Day Five Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Strangely uneasy all day.  But no one else aboard shares my apprehension.

It started this morning over breakfast. The dawn was slow arriving. The darkness clung everywhere, refusing to lift and give place to the light.

I mentioned this to Elijah. He only shrugged his shoulders and kept eating.

I planned to take some exercise on the deck, stopping first to check in on the bridge. Both the Captain and Tomas were present. But each was irritated about something, so I took the cue and launched into my walk down below.

It seemed to me that the storm of a couple of days ago had returned, only this time it was internal instead of external.

Time for the special cabin.

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Day Five Hundred Forty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The crew was busier than usual putting to rights problems left in the aftermath of yesterday’s storm. I joined G’s team as they investigated a higher than usual level of water in the bilges. It wouldn’t do to have a leak.

All the hatches topside proved to be functioning properly. So we moved below. We soon discovered the problem.

A sliver of daylight was showing between two hull plates high up in the forward section. With a calm sea no water was coming in.

The Captain put a welding crew on it. And we completed our search. G wanted to be thorough.

Elijah came out of the special cabin and passed the remainder of the day building up our guests.

Day Five Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A storm lashed the ship all day. Our guests remained in their quarters except the five of their number who are joining the crew. G oversaw their baptism as it were into this lot of a sailor’s life.

Elijah remained in the special cabin for the duration of the storm.  I could sense him wrestling for our safe passage.

I kept to the bridge and to the company of Tomas and P. Between the times of intense activity we talked about our lives, our past, and what it was that led us to this point in our life journeys.

Come my turn, their jaws dropped at the revelation of my great age. And marveled at my memories of my youth.

Day Four Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

After our night in the shallow cave, we had to climb to higher ground in order to gain access to the road again. Standing water in the wake of the storm left the road inaccessible at the lower levels.

Elijah thinks it may take a month or more to reach the other coast. This gave me pause. Would we be able to rejoin the ship again if it took that long?

Elijah knew the answer, of course. The Captain had confided to him the ship was due for a lengthy refit at a shipyard when finished with their deliveries on that side.

We may very well arrive before the ship is prepared for the next leg of their voyage.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Clouds gave way to blue skies today. Opening to our view, the seas that stretch interminably before us.

In my downtime a thought flitted across my consciousness. It was so easy to imagine that we had sailed off the face of the earth. Is there any land left out there in that vastness we have not been to?

Elijah responded to my musings. He said our journey was far from over. If only because he does not sense a release from his charge. But he added that we should take full advantage of these times of peace to recharge and prepare. For a time is coming when we shall have no respite from the storm. With every hand against us.

Day Four Hundred Fifty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

In my capacity as purser I accompanied Tomas on his rounds today. Every thing was in its place and as far as outward appearances go, in perfect condition. And Emil’s special container still crowned the stack of deck cargo.

We caught up with the other ships at the mouth of the channel. One split off and headed for the island port. The other two just sat there waiting.

And it was easy to see why. Another storm looked to be brewing in the south. Our Captain took a wait and see attitude too.

Back on the bridge, I watched as Elijah went forward. He dropped from sight. But I knew he made it to the bow.

For the skies cleared.

Day Four Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The sea has flattened and the sky ahead has cleared. We have outrun the storm. We saw its track behind us where it had vectored off to the east. We also saw three other merchant vessels, also refugees of the weather.

Elijah wanted us to turn around then, but the Captain cautioned patience. In response Elijah drew apart to our special cabin.

Tomas wanted to turn around too, but for different reasons. He had heard rumors of pirates in the waters ahead.

Not until the other ships behind us turned about, did the Captain order the same.

When we were on our new course, Elijah emerged. He advised the Captain to make every attempt to enter port with the others.

Day Three Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Foul weather had blown in. And from every direction it seemed. The island as of then had not come into our view. The Captain assured us that we were close, and added that it would be a good time for Elijah to do his “trick” again.

I started to protest his worldly understanding, but Elijah interrupted, told me to fetch his staff, go out to the bow, and there command the storm to cease.

I caught on immediately that this way would educate the Captain better than my words. And it was also the fulfillment for one of my dreams.

I obeyed.

And to the amazement of those watching the storm blew itself out.

One of those watching was Stan.

Day Two Hundred Twenty Four Late Morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

I was safe under my palm tree. All through the night.

The storm never blew through the oasis. Near as I can tell, it hopped over my green patch.

All is returned to normal. Continue in my devotions.

Day Two Hundred Twenty Three Late Morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

No sun this morning. In fact, what light there was, has diminished and gone out.  

A storm is coming. But what kind?

As I throw myself in the lee of a palm I see a rising tide of sand.