Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pen and Ink

It seems that most of life's pursuits are begun alone.

4 comments:

Karen said...

Your illustrations, as your thoughts, are always beautiful. So are you, darnit.

Brian said...

Well, this was not the case in Treasure Island.

The squire had traveled to Bristol ahead of Jim and the doctor. He found a fine sailing ship and a ship's cook. The cook, Long John, helped the squire find the rest of the crew. To them, the squire added his own Joyce, Redruth, and Hunter (and Capt. Smallet).

On a fine morning the Hispaniola set sail from Bristol's harbor, with a crew of 25 or so. Unfortunately, only a third of the crew would be found to be faithful hands. It would later be revealed that the cook had earlier been first mate of a notorious pirate, Captain Flint, and had chosen the crew from his peers. He fancied himself the rightful captain.

Their stay aboard the Treasure Island would be harrowing, as food, water, two longboats, guns, and a special map were all items the pirates seemed to want for themselves. In the end, the man of the island, Ben Gunn, marooned years earlier, would prove very helpful to the faithful crew. Him, and his odd coracle boat.

Years later, Jim would wake from nightmares of their time aboard that island, with the sound of the surf booming upon its shores.

apple slice said...

A rolling stone gathers moss. A pirate ship may attract barnacles.

Karen said...

Does Brian have a blog yet???