to spare one lifeboat, the other two had been lost during the storm and the captain anchored the boat at sea as the Bob-Whites and Trixie couldn't wait to go ashore. Luke went with them to shore and then he paddled back out to the boat where the captain remained.
"This is beautiful," said Diana, as she and the others looked around.
"Man, a real deserted island!" said Mart, equally impressed. They sat their belongings on the shore and started down the trail to explore.
Jim walked over to Trixie as they walked and grabbed her by the hand. "This is awesome!" he said as they walked down the trail.
Trixie smiled as she reached up with her other hand and grasped the tiny sand dollar necklace. She hoped Jim thought she looked nice today as she had taken pains with her appearance. She was wearing a tropical print sarong, with a red tank top. Diana had bought it in Key West and then decided it was too small for her, but it perfectly fit Trixie. Trixie usually didn't wear red, but she thought it showed off her tan nicely.
"You know, Jim," she said, "I was thinking, the landscape may have changed since the treasure map was written. You know there's been a lot of storms and stuff that can change terrain."
"You're right," he agreed. "But, you also know Trixie, that if there ever was a treasure here, it was probably found and disposed of eons ago."
"I know," Trixie told him, looking into his beautiful green eyes. "But I have to try."
"Look!" exclaimed Honey, who was walking ahead of Trixie and Jim, holding hands with Brian. "A tree house."
Trixie looked in one of the strange looking and ancient trees that grew on the island and sure enough, someone had fashioned a grass hut in the tree, complete with little steps leading up to it.
"We girls can sleep there tonight," suggested Diana.
The Bob-Whites spent the whole afternoon exploring the island. After several hours, the captain came and told them that it was time for dinner. A wonderful meal awaited them of fresh lobster with drawn butter, it seemed the waters around the island were just teaming with lobster and the Captain and Luke had gone lobster fishing. Along with the lobster was shrimp salad, baked potatoes with the potatoes wrapped covered in sea salt and wrapped in foil, a huge tossed salad with homemade ranch dressing and a coconut pie, made with fresh coconut from off one of the trees.
"Oh, I'm stuffed," said Trixie after they had eaten, while rubbing her tummy.
"Ditto," said Diana.
"That makes three of us," said Honey, groaning. The guys were still eating. "I don't know how you do it," Honey told them, as she arose from the table. "We need to go ashore and walk some of this dinner off."
"Ladies, you shouldn't go ashore alone," said the captain.
"Why?" asked Trixie. "What's there to harm us?"
"Oh, wild animals, that kind of thing," he told them.
"In that case, I guess we'll wait on the guys," said Honey.
Chapter 10
Trixie was up bright and early, ready for the treasure hunt. She took a quick shower on the boat, quick, because they had to conserve water, since it would be a few days before they saw land again. She slipped on a pair of faded cutoffs, which is mostly what she had brought with her and a navy blue tank top with spaghetti straps. She then put her hair up, leaving little tendrils around her face. She put on very light make up. She noted that Jim looked at her appreciatively when she came to breakfast.
Much to Trixie's chagrin, all the Bobwhite's voted to go for an early morning swim before breakfast. She didn't want to swim; she wanted to search for the treasure. The water was beautiful though and was so refreshing and cool. Trixie was glad she had gone. Afterwards, the couples began to explore the island in earnest to see if they could make sense of the map.
"It shows wavy lines, almost like a creek," said Trixie, as she leaned against a tree and studied an old document. They found what once may have been a creek bed, but now was almost covered in foliage and other growth. I bet this was once a creek. Then a huge tree, with a trunk with roots like a person's legs, whoever heard of a tree shaped like that? I mean, it looks like a person with a tree on their head." Frustrated, she sat down on a huge rock and put her head between her hands.
"We still have tomorrow," said Jim, sensing her frustration.
"But Jim, the island's terrain has probably changed, how will we ever figure this out in just a couple of days. I mean, there's a grove of coconut trees on the map, but there are hundreds of coconut trees here. The treasure seems to be buried somewhere on the left, but what if it the island is changed? What if what was once land, is now under the ocean?"
