Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twelve ( Pt 2 ) The Excitement Ensues

As dawn broke, people from the bays gathered along the main beach, each one with a story to tell of their experiences of watching new ships being launched. Still people were approaching from the top of the bay, crowding down the narrow paths, till almost every available space had been taken.

Simon stood with Brad and his friends from the next bay, as women and children handed out corn bread and hot soup to those who wanted some warmth. The cold morning air gave the boy shivers, he pulled the hood up on the jacket he'd borrowed from Korben's son Zeth, who was busy helping his father directing people to the best vantage points.

Simon wondered what all the fuss was about, 'after all!' he thought, 'it's only a silly old ship being launched out to sea...what's so special about that?' He couldn't understand these people and wished he were back in the forest, he missed the birds and other forest creatures. Out here all he had to look forward to was sea...sand and fog, it was all so boring.

Brad had never seen a brand new ship being launched either and wondered how they would get it off land and into the Ocean. He'd asked Korben and Vidarr, but both had said, “you must wait and see.” Brad was intrigued by the secret mystery of it all.

As people stood in anticipation, the blare of the horns suddenly gave way to strange sounds coming from the Ocean. Simon grabbed his father's hand. “What's that noise father?” He'd suddenly got the shivers running throughout his body and felt scared.

“I don't know son,” replied Brad, as confused as Simon. He took his hand from the boy's and put it round his shoulder.

Voices could be heard shouting further down the beach, “they're coming...they're coming!” in an exciting display of commotion.

“Who's coming?” asked Brad, to a tall man stood behind him.

“Don't you know?” replied the man. “Why it's the Snags...they always come to the sound of the horns. Been pulling new Ships out to sea for years now.”

“What do Snags do?” asked Simon, listening in to what the man was saying. His young face suddenly filled with enthusiasm.

“You'll see pretty soon.” The man smiled as he spoke, then shouted, “look!”

Suddenly through the fog appeared the shadow of a huge creature, which suddenly became clearer as it approached the ship. Then another and another. Men were shouting, “get the boats ready.” Everywhere people were suddenly busy.

Simon and Brad were speechless, neither Father or Son had ever seen anything like it before. Simon grabbed his father's leg, hiding his eyes from the spectacle and covering his ears.

Brad stared back up the beach, as men and women were busy clearing the path down towards the slip way, where stood the ship proudly awaiting its departure. Then appearing from the top of the cliff, a wooden platform on wheels made its way down the path, being dragged by large dray horses. Upon the platform stood a huge crane which towered high above the peoples heads.

So much was going on, that Brad hardly knew where to look next. He was astounded at how huge these Snags were, with their bulging eyes and thick set necks. The large conch shells that they carried, were illuminated by many rainbow colours, that radiated even through the fog.

Up at Brew cottage Bracus sat in deep conversation with Ben and Jay. Varden still at his side. Varg and Jason sat opposite awaiting their instructions, desperate to be doing something.

“So you'll be wanting to set sail with us?” He uttered in a devious tone. “What might you be bringing to the ship, that I should take you with us?” Bracus enquired of Ben and Jay.

Varden hoped they would give Bracus the right reply. He looked down at the ground, hardly able to look in case they didn't answer right. The boy knew Bracus would only take them, if they were willing to do anything. The boy was desperate that they would accompany the crew to Wild Whistling Isle.

“We can put our hands to any job that we're capable of,” replied Ben, feeling they needed to be flexible.

“Good...good!” Declared Bracus. “Then it's decided, you'll be coming with us, though I'm gonna be honest with you, it's best to be prepared for some hard labour, it ain't easy out there at sea...can get pretty wild and rough at times, large waves do make you feel like yer gonna die, then there be the Ocean Creatures, some are not so friendly and can be a problem.”

“We'll take our chances,” replied Ben, looking over at Jay for support. Jay agreed and so it was settled. Varden breathed a sigh of relief, the more people he had on his side once they were on the Island the better.

“You'd best go down with Varg and Jason to the ship. Once the Flying Fish is launched, they'll be raising the platform from the slipway to the deck. You'll be shown where everything goes, there will be a lot of heavy lifting involved, best roll those sleeves up and be prepared.”

Ben and Jay gave a sigh and followed Varg and Jason, unsure of what this trip would hold for them, but knowing they had no choice but to find Ben and Fern's parents. Meanwhile, no one had spotted the stray girl on board the ship peering over the side. All eyes were fixed on the Snags.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twelve ( Pt 3 ) Stowaway On Board The Flying Fish | ABCtales