Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before

by Charles Kaluza

  Chapter 10

  The island grew closer as they sailed on. It was as if a mountain had grown directly from the sea. After more than two hours of sailing, they finally reached the island. The excitement was almost palpable amongst those of the Forest to see this new land, built around the steep mountain in the center. Their impatience to be ashore and explore grew as Captain John continued to sail around the island, exploring it from sea. Daniel finally asked, "Those of the Forest would know if we can go ashore and explore this new land."

  Captain John was busy sketching details of the shoreline on his chart and turned towards Heather asking, "Princess, would you have them go ashore?"

  Heather looked at the excitement on Daniel's face and said, "If it is safe, a day exploring would be good for those of the Forest. We could use fresh water and the mountain seems high enough to gather some moisture."

  Captain John pointed to a small bay on his sketch and said, "If there is fresh water it will probably be here. It is a marginal shelter and if a storm arises, better to be at sea."

  Heather looked at the sky which had a high overcast before saying, "I smell not the rain. Do you sense a storm coming?"

  Captain John replied, "I have never sailed so far south before. I am not sure how a storm presents itself in this hot country. We must exercise extra care."

  Daniel said, "The island is but a few miles across, it will take little time to explore. This may be where the birds that cannot fly live. It would be a most wonderful thing to see and to bring a specimen back for Jason."

  Heather looked at the excitement on Daniel's face and made her decision. She said, "It is not yet noon. Those of the Forest have until sundown to explore the island. We will resume our voyage of discovery at that time. If the weather turns, we will need to depart sooner."

  Daniel asked Heather, "Would you explore with us?"

  Heather replied, "Captain John needs to sleep. I will take charge of getting fresh water; You take charge of the exploration and I will see you at sundown."

  Those of the Forest were ferried to the island in the skiffs. Jeremy and Daniel headed off immediately to climb the mountain. Daniel was forever stopping to look at plants and small critters. As Jeremy's frustration grew Daniel finally said, "We have so little time, you go ahead up the mountain and I'll follow."

  Jeremy was soon out of sight as he ascended the mountain. Daniel was trying to identify the medicinal plants which were in one of Jason's books. Coming to a small dry creek, he followed it towards the ocean, picking specimens of plants for his bag. From the steep hillside he could see the bay Captain John had identified. Satisfied with knowing where he was, Daniel headed back up the mountain. Small birds were everywhere and were like nothing Daniel had previously seen. In the distance he had seen large birds, but none up-close. There didn't seem to be any large animals other than the birds and the lizard-like critter which was sitting on rocks.

  He sat and sketched the lizard-like animal. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. Turning, he recognized the dead beggar from the tunnel entrance to the Southern Kingdom. The image disappeared behind a large rock and Daniel gathered up his specimens and went after it. When he arrived at the rock there was nothing to be seen except for a footprint in the sand. Being careful not to disturb the sign, Daniel moved along the path looking for other footprints. It seemed the one leg was being dragged and dried blood spots were occasionally visible. Someone was badly injured.

  Daniel followed the trail across the hillside. He should have been more alert to possible danger, but the obvious severity of the person's injury overrode caution. The trail led to a small cave above the beach, north of the bay where they were to meet at sundown. Daniel thought about seeking out Jeremy but knew Jeremy would have no trouble tracking him. He called out, "I am a healer and want to help."

  There was no reply and Daniel poked his head into the small cave. The darkness was at first complete, until his eyes began to adjust. In the dim light he could see a figure lying on a mat with a couple of baskets and jars adjacent. Daniel spoke up again and still there was no movement or response. He could hear labored breathing and smell the stench of infection.

  Daniel crawled into the cave and approached the unconscious figure. The stench became almost overpowering and only Daniel's commitment to healing allowed him to move forward. The light was far too dim to recognize details and Daniel used his hands to inspect his new patient. The skin was drawn taut over sharp bony features of the face and lacked normal resiliency. Instantly Daniel knew he was dealing with someone near starvation with severe dehydration. The man was much too warm, and the fever added to the debilitation. Daniel felt the neck pulse; it was rapid, somewhat irregular and very weak. Using both hands, Daniel explored the chest and abdomen. The ribs stuck out like individual sticks but the movement was symmetrical. Nothing broken. The abdomen was soft and despite the thinness of the skin, seemed prominent. Daniel's delicate sense of touch could detect movement of the intestines, at least something seemed relatively normal.

