Page 22 of Rekindling Little River
“Sadie Marie, why am I not surprised to find you know something about this?”
“It’s just a guess, Headmaster. You’re always saying how valuable an education is and thatisatreasuremap you’re holding up. It seemed like a good guess.”
The man seemed to be a stern headmaster, but Dave caught the hint of a smile he was working to hide. The headmaster was as amused as Dave himself was.
“And I supposed that next you’ll tell me that you’ll be happy to investigate this for me?”
“Well,” the girl replied sweetly, “who better to help ye follow a treasure map than a group of scurvy pirates?”
“AYE, AYE!” The chorus of agreement from the gathered pirate crew was much too loud to be considered “indoor voices”. For a moment, Dave wondered if the stern teacher would play along, but it didn’t take long before the man surprised him.
The headmaster’s eyes sparkled, and something resembling a smile almost took over his face as he said, “All right, skalliwags, hoist the sails! We’ve got a treasure to find!”
Apparently not all of his headmaster ways had been abandoned, though, and his attempt to take on piracy paused as the next five minutes were spent arranging everybody into a group so nobody would get lost during the hunt. So much commotion and noise filled the halls that it was almostimpossible to think as all the different classes joined into one large group.
The treasure map was pulled out and Sadie, to no one’s surprise, was elected captain for this treasure hunt. The massive group of Littles and the Bigs in charge of them were arranged in such a way that if somebody had looked from the top, it would look like a boat was floating down the halls. Several Littles were holding hand-made flags that looked like ship masts with sails, and two Little ones were holding pirate flags.
Dave held tight to River’s hand as the group moved in a tight bunch through the halls following the directions of the captain as she hollered out, “Thirteen paces ahead!” River seemed to be so excited about this mission that they were vibrating, literally shaking in anticipation. Dave had to wonder. Had they ever done anything like this before? He’d have to ask them later. In the meantime, he’d make sure that they enjoyed this more than anything they’d ever done in their life if it was the last thing he did.
CHAPTER 21
River
River was having the time of their life. The group took off down the halls, sails flying, pirate flags waving, and orders coming down from the captain. The transformations of the room seemed to make more sense once they went into the Butterfly Room and headed for the “port” to supply the ship. Imaginary barrels and crates were hefted onto the vessel, while some crew members headed to town to barter for other things they might need.
River helped pretend to hoist the supplies, but for the most part they were just along for the ride. It wouldn’t be fair for them to take an active role in the treasure hunt, considering the part they played the day before. It was still more fun than they’ve ever had, and it was only made better by the fact that Daddy got to tag along.
After their business at the “port” was done, they headed back into the halls and toward the exit of the Littles’ Wing. “All right, crew, I expect a tight ship as we head into the deep seas.”
“Aye, aye, Cap’n!” the pirates exclaimed as they followed Captain Sadie down the hallway. They exited the wing and intothe main lobby, likely making quite a sight with so many Littles scrunched all together, yet no one seemed to blink an eye at the picture they made.
Even when one Little shouted, “Hurricane off the port bow!” and the group started weaving and wobbling, as if the sea had become rough, there didn’t seem to be anything more than amusement on any passerby's face.
As the captain gave directions and they headed toward the doors that would lead out of the lobby, they encountered things that any pirate might. A sea monster tried to topple the ship, a typhoon attempted to drown them, and siren songs tried to lure them away, but they persisted until finally they had reached the end of the rough seas and set foot on the land of an island right behind the main building.
“All right, me hearties, we be close to the treasure!” the captain yelled when the tight group broke up as everyone “disembarked”. “Keep your eyes peeled, and your feet steady. Stay close to me and I’ll surely lead you to where X marks the spot.”
River gripped their Daddy‘s hand tight as excitement overtook them. They were so close. The group of Littles crept along, their gazes swinging to and fro as they kept on the lookout for any approaching danger.
Suddenly, a Little spoke up. “Uh, Cap’n? Do it be known if there be any inhabitants on this island?”
“The map don’t say nothin’ about no people,” Captain Sadie replied.
“Well, maybe it oughtta.” The Little pirate pointed into the trees and continued, “They don’t be lookin’ too happy to see us.”
The gaggle of Little pirates turned at once to where the other pirate pointed and sure enough, a group of people wearing masks stood at the edge of the trees, inflatable swords in hand, seemingly frozen in time waiting for something. River’s guesswas that they were waiting for the scraggly band of pirates to get close. And they would get their wish if these pirates wanted to find the treasure.
“All right, crew, this is the time to find out what yer made of,” declared the captain, still under the watchful eye of Headmaster Jenkins and the other teachers. “Pirates are not ones to back down from a challenge. Draw yer weapons and prepare to defend our map and the treasure we seek!”
Each pirate carrying a toy weapon drew theirs and those who didn’t still produced imaginary ones. The pirates crept forward cautiously, their wary gazes locked on the masked islanders as they skulked closer.
“We don’t welcome outsiders on this island!” declared the tallest of the island’s inhabitants, in a voice suspiciously like Master Derek’s.
“We seek a treasure buried here and will be gone once it is found,” shouted Captain Sadie.
“You’ll be gone now if you don’t wish to face the ends of our swords!”
“We won’t be givin’ up so easily.” Though Cap'n Sadie seemed more timid than she had in her initial declaration, it was clear that she wasn’t backing down.
