Chapter 1  Once upon a sailor's dream...

The sky was wild and the waves beat relentlessly against the sea wall...  An  old sailor who sat by the docks and watched the ships...  He came to know many of the people who came down to the harbor...  There he spent most of his time  helping around  the docks... He would do odd jobs, and or watch their boats...  Give advice and lend a helping hand...   It was good for him, since he was much too young to retire and the sailors, liked his wisdom..

One day while he sat upon the dock, a tall dark fellow came up and ask if he knew how to handle a sailing ship??   " Well blow me down, mate I used to skipper a brig out of Barbados... It was an island packet, 56 ft and fast....  What have you got in mind, mate??"

"Well a friend, needs some one who can take a 48 ft Catamaran overseas  to pick up some relatives...  A good six month  voyage..."

" A Cat huh, those are fast...  Where is the vessel, mate?"

"It is about an hour south of here, in an inlet, near Ensenada....". The dark man replied..

"What happened to the captain and crew, mate?"

"Well I am not sure, the vessel has been moored there for almost a year... "

"How soon does he want this trip to take place, mate?"

"How soon could you go?"   He replied

" I was born on ready, but  would have to go look at the ship and then know our destination? Mate.."

"Plus we would need at least two experienced seamen, the Ole Sailor replyed..."

 "OK, My name is Josh, Josh Randell and I will relay this to my friend and come back in a few days...  "

Well the a week passed and then one morning; as the Ole sailor sat out on the dock, two men came up, the first was Josh, the other was an older Negro man, who walked with a limp.... " This is the man who wants to hire you!  Mr. R.E.Lee Newton, an African businessman.." , said Josh...

"Well I am captain Jabez, and have sailed the high seas for over forty years, mate...  Since I am some what retired, I will take your offer of picking up your relatives, for just the cost of provisions...  No charge for my labor... How is that mate?? Have we got a deal??"

"Done!  lets get to the ship and prepare for the voyage, Captain Jabez.."

During the next week Captain Jabez picked up two crewmen he had sailed with, and readied the Cat for the passage... 

Both men returned ; to see the progress...  "Capt Jabez, how does it look for our passage? 

"Very good, friends, it is a fine vessel, sails are in very good condition,  we have just a few more items to finish...   But the important part is where is our destination??"  

"That is exactly what we wanted to discuss. Sirs...  The general destination is East Africa...   But the exact place  will be disclosed once we are underway, there are those who would cause problems if they knew...  So take on full provisions, here is a check for ten thousand dollars, with further money once we reach Singapore..  Capt Jabez ... We would like to get underway next week.." 

"As you wish, mate...  I must get some charts and check the weather.... "

The following week finds the fast Cat under way out of the port San Diego, Calif. sailing West by Southwest...  Making for Hawaii, making twenty knots...  All five men are aboard,  Mr. Newton  calls a meeting w. Capt Jabez in the main cabin... 

"Plan to make a replenishment stop as needed; our destination is Zanzibar...  What do you feel would be a ETA... Capt??"

" Well you sure picked a good one, Zanzibar, have not been there for about ten years, mate....  But I would estimate with a stop in Singapore, an ETA of several weeks with good winds and no delays...   This time of year is best as it is before the Monsoons.. "

The ship presses on ward toward Singapore.... With a fair wind in her sails.... What lies ahead? only time will tell....

After a stop in Maui, the Cat sails on south of Hawaii... The Cat makes good speed, and is making good almost five hundred miles a day...

 " Capt. Jabez, How long do you expect to be in Singapore? Ask Josh

" Well we will stop in Nauru and replenish our stores and check the weather conditions; it should not be more than a week , mate..."    "Did you ever find out how many people we are expecting upon arrival in Zanzibar?"  

Josh  and Mr. Newton conversed for some time then:  

" There are two of my children, on 16 year old boy, and his older 18 year old sister...  They have been mistreated by the Islamic Authorities...  Because I used to trade smuggle arms against the government many years ago... "   

"it is really me they want so we must enter unannounced and depart quickly.."   Mr. Newton replies....  

Capt Jabez, remarks " This is getting better all the time, mate...  We shall see what we can do, when the time comes... Mate..." 

The Cat sails on the weather is perfect, steady wins and clear skies...  It is almost too perfect...

   Will continue later... stay tuned...  For Chapter 2...

[If you like this type of narration and proses, reply or email me so I will know how to meet your expectations, and desires...  Thanks... K }

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