  Exploring the arms revealed an obvious fracture of the left wrist but the pulse was still palpable in the fingers; nothing too serious. The right leg and foot seemed normal except for multiple cuts. Daniel's exam of the left leg stopped when he felt bubbles of gas moving under the skin near the knee: gas gangrene. Daniel removed the leather cord from his waist and wrapped it around the thigh just above where the air bubbles had been felt. Cinching it tight, he tried to stop the spread of infection. If this patient were to live the leg had to come off real soon.

  Using his own water bag, Daniel tried to get the man to drink. He was obviously delirious from the infection and dehydration but still able to swallow a few mouthfuls of water. Daniel forced himself to be patient and allowed several minutes to pass before he would give more water. At times a slight groan would come from the patient but no conscious responses. Only the intact primitive swallowing reflex allowed Daniel to administer a little life-saving water.

  After about an hour Daniel heard Jeremy calling. Waiting until the voice was close Daniel responded saying, "In here. I need help."

  Soon Jeremy's head was blocking the light from the small entrance. He asked, "Now what kind of trouble are you in – and what stinks so bad?"

  Daniel said, "I need my surgical kit, a lamp, some sacred water and plenty of fresh water."

  Jeremy replied, "There's a storm coming, we better get back to the ship."

  "He's much too sick to move. If I don't operate he will certainly die. I have to do it here."

  "Who is he?"

  "I don't know. Please hurry and tell Heather not to worry."

  "I'm on my way, but she's not going to like it."

  Daniel did not even respond but went back to administering his small sips of fresh water to the feverish, cracked and bleeding lips of his patient. The light was changing and the breeze seemed to have stopped, which made the air even heavier. His water bag was almost empty when he heard voices coming. Jeremy's voice carried easily and the second voice sounded like Heather's. Soon Jeremy's head and shoulders were again blocking his light. Jeremy said, "Got your supplies. Your wife figured you needed some help and decided to come along."

  "Light the lamp so I can get a better look at this leg."

  When the lamp was passed him Daniel began a careful inspection of the leg. There was a knob of the purulent red tissue at the ankle and a small fragment of bone was visible. With no one to set the fracture, it had become infected and now the leg was swollen with the gas of gangrene. Gently palpating the skin Daniel gauged how far the infection had spread. The crepitance of the air extended to the knee and the tissue below the knee was black and green in color. The upper leg above his twisted cord seemed fairly normal. He would amputate above the cord and hope the infection had not spread too high.

  Daniel began his preparations by first laying out his surgical instruments in the small basin and covering
them with the concentrated sacred water. Taking a strip of cloth, he wrapped it around the thigh. Using a small stick he twisted the cloth strip until he could no longer feel any pulse at the knee. He then began cleaning the skin between the two straps with the sacred water. Without looking up he said, "I could use a small fire to heat my cautery rod."

  When he was satisfied that the skin was as clean as he was going to get it, Daniel began ever so gently sharpening his obsidian knife with a small piece of flint. He carefully laid the knife in the sacred water with his other instruments. Taking a moment for quiet time, Daniel visualized his surgery, picturing the great arteries and muscles.

  Jeremy said, "Your fire is ready."

  Daniel replied, "I could use someone to hold the lamp."

  A conversation outside the cave was ignored by Daniel but when Heather entered the cave he said, "My love, the stench is hard but I need your help."

  Heather, who could hardly breathe, asked, "What would you have me do?"

  "Hold the lamp just above my head so no shadow is on the leg."

  When Heather had positioned the lamp, Daniel picked up his obsidian knife and said a silent prayer to the God of the Sacred Water for guidance. He took a deep breath and let most of it out as he began. The knife sliced through the skin effortlessly, revealing the layers of muscle beneath, which were covered with a shiny silvery layer. As the knife sliced into the muscles they quivered and twitched as they pulled back from the sharpness of the blade. The unconscious patient groaned occasionally but did not move. The cloth tourniquet prevented any major bleeding and Daniel worked rapidly, severing the muscles and nerves of the leg. Slowing only when the main arteries became visible, Daniel carefully tied them with two separate threads, one on the upper side and one on the lower, before he divided them with his knife. In just a few minutes of operating time, Daniel had exposed the thigh bone. Using his small saw, Daniel began cutting through the bone.

  The sound brought back to Heather vivid memories of her father's surgery. Maybe the light had begun to waver, but somehow Daniel sensed her angst. He said, "Take a long slow breath and blow it out through your lips. I need you to stay in control."