"That's a real possibility," said Jim, sitting down beside her. She laid her head on his shoulder. They just sat there silently for a few moments. "Well," said Jim. "It's starting to get late, we need to find the other's." And he pulled her to her feet. For a long moment, they stared into one another's eyes. Then quietly, gently he kissed her. Trixie felt like stars went off in her head, she felt her knees grow weak. She heard someone running from them, into the woods.
"Mart!" she yelled embarrassed. It would be just like Mart to spy on her so he could tease her and embarrass her later.
When she confronted Mart a short time later, he completely denied that he was spying on her. Trixie didn't really believe him, but then he said with a twinkle in his eyes, "And what sort of naughtiness might you have been indulging in, to be so worried that I had seen you?"
"Leave me alone Mart!" she said growing annoyed.
"Children, children, must I have to always correct you," Brian said jokingly.
The Bob-Whites had a light lunch of sandwiches and salad on the boat and then spent the afternoon, sunning, collecting shells and swimming. Trixie was in the water, when she hurt her foot on something underneath the sand beneath her. She dug up the sand a little, expecting to find a shell, but it was a root. She noticed there were places like that all around her. I bet this part of the island was once under water, could the treasure be buried here? she asked herself. When she presented this idea to the others, they were not enthused about going to the boat, gathering shovels and digging.
"Tomorrow, Trixie," Brian told her. "Right now, Honey and I are going to go walking on the beach.
That night, they built a fire on the beach and watched the sun go down. The Captain and Luke had decided to stay on the boat. "I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful," said Trixie to Jim as they sat away from the others. They took a moonlight stroll down the beach.
"I'd like to continue where we left off today," said Jim.
"So would I," said Trixie. Jim wrapped her in his arms and they shared several passionate kisses. Then they heard Mart and Diana coming down the beach and they quickly scrambled apart.
The next morning, the captain showed them how to go clam digging and how to catch stone crabs and scallops. "Wow, this is neat," said Diana. "You can catch a whole seafood dinner right out here on the beach."
Trixie wasn't as excited about that as the others. Her mind was on the treasure as she gathered up a small scallop shell in a marshy area near the beach. She wanted to search for the treasure, which they had agreed to do after a swim and lunch.
She and Jim went walking again, that afternoon and they found themselves far away from the others. "I didn't realize the island was this big," Trixie said to Jim. "But, this is a whole part of it we haven't even seen."
"I know," said Jim. "I just hope we can find our way back."
"Oh Jim, look at this water, it looks almost crystal clear. And, it's surrounded by rocks."
"It's great," he said. "And, I'm just about ready for a swim. It's awful hot out here."
"Let's go in for a quick swim and then try to find our way back to the others."
They jumped into the water, which was deeper than it looked. They both dove down toward the bottom and Trixie opened her eyes in the stinging salt water. What she saw made her quickly surface. Jim surfaced at the same time.
"Jim! I think I know where the treasure is buried. I saw a picture like the tree drawing, someone has carved it into a rock, the treasure is down there!"
They both went under to see. They dug up under the rock until they came to some sort of hard surface. They had to surface to get some air. They then heard the other Bob-Whites calling their names.
"Over here," yelled Trixie. "I think we found it! I think we found the treasure."
All the Bob-Whites came running then.
"Man, this looks like a swimming pool," said Brian.
All of them removed their shoes and jumped in the water. Trixie showed them what she had found. They realized that one of the rocks was the opening to a cave. With a lot of strength, effort and time, they were able to pull the rock away from the entrance to the cave. Trixie insisted she go into the darkened crevice, but it wasn't big enough for her to even fit in. But, she found on a shelf inside the small cave and above the water, a petrified wooden box, probably from many years passed. She carefully, tossed it out and then she came out behind it. This was the treasure chest. They quickly took it to the shore, climbed out of the water, but it took some time to get the box open. What was inside was beautiful. It was five of the most perfect diamonds, Honey and Diana (who were the closest thing to experts there) had ever seen.
"I've never seen diamonds quite like this before," Diana said. "It's almost like they have a lavender iridescent hue.
"They must be very rare," said Honey, with a note of awe in her voice. "They are quite beautiful."
