Island Paradisa.

[Henry]

CG mate i have reluctantly just let a beautifully coloured seahorse go back into its natural surroundings.

Aren't those creatures so beautiful the way they move across the ocean floor especially when they are lit up by the rays of the sun.

Faith you seem a bit quiet there, are you enjoying yrself?

 

[faith]

Watching henryand the seahorse with delight...

"I'm fine Henry, just all caught up in the beauty...You're home is beautiful thank you for sharing"

Looking up there are stars twinkling in the black velvet of the night sky as the last rays of sun light are being extinguished...
the fire is burning bright. Flames dancing as the wood is consumed. The soounds of the island have change as the night creatures that live here awaken.

"CG, Henry, and Snork, there is some beer iced down and wine. *grinning* Phoo knows how to take care of us"

 

[Henry]

Faith the island is a pleasure to share with such good friends.

Its wonderful that the island can be filled with love, laughter and fun times of friends enjoying each other's company.

Off in the distance i hear the waves crashing over the rocks and lapping at the shoreline as the fauna of the island start moving about in the undergrowth.

A nice cold beer served with the lobster would be a good way to start unwinding from the day.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Watching the sparks rise from the fire as the driftwood crackles merrily

"Iced wine sounds wonderful Faith", I say, "I am absolutely parched. What other delights has phoo packed for us", Snuggling up to Henry and peering into the huge hamper.

The skies colors changing from deep red through purple to darkness and the stars begin to glitter above us. The camp fire spreads its warming glow in a warm circle but the white sandy beach fades into darkness now as the night closes in around us.

The coolness of the sea breeze begins to chill even with the warmth of the fire and I pull a loose teeshirt from the beachbag to cover my naked top as the hairs on my arm rise instinctively to trap a layer of insulating air.

 

[cgraven]

The bond fire blazes, fading are the gold’s and purples of sunset, rich cobalt blues, slowly claim the night sky. Fire dances around the drift wood pyre, swirling columns of ruby embers are carried sky ward to the ever deepening night sky. The warmth of day fades as the chill of night comes creeping from the land.

”Aye it was on just such a night in 1863 that the Confederate raider slip up on Portland head light, gliding on the incoming tide a blacken phantom, come to destroy the commerce of the north.”

“Ah but it is boring old history and a sea story to boot”

 

[Henry]

Slowly putting my arms around Snork i enjoy the warmth that comes from the fire and surrounding company.

Its nites like this on the island that makes me feel so alive in such good company. The stars are twinkling, the crisp nite air is a welcome relief to the blazing sun from the day.

CG i would love to hear the tale of that confederate raider back in 1863 as the nite is still quite young and we are amongst friends.

That is if Faith and Snork would like to hear it as well?

 

[Snork Maiden]

Snuggling up to Henry I rest my head against his shoulder watching the flames and sparks rising from the fire. Feeling his arm wrapped around me. I smile, it is nice to be amongst good company.

'Yes do, please.', I reply as Henry urges CG to tell his tale of the Dixie Raider. 'I love to hear old tales of home'

I nuzzle Henry softly and purr, 'hmmmmmmmmm, do you think the Bugs are baked yet?'

I look across at Faith, sitting quietly beside CG, enjoying his company as much I am Henry.

'I love stary nights, just to look up and watch an wonder', I say

 

[cgraven]

Well Snork I think the “Bugs ‘are almost but not quite done.

The night was misty, the lads of Portland well in to their cups as the raider slipped by Ft Adams. A brand new navy picket ship lay tied up at the foot of Congress Street, only a stray dog baking as the Rebel sailors slipped over the side and into their long boats. Oars muffled they glide to the wharves like ghost through the thickening mist. They went about their business with a determination born of desperation as they set a torch to every vessel except one.


“Alarm …. Alarm rang the cry from the topsail schooner “Maryland “ the revenues service crew turning out on deck as the clarion call of the bugle call all hands to station.

Shot rang out… fishing skiff and scowls alike aflame the Navy picket down by the bow, flames raking her rigging, the water front a blazing inferno.,

The sound of the rebel oars as they stroked for their ship.

The young revenue skipper. Shouting his order…..Make sail, Part the cables…. Gun crew to action stations..”

Shall I continue?

 

[Snork Maiden]

Sitting close to the fire I listen intently to C.G. as he recants the tale of 'The Confederate Raider', his face light by the camp fire.

The sound of the sea gently breaking on the shore was accompanied by the chirping of crickets. The nightcall of the birds now dimished as the sun finally sank and the night sky estabilished itself.

My heels cut the soft sand as I pushed my legs towards the fire to warm the soles of my feet. Snuggling close to Henry, his strong arm clutching me gently to his side as he too listened to our storytelller companion.

C.G. paused and looked at Faith sitting beside him and across at Us enquiring whether he should continue.

'Please do C.G.', I replied

'Shall I refill the glasses?'

 

[cgraven]

Ah a wee something to wet the throat would be much appreciated Snork.

truning to Faith my lips brush her's

I wait till all is still but the crackling of the fire. as it set the mood for the tale.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Lifting Henry's arm I rise and refill everyone's glass.

Handing Henry a cold beer which I know he prefers from the bottle I sit between his legs leaning back into his strong body allowing him to wrap his arms around me and rest his hands in my lap.

Sitting in silence as the fire snaps sending sparks skyward we wait for C.G. to continues his tale..

 

[Henry]

I crack open the beer after taking it from Snork as the fire crackles away providing both light and warmth to fill the immediate area.

Resting the beer on the sand i let my arms encompass Snork's body as i wait for CG to continue the quite fascinating and breathtaking maritime story.