  While Heather fought against memories of her father's surgery and the stench, Daniel finished sawing through the bone. Using the cord he had initially tied around the leg, he tossed the infected appendage towards the opening of the cave. He called, "Jeremy go bury this thing but try not to touch it."

  Jeremy reached in and grabbed the cord by the very end. With his arm fully extended he very gingerly lifted the amputated leg and carried it outside. Daniel could not see the grimaces on his companion's face, but Heather could. She had no trouble identifying with the emotions Jeremy was fighting to control. With the gangrenous leg out of the cave, the stench began to improve a little. Daniel worked diligently to polish the end of the leg bone before he began pulling muscles over the top to protect it. He then slowly released his tourniquet. Bleeding was evident at multiple points but he just let things bleed for a while saying, "It would be good to let the blood wash the tissue some."

  When he heard Jeremy return Daniel said, "I need my cautery rod now."

  Jeremy passed the cautery rod to Daniel without ever looking at the surgical wound. Daniel said to Heather, "The cautery rod will produce some smoke and more odor."

  Daniel touched the tip of the red-hot rod to the bleeding tissues. The bleeding stopped as the tissue responded to the heat with coagulation and smoke. The unconscious patient responded to the heat by groaning, a low anguishing sound. Jeremy had to reheat the rod several times before Daniel was satisfied. Daniel washed the wound with more concentrated sacred water before he began sewing the skin together. He left large gaps in the skin for drainage. Only after he had wrapped the wound in a large dressing did he stop to stretch. Heather said, "I would breathe some fresh air."

  A short while later Daniel also emerged from the cave and was greeted by the evening light which highlighted the gathering storm. The winds were blowing from the south and lightning was visible in the storm clouds. Jeremy had been building a lean to shelter out of driftwood next to the cave entrance. Daniel asked, "The storm is almost upon us, what of the ship?"

  Heather responded, "Captain John and the rest are at sea to dance out the storm."

  Daniel looked at the unfinished shelter and Jeremy spoke up before Daniel had a chance to say anything, "I needed something to do. Not enough time to finish it, we'll have to share the cave with your new friend. Any idea who he is?"

  "No. The beggar who died because of my powder showed me the way to him, so the God of the Sacred Water wanted us to find him. Now we must wait to see if he lives."

  The lightning crashed and the rain started and they all retreated into the cave, bringing their supplies and gear with them. The wind was causing the air to circulate and the stench seemed to have lessened. Heather turned up the lamp and for the first time Daniel looked at the cave itself. It was an almost round tube extending inward towards the mountain. The sides were made of black volcanic rock. Not enough height for he or Jeremy to stand erect in, but plenty for Heather. The smoke from the lamp moved inward which meant the cave had another opening somewhere. Feeling the smooth texture of the rock Daniel said, "This must be a volcano tube such as the old writings speak of. It would be good to explore."

  Heather spoke up saying, "Enough of exploring for now. You, my husband, need to rest and eat some food."

  Daniel realized he was hungry and thirsty. "I could use some water but first let me give some to my patient."

  Jeremy started to arrange a table of sorts and brought out bread and dried meat. Daniel took the water jug offered and refilled his small container. The stranger remained unconscious but took small amounts of water readily. His pulse seemed a little stronger but the fever persisted. At Heather's urging he sat and absently chewed on the dried meat and bread. Finely Heather asked, "Daniel of Issip, where are you?"

  Daniel looked up apologetically and explained, "The book of herbs Jason gave talked of a plant which helped the body fight off infection. I think I may have found some of it. I wish I had the book to compare the drawing to the leaf I picked."

  Jeremy asked, "Where did you find the plant and what did it look like?"

  Daniel thought for a moment before replying, "It was just before I started sketching the picture of the rock dragon."

  "That helps a lot."

  Heather asked, "What rock dragon?"

  Daniel dugout his book and showed the picture of the giant lizard to Heather. Jeremy looked at it and recognized the rock pile the lizard was sitting on. He said, "Well now I know where that lizard was. Where were you coming from before you started drawing?"

  Daniel thought and said, "I had walked down a dry creek until I could see the ship and then went back up the mountain. It was just before I got to the rock pile." Daniel picked the leaf out of his bag and showed it to Jeremy saying, "It was a small shrub about knee-high with these leaves."

