The Adventures of Horace Tidwiddler by jlee smith (book suggestions txt) 📕

to Abbasonn with eyes as big as saucers and said, "are they hungry?" "Don't think so, just curious." Horace said, "I didn't know things got that big. Abbasonn said, "I have been told that they can grow to enormous size, much larger than these I think". Horace said, "should we do something?" Abbasonn said, "just be very quiet and enjoy the moment."
As the morning sky turned to a soft shade of pink, the little boat slid silently through the black water with its personal escort of majestic gray giants heading Northwest.


CHAPTER TWELVE - ROTTE WEILLER ISLAND

The next morning the wind picked up and Horace found he really enjoyed it when the little boat was moving through the sea at a fast pace. It was exciting to feel the wind pulling the little craft into the oncoming waves, almost jumping from one wave to the next. It was like riding Guiensenbach at a fast pace over a rough field, He wondered if she missed him and her morning brushing, surely she would be glad to see him when he returned. Horace had not thought about his return until this very moment., All at once he wondered when that would be, or would he ever return to retrace his footsteps home? He was feeling very far from home and strangely alone even though he was in good company. He tried but could not remember how long he had been gone, it seemed like forever, Abbasonn touched his shoulder and interrupted the daydream with a question. He asked, “why so deep in thought, is something bothering you?” “No,” said Horace, “just thinking of all those we left behind and wondering if they ever think of us.” Abbasonn said, ”Horace, we leave a little piece of our soul with everyone we ever know and care about and they in turn do the same with us.” “That’s Allah’s way of softening the pain of separation one feels. I know now that were I never to see you again, I would, for the remainder of my days think of you with great friendship and warmth. Little brother, if this were not the case, then adventurers like ourselves would never leave home.” Abbasonn looked at Horace, smiled a big toothy smile and said, “little brother, they miss us just like we miss them.” Horace felt better and smiled back. The wind continued to blow for the rest of the afternoon.
The next couple of days were uneventful and passed without incident. On the morning of the third day, Durant was at the tiller when he shouted, “Land Ho.” All five travelers looked to the northwest and saw the outline of an island with several tall mountains at its midsection. As they drew closer, it became clear that this island was covered with a large forest that contained a variety of plants and trees. Horace had overcome his bout with depression and homesickness, he found himself excited about the possibility of finding those for which he sought. The prospect of new friends, a new adventure.
When their boat drew near the little island, an area on the windward side appeared to have a rather large settlement that contained white stone houses with red tiled roofs. Abbasonn told Horace, “this must be the gypsy settlement we are looking for. I was told it was a permanent settlement that had been here for hundreds of years.” Horace was excited about seeing something this old. He had never been to a city this old or large. Aunt Matt said, “you see one city, you’ve seen them all”. She said she would stay on board while they ask about Ulee. Horace told Abbasonn that she just did not like strangers so it was probably for the best. There was a very large boat dock with several boats tied to it. Durant said it appeared to be a deep water harbor that could accommodate boats and ships of almost any size. Horace noticed how striking the city looked up close. The stone buildings were all white washed and each had a bright red tiled roof. But the thing that was most striking was that each building had doors and window frames painted a variety of colors. Horace had never seen anything more beautiful and colorful in all his life. The colors ranged from bright pink to pastel shades of blue and orange, He thought it must be the most beautiful city on earth.
Abbasonn was tying the lines to the dock when two men approached, waved and said, “welcome to Rotte Weiller Island.” Durant stepped onto the dock extended his hand in friendship and said’ “thank you.” We are sailing from Port Cesizeria several weeks to the Southeast of here. He then introduced Abbasonn, Horace and Bentaub. He did not mention Aunt Matt as she had gone below and did not show any interest in the introductions. Horace could not keep from asking, “Sirs, can you tell me where your city got such an unusual name?” The older of the two smiled and said, “It means red roofs.” “Oh,” said Horace feeling kind of stupid. Durant asked about obtaining fresh water and if they could purchase a few provisions. While Durant and Bentaub were attending to these matters, Abbasonn and Horace walked to the city’s market area to see if information could be obtained regarding Ulee and his family.