After carefully removing the diamonds from the box, Trixie placed them in a small bag in her pocket. The Bob-Whites had not discussed the map or the diamonds with the captain and Luke, because they just felt the fewer people knew the better. Trixie was very glad they had remained hush-hush about them, because she definitely didn't trust Luke. They went back to the shore and took the lifeboat back to the boat.
"I can't wait for dinner tonight," said Brian. "All those clams and scallops, it's going to be a feast."
"And I, for one, am famished," said Mart.
"Is that supposed to be something new to us?" Trixie asked sarcastically.
"Now, you all," said Diana teasingly, putting her arms around Mart. "Stop picking on my guy."
When they arrived at the boat, Luke wasn't there. "Where's Luke?" Mart asked the captain. "I thought he would be cooking a feast already."
"Oh, he swam to shore, right after you all left this morning," the captain replied.
"That's strange," said Trixie. "Luke's been on the island the whole time we have and we haven't seen him."
Chapter 11
Luke swam back to the boat shortly after and the Bob-Whites sat on deck as their dinner was being prepared. Trixie was so excited, she couldn't think straight. Whatever amount of money the diamonds would bring, and it should bring plenty, could go to the Sleepyside housing foundation to help those families. She couldn't wait now to get back home. Except I'm going to miss the freedom I've had here with Jim, she thought. And this beautiful island. She knew that when she got back home, her parents would be strict. They thought a lot of Jim, but they were afraid of her getting into something serious while she was so young and then there might be a situation that would keep her out of college. Because of this, they really didn't approve of the seriousness of Brian and Mart's relationships with Honey and Diana either.
After an uneventful evening, everyone was tired, so the Bobwhite's went to bed early. They agreed, that after a short nap, Mart and Diana would get up to make certain the Captain was keeping an eye on things, but since they were anchored, they weren't really concerned.
Tomorrow, Trixie thought a little sadly, as she lay in bed, We have to say good bye to our beautiful island. It would forever remain in her memory as one of her special times with Jim.
They were awake extra early the next morning for some reason and they all climbed the hatch up to the deck, planning to take one last early morning swim before breakfast. The Captain also was up. "He was sober last night," Diana quietly told the others. "He seemed to be awake and alert and he knew what was going on."
Off in the distance, they noticed a large grayish color boat quickly heading toward the island.
"Oh neat," Diana observed. "Someone's coming to the island."
"It would be neat if it was some of my Dad's friends," said Honey. "I mean, to see someone you know way out here."
"That's not any of your Dad's friends," said the Captain in a shaky voice. "Those are pirates!"
Honey, Diana and Trixie burst out laughing. "Yeah right," said Trixie. "Maybe it's Blackbeard, come back to life."
"No, I mean, it's real pirates," said the Captain emphatically. "Luke, get down there and start the engine! We've got enough time to outrun them!" Trixie, Honey and Diana stared at one another, and shrugged. Each of them believed that either the Captain had gone senile, or that he had started drinking early today.
Luke quickly went down the hatch. Trixie borrowed Brian's high-powered binoculars and she felt a twinge of fear as she noticed the swarthy looking man who had tried to steal her purse in St. Augustine. Quickly, she ran to the back of the boat where Brian, Jim and Mart were. The boys hadn't heard the captain's exchange; they were busy trying out the deep-sea fishing rods, while waiting for the girls to get ready to go to shore.
The Captain ran up to them and started barking orders. "Luke hurry up!" he shouted down the hatch. "And, get me my shot gun. It's in the Captain's quarters!"
"Gun!" said Trixie.
"Why do you need a gun?" asked Brian. "Someone could get hurt."
"Yeah," Jim said, putting up the fishing equipment.
"You're right," stated the Captain, still trying to rush everyone. "And that someone could be you. You could get shot and they might take your sisters to sell them into slavery to another country!"
The boys, just like Trixie, Honey and Diana, clearly thought the Captain was crazy.
"He may be right," said Trixie. She then told them that she thought she saw the swarthy looking man that had tried to steal her purse. The guys each gathered protectively in front of the girls.
