The Pearl Box and the Seahorse by Ann Wilson (books to read for 13 year olds .TXT) 📕

in her mind.  At last, Lenore told all about the conspiracy and her father’s acquaintance with the Witch of the Dark Woods.

  “I heard him speak to someone of a pearl box that is with you, and he is afraid if the witch would kill you for that, because, without the pearl box, she cannot enter The Island of Peace.  He wants to steal it from you before the witch does any harm.  He was also talking about the chosen man whom the witch was cursing now and then, because, in his presence, she could not hurt you.  Hence, my dear, I beseech you to cast away the pearl box that might take away your life.”

Rosemary laughed at this, and told the whole story as she finished the portrait and showed it to Lenore that he was the chosen man she was talking about.

  Lenore was overjoyed on seeing the handsome face of Rosemary’s lover, the chosen man.  She wished her all success and told that she will always pray for her sweet friend’s welfare. 

The two ladies spent a nice time together after their last meeting at Sir Gerald’s marriage a month ago, for Lenore was prevented from meeting Rosemary by Sir Grey Winkle for unknown reasons.

16.A GREAT DAY AT THE SEA CASTLE

  The banquet hall at the Sea Castle was filled with royal guests, who were waiting to see Ferdinand, the brave young man, who saved and protected Miss Evans.  Sir Grey Winkle was the most anxious of all.  Rosemary was dressed in a beautiful gown in which she looked like a fairy princess.  Every eye was on Rosemary, as she entered the banquet hall with Lady Evans.

  At last, Ferdinand and his family entered in perfect formal attire, and Sir Gerald Evans went forward and welcomed them graciously. 

The royal guests including Sir Grey Winkle were amazed at the sight of Ferdinand, who looked like a handsome knight.

Rosemary’s eyes were fixed on this brave man who saved her life.  Sir Gerald praised Ferdinand and also thanked Oswald and his family for protecting his daughter with much kindness.

  It was a splendid day at the Castle, and every guest admired Ferdinand, the handsome, chivalrous, and well-mannered hero.

Rosemary introduced Ferdinand to Lenore, her best friend, and to all other young ladies of her age with whom she was the least acquainted.  Finally, she took him to the gallery where she showed him his portrait.

It was a great surprise to Ferdinand, and he was much delighted that his ladylove has had his countenance in her heart, and had produced it in art with excellent perfection.

  Rosemary then told him all that Lenore told her, and they moved into the garden quite confused of how to hand over the pearl box to the people of the Island of Peace.

  Suddenly their serious talk was interrupted by thunder and lightening, and a melodious voice spoke thus saying,

“Rosemary, the chosen one; inform your father in private that you have to leave on a mission with the governess Laura and Ferdinand to protect you.  You will find a boat at the small creek at the beach in front of your castle.  The ocean currents will take you to the island safe as you get into it.  Ferdinand has to be with you till the end, and he will be your husband.  God be with you.”

  They were happy at this, and hurried into the Castle to meet Sir Gerald Evans.

17.A STRANGE VOYAGE

  Rosemary met Sir Gerald and asked for his permission to leave on a mission with Laura for the welfare of the people of a nearby island who are awaiting her.

  Sir Gerald was worried at her request, but agreed at last as she asked for Ferdinand’s protection.  He came with his lady and the Oswalds to the creek to send them.  They got into the boat and moved slowly into the sea.  Sir Gerald Evans and his Lady gazed at them till the boat disappeared into the horizon.

Sir Grey Winkle stealthily left the Castle, hurried in another boat, and got into his yacht.  He had an idea to deceive Rosemary that the box was evil to get it from her. 

The witch had promised a huge fortune if he succeeds in getting her the box.  He spotted Rosemary and her party at a distance and whilst he directed his men to reach the boat quickly, there was a thunderstorm that pushed the yacht towards the port. 

Hence, he went into the woods to inform the witch of his failure due to mishaps, not knowing the fact that she was already peering at all the happenings through her globe.

  Rosemary and her party did not even feel that there was a storm nearby and rowed peacefully in the direction the waters took them.

The boat reached an island in less than an hour, and they got out of it through the nearest creek.  They saw nothing at the shore except rocks and trees and hence they moved further to see if there is any sign of life in the island.

On walking further, they heard roaring of lions and other beasts, and Rosemary was quite scared.  They returned to the creek for the boat, but it was gone.  They were scared and worried if this was another trap.

  Ferdinand drew his sword ready to attack any wild animal that they might encounter. 

He followed the noises as he stealthily moved forward behind the rocks, whilst Rosemary and Laura followed him much scared.  Their beautiful faces turned pale and Rosemary clasped the box tight as she prayed that Ferdinand must be safe.

  Ferdinand was vigilant as he moved further bravely.  He was ready to fight against any trouble that might befall them.

18.THE CONSPIRERS IN VAIN

  The sun was dying out of the sky when Sir Grey Winkle reached the cave in the woods, where the witch was living, to inform her of his failure due to mishaps.

  She welcomed him sarcastically saying,

“Welcome !King of the cowards!”

  Sir Grey Winkle started narrating his efforts, but stopped as she roared at him in fury.

“Damn!” she said, “I saw your futile efforts.  I am much discontented with you for not taking it forcefully from her.  I commanded to kill her if need be, but you dared not to touch her.”

  “But,” he trembled, “she is equal to my daughter.”

  “Do not speak before me, filthy worm,” she said violently, “out of my place, lest I will turn you to dust.”

  She turned from him and peered into the globe to see if something could be done.

Sir Grey Winkle left the cave embarrassed and scared.  He returned to the Sea Castle with remorse, praying earnestly to God, to save Ferdinand and Rosemary from the witch.

19.GLORIOUS MOMENTS

  Ferdinand and the ladies looked through a bush, and to their surprise, they saw lions playing with sheep, oxen, horses, and other beasts beside a pond; and crocodiles were out of the water watching them.

  “Is this heaven!” exclaimed Rosemary.

  “This is incredible,” he said, “have you ever imagined ofsomething like this.”

Suddenly, the Seahorse ran towards Rosemary, and she was overjoyed on seeing it.  She told Ferdinand that this was the horse she was talking about and he was greatly impressed on seeing it.

  To their astonishment, the mouth of the horse was opened and it cried aloud,

“Let the promises of the Oyster Queen be fulfilled by the power of the Pearl Box.”

  The pearl box started shaking and Rosemary threw it up in the air in fear, whilst it broke out, and pearls flew from it in all directions.  There was thunder and lightening, and a bright light surrounded the island that they closed their eyes.  They opened their eyes after a while, and there was perfect silence.

They were astonished to find that there were pearls all over that the floor was scarcely seen.  They were amazed to see well-civilized human beings in the island.  All of them bowed before Ferdinand and Rosemary.  Indeed, both of them were quite surprised to see pearl jewels on them, and also both had a crown that was glistening with pearls.

  The witch’s globe burst into pieces when the pearl box broke, and she melted like ice on an oven, and was no more.

  Everything was awesome to Ferdinand and the ladies that they did not utter a word.  The people conducted a royal ceremony and took them to the palace, at the center of the island, on a magnificent carriage, driven by white horses.

  The people requested them to stay in the palace, and the priest of the island came to meet them.  He told that Ferdinand and Rosemary were the chosen rulers who have brought wealth to their island as per the promises of the Oyster Queen, and requested them to marry and rule over the island as their King and Queen. 

Three men came to them to narrate the legend that was nearly 300 years old, passed on to them from their ancestors.  Ferdinand and Rosemary were interested, and the governess thanked God for protecting them and giving them such glory.