18 - Time Traveler: Voyage With Columbus - Pages 18 - 20

CRASH!

A big wooden block comes smashing to the deck. It misses you by just a few inches!

The man who warned you comes and helps you to your feet. He has a bushy red beard and a twinkle in his eye.

"Close call, mate, " he says. "My name's Scarpio. Venetian by birth. Sailor by trade. And a fool to be sailing on this crazy voyage."

"Thank you for the warning!" you say. You introduce yourself to Scarpio. Maybe you've made a new friend.

Later, while helping Scarpio patch a torn sail, you learn a little more about the Santa Maria.

"This one is the biggest of the three ships,"
your friend says. "I'd guess she's about ninety feet long, maybe twenty feet across. Not much room for a crew of fifty."

You've already found that the captain's cabin is the only private spot on board! Everyone else sleeps on the deck wherever he can.

When the sail is patched, you line up with the others for a noon meal. In the middle of the wooden deck is a box filled with sand. The steward cooks here over an open fire, which to you seems very risky.

Carrying your wooden plate, you sit against a railing and eat with your fingers. Juan, another deck helper, comes to sit with you.

The food on the Santa Maria is mostly tough, stringy meat, and hard biscuits. Now and then you get a little cheese or a handful of raisins.

Juan sighs. "This voyage isn't going to be easy," he says. "You think we'll run into giant sea monsters?"

"I don't think so," you reply. But, like Juan, you're getting worried. Maybe this rough voyage is going to be too much to handle. Can you stick it out until the end?



Do you want to take a shortcut and jump ahead to dry land?
Turn to page 23.

Do you want to stay with the voyage?
Turn to page 26.

Category:

Gaming

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