Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Thomas walked to the deck of the ship, as they sailed to Britain, he was thinking. ‘I think I’ve have done no wrong, by not waiting any further. That was Captains’ instruction.’ He shook his head in sadness, feeling moldy within. Ritaline looked at him from a distance, and knew he was thinking, she walked down to him.

‘What’s the matter, Thomas? I can see you’re feeling sad.’ 

Thomas looked at her, and replied, ‘Yes.’

‘But know that Captain said you should move by sunset, you should not feel wrong, since that was what he told you to do. You sincerely obey his instruction, since he has not returned after waiting till the sunset. I don’t think you should be feeling sad.’

‘Yes. You’re right. Thomas said, looking at the water.

 Ritaline patted him on the back, consoling him. ‘May be he shall join us later.’

‘I hope so.’ Rritaline took away her hand, ‘Don’t stop that.’ Thomas said.

‘What?’

‘I feel comforted by your hand. You know I like you.’

‘You’re becoming unserious, man. I’m just trying to comfort you, and you think….’

‘Actually, I like you. But…’

‘But what?’

‘You’re not giving me the chance. You know.’ Thomas said.

‘It’s because I don’t like you.’ 

‘I’m now the Captain of this ship would you, like me?’ Thomas said, smiling, teasing her.

‘May be yes, may be not.’

Oh, why that? Why can’t you just say yes?’ Thomas said, angrily. ‘I will make you my second in command if you should become my wife.’ He robbed his chin.

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ Laughing, as they were talking, a pirate walked up to them, and said, ‘Thomas, where should we navigate the ship to?’

‘To east.’ Thomas replied. Ritaline turned to him, smiling.

‘Do you really hear what he called you?’

‘He called my name. Is there anything wrong about that?’

‘Why didn’t he call you, Captain?’ She said mischievously. 

‘Title or no title; who’s directing the ship right now? Me.’ He said laughing, and she became speechless. ‘Can you see that my dear. It’s not the title that matter, but he that controls. You will be mine Ritaline or not?’

‘That’s the subject of another day.’ She walked away from the deck. 

Two fishermen sailed quietly on the sea. One of the fishermen spoke in the calmness of the night to one of the pirates, who trying to sleep. ‘How was your party?’

‘What party?’ The pirate said, wondering.

Captain Casablanca interrupted, ‘He is drunk. Can’t you see he’s sleeping already?’ The pirate was confused by the Captain statement, and he immediately queue into the scene, pretending to be really drunk. ‘Can’t you see he’s drunk?’ Other pirates got wind of the scene too, and act along, laughing, and talking.

‘Oh. Really.’ He confirmed, and he never bothered to ask any question again. 

Captain Casablanca then asked him a question. ‘What’s your name, man?’

‘Oh. My name is Edward. Edward Handy’ He answered.

‘I like the name.’

‘And you, what’s your name?’ The fisherman asked.

‘My name is Napoleon King.’

‘So it’s a King I’m talking with, and I never know.’ He jests laughing.

‘It’s just a name. I’m not a king.’ They both laughed.  The fisherman rowed again in silence, before Captain Casablanca said when he was feeling dizzy.

‘Can you teach me how to row a boat?’

‘You mean it?’

‘Yes,’

‘Okay. Come here. Let me teach you.’ He began to educate Captain Casablanca, as the others were watching them in silence. After a while the fisherman said, ‘You’ve gotten it. You learn so fast. Let me take a little nap, I will take it from you after awhile.’

‘Okay.’

‘Just do it gently, else we’ll all be drowned.’ The fisherman went to sleep. The other fisherman was watching them with excitement as they sail on. In the morning, the two boats arrived at Port Jericho. 

‘Oh, it’s already morning; I really slept much,’ Said Edward. 

‘Yes.’ Captain Casablanca replied.  ‘Thanks for the ride.’ As he and his men boarded down, after paying the fisherman and his colleagues. 

‘Thanks for helping me, too. Anytime you come across our side, always call me for a ride. Bye.’

‘Okay. Bye.’ The two fishermen turned their boats and sailed back, as Captain Casablanca and his men walked into a café. ‘I’m dead hungry.’ One of the men said, rubbing his belly.

‘Me too.’ Another said.

‘Don’t worry boys. You will soon find something to eat.’ Captain Casablanca said to them. ‘You’ll get whatever you want to eat from there.’ As they entered into the café, about five men looked up at them, and Captain Casablanca walked to the manager. ‘Do you have seats for my men?’

‘Yes.’ The woman responded happily. ‘I will tell my boys to get you more chairs and tables.’ The woman called two boys and instructed them. Captain Casablanca looked around, to see if they were been watched, but none was watching them. He heaved a sigh.

‘The men in the café seem to be watching us the moment we walked in. Hope all is well?’ Captain asked from the manager.

‘Oh, no problem, that’s their usual ways of behaving here, whenever they meet someone at the first time. I am Madam Finnys.’ She winked. The two boys set the table and chairs, ready for Captain and his men.

‘Please to meet you, Madam. Please feed my men with good food, they are very hungry.’

‘There’s no problem about that.’ No sooner, the tables were filled up with sumptuous meals, and the men ate and were fed. 

After they had eaten, Captain Casablanca walked to Madam Finnys, and asked, ‘My men really enjoyed your meal, even I.’ The woman laughed, ‘But, I want to ask you, if there is any hotel here?’

‘There are. We have many of them around here. When you get out of this place, just ask of Merry Hotel. It’s one of the best hotels around here.’

‘Oh, you’re a darling.’ He winked to her, and dropped some money into her hand. The woman giggled when she saw how much it was. She blew Captain a kiss. ‘I want to see you more and more.’

‘There is no problem. I’m much available for you. I will see you later. Bye.’ Captain Casablanca and his men walked out of the café, while Madam Finnys watched him, as he moved away, as if she was hypnotized. After Captain Casablanca walked away his men from the café, they walked to a remote area, where there was a ramshackle hotel in a wood. 

‘Why are we here, Captain? This is a remote area. I overheard the manager in the café telling you that there is a good hotel around. Why don’t we go for that?’

Captain Casablanca looked at him clinically, and said, ‘True. You heard the woman said that, but do you don’t sleep under a burning roof?’ The men shook their heads, as they quietly went in to lodge.

‘Men, come around. You will need to keep your loots here with me, till the next morning. Everybody will be dully rewarded when we get back to our ship.’

‘Okay, Captain.’ They went to their rooms after submitting it; four lodged men per room, and Captain Casablanca slept in one. He was thinking as he sat on the couch.