  The lightning crashed close by in their cave was illuminated momentarily. Jeremy said, "I will find it but maybe should wait until the storm abates. For now a glass of ale would be nice."

  Heather said, "The closest ale is on our ship. I pray to the God of the Sacred Water that it and our people are safe."

  Daniel got up to check again on his patient as the wind howled by the mouth of their cave. The stranger was not growing worse, but no better. Daniel coaxed a little more water into him. He thought of the herb in the book; if he remembered right it should help. Taking a small bowl, Daniel carefully tore the leaf into small shreds and used a small rock to grind it. Adding a little water, Daniel created a green slurry.

  When he went to taste it Heather asked, "Are you sure it is safe?"

  Daniel hesitated only a little before tasting it and saying, "I hope so." It was bitter and a little sweet at the same time. It caused just a little tingling of his lips and tongu
e. Nodding his head Daniel said, "It is as the book described. I will try it on the stranger."

  Adding more water to the bowl turned the slurry into a green tea-like drink. Daniel brought the bowl to the stranger and gave him small sips. He asked Jeremy to hold the patient up in a sitting position so he could swallow easier. A groaning sound came forth as he was moved, but his swallowing was much better. Daniel was able to get almost the entire bowl of fluid into him. As Jeremy was laying the stranger back down he asked, "What will happen now?"

  "Now we pray to the God of the Sacred Water for help. I have done what I can and now we should try and get some rest."

  Jeremy staked out an area near the mouth of the cave to lay out his sleeping mat while Heather and Daniel chose an area somewhat deeper in the cave where the ground was level. Daniel turned the lamp down to a point where the wick was barely burning. As they lay there, the wind would rise and fall, creating at times a howling sound and at other times almost a humming sound. Sleep did not come easily and when it did Daniel had dreams of finding the dead beggar in the tunnel intermixed with dreams of the attack of the Red Ambassador. He awoke trembling, in a sweat. Lying there quiet, Daniel tried to hear the breathing of his patient. The periods of relative silence between wind gusts allowed only limited hearing but he could hear the shallow breathing of his patient intermixed with Jeremy's snoring. Sleep came again.

  Morning came only with a grayness as the storm raged on. While Heather attended to her morning ritual, Daniel checked his patient. The fever had lessened but still he remained unconscious. His swallowing was improved and Daniel gave him the last of the herbal medication along with several swigs of water. The three companions ate a quiet meal as they contemplated the fate of those aboard ship. Their cave remained fairly dry with only areas of water seepage through cracks in the walls. By midmorning the patient's fever seemed to be worsening and Daniel began to fret. When Heather asked what the problem was Daniel explained he needed more of the herbal medication. Jeremy spoke up saying, "I was just thinking I could do with a walk, being cooped up in this cave isn't good for me."

  Heather could not resist asking, "And how is this cave that much different than the Rusty Tavern?"

  "Well for one thing we don't have any ale and for another the only fair maiden is already spoken for. Besides, I can't even stand up in here."

  Daniel had to smile at the exchange and said, "Well if you are going to be taking a walk would you try and find the herbal bush?"

  "The storm will have erased your trail but if your descriptions are even close I'll find it."

  Bundling up in his cape Jeremy hesitated only a second before exiting the cave into the rain and wind. Heather called out, "You be careful Jeremy of Issip."

  With a wave Jeremy disappeared into the storm. Heather sat next to Daniel, who kept his hand on the patient's pulse. They sat quietly for many minutes before Heather said, "I would expect this man is one of those peoples Tivi spoke of. How do you think he came to this island?"

  "Shipwrecked almost certainly. He could have been on an exploration or a storm such as this could have blown him off course and destroyed his boat. Either way he has been here for only a few weeks."

  "How do you know that?"

  "The fracture of his wrist has not yet fully healed."

  "He is so thin, could that happen in just a few weeks?"

  "Probably not, but he could have been starving before arriving here."

  "Will he live?"

  "Maybe, if it is the will of the God of the Sacred Water. We will need to start getting some food into him so he can heal."

  The afternoon wore on with no sign of Jeremy. Even Daniel was beginning to wonder if something had happened to his friend. Finally a voice called out, "How about giving me a hand."

  Daniel went to the mouth of the cave and saw Jeremy half carrying and half dragging a bird which was the size of a small deer. Over his other shoulder it appeared he had the entire bush of Daniel's herb. Daniel took the bush and picked up the legs of the giant bird, helping Jeremy into the cave. With both of them blocking the entrance there was no light for Heather to see and she asked, "What's going on?"

