Thornhall Manor Read Free Page B

the sandy shoreline a mile or so away.
    â€œCan you see that horse-drawn cage? Well, that’s where they put you. Your stay on board will feel like paradise when they get hold of you. My advice to you, lad: swim for that headland there.”
    What happened next I will never forget - never. I saw him rise, then disappear beneath the waves leaving a cloud of bloodstained water slowly drifting away.
    When I reached the shore I lay under the warm sun, watching the seabirds in a clear blue sky and listening to the rhythm of the waves gently lapping the shore.
    A NEW BEGINNING
    How long I’d been there I’ve no idea. Suddenly I felt cold with fear. For a few moments I had forgotten the loss of my good friend Nobby. I managed to get to my feet. There was no one in sight. The shoreline was deserted. Floating wreckage bobbed up and down, but there was no sign of that great ship. I remembered that terrifying swim, my slim chance of making it to the headland, the menacing fin circling nearby. Why me? Why had I been spared? Why did I have to wake up and remember!
    â€˜Distance yourself, lad, distance yourself.’ These words kept ringing in my head.
    Mile after mile I walked along the shoreline, with sand lizards scampering away at the sound of my footsteps. The hot sun was burning my skin. A following of flies hovered above my head.
    â€˜Distance yourself, lad, distance yourself’ - over and over again.
    With parched lips and aching limbs I sank to the ground and remember no more.
    I had no fear as a broad-faced native looked down at me. I probably owed my life to him. I had a raging fever and he was feeding me a kind of fish soup. I had been carried into the shade of a large tree, and covered during the cold nights. With one hand he offered me large white wriggling grubs; the other hand pointed to his lips. I managed to sit up and rest against a tree trunk. It wasn’t until I’d eaten the last one that he turned and walked away. There was a family group of about eight. Two carried long spears. The children were frightened of me at first, but gradually came nearer to look at me. To show my gratitude I managed to fashion a simple flute, producing a few high and low notes. The children were fascinated - so I made them one each.
    My fever left me and I felt stronger with each passing day. I joined the family group, being accepted as a friend and sharing their food.
    It was a damp misty morning. I lay there, gazing into the glowing embers of the fire. Can you imagine my surprise and fear when I realised they had gone - disappeared? It was as if they’d never been there. I knew one day these strange but wonderful people would melt away into this vast and terrifying country. There beside me lay several strips of dried meat, different kinds of fruit and a pouch of small stones. I had watched the children playing with these stones. To amuse them I had taken a stone in one hand, put both hands behind my back, then, with both fists clenched in front of me, they had to guess which hand held the stone. They’d laughed and jumped for joy when they guessed correctly.
    Late that afternoon, leaving the shade of the tall trees behind me, I came across open countryside. My feet sore, and my throat dry, I decided to rest awhile. With eyes closed, I lay there. Where would it all end? It didn’t take me long before I drifted into a deep sleep. Was it my imagination? Was that a building I could see in the far distance or was I dreaming? This was no dream. There was a building on the far horizon. My aches and pains returned as I got to my feet. With aching limbs, I started to walk. Maybe it was a mirage. The hot sun can play tricks. Will it disappear? Can I make it by nightfall? With these thoughts in mind I kept walking, mile after mile.
    AT STEVE BRADLEY’S SHACK
    Yes, it was a barn. It was dusk when I arrived. As I entered, I noticed two goats, a mule and a horse harness. I threw myself down on a layer of