"We've got to get this boat going. At least we'll get a head start," said the captain. "And maybe we'll lose those pirates. You boys help me!" Brian, Jim and Mart started pulling up anchors and Mart was getting ready to go downstairs and start the engine.
Luke came up the stairs, a gun in hand. A very wicked looking pistol.
"It's about time," said the Captain, reaching for his gun. "But if those guys on that boat have those high powered guns, this won't do too much goo."
"Back up, old man," said Luke, cocking the gun and pointing it at the Captain. "All of you get over there. If you all cooperate, nobody gets hurt. I'm confiscating your boat, the diamonds you found yesterday," he said looking meaningfully at Trixie "and the three young ladies." He told the Captain and the boys. "Those guys that are heading toward us, they're friends of mine. You guys can all dive overboard and swim to shore, along with the Captain and we'll be on our way. Eventually, some of these rich people will come along and you boys can get back home. That is, if you want to do this the easy way."
"The girls come with us," said Brian firmly. You don't need hostages, by the time we're able to leave here, you'll be long gone."
"Not a chance, buddy," said Luke holding the gun on them. "You boys get ready to jump!"
All of a sudden, the Captain moved with agility, that none of them knew he possessed and he dove into Luke throwing him over the side of the boat. The captain quickly grabbed the rail or he would've gone over with them. "Boys' go down and start the engine. We got to get out of here. Those are real pirates! I should've known Luke was no good!"
The boys made record time and the girls went below deck. They gunned the engines and left the island quickly. getting the engine started. When they came back above deck, all of a sudden something started pelting the boat. "We're being shot at," yelled the Captain.
"Stay below deck," Brian told the girls. The boys dodged the bullets, but the boat took a couple of hits. But, surprisingly, the old engine picked up speed and they were off.
"So, there really are pirates that actually exist today?" Trixie later asked the Captain incredulously.
"Certainly. They aren't swashbucklers like all the old stories. But, they prey on boats carrying oil, or they rob rich people's yachts, just whatever they can find and they sometimes kill everyone on deck and take whatever is valuable." Trixie shivered when he said that. "We won't be stopping anymore, because I can guarantee you those guys and Luke are hot on our trail and Luke knows the direction we're headed in. Boys, you'll have to be my deckhands now, we're going to keep going till we reach the coast of New York."
One thing puzzled Trixie though. How did Luke even know about the diamonds? And was he the one that tried to kill her that day in Key West?"
Chapter 12
The next few days passed uneventfully, but Trixie and the others were apprehensive. They kept waiting for the pirate ship to loom on the horizon. But, they had gotten a good head start and had evidently lost them. They didn't stop for supplies as was originally planned and their generator was low on gas, so they couldn't shower every day and they had to mostly depend on cold supplies for food, like sandwiches, beef jerky, dry cereal, crackers, fresh fruit, etc. They used the stove very little. Trixie new that their vacation was drawing to an end and she dreaded giving up this special time with Jim, but all the Bobwhite's would breathe easier when they saw the lights of New York's coastline. Several days later, they pulled into a marina off the coast of New York. Trixie and the others breathed a sigh of relief. They could now get off the boat, check into a motel, eat a good meal, and be able to take a nice hot shower. She couldn't wait. They all went below deck to gather up their belongings and while down there, they were able to place a call to Mr. Lynch. He happened to be nearby and agreed to meet them at the boat shortly.
"Well, this is it," said Trixie a little wistfully, looking around as if saying good bye to the old boat. "Our vacation is officially over."
"But what an adventure it's been," said Brian trying to cheer her up. "We visited a deserted island, found buried treasure."
"We were chased by pirates," Diana finished for him.
"I could've done without that part," said Jim. "And I could have done without the part of surviving the storm and Mart nearly getting eaten by sharks."
"We got lots of great pictures for our Bob-White album," said Honey. "Dan's going to enjoy hearing about this and seeing the pictures."
"I'm going to miss this old boat, though," said Mart.
"I'd like to visit the island again sometime," Trixie said. "When we don't have to be in a hurry."
The others nodded their agreement.