  Daniel replied, "I send Jeremy out for a few leaves and he brings back a tree and for a bonus an oversized bird."

  Jeremy did his best to shake off the water from his cape before saying, "I figured if I didn't bring back enough leaves you would have sent me back out in this storm. There were three of these birds and they let me walk right up to them. Didn't seem to be scared at all. Used a rock to clobber this one, figured we could use some fresh meat. Of course hitting it on the head killed it, but its body didn't know that yet and it ran off, so only after it was dead did I have to chase it down!"

  Heather finally got a good look at the bird and said, "I've never seen such a big bird. Do you think it's the bird Jason talked about?"

  Jeremy said, "It's way too big to fly; so could be. I'm hoping it tastes good."

  Daniel said, "Let me make some more of this herb for the patient and then I'll help clean the bird. We should be able to make a bone marrow soup for the patient. Maybe we can preserve the skin for Jason."

  Jeremy replied, "We'll need a fire. I think some of the wood I collected for the shelter may still be dry. Might as well get it while I'm already wet."

  Daniel worked to give the patient more of the herbal medication. He seemed to be taking fluids better but still was not fully conscious. Daniel's wondered what it would be like to regain consciousness surrounded by strangers. He was trying to figure out how to ease the transition when Jeremy interrupted by saying, "The wind has changed. The air is now moving out of the cave; maybe the storm is about over."

  Daniel helped clean the bird by carefully removing the skin. He stretched it on the ground and said, "We'll use the ashes to preserve the hide. Look at how small and useless these wings are."

  The evening meal was without much seasoning but the fresh meat was flavorful. Daniel had broken several of the larger bones and stewed them in their small pot. When the pot had cooled sufficiently, he gave small quantities to the patient, who seemed somewhat more awake and swallowed more vigorously. The medication was working and the fever had broken, causing the patient to sweat. Heather asked, "Is there yet hope?"

  "He would seem stronger and the fever is much reduced so there is hope."

  "Will we be able to speak with him?"

  "I know not. I would the young priest were with us for he has much greater knowledge. We will do our best until the ship returns."

  As they prepared for the night Daniel asked Jeremy to sleep by the mouth of the cave in case the patient awoke. Jeremy grumbled but a little, "You worry about an unconscious man with but one leg. The ground is rough, but for you I will suffer."

  It was near morning when Daniel and Heather were awakened by Jeremy shouting, "Where do you think you're going?"

  Without the lamp being lit, confusion reigned for a while. Jeremy found that restraining a man near starvation with only one leg was harder than he expected. With Daniel's help the man was finally secured in his bed roll. The look of terror on the man's face was made even worse by the shadows of the lamp. Heather said, "Why is he so afraid? We are trying to help!"

  Daniel replied, "It may be the fever." After a pause he continued, "Or there may be a reason he fears strangers. For now we need to post a watch; I'll take the first watch."

  Jeremy looked out the cave mouth and saw some pink to the east. The wind had moderated but some rain continued he said, "The storm seems to be ending. Morning is near; I think I'll start the fire."

  With the fire going they reheated the marrow soup. The stranger watched their every move intently. When the soup had warmed sufficiently Daniel rose to feed the stranger. Heather said, "Perhaps I should try, maybe he would fear a woman less."

  Daniel nodded and handed her the small pot and the spoon. Heather brought the food to the stranger and knee
ling beside him tasted the soup herself. The smell of the soup had already made the stranger's mouth water, watching Heather eat it increased his hunger. When Heather offered a spoonful to the stranger he at first turned his head away but hunger made him turn back. He accepted the broth eagerly and Heather would have fed him the entire bowl but Daniel cautioned, "It is enough his system is not yet use to food. He can have the rest in a little while."

  Jeremy warmed some of the meat along with the last of their bread. Heather left them while the meal was being prepared to complete her morning ritual. They broke fast together with spirits much better because of the lighter sky. The stranger's eyes followed their every move. Jeremy said, "He is like a puppy who has been abused, he has much fear."

  Heather asked, "How old do you think he is?"

  Daniel answered, "His beard is not yet fully formed, so I would guess less than twenty-five years."

  Daniel changed the subject by asking, "When do you think we should begin watching for the return of our ship?"

