Maelstrom!

 

            Captain Grayson grinned into the wind as it sailed past his face. He loved being out here on the deck of his ship, The Crabwalker. He had only been captain for a little over a year, but this was his ship. He had sailed under the previous captain, Captain Fritz, for seven years as first mate. This ship was his home.

            Today, he had another reason for grinning. He had finally figured out the secret of the mysterious treasure map that they had picked up weeks ago from a less than reliable source. The woman who had sold them the map claimed that it led to fabulous treasures and wealth. At the time, Grayson found it hard to believe, but had paid the pittance for the map. What if it was a real treasure map?

            The map was in some sort of code, and Grayson had spent weeks working on it before finally figuring out its secret. Now they were headed southwest, straight to the treasure.

            He wasn’t exactly sure what he would find there when they reached the place. All of the other maps that Grayson owned showed that there was absolutely nothing there, just open water. But, if this all turned out to be a ridiculous goose chase, Grayson had other business opportunities nearby.

            Grayson checked the treasure map and saw that they should be getting close to their destination. He called up to the lookout, “Hey Max, is there any sight of land?”

            “No, sir!” Max shouted down.

            Grayson took out his spyglass to look ahead. “Nothing but water,” he murmured, slightly disappointed.

            They continued to sail toward the map’s location, while Grayson’s hopes continued to fall. Then, just as he was about to give the order to set a new course, Max gave out the long awaited call, but it wasn’t exactly what Grayson expected. “Massive maelstrom up ahead, sir!” Max shouted in a panic.

            Grayson hurriedly took out his spyglass again, and saw the disturbance in the water. “Hard to starboard!” he shouted hurriedly.

            The crew jumped to obey the order, but the ship was slow in responding. Watching through his spyglass, Captain Grayson saw the giant whirlpool getting closer and closer. The ship was moving faster now, being pulled toward the swirling waters up ahead.

            Captain Grayson stomped down his fear as he shouted, “The whirlpool’s got us lads! Our only chance is to ride the currents around it and hope that it spins us back out!” He now ordered his crew to sail towards the maelstrom. This was a very risky maneuver that Grayson had never had occasion to use. Sweat poured down his face as he continued to bark out orders to the crew. “All hands on deck! We’re going to ride around it!”

            They were now moving so fast toward the maelstrom, that the helmsman needed help to keep the ship turned the right way. The current kept threatening to turn the ship and suck it into the middle of the whirlpool.

            Every sailor’s face was set with determination as they neared what now looked like a hole in the ocean. Captain Grayson helped hold the wheel to keep the ship on course. “Hold steady lads!” he shouted, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the swirling whirlpool of death.

            The ship groaned and creaked as it reached the maelstrom and caught the swirling current that should allow them to sail away. Then the ship gave an almighty lurch as they passed right on the edge of the storm. With his heart in his throat, Grayson looked to the whirlpool’s center. “What was that?” he said to himself as he thought he saw a glimmer of gold, far beneath the waves.

            The ship continued to sound like it would break apart, but then it suddenly righted itself, and they were sailing quickly away from the dangerous maelstrom. Captain Grayson let out the breath that he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He gave the orders to continue away from the storm. The crew let out a cheer as they realized they were safe.

            Captain Grayson stayed on deck long enough to make sure they were truly out of danger before he went to seek the solace of his cabin. Closing the door, he took in great gulps of air as he pulled out the old map. That this was a treasure map, there was now no doubt. Grayson knew what he had seen in the center of the whirlpool. Riches beyond anyone’s imaginings, but anyone who sought that treasure would only find death.

            Grayson picked up his quill and carefully got out a bottle of ink. Dipping the quill in the ink, he then made a large X over the location of the treasure. He wanted to discourage anyone else that might try to use this map. Not many other sailors would be able to figure out the complicated code, but a large X should let them know that it wasn’t worth the trouble.

            Hundreds of years later, a new sailor captain came into the possession of a strange map that was said to lead to a vast treasure. Captain Taylor knew it was a genuine map, because there was a large X at the end location, and all sailors knew that X marked the spot for treasure. The rest of his maps only showed open water at that location, but he wasn’t worried as his crew sailed blithely toward a furious maelstrom.