They heard the hatch being lifted and the captain slowly came down the ladder. Something didn't seem right to Trixie as she looked at him. As Brian, Mart and Jim stepped out of their rooms after gathering their belongings, the captain all of a sudden pulled a gun. "Now, everyone gather over there and put your hands up," he said. "Don’t anyone try to play hero, or heroine." He looked meaningfully at Trixie. He waved the gun at Trixie. "Get the diamonds for me and don't try anything foolish."
"How'd you know about the diamonds?" Trixie asked innocently. Trixie was trying to stall him, because she knew he might kill them anyway.
"I've been looking for this boat for years," he told her. "At least since I got out of prison. I was Merona's captain and I killed her. No one ever knew. I didn't kill Merona for the diamonds or the map; I killed her because she didn't love me. I was in love with her. All she cared about was Rodolfo. She and I were supposed to find the diamonds together, but at the last moment she fired me, told me she never wanted to see me again. So, I slipped poison into her drink right after. She died quietly and no one was ever able to prove anything, but at least she and Rodolfo never got together."
"I was later sent to prison for twenty years, for totally unrelated crimes. I knew the map was hidden somewhere on the boat. I had came to Key West, found the boat and was on deck getting ready to search when I heard you three girls down below. I stood on deck and listened and I knew that you had found the diamonds. I was about to come down below deck and take the map from you, but I recognized one of the pirates headed toward the boat. They also had been after the map and had been searching for the boat for a long time too and I didn't want any of them to recognize me, because I knew they’d kill me. I took off running and he would have went on board and taken the map that day from you, but he saw the boys headed your way. I searched for this boat for years before it resurfaced and unfortunately, this other group was looking for it too. That documentary on Merona a while back, is what got their interest renewed. Luke is part of that group. They really are a group of pirates. I recognized several of them around Key West, they are known for ransacking people's boats and killing everyone aboard. Unfortunately, they too found out about the diamonds and they also had been searching for this boat. By the way, you all know since you know too much about me, I have to kill you don't you? I'm sorry, I really did like you kids."
"Was it you who tried to kill me in Key West that day?" Trixie asked.
"No, that was probably one of those guys that Luke was obviously in cahoots with. I know some of them, they're from some island country and I've seen them around."
Trixie was trying to figure out a way out of this situation. She caught Jim's eye. He was getting ready to tackle the Captain. Before he had a chance to though, everyone including the captain jumped when they heard someone say. "Put your hands up and don't try anything." A big policeman stepped on down the ladder. He had been standing there for awhile and he heard the whole confession. Right behind him was Mr. Lynch.
"Daddy!" Said Diana, throwing herself into his arms.
"Are you kids alright?" Mr. Lynch asked the others, as he hugged Diana and the captain was handcuffed and taken away.
"How'd you know?" Mart questioned Mr. Lynch.
"Oh, after you all called me, I thought it might be a good idea to have a policeman on hand because of transporting valuable and rare diamonds." He told them. "We got here in time to hear everything. Oh and Mr. Benbow has heard about the diamonds, he has done some research and this little country whom they originally belonged to are offering a hundred thousand dollar reward, which is only a fraction of what they are worth."
"Well" said Trixie. "A hundred thousand dollars will buy a lot of building materials, for those poor people in Sleepyside." All the Bobwhite's agreed.
"Well right now, I couldn't care less about diamonds," said Diana. "I want a shower."
"Yeah," said Mart. "And some real food. I've eaten enough sandwiches and cereal to last me a life time." They all burst out laughing.
Later that evening, as she and Jim had taken an after dinner stroll along the water. "This has been the best vacation I've ever had," she said, just melting into his arms. "It has been great," he said. But it's only a beginning. Then he kissed her. And, all of a sudden, she couldn't wait for the future.
"There's one more thing I want to do while we're here," said Trixie.
"What's that?" asked Jim.
She pulled the treasure map out of her pocket as well as the note to Merona from Rodolfo. "I want to throw this in the water as a tribute to Merona, who died before her time and never was able to search for the treasure." She held up the map and the note and let the wind carry them out on the ocean. She didn't know if she imagined it, it could have been the wind, but she thought she heard a lady's voice whisper "thank you".
The End