  Heather pictured in her mind where she would have the ship; in the leeward of the island but a long way off shore. As the wind shifted she would have sailed with the wind, trying to stay in the quieter water. At the very least the ship would be on the far side of the island and a couple of hours out. "I would doubt the ship could return before midday. If the winds forced them further out to sea it could be a full day before they return."

  Jeremy spoke up saying, "We have plenty of meat for another day but nothing else for food. Maybe I will explore some more and see what I can find. I suppose you both can't come with me?"

  Daniel's face was in the shadows and his expression hidden when he replied, "I would go and see this bird which cannot fly but for now I will stay with my patient." Turning towards Heather he said, "It would be good for you to be outdoors. I will keep watch."

  Heather was going to protest that she would stay with Daniel but then the first rays of sunshine poked through the clouds. She said, "I would go with you Jeremy of Issip but we must not be gone too long. I would have Daniel also have time out of this cave."

  Daniel kept himself busy changing the dressing on his patient's leg and feeding him the marrow soup a little at a time. The patient no longer struggled against him but said nothing. Finally Daniel held the spoon full of the soup and said, "Soup."

  The patient said nothing, but looked anxious when Daniel did not give him the broth. Daniel waited a few minutes and again held a spoonful of soup saying, "Soup."

  The patient looked at him questioningly but said nothing. Daniel again returned the spoon to the pot and waited a few more minutes before trying again. This time the patient repeated the word but it sounded more like, "Supee." Daniel gave him the spoonful of the broth. The day wore on and Daniel occasionally walked out of the cave just to see the sunshine. It was getting late when Jeremy and Heather returned. There was excitement in their voices as he heard them approaching so he figured the ship had returned.

  They entered the cave with Jeremy's small backpack loaded with miscellaneous finds. When Daniel asked about the ship, their voices became somewhat more somber as they reported no sign of the ship. Heather said, "Captain John will not make landfall in the dark. We'll have to wait for the morrow."

  They began unpacking their collection explaining where they found the miscellaneous items. Daniel's patient lay quietly watching until Jeremy took out a couple of roots he was going to use for cooking. The patient spoke up saying, "Supee nee." He shook his head back and forth and repeated the term.

  Daniel took the root closer to the patient and said, "Soup?"

  The patient again repeated his phrase shaking his head in the negative. Heather took out another type of root and held it up. The patient looked at it and nodding said simply, "Supee."

  Heather asked Daniel, "Have you been teaching him to speak?"

  "I worked on the word soup. It would seem your one root is inedible. I think we will have much to learn from this man."

  Daniel had Jeremy help him untie the stranger. He responded by setting up and rubbing his wrists. He then pointed to his leg which was missing and said something nobody could understand. Daniel went through the motions of doing surgery and the man gently touched his remaining stump of a leg. Daniel went through a pantomime of fitting a stick to the end of the leg and walking. Heather and Jeremy watched the show with big smiles on their faces. Jeremy finally said, "What a story this is going to be back home."

  Daniel said nothing, but wondered to himself if they would ever see home again. It had been an impressive storm and anything could have happened to their ship and friends. While Jeremy began working on dinner, Daniel continue to work on communication with his patient. He pointed to the Heather and said her name. After several tries, the young man got it pretty close. Daniel pointed to Jeremy and said his name and again the man repeated the sounds. When Daniel said his own name and pointed to himself this patient said, "Da eel.”

  Which brought a laugh from Jeremy who said, "I always thought you were sort of skinny, but never slimy."

  Heather objected to Jeremy's caricature but could not hide the smile on her face. Daniel ignored his friend and repeated his name with an emphasis on the "N" sound. Gradually his name became recognizable. He then pointed to his patient and put a questioning look on his face as he turned up his hands. The young man looked confused so Daniel pointed to each of them repeating their names and then again to the young man. The young man repeated each name and this time when Daniel pointed to him he said something which sounded like, "Larry."

  Daniel repeated what he had thought was said but the young man looked confused until Heather spoke up saying, "Larby."

  The young man turned towards her nodding and pointed to himself saying, "Larby" and continued on in speech they were unable to comprehend at all. They continued working on the language through the meal and into the evening. With enough gestures and pointing they were communicating a little.

  The next day started with the expectation of their ship returning, but ended like the day before in disappointment. The following day they began manning a signal fire on top of the small mountain but still no sign of their ship. A sense of dread was weighing upon them but no one spoke of the probability that their friends were lost to the storm and they were marooned. It was on the third day of manning their signal fire that Jeremy rushed into the cave yelling, "They're coming."