The Book Pt 3 <Doughboy>

The next morning Jamie packed his new book into his backpack along with his school books. "Hey Jamie," Sarah said waving to him at the bus stop, "I had fun at your birthday party, and I loved the story you grandfather told about the book, was he actually a pirate?"

Jamie shrugged, "I really don't know, he has never told me anything about pirates before."

"That would be cool if the story was real. If the story is real what are you going to write in your book?"

"I don't know yet what I want to write," Jamie said as they boarded the bus that just pulled up.

That day during history class they were discussing the voyages of various explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Captain James Cook. Jamie raised his hand, "Yes Jamie you have a question?" The teacher said.

"Did any of these explorers ever run into pirates out at sea?" Jamie asked.

Several students laughed at the question but the teacher said "Now students that was actually a very good question. During the exploits of various explorers, such as James Cook they did have dangers. I was going to go into that later but I guess we can discuss some of it now. During the voyages of Christopher Columbus one of the biggest dangers was the weather. Nine of Columbus' ships sank during their voyage and then of course illness, stale foods, or even lack of food, mutiny and so on.

Others faced similar hardships such as scurvy. Scurvy is a disease which leads to open sores and loss of movement and is caused by lack of vitamin C such as found in citrus fruits. Captain James Cook actually discovered the eating sour kraut prevented scurvy during his journey to Hawaii but the crew eventually grew tired of eating it. Eventually ship surgeon James Lind discovered the vitamin C as in fresh lemons and oranges prevented scurvy.

Pirates were around then but didn't bother our explorers too much. The most famous of these pirates was Edward Teach also known as Black Beard during the mid 1600's. But just because Columbus and Cook didn't encounter pirates doesn't mean no explorers ever did. Sir Frances Drake was an explorer during the end of the 1500's who was believed to be a pirate."

The teacher looked at the clock and said, "I took up too much time with that, we will be discussing the hardships of explorers and pirates later on, but we have only a few minutes left in class so why don't open our history books and study for next weeks test."

Jamie opened his text book but couldn't focus on what was in the book. All he could think about was his book and what kind of adventure he could write for himself.

Later that day after school was out when Jamie got off the bus and said good bye to his friends for the day he could swear he saw someone watching him from the bushes. He hurried down the street heading for his house and pushed open the front door "What's wrong Jamie?" his mom asked.

"I think someone was following me when I got off the bus." Jamie said catching his breath.

His mom headed over to the window and peered through blinds. "I don't see anyone out there, perhaps it's just your imagination, now head upstairs and do your homework."

Jamie headed upstairs but instead of pulling out his school books he pulled out his journey and opened to the beginning and pulled out his pen and placed it against the paper but was drawing a blank when trying to figure our what to write. His bedroom door opened and his mom walked in, "Just as I thought," she said and picked up his book, "Do your homework you can write in your book later."

Janet headed downstairs with the book and laid it on the end table next to the couch. She sat there watching the book ignoring the television she just turned on. She wondered why she never herd of the book before. Why didn't Will or Frank ever mention any of this before. Where did this book really come from and why has it's presence been kept such a secret? And why hasn't she heard any of these pirate tails before? Was Frank's father and grandfather really pirates? How could that be anyhow since pirates haven't been around for centuries? She didn't realize how long she had been staring at the book. It was getting close to dinner time and he had to get it started.

Dinner was as usual that evening talk about work and school but Janet couldn't hold it in any more. "Will why I haven't herd anything about that book or your pirate ancestors before?"

Will put down his drink and answered "Because non of it's," he cut himself off as he looked over at his son watching him, "Because it's a big family secret. So secret that not even I know all the facts about it."

Janet smiled and replied "Of course I should have known better."

"So greatgrampa really was a pirate?" Jamie asked

Will really didn't know how to reply and just said, "I really have no idea. My father told the me the story only once when he tried to give me the book. Before then and after then I never herd any more of it. I really have no idea if these stories are true."

Jamie looked at the book sitting on the table next to him, "I sure hope they are."

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