 

[faith]

leaning against CG, I let my mind wander as I picture the uniform and the sail... my world changes as i listen to the sound of the voice... the voice of a storyteller.....laying down, i put myhead in his lap.... i feel his fingers in my hair...

"love...you know i love your stories...and this is the perfect night and place for a tale...please go on..."

 

[cgraven]

All is quite the bond fire blazes.

Yes my friends the bond fire balzes s Portland Main’s water front did that night. Flames towerin the call for the fire bergade , and only two ships moved in the harbor. The bold Confereate Raider and the little Revenue Cutter “Maryland.”

The young LT. barks his orders and the “Maryland” heals over under a full head of sail , all sheets to the freshening wind.

“MR. Jones run out the guns to port… gunner MacAfee put a shot across her bow..”

The thunder of her 12 ponders split the silence of the night.


Ah lad & lasses that running gun battle by Portland Head light was short and vicious. Each skipper trying to outwit the other a game of chess upon the sea shot thundered, canon belched flame and death. Wooden bulwarks shattered a thousand splinters of death flung to the wind.

And so the desperate battle went till a shot demasted the brazen Confederate warrior just under the light.

With cutlass and wild abandon the young Revenue officer brought his Cutter alongside.


“Away the boarding party” The order rings out , with pistol and cutlass they take the bold and brazen foe. Shot , slice perry and thrust, decks washed in blood till the bonny Blue Ensign is hauled down.’’

Some where off the Portland head land she lies a defeated fe a thing of the past , of long forgotten history.

Yet my friends on a dark and moonless night there are those that say that bold rebel raider cruses off the light waiting her chance to run firer and shot again into the Yankee fishing fleet.

 

[faith]

Looking up at Cg, I watch and listen to the words... for a time i am tranported to another time and place..it all feels so real...the picture so clear in my minds eye...

"thank you love... "

 

[cgraven]

Pas problem Ma chere.

Ok Snork your next what tale do younhave for us.?

 

[Henry]

Closing my eyes i listen quite intently to CG's story from the high seas.

As he finishes the story i look across opening my eyes and say " What a breathtakingly and stunning portrayal from the sea" Thank you for sharing it with us.

May i suggest a slight intermission before the next story is told by the campfire so we may indulge our stomachs a little if the food from the sea is cooked !

 

[Snork Maiden]

Nestling back against Henry I bend my head back to look up at him and smile.

'Some food, yes ,yes that sound like an excellant idea. Shall I pass out the plates whilst C.G. hooks the lobsters out.?'

'After we've eaten, C.G. I will tell the tragic tale of Sequin Island Lighthouse'

'Henry could you find some more wood for the fire Honey, while Faith and I sort the food out?', I kiss him lightly on the cheek

 

[cgraven]

Snork lobster and oysters coming up.

I the finest kind tradition of “Down East” I open the clam bake pit. Off with the sand, peeling back the burlap the steam from kelp and hot rocks comes wafting up to tantalize the senses. Working open the teaming kelp with a clam rake the orange-red lobster back appear in the evening twilight. Oysters and lobster done to profection. The aroma enough to tempt the saints. As I fish them out of their steaming bed.

Dinner is severed.

 

[Henry]

Feeling Snork's lips brush against my cheek I stand and start walking off in the direction of the shoreline.

Scooping up several large and a few smaller pieces of driftwood for the fire i pause on the trail as i make my way back. Putting the wood down and inching myself along i pick up a snake thinking it was a stick.

It lays still in my hand for a few minutes before i realise that i have hold of a snake. Wrapping the snake around my neck i reclaim the driftwood and walk back towards the low flickering flames of the fire.

Stopping just near the fire i put the driftwood down and taking the snake from around my neck take a closer look at it.

 

[Henry]

MMMM those lobsters smell absolutely delicious.

Picking up a couple of pieces of the driftwood and putting it onto the fire and stoking it.

Handling the snake i enquire if anyone would like take a closer look?

 

[Snork Maiden]

'Henry !", I exclaim as he produces the snake and hold it out in front of him. "Don't come near me with that, is it poisnous? you should be careful", I peer at the reptile cautiously.

The smell of baked Lobster and Oysters fills the air and makes my mouth water.

"Let it go up in the woods somewhere", I don't want it slithering up behind me whilst we're eating"

 

[Henry]

Snork i say " this here mark is from when it was born. I raised it from a baby and let it go about a year ago".

Time had certainly stood still as i remembered the sleepless nights caring for it. Now that i have her back i am not going to let her roam the bushes anymore.

Wrapping the snake around my neck i look across at Faith who is eyeing the snake off with interest. Probably best i keep him there Faith i've already scared one person, dont wanna do it again.

 

[faith]

*eyeing the snake*

she gleems with heath, her scales are clean and glistening... not a sign of a parasite... her eyes are clear and her tongue flicks as she tastes the air...

leaning forward, i touch her cool body...

"I can't say that i blame you henry... How did you come to have her in the first place?"

Leaning back against CG, i enjoy the the sound of the surf...

"Snork... Trust him.....Henry wll keep you safe"

 

[Henry]

Faith I have had this snake since it was about 5 months old, it's mother was killed by a barbarian who visited the island.

Being in need of company myself i nurtured the very weak snake and gave the snake a roof and kept it fed and alive.

Sitting near the fire i close my eyes and remember that morning many years ago when i found her, I marked her so that if i came across a snake on this island i would know if it was her.

My interest was perked up by something down the track, that could wait until after we had something to eat. MMMM those lobsters smell delicious.

Snork I have to hear your tale after we have eaten plus I would like to take a closer look at the area where i found the snake to see if she is now a mother.