Violent jarring of the ship told the explorer he must move fast or he would join the crew. Surveying the room and taking only the most important pieces, he moved like a thief. His right hand passed artifacts through the air to the left hand to place into the bag. Water splashed on Weston's feet. The lake was coming back up and the bottom would soon be underwater again. The pack was full. He started for the door. The man-of-war's mainmast crashed against the ceiling of the cavern. Splinters barricaded the doorway. The traveler ran toward the captain. He jumped on the chair, hauled up the skeleton and used its blood red coat as a shield to crash through the window. The two figures hurled out the back of the ship into the swirling, rising water. The captain's arms wrapped around the man as if the swashbuckler wanted revenge.

A sliver of moonlight shone down onto the explorer from the hole above. The spiked ceiling was getting dangerously close. Weston pushed off from the ship, freeing himself from the captain whom drifted back through the broken window into his cabin. The treasure hunter slipped into the opening. Water shot him up through the tunnel like a geyser. He scrambled to grab the rope. Just as the man was going to be launched high into the air the rope tangled around his arm, became tight and slammed him to the ground.

Home   Back   Next