the Underwater Ship
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 2555
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The threesome boarded the boat and, with Vector by their side, they began
to paddle upstream. It was easy going at first, but after a good twenty
minutes Fred's arms began to tire and after another twenty minutes even
Thessamar began to grumble. The way was strange to say the least; the
underground river lay within a channel cut from out of the earth. The
walls were smooth and slick and Thessamar believed them to be volcanic in
origin. The boat had a lantern hanging from the bowstem yet the light
made only a small dent within the wall of darkness that surrounded the
crew of three.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Fred could stand it no longer and blurted out, "Are we there yet?!?" Almost as if on cue the oar-boat turned a corner and the glory that was Arthur's ship shone before Lord Fred and Thessamar. "Oh my," whispered the warrior maiden. "What IS that thing?" gasped Fred. "That 'thing' is my vessel," began Arthur. "That 'thing' is my submersible. That 'thing' is the Nautilus, and I'm very proud of her indeed." The two land-lubbers could hardly believe their eyes for before them was displayed a ship of strange proportion and arcane design. It was a ship, of sorts, whose hull was cut down to the berth deck, and whose frame had been covered in steel plates. Most of it was under the still dark waters, yet what little which was exposed gave it the impression of a large metal cigar. The odd-looking craft had a pipe or a stack coming up mid-ship. Forward of this was a stubby, iron house. "Well," said a very proud-sounding Arthur. "Would you like the grand tour?" "Yes," they both said simultaneously. With a signal from the sea-captain a door opened within the submersible and a seaman came from within. "Welcome," said the burly man. "The Nautilus is ready and waiting for you Signore, and your guests as well." Upon entering Fred couldn't help but feel like he was walking into a coffin, and it was a sensation he didn't like at all. The ship was not overly large, there seemed room enough only for one man abreast. The deck stretched out in a horizontal line and on each side was a wooden pole, and there were seats behind each pole, and near to these were pullies and ropes and pipes of all sorts. There was a scent within the chamber as well, a musty odor that was not pleasing to Fred, it smelled of old sweat and stale air and something else that he could not recognize. Then Arthur began to speak, "She's made of pitch pine and oak two feet thick, and on this was laid an iron sheathing four inches thick. She is a floating, diving sea-knight and the marvel of our smithies and millers." We're all aboard, Captain," called out one of the men. "Batten down the hatches," responded Arthur. "Secure the portholes and pipes and get ready for the dive." "Aye, aye, Signore," came the reply and after a short time Lord Fred found himself descending into the depths of the deep with the promise that within an hour's time they would be out of the caverns and in the mighty sea.
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YY
7/4/1999 1:40:43 PM
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