There were booths set in the center of the city that had all types of foods and wares for sale. Horace thought this must be the grandest thing he had ever seen. There were vegetables, fish, cheese, even livestock. There was clothing of all colors and types. Abbasonn said, “little brother it is time you had the proper attire of an adventurer. I am going to buy you some new clothing so you will look the part.” Horace said, “thank you for your kindness but I don’t know how I could ever repay you.” Abbasonn said, “did I say anything about repayment?” “Now be quiet and let’s pick you out a new wardrobe.
After much haggling between Abbasonn and a shop keeper, in a language he had never heard, Horace walked away from the market with the following: A new white cotton night shirt that draped all the way to his new leather sandals. It was tied at the waist with a belt made of fine leather dyed white. On his head he wore a long piece of white cotton cloth that was wrapped around and around his head many times, A small opening was left for his eyes, nose and mouth. Abbasonn said this would protect his head and face from the sun.
At first Horace felt a little awkward in the new clothes and leather sandals. But after a short while, he found them to be very comfortable and he was surprised at how much cooler they were than his old pants and shirt that were made of lamb’s wool.
As they walked back to the dock Durant saw them approaching and said, “Horace, I almost did not recognize you. If I didn’t know better I would say you were a little Abbasonn except for the black face.” Horace blushed and said, “thank you.” they all laughed out loud, everyone except Horace who just blushed even more.
Durant said, “Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.” “First, the good news, the people I spoke to know Ulee and his family, Now the bad news, they do not live here. they live on a farm which is located Northwest of here on the far side of the sea, many weeks sail from this island. the farm is near a village called Spotslei.” Horace asked, “did they know of his son?” Durant said he had asked that very questions and some had replied they had remembered a son but they had not seen him in years. Horace sat down on the dock with his legs dangling over the side. He held his head in his hands and whispered to himself, “We'll never find him. I don’t think we will ever find him.” Durant sat down beside Horace and said, “I did not start this adventure not to finish it. If that’s where he is then that’s where we will have to go, so get your toukous on board, we are leaving now.” Bentaub and Abbasonn untied the dock lines, raised the sail and they were underway. Horace thought, "What's a toukous?"
As the little boat slipped from the harbor and headed out to sea, Durant said, “Horace come here, I have something for you, Abbasonn is not the only one who can buy you a gift.” He handed Horace a small basket with a lid on it. He said, “this is to keep you company on cold nights.” Horace lifted the lid and inside was a puppy, a puppy without a tail. It had a tan snout, eyebrows and feet. A tan patch extended under its chest and formed a wide V. Otherwise, the puppy was completely black. Horace lifted the puppy from the basket and it smiled at him. Horace looked at Durant and said, “I’ve never had a puppy before,” Durant said, “don’t worry, they are easy to care for.” About this time Aunt Matt stuck her head out of the little cabin and said, “What’s that smell?”
Horace turned and said it’s a puppy, it’s my puppy, as he held it high in the air and spun around and around. Aunt Matt said, “I don’t mean the dog, that other smell.” She looked at Horace and said, “It’s your clothes.” “You have new clothes, they smell good. I had no idea you smelled so bad until now, I thought that’s just the way boys smelled.” Horace blushed and said, “thank you, I think.” Everyone but Horace laughed.
The sail filled with a morning breeze as the little boat cut a smooth wake through the calm sea headed west, northwest. Bentaub pulled and tied down all lines so the sail was taut. Horace sat on the deck playing with his new friend. Aunt Matt stood in the bow of the boat and smelled the fresh salt sea air as it fluffed her hair. Abbasonn and Durant were both aft at the tiller. Durant said, “you know brother, this has been a grand adventure.” Abbasonn replied, “and its only going to get better when we find the village of Spotslei.”


CHAPTER THIRTEEN - NEW STRANGE PLACES

The next several weeks passed without incident. The little band of adventurers woke with the sunrise. Bentaub worked with the sail all day while the others took turns at the tiller keeping the little raft on the proper heading. Horace noticed he no longer saw the sea gulls he had become accustom to seeing. Durant said that sea gulls did not hunt for food this far from land. Horace asked how far they were from land. Durant just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Only Allah knows such things.”
It was during the fifth week at sea Horace spotted a sea bird. It was a different kind of bird. Durant said it was an Albatross. He said sometimes